Good morning, Youngstown.

On Thursday, Sept. 24, the Youngstown Lions Club installed a bench made from recycled plastic bags at Gabba Camp, located at 4730 McCartney Road in Lowellville.

The Club plans to collect more recyclable materials to build additional benches as part of its environmental initiatives.

Community members gathered Wednesday evening at the Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission to discuss plans to revitalize the Belmont Avenue corridor from Giant Eagle (to the B&O station downtown).

Leaders from Youngstown and Liberty Township reviewed ideas to improve safety, pedestrian access, and repurpose vacant parking lots.

Community stakeholders gathered Thursday evening at Eastwood Mall to celebrate local commercial growth and preview new JA BizTown and Finance Park programs on the mall’s second floor.

Business leaders, educators and officials joined the Chamber event, which featured simulations for career exploration plus financial literacy.

This weekend, community events spread across the area: Newton Falls hosts Autumn in the Falls with vendors Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Warren holds Blessed With a Bag ostomy awareness events today and Saturday at St. Demetrios Banquet Hall, and Hartford presents Music at the Square Sunday 4–6 p.m.

The holiday Toys R Us shop will open Saturday, Sept.

26 at Southern Park Mall run by Go! Retail Group—offering arts and crafts, action figures, puzzles, electronics, books and games for families to enjoy during the season.

Local Halloween celebrations kick off today and continue through October in Mahoning Valley.

Attractions include haunted hayrides at Fear Forest in Lordstown and family trunk or treats and parades in Columbiana and Youngstown that offer spooky fun on weekends.

Local media professionals were inducted into the Youngstown Press Club Hall of Fame at Stambaugh Auditorium on Wednesday.

The event honored eight figures, including the late journalism educator Carolyn Martindale (fondly remembered for sharing her knowledge with thousands of students).

The Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber met on Sep.

24 to discuss local development and housing challenges. The group focused on strategies to support community growth + improve housing access.

The Ohio Consumers Counsel warned that if unpaid bills at four downtown buildings (Wick Tower, Erie Terminal Place, and two former bank buildings) remain unsettled, tenants could lose heat and hot water, with disconnects starting the week of Oct.

5. Tenants are urged to contact their landlords immediately.

Village residents thanked council for a one-year moratorium on data centers and urged officials to develop a strategic plan plus complete an independent environmental assessment on the former U.S. Steel property off Ohio Avenue.

Council will review zoning regulations so future decisions keep community health and safety first.

On Thursday, Sept. 24 (at 201 Wick Avenue) the Midlothian Free Health Clinic accepted a $2,500 donation from Second Sole during its Firecracker Four-Mile run honoring former co-owner Jim Benedict, supporting the clinic's mission to offer free healthcare to low-income residents.

Fall is here as Ohio farmers harvest summer and winter squash, offering fresh and nutritious options + supporting local growers at farmers markets and supermarkets.

YSU's Penguins will host (South Dakota) a top-ten opponent this weekend at home, with special teams coordinator Thomas Fletcher providing a preview of the matchup.