Leetonia will flush valves, hydrants

LEETONIA — The village of Leetonia’s water department will be flushing critical/control valves and hydrants on June 2.

Flushing will begin at the north end of the village then southward over the next month. As department employee Benjamin Wilson explained, the purpose of doing this annually — as mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency — is “to remove mineral buildup on the inside of the main pipes by pulling water in large enough quantities that the flow of water dislodges (it).”

This also is an opportunity for annual inspection to ensure the system is adequate for fire protection, he added.

Although the mineral buildup is sanitary, Wilson said that due to possible discoloration resulting in stained laundry, it is important to give residents warning ahead of time. After the flushing is finished, usually running water for several minutes resolves the discoloration.

Gentleman’s ride planned May 17

Youngstown Cycle and Speed is holding its annual The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride on May 17. Register to ride at gentlemansride.com. The ride is open to all makes and models of bikes and participants are asked to dress dapper. Riders will meet at the shop located at 124 S Market St., Lisbon, at 10 a.m with kickstands up at 11 a.m. A scenic ride is planned with a stop in between. Riders must register before the ride. No registrations will be taken the day of the ride.

First Aid and

CPR Classes on tap

A First Aid and CPR training class will be held on May 30 in the East Palestine Elementary School gymnasium. A class will be offered at 9 a.m. and at 1 p.m. For information, call 330-426-2629

Lisbon flag

volunteers needed

Volunteers are needed to put flags on Veterans’ graves at the Lisbon Cemetery on May 19 in preparation for Memorial Day. The flag placing will start at 5:30 p.m. The Lisbon American Legion and V.F.W. are spearheading the efforts.

Concert series returns

The Lisbon Summer Concert Series will be renewed on May 17 from 2 to 5 p.m. with Mike Webb performing music from the 1960s and 1970s. The series is sponsored by the Lisbon Eagles.

Interchange delays

From Wednesday, May 14, to Friday, May 16, motorists should expect possible travel delays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. near the interchange of U.S. Route 30, state Route 39, and state Route 7 due to ongoing construction for the 9th Street overhead bridge replacement project. During this time, traffic will be stopped intermittently along U.S. Route 30/state Route 39, including ramp closures to state Route 7, which will be necessary while the contractor places the new beams on the 9th Street bridge.

SR 39 closure

State Route 39 will close May 12 for five days just east of Steubenville Pike Road for a culvert replacement project. The road will close from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The completion date is May 16. Traffic will be detoured via state Route 7 north to state Route 45 north, state Route 45 north to U.S. 30 west, U.S. 30 west to state Route 518 west, state Route 518 west to state Route 164 south, state Route 164 south, back to state route 39, and reverse.

Emerson College

Speech and Debate

Emerson Speech and Debate team made history at this year’s finals in Seoul, South Korea. Three students advanced to the finals this year after a season of rigorous debate: Stella Del Tergo (’25), Kayla Armbruster (’25), and Olivia DeCesare (’26). Emerson is one of four institutions worldwide that reached the speech and debate finals. They were led by Deion Hawkins, Assistant Professor of Argumentation & Advocacy and the Director of Emerson’s Debate Team. Olivia DeCesare of Columbiana is majoring in Political Communication and is a member of the Class of 2027. DeCesare (’26) made history as the only woman debater to reach the semifinals and clinched third place in the International Public Debate Association (IDPA) debate in the finals.