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🌱 Patch AM: Mahoning Valley mourns Youngstown State graduate and devoted social worker

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Good day Youngstown! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Mahoning Valley mourns Youngstown State graduate and devoted social worker
  • How Youngstown kept Slavic Christmas traditions alive at Penguin City Brewing
  • Why this Chaney–East rivalry win really marks the end of an era

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Youngstownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Youngstownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: Cloudy, with a high of 46 and low of 29 degrees.
  • Sunday: Mostly cloudy; breezy, colder, temps: high: 32, low: 20.
  • Monday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 37 and low of 34 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Elouise K. Bayer, Salem, Ohio (wkbn.com) — Youngstown-area readers are remembering Elouise K. Bayer, a Youngstown State University graduate and licensed social worker whose work was even highlighted in the Youngstown Vindicator. The Salem native’s life will be celebrated Tuesday in Salem, with burial to follow at Lake Park Cemetery in Youngstown. Family and friends can visit Monday evening and share memories online through the funeral home’s tribute page.
   

2. 'Home for the Slavidays' brings Slavic traditions to Youngstown (wfmj.com) — Youngstown residents packed Penguin City Brewing on Friday night for “Home for the Slavidays,” a Christmas market celebrating Slavic traditions with polka music, Saint Nicholas, and kolachi. Hosted by Simply Slavic, the event aimed to rekindle family customs many locals remember from their grandparents and keep Slavic holiday culture vibrant in the Mahoning Valley.
   

3. Chaney downs East with packed house (wkbn.com) — Chaney High School’s boys basketball team beat Youngstown East 68–54 in Youngstown, one of the last times these longtime rivals will meet before merging into the Youngstown Defenders in 2026–27. Local fans packed Chaney’s gym as standout Asuante Mickel led the Cowboys, who improve to 5–1, while both teams eye a final showdown at East on February 10.
   

4. 10 Ohio colleges and universities were not in alignment with the science of reading, audit shows (mahoningmatters.com) — Youngstown readers may be reassured to know Youngstown State University’s teacher prep program is fully aligned with Ohio’s new science of reading requirements, unlike several major universities flagged in a recent state audit. The piece explains how Governor DeWine’s literacy push is reshaping teacher training statewide, what banned practices like three-cueing mean, and how future teachers’ preparation could affect reading outcomes for Ohio kids.
   

5. PLYMC Rolls Out Stakeholder Relations Division to Spread Message (businessjournaldaily.com) — Youngstown’s public library system has created a new stakeholder relations division to better communicate with residents, donors, and elected officials about its services and funding challenges. Leaders describe new roles, shifting donor strategies, and looming state budget and property tax debates that could affect library funding and services for Youngstown and Mahoning County patrons.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Come and support your favorite local home bakery by attending the vendor and craft show at First Baptist Church of Howland in Warren, Ohio, this Saturday, where you will find an assortment of gourmet cookies, sugar cookie decorating cookie kits,
    buckeyes, paint your own cookies, cake pops, assorted cookie boxes and much more. Only available at the show will be oatmeal cream pies. Pictured… (Nextdoor Mary Ann)
  • Just got this insanely high water bill from Youngstown.
    So I looked into all my previous bills over the last two years. My present reading in 2024 was around 60 and consumption was 3. Since then my present… (Nextdoor Meadowbrook Ave)
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Youngstown. Apply here.
  • Aerotek posted a job opening for Cleaner in Youngstown. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Youngstown here.

Ok Youngstown! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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