Good morning, Youngstown.

Local groups are providing free Thanksgiving meals and turkeys to help families after the government shutdown increased food needs.

The events include — a community dinner in Warren from 2 to 5 p.m., a meal at New Beginnings Christian Church in Greenville at 6 p.m., a dinner in Lowellville from 6 to 8 p.m. for the first 250 guests, a turkey giveaway in Newton Falls starting at 9 a.m., free meals at Warren Family Mission from noon to 2 p.m. and dinners at Rescue Mission of the Mahoning from 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m., and a Free Thanksgiving Celebration by Full Spectrum Community Outreach from 3 to 8 p.m. with RSVP — for those in need.

Youngstown CityScape honored 20 people and groups for beautifying the city during Thursday night's ceremony held at Concept Studio (downtown).

Awards were given in four categories: Business, Institutional, Community, and Residential, recognizing their work in restoring local areas.

On Thursday, the Youngstown Business Incubator held its first EmpowerUS Awards breakfast downtown — honoring five local changemakers for their creative work and dedication — with support from its Minority Business Assistance Center.

The Mahoning Valley Historical Society’s Memories of Christmas Past exhibit opens tomorrow at the Arms Family Museum at 647 Wick Ave.—near Youngstown State University—and will run until Dec.

31 with seven rooms of vintage holiday decor and a Santa’s Village offering hands-on activities; admission is $10 for adults with discounts for seniors, college students and others, plus a buy-one-get-one entry offer from Nov. 15 through Nov. 23 with a canned good donation.

The Diocese of Youngstown will host two Hispanic Ministry events next month, starting with a Mass on Dec 12 at Saint Columba Cathedral in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe where a rosary begins at 5 p.m. followed by a Posadas celebration with traditional food and processions at Divine Mercy Parish in Massillon on Dec 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. (Translation for English speakers will be available.)

Flying High and OhioMeansJobs will hold a job fair on Tuesday, November 18 at the Kent State Trumbull Library/Theatre to help Ultium Cells workers and others find new opportunities — twelve employers will attend to offer a variety of positions.

The Ohio State University Extension in Mahoning County will offer Master Gardener Volunteer, Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist and ServSafe Food Safety Training classes in 2026; applications for Master Gardener and Volunteer Naturalist classes are due by Friday, December 5—while limited seats are available in the ServSafe sessions scheduled to start on January 5. The office in Canfield at 490 South Broad Street provides additional details about class times and exam schedules.

Youngstown State University students and community volunteers are planting over 1,700 trees representing 17 native species today at Fordyce Wildlife Sanctuary in North Lima as part of the Legacy Forest Tree Planting Project—designed to match one tree for every incoming freshman to boost climate awareness and support conservation. Partners Mill Creek MetroParks, FirstEnergy and Boardman Subaru helped plant 8,750 trees since the project began in 2020.

Youngstown City Council will consider a resolution next week to restore the 73-acre McGuffey Wildlife Preserve managed by Mill Creek Metroparks—this move comes after the board voted to sell the property because the historic pond is overgrown and the dock was removed for safety reasons. The resolution will ask the board to maintain the site for local use while the sale details are finalized.

Youngstown City Council will vote next week on a proposal to extend a ban on building or operating a scrap-to-fuel plant run by SOBE Thermal Energy Systems—this moratorium was first imposed in late 2023 and renewed in late 2024.

The ban, effective November 22, will cover a facility that converts tires, plastics and electronic waste into fuel—city officials say the step addresses environmental risks and service concerns downtown.

A federal court held a discussion Thursday about payment progress for the East Palestine Norfolk Southern settlement, noting that appeals were dismissed for procedural reasons—yet no date for disbursement has been set for the $600 million settlement benefiting about 55,000 people.

Approach remains under review as legal proceedings continue.

On Thursday morning, ODH Director Bruce Vanderhoff stressed the importance of vaccines for RSV, flu, COVID-19, and measles while explaining that school-based health centers help reduce common care obstacles—especially in communities like Youngstown.

He also noted that new funding has improved services such as dental, vision, and mental health care in 138 centers across 27 counties.

Liberty Township is set to add 32 new single-family homes at Kline’s Farm over the next five to seven years as part of a growing housing development.

Local officials and real estate developers celebrated public infrastructure improvements today — steps that will lead to planning 60 additional condo and villa units to meet a regional job boom.

K-pop Brunch

10 a.m. - 4 a.m. — Penguin City Brewing Company — Free entry — Dance and sing along to K-pop hits while enjoying delicious brunch with fellow enthusiasts.

What We're Thankful 4-Miler

8-11 AM — Davis Family YMCA — Registration required — Participate in a fun-filled day of running and walking to celebrate gratitude with community spirit.

Tri-City Storm vs. Youngstown Phantoms Match

7:05-8:35 p.m. — Covelli Centre — Watch live on FloHockey — Catch the exciting face-off between Tri-City Storm and Youngstown Phantoms.

Shaun Cassidy Live Concert

5:30-8:30 p.m. — Robins Theatre — VIP Experience Available — Enjoy an evening with Shaun Cassidy featuring his music and story-telling.

USA Hockey NTDP U-18 vs Youngstown Phantoms

6:05-7:35 p.m. — Covelli Centre — Cost info available online — Watch Team USA take on the Youngstown Phantoms in an exciting hockey matchup.

Mistletoe Mingle for Singles

5-8 p.m. — Penguin City Brewing Company — Bring a donation for the Humane Society for extra chances to win prizes — Mix and mingle with other singles under the mistletoe for a night of fun and connection.

Omaha Lancers vs Youngstown Phantoms

6:05-7:35 p.m. — Covelli Centre — Watch the Omaha Lancers take on the Youngstown Phantoms in an exciting hockey matchup.