Good morning, Youngstown.

Mahoning County Juvenile Court held a free backpack giveaway last Friday at Mahoning Valley Community School at 2026 South Ave, offering backpacks and restaurant vouchers to families of kindergarten- through 6th-grade students during the drive-thru event until 4 p.m.

At St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church in Boardman, children danced in traditional Greek outfits on Friday at the Glendi Grecian Festival that funds the church.

More dancing takes place today at 4 p.m. and on Sunday at 3:30 p.m., with homemade Greek food available throughout the weekend.

Justin Keating, a senior at Howland High, served as a Senate page during a three-week summer session in Washington, D.C.

He maintained a 4.39 GPA, led his class as president, and balanced multiple extracurriculars (band, quiz bowl, and sports) that show his strong academic and leadership skills.

Austintown and Lowellville school boards held meetings to review budgets, financial reports, and staffing changes.

The Austintown board approved contracts for services including counseling and academic support while Lowellville approved contract changes and menu pricing, with meetings held in August and on Wednesday respectively.

MCCTC unveiled its new LEAD Center on Aug.

21, expanding capacity for career training and making room for more students to gain hands-on skills at the college.

Four local teachers including Rebecca Baxter of Champion Local Schools traveled with Classrooms Without Borders to Poland in June to study Holocaust sites and gain transformative insights; they plan to use their lessons to create new classroom projects and forge a partnership with the Mahoning County Amateur Radio Club.

A bridge replacement project will close North Johnson Road between Courtney Road and Middletown Road for about 30 days starting Monday in Smith Township.

Drivers should use the detour (Johnson Road to Middletown Road to 12th Street to Courtney Road) to bypass the closure.

Trumbull County reported three confirmed measles cases this month, including one new case, while Geauga and Ashtabula counties each recorded 24 cases.

Health officials advise anyone who visited the Liberty Walmart (200 Goldie Road) or the Boardman hospital to consult a provider if unvaccinated or showing symptoms.

Evan Warholic, a 24-year-old part-time firefighter in Girard, Warren Township, and a volunteer at Weathersfield Fire Station #40, juggles three jobs while receiving home dialysis for end-stage renal failure and studying to be a paramedic.

His family and local health groups are working to find him a kidney donor (using a paired exchange program) to keep his life and dreams moving forward.

Chaney and Youngstown-East merged to form the Defenders and played their first game on Friday in front of local fans.

The team won 13-10 over Boardman and celebrated a new future while honoring the city’s sports heritage.

Great Clips OT Report said Youngstown and Boardman played an overtime game earlier today at a local venue.

The intense contest saw both teams battle closely as fans now await further details.

Sports reporter Cameron Niemi covered the overtime matchup between Salem and Poland today — a tightly fought contest that stretched into extra time at a local venue.