Good morning, Youngstown.

Local groups host many holiday events today in the area as the Niles Lions Club holds a Christmas tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. at the Safety Service Complex—featuring live music and festive appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus—while Santa visits Girard Free Library at 6 p.m.; a Window Stars craft also takes place today at McKinley Memorial Library, and upcoming events include a neighborhood meeting, children’s bingo on Saturday in Newton Falls, craft nights, a model railroad open house in Austintown, and a Walk with a Doc at Southern Park Mall.

Nearly 80 children and adults braved cold wind this week in McDonald to run and raise over $2,000 for Second Harvest Food Bank.

Three high school seniors organized the event as a senior project+ participants ran a 1-mile fun run or a 2-mile route to help families in need.

United Way of Youngstown is asking for donations on Giving Tuesday to help 141 residents displaced by a gas explosion at Phoenix House on November 22—every dollar goes directly to the victims.

The funds will pay for food, clothing, and short-term housing while the building stays unsafe for months—$8,300 has been raised toward a $50,000 goal.

J.D. Williamson II, former WKBN executive, donated $100,000 to Youngstown State University to create the Doris Saloom Memorial Scholarship in honor of her 43 years of service with WKBN.

The scholarship will be awarded yearly to a woman at Williamson College of Business Administration with a minimum 3.0 GPA—students from Mahoning County are preferred while those from Trumbull or Columbiana counties may also be considered.

Ohio child care providers are worried that new state budget changes, which require centers to adjust care hours and shift from enrollment to attendance-based payments until 2028, are forcing some centers to disenroll students and may cause closures within two years.

Center owners said lower payments make it difficult to cover expenses and keep centers open for families.

Trumbull County commissioners met Tuesday to consider partially closing County Highway 69 (Pine Avenue) in Howland to support Kimberly-Clark’s expansion and ease traffic problems.

They plan a public viewing on January 14 (before a final decision is made) as they review engineering studies and public input.

Austintown officials plan to lower electric bills by joining NOPEC, which offers a lower rate with no extra fees.

They will decide by December 15 and if approved residents can opt out between March 19 and April 8 — with the new rate of $0.899 per kilowatt hour starting April 24.

The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber offered to bring in neutral experts to help Lordstown council learn about the data center industry after the village repealed a ban on Tuesday—officials now plan a 180-day pause on processing permits amid legal challenges and local concerns—so they can make well-informed decisions.

The city’s design review committee approved two facade grants on Tuesday, awarding $20,000 to Brilex Industries Inc. at 1204 Crescent St.—which will fund part of a $56,400 improvement project—and $8,000 to Good Vibes at 2714 Mahoning Ave for roof repairs.

The forgivable loans come from an American Rescue Plan program that set aside $1 million for local business exteriors.

After a month-long search, Probate Judge Robert Rusu Jr. named local figures Jim Houck and Katharine Paul as new Mill Creek Metro Park Commissioners to fill roles left by Germaine Bennett and Tom Frost—they will be sworn in later this month and begin serving at the January 12 board meeting for three years.

Southwoods Health opened Howland Specialty Care at 8740 East Market Street on October 27 to offer seven key specialty services.

The new facility provides cardiology, gastroenterology, general surgery, orthopedics, pain management, pediatric gastroenterology and spine care under one roof — helping patients stay close to home.

Youngstown State had nine football players earn All-MVFC honors; Beau Brungard was named Offensive Player of the Year on Monday and became the first YSU quarterback to win the award since joining the league in 1997 — teammates Max Tomczak, Michael Wells and Ky Flash Wilson earned first-team nods while two others received second-team honors and four were given honorable mentions.

Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard has been invited to the Walter Payton Award ceremony on January 3 in Nashville—an honor following his season as Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

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.

Green Thumb: Paint, Plant & Sip

6-9 p.m. — Smash-On Party Center — Cost not specified — Unwind with a creative evening of painting pots and enjoying smooth vibes with friends.