Good morning, Youngstown.

A section of the MetroParks Bikeway will be closed today from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at MetroParks Farm for the Suburban League Championship Cross Country Meet.

Bikeway users are advised to use alternate trailheads and avoid parking at the farm.

The Holborn Herb Growers Guild hosted its annual tea event Sunday at Lariccia Family Community Center in Boardman Park.

Guests sampled herbal teas, baked treats, and enjoyed a floral design demonstration by Jenny Wehr (owner of The Willows by Wehr) as raffle proceeds supported local scholarships.

The Beauty Legacy is hosting a barber battle at Covelli Centre — a head-to-head competition that showcases local talent and aims to energize the community.

Ohio’s unemployment rate fell to 3.3% in August from 3.4% in July & nonagricultural wage and salary employment rose by 2,100 jobs, bringing the number of unemployed down from 200,000 to 195,000, according to a report by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services released last week.

Gas prices in Northeast Ohio rose 33 cents to $4.555 per gallon on Monday, according to AAA East Central’s report; in Youngstown, self-serve prices were recorded at $4.501 per gallon.

The Salem City Schools K-8 building is over halfway complete after breaking ground in August 2025 and is on track to open summer 2027.

A public tour is set for Saturday, Oct. 17 (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.) at the campus.

Youngstown State University completed a $150,000 upgrade to its TV production studio at Bliss Hall (547 Wick Avenue) this summer.

The new equipment—including cameras, wireless communication and teleprompters with monitors—will equip multimedia students with hands-on training for local media careers.

Youngstown City School District earned a three-star rating on the 2025-2026 state education report card, marking its first achievement in 25 years.

The rating highlights progress in local education (Leslie Huff).

LaBrae High School Auditorium in Leavittsburg will host the Greater Western Reserve School Funding Forum on Tuesday, Sept.

29 at 6:30 p.m. Local education leaders will discuss Ohio's school funding model and tax reforms, letting community members ask questions about the changes.

The Ohio EPA announced that the closed Goshen Township County Land Development Landfill released nitrogen and ammonia at 2.77 (mg/L) on three days in August, more than double the legal limit of 1 mg/L.

Pond aeration near the site will continue as a mitigation measure.

Residents in McDonald voiced concern over a proposed plan for a large data center by Oppidan from Minnesota even as the village imposed a moratorium; officials will review zoning rules and consider an environmental assessment to protect community health.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association placed the Youngstown Defenders in Division II Region 5 after enrollment numbers were verified by the Department of Education.

The team lost four games following a week one win and will finish its season at home and at local sites.