Good morning, Youngstown.

Members of the local Police and Fire Retirees and Widows of Ohio Association met at the Austintown Senior Center to celebrate and collect toys and games for Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley.

The group, with 50+ members, receives updates on pension changes and community programs at meetings (April, July, October, December).

PLYMC's East Branch will remain closed until Monday, Jan.

12 to finish facility improvements, extended from its Jan. 5 reopening schedule.

The veteran-owned Dirty Birdies Sodas will open in summer 2026 at Howland Plaza on 8260 E Market St. in Warren, serving non-alcoholic, customizable drinks + a limited selection of coffee and energy drinks while hosting pop-up events for locals before the grand opening.

Today, the Roger and Gloria Jones Children's Center for Science and Technology welcomes families for its Noon New Year's Eve party and ball drop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 15 Central Square, featuring noisemakers, a dance party and constellation balls.

The Trumbull Retired Teachers Association celebrated 60 years of service as 300 members supported local schools and volunteered (including food banks and mobile meal programs) in Niles.

Its next meeting is Feb. 13 at Ciminero’s Banquet Centre, where four recipients of $500 teacher grants will share their projects.

Tuesday, the McDonald Blue Devils basketball team kept their undefeated 9-0 record with a 47-44 win over Mineral Ridge in a close Border War rivalry game at home, with coach James Franceschelli praising the late key plays that secured the victory.

Reviewing a busy season, local sports highlights include Ohio State winning its national title and Beau Brungard guiding YSU’s turnaround, while teams in track, golf and soccer made history + gave the Mahoning Valley a year of remarkable athletic achievements.

Des Moines Buccaneers vs Youngstown Phantoms

7:05-8:35 p.m. — Covelli Centre — Watch live on FloHockey — Catch the thrilling ice hockey match as the Buccaneers take on the Phantoms.

Tropidelic Concert

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Westside Bowl — Tickets starting at $76 — Experience the vibrant energy of Tropidelic's live reggae and electronic fusion.

Charlie Boy, Ferro, Ryan Concert

7-11 p.m. — Westside Bowl — Cost info not provided — Enjoy a lively concert featuring Ferro who brings melodic tunes to life.

Underground Entertainment Awards

5-11 p.m. — Westside Bowl — Cost info not specified — Celebrate the creative talents and influential voices of Youngstown's entertainment community with special performances.

Empress Eyes Live with Brake Fluid and Outrun Infinity

8-11 p.m. — Westside Bowl — Free entry — Enjoy a night filled with captivating performances from local bands Empress Eyes, Brake Fluid, and Outrun Infinity.

Intro to Epoxy & Overlays Training

9 AM – 5 PM — Epoxy Depot Youngstown — $895 — Learn epoxy techniques from seasoned expert Garrett Barnes at this comprehensive training event.