Good morning, Youngstown.

SOBE Thermal Energy Systems sent disconnection notices to four downtown customers for unpaid bills over the past 60 days.

Service may be cut as soon as Friday (final disconnections are likely the week of Oct. 5) if their bills remain unpaid.

Area credit unions met in Youngstown Tuesday when leaders including (ASECU, CSE Federal Credit Union, Friends and Family, and 7 17 Credit Union) discussed plans to ease costs for residents through an agenda outlining more affordable housing, fewer fees, reinvestment, and financial education shared with gubernatorial candidates.

The Mahoning Valley Construction Coalition hosted the seventh annual Mahoning Valley Skills Trade Expo on Tuesday (Sept.

22) at the Michael Kusalaba Event Center at Canfield Fairgrounds and expanded the event from student training to include all attendees as local trade specialists gave live demos.

YSU President Bill Johnson delivered his annual State of the University address Tuesday morning at Williamson Hall Auditorium at 10 a.m. He highlighted YSU’s accomplishments, including the opening of the Steubenville Campus (former Eastgate Community College), and discussed enrollment challenges amid a decline in the college-age population.

Youngstown City School District earned a 3-star rating for the first time in decades, but Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor said the district must keep working on its weak areas.

The district requested removal from its (academic distress) status, yet the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce said their current benchmarks were not met.

Niles City Schools will receive a $200,000 NFL grant from the Cleveland Browns on Friday, Sept.

25 to replace field turf at Bo Rein Stadium, with school officials planning bonus incentives for the winning team and a summer football camp for 200 students.

Sharon School District will enforce new rules for safe stadium entry, ticket sales, and behavior at Friday's Sept.

25 home game versus the Meadville Bulldogs. The procedures will also apply to upcoming school athletic events — including winter and spring sports.

Mill Creek Metroparks is working at Vickers Nature Preserve with soil grading, landscaping, and paving in progress for a new lodge designed for event rentals and Metroparks educational programs.

Officials say no opening date is set yet but a firm timeline should be revealed in about a month.

Mill Creek MetroParks starts its fourth season of controlled deer hunting on Sunday, Sept.

27 with archery hunts through November 21 at nine sites including Collier Preserve plus Vickers Nature Preserve; gun hunts will occur on weekends from November 28 to December 27, and signage will keep the public informed.

The American Red Cross is holding blood drives across Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties late September through early October and offering $15 e-gift cards to donors until Oct.18 (donors mentioning pickleball until Sept.30 can receive a paddle and ball).

Rogers resident Lydia Smith has endured her neighbor’s failed septic system leaking into her yard for 28+ years and has filed multiple complaints with the board of health, while local officials plan to inspect the property on Friday to address the issue.