Superload transport delay

MINERVA — A superload has been delayed on its way to East Liverpool, after crews decided to spend the night in Minerva Thursday afternoon.

The superload is traveling along U.S. Route 30 from Minerva to East Liverpool, and traffic will be detoured to ensure its safe passage.

This move will take several hours. During the move, expect delays and traffic stoppages on U.S. 30 and state Route 45.

Mardi Gras fundraiser

St. Paul School Foundation will host a Mardi Gras fundraiser benefiting the staff and students of the school from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 17 at The Rumpled Queen. The event will include heavy hors d’oeuvres and live music. Tickets cost $80 per person. Attendees are encouraged to don their purple, green and gold for an evening featuring New Orleans inspired cuisine and lively music. Reservations are due by Feb. 10. Tickets are available at https://www.opentable.com/r/the-rumpled-queen-salem or at 234-320-4014.

SRMC Look Nook Easter sale

Salem Regional Medical Center’s (SRMC) Look Nook Gift Shop will be carrying a variety of unique Spring and Easter items from Charm House Decor Feb. 2 through April 3. Merchandise will be available from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, with 20 percent of all sales going back to SRMC to support patient care. For information, call the Look Nook at 330-332-7252.

Cleveland bus trip

Lisbon Historical Society is sponsoring a bus trip to Cleveland on April 22. The trip consists of two stops: the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the West Side Market. The Rock Hall features over 30,000 artifacts housed in the five levels of this 150,000-square-foot museum. The Market has over 70 family-owned vendors in this 1912 national landmark. The cost is $90 and includes admission and gratuities. For details, call Lisa at 330-429-0399.

East Palestine parking ban

To allow East Palestine street employees to safely and efficiently clear large amounts of snow from sidewalks and intersections, there will be no parking on Market Street between 10 p.m Sunday and 6 a.m. Monday.

OSU Ext. chocolate workshop

Ohio State University Extension Mahoning County will host a Heart Smart Chocolate Workshop on Friday, Feb. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon at the OSU Extension office, 490 S. Broad St., Canfield. This workshop will explore how cacao and chocolate can be part of a heart-healthy lifestyle. Participants will learn the science behind cacao’s health benefits, along with practical tips and techniques for working with cocoa and chocolate in healthier ways. The workshop will also include a guided taste testing experience. The cost to attend is $10 per person, and advance registration is required. To register or for information, call OSU Extension Mahoning County at 330-533-5538.

MCCTC Creative Arts & Design students collaborate with Animal Charity on logo design project

CANFIELD – Students in the Creative Arts & Design program at Mahoning County Career & Technical College recently partnered with Animal Charity on a real-world design project supporting the organization’s Charlie’s Secret Wish Program.

Animal Charity reached out to Creative Arts & Design instructor Melissa Hackett to invite her students to participate in a logo design contest for the new program. Students were provided with professional design guidelines and challenged to create original logos using varied color palettes, typography, and meaningful inspiration behind each design.

A total of 25 logos were submitted and reviewed by Animal Charity, who narrowed the entries down to five finalists. Representatives from the organization visited MCCTC to judge the final designs, where five senior students presented their logos and explained the inspiration behind their work.

Grace Kirkpatrick was selected as the overall winner, with her design chosen to officially represent the Charlie’s Secret Wish Program. In an impressive show of student talent, all five finalist designs were selected for use within the organization:

– Caleb Greathouse’s logo will be featured on t-shirts for Animal Charity’s annual Furballevent

– Savion Tuitt’s design will be used during the organization’s tattoo fundraising events

– Evelynn Blasiman and Katelyn Garces’ logos will be incorporated into murals in Animal Charity’s new community common space

All five designs will also be professionally framed and displayed in the organization’s community space, along with each student’s written inspiration behind their logo.

Judges for the project included Jake Underwood and Jenny Falvey representing Animal Charity, Kristin Demidovich representing local health care providers, and Morgan O’Brian representing Cornerstone Caregivers. Together, they evaluated the designs based on creativity, message, and alignment with the mission of the Charlie’s Secret Wish Program.

Representatives expressed how impressed they were by the students’ professionalism, creativity, and presentation skills, noting the quality of work exceeded expectations and reflected industry-level design talent.

This collaboration provided students with valuable real-world experience, reinforcing MCCTC’s commitment to hands-on learning, community partnerships, and preparing students for careers in creative industries.

ESCEO Governing Board

CANFIELD — At its January meeting, the Governing Board of the Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio (ESC of Eastern Ohio) appointed Alexa Sweeney Blackann as the newest member of the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center (MCCTC) Governing Board.

Sweeney Blackann brings extensive leadership experience from both business and community organizations in the Mahoning Valley. She is the former president of in Youngstown. In early 2023, she sold the business and now continues as a consultant.

In addition to her work in the automotive industry, Sweeney Blackann currently serves on several local boards including the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce, BRITE Energy Innovators, Better Business Bureau, Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation, YSU Foundation, and the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Board of Trustees. She is a graduate of Youngstown State University and is deeply involved in community philanthropy.

“We are honored to welcome Alexa to the MCCTC Board,” said Richard S. Scarsella, president of the ESC of Eastern Ohio Governing Board. “Her strong commitment to education, economic development, and community leadership will be tremendous assets as we work together to support career and technical opportunities for students across Mahoning County.”

Sweeney Blackann’s appointment strengthens the partnership between education and business in the region and reflects the ESC of Eastern Ohio’s ongoing dedication to student success, workforce development, and community collaboration.