It's officially fall, gang! The mornings are crisp, the leaves are starting to turn, and pumpkin everything is back where it belongs.
This week we've got a heartwarming royal win for two Youngstown natives, two sweet pups looking for their people, the scoop on why fall is prime laser season, a brand new hibachi spot in Boardman, and a weekend packed with Oktoberfests and haunted fun. Grab a cider and settle in.
This Week's Edition
Good News Around the Valley
Good Dog Roll Call: Meet Gypsy and Cash
Fall Is Prime Laser Season
Local Eats Spotlight: Gohan
Deck the Halls Without a Furry Helper
Sweater Weather, Glowing Skin
Your Fall Reset Button
Cozy Up With Confidence
Get Your Furnace Ready Before the First Frost
Fall in Love With Your Next Home
Chase the Colors on Two Wheels
The Ultimate Weekend Guide
Want Your Business in the Scoop?
P.S.
Good News Around the Valley
There's plenty to smile about in the Valley this week.
The Youngstown City School District is celebrating a big milestone, earning an overall three-star rating out of five on its latest state report card, the first time in 25 years the district has hit that mark. A proud moment for students, teachers, and families alike.
The United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley has surpassed a major fundraising milestone thanks to its 11-year golf outing tradition, proof that when the Valley comes together for a good cause, great things happen.
🐾 Good Dog Roll Call
Every dog deserves a loving home, and the Mahoning County Dog Warden works hard to make that happen. They care for dozens of stray, lost, and surrendered dogs, giving them shelter, food, and a second chance at family.
Many of the dogs that arrive have been abused, neglected, or found injured as strays, and some need surgeries or hospital stays to get healthy again. That's where Friends of Fido steps in. This all-volunteer nonprofit covers those medical costs so no dog goes without care, and every bit of it is funded through public support and donations. If you'd like to help, a gift of any size makes a real difference. Friends of Fido
Meet Gypsy
Say hello to Gypsy, a stunning husky, or husky mix, with the kind of striking blue eyes that stop you in your tracks. With her pristine white face and a big, sloppy tongue always ready to deliver a round of kisses, Gypsy has no shortage of love to give. She's waiting at the Mahoning County Dog Warden for someone to see past the kennel and into that sweet, soulful gaze. Could you be the family Gypsy has been dreaming of? Call 330-740-2205 to meet her, and let those blue eyes do the rest.
Meet Cash
Then there's Cash! If you’re a fan of Petey from the Little Rascals, he’s a dead ringer! And he's ready to trade the kennel for a cozy home and a family gang to call his own. Could that be you? Call 330-740-2205 to meet Cash, and make a wish come true, for both of you.
Mahoning County Dog Warden & Adoption Center
🍽️ Local Eats Spotlight: GOHAN
There's a brand new flavor in town, and it's the perfect way to warm up as the temperatures drop. Gohan, a hibachi and teriyaki express, has officially opened its doors on Boardman-Canfield Road, right near Valley Kitchen, and the grand opening sign is lit up and ready for business.
If you're craving sizzling hibachi, savory teriyaki, and fast, fresh made-to-order flavor, this is your new go-to for a cozy, satisfying meal. Fall is all about comfort food, and a hot, hearty bowl from Gohan hits the spot on a crisp autumn day.
Swing by, welcome them to the neighborhood, and treat yourself to something delicious. Tell them the YoTown Scoop sent you.
📍 Gohan, Hibachi, and Teriyaki Express.
Located next to Valley Kitchen & Orange Avocado on 224 in Boardman, Ohio
Deck the Halls Without a Furry Helper
Canine Cove Pet Resort
Fall means the holidays are just around the corner, and that means travel, decorating, and a long list of things to get done. When you need your pup somewhere safe, comfortable, and fun, Canine Cove Pet Resort has you covered with overnight boarding. Heading out of town to see family?
Book their stay and travel worry-free. Pulling the tree out of the attic and need a few hours without a tail knocking ornaments off the branches? Let them have a sleepover while you get it all done. Your dog will be happy, cared for, and right at home. Call 330-953-2105 to book their stay.
Sweater Weather, Glowing Skin
Sweater weather is here, and so is the season for glowing skin. As the sun eases up, fall is the perfect time for laser treatments and facials that leave you refreshed for the holidays ahead.
Summer sunspots, tired texture, or a tattoo you've outgrown?
This is your window to finally take care of it, while the days are shorter and your skin is tucked under cozy layers. Think of it as a fresh start before the photos, parties, and family gatherings roll in. Call or text 330-977-5788 to book your free consultation and step into the new season looking and feeling your best.
Your Fall Reset Button 🍂
As the days get shorter and the air turns crisp, give yourself permission to slow down. A head spa treatment is the ultimate fall reset, melting away tension and leaving you calm, refreshed, and ready for the busy season ahead. Picture one quiet hour of warm water, soothing scalp massage, and absolutely nobody asking you for anything.
It's the kind of calm that carries you right through school schedules, football Fridays, and holiday planning. And if you know someone who does everything for everyone, a gift card makes the perfect early holiday surprise. Treat yourself to the relaxation you deserve. Call 330-967-1709 to book.
Cozy Up With Confidence
Moore Family Insurance
Fall is the season of change, and it's a great time to feel confident about the choices protecting what matters most. As you swap the patio furniture for pumpkins and fall decor, take a fresh look at the coverage behind your home, your cars, and your family.
Preston Moore and the team at Moore Family Insurance are here to walk you through your options, answer your questions, and help you feel secure in every decision. That way you can enjoy hayrides, football weekends, and holiday travel with real peace of mind.
Furnace Ready, Before the First Frost
1-800-Plumber +Air Youngstown
The cold season is coming, and now is the time to make sure your HVAC is ready. A fall tune-up keeps your heating running efficiently, catches small problems before they become expensive ones, and keeps your home cozy all winter long.
Nobody wants to discover a furnace problem on the first freezing night of the year, or with a house full of holiday guests. The licensed team at 1-800-Plumber +Air Youngstown will check everything over, fix it right the first time, and have you ready for sweater season. Call 330-234-9402 to schedule your tune-up today.
Fall in Love With Your Next Home
Hailey Ditullio, Realtor · Howard Hanna
Fall is one of the best times to make a move. Serious buyers are out, homes look their coziest, and the market is ripe with opportunity. Whether you're dreaming of a bigger kitchen for holiday dinners, a fenced yard for the dog, or a smaller place that fits your next chapter, the right home is out there.
Hailey Ditullio with Howard Hanna knows Poland, Boardman, and Canfield inside and out, and she's ready to guide you home this season, whether you're buying or selling. Call or text 330-720-9153 to get started.
Chase the Colors on Two Wheels
There's no better way to soak in fall than cruising the bikeways of Mill Creek MetroParks with the leaves ablaze in color.
Cruise the Creek E-Bikes makes it easy, whether you want a relaxing ride on the flat, paved trailside journey or a wooded adventure through the hills with Unleash Your Adventure. The pedal assist does the heavy lifting, so all you have to do is enjoy the crisp air and the view.
It's perfect for a date, a family outing, or a solo reset. Text 330-406-9686 to reserve your e-bikes and catch the colors before they're gone.
📣 Want Your Business in the Scoop?
Thousands of your Valley neighbors read this newsletter every week, and they love supporting local. Get your business a themed spotlight just like the ones above, written fresh every week and tied to whatever the whole town is already talking about.
Reply to this email and let us get you featured.
📅 The Full Weekend Event Guide: Fall Edition 🍂
86 ways to spend the next four days, grouped by day, plus 7 more worth the drive. Click any event for details and tickets.
ALL WEEKEND LONG
📣 47th Annual Ravenna Balloon A-Fair
📍 Downtown Ravenna & Portage County Fairgrounds — Ravenna, OH
🕒 Thu, Sep 24 to Sun, Sep 27
Hot air balloons, parades, and rides all weekend.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
My Boo Craft Night
📍 Mystic Angels Reiki — Ellwood City, PA
🕒 Thu, Sep 24 · 6 PM
Make a little Halloween ghost with good company.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Music on the Patio
📍 L’uva Bella Winery, 6597 Center Rd — Lowellville, OH
🕒 Fri, Sep 25 · 6 PM
September Full Moon Hike
📍 Lanterman’s Mill overflow lot, Mill Creek Park — Youngstown, OH
🕒 Fri, Sep 25 · 7 PM to 8:30 PM
Feral Company
📍 Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave — Youngstown, OH
🕒 Fri, Sep 25 · 7 PM to 10 PM
Until D3ath
📍 Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave — Youngstown, OH
🕒 Fri, Sep 25 · 9 PM to 11 PM
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026
Liberty Fall Market
📍 The Lyric, 317 Churchill Hubbard Rd — Liberty Township, OH
🕒 Sat, Sep 26 · 9 AM
Autumn makers market packed with vendors and food.
Dinosaur Adventure
📍 Kusalaba Event Center, Canfield Fairgrounds — Canfield, OH
🕒 Sat, Sep 26 · 9 AM to 7 PM
Prehistoric Artifact Show
📍 Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Center, 4500 Norquest Blvd — Youngstown, OH
🕒 Sat, Sep 26 · 9 AM to 4 PM
Pick Your Own Apples
📍 White House Fruit Farm, 8652 Leffingwell Rd — Canfield, OH
🕒 Sat, Sep 26 · 11 AM to 4 PM
Maze Craze
📍 14070 Woodworth Rd — New Springfield, OH
🕒 Sat, Sep 26 · 12 PM to 11 PM
Classics and Hot Rods
📍 6520 Mahoning Ave — Austintown, OH
🕒 Sat, Sep 26 · 3 PM
Weekly cruise-in of classic cars and hot rods.
Music on the Patio
📍 L’uva Bella Winery, 6597 Center Rd — Lowellville, OH
🕒 Sat, Sep 26 · 6 PM
Fear Forest
📍 6878 Tod Ave SW — Lordstown, OH
🕒 Sat, Sep 26 · 7 PM to 11:30 PM
La Noche Del Ritmo
📍 Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave — Youngstown, OH
🕒 Sat, Sep 26 · 8 PM to 11 PM
Dolls Night
📍 Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave — Youngstown, OH
🕒 Sat, Sep 26 · 9 PM to 11 PM
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
Maze Craze
📍 14070 Woodworth Rd — New Springfield, OH
🕒 Sun, Sep 27 · 12 PM to 9 PM
Columbiana Swine Festival
📍 The Vineyards at Pine Lake — Columbiana, OH
🕒 Sun, Sep 27 · 1 PM
Hometown festival celebrating pork, music, and fall.
Autumn Trolley Tour
📍 Boards at Ford Nature Center, Mill Creek Park — Youngstown, OH
🕒 Sun, Sep 27 · 1:30 PM and 3 PM
Fear Forest
📍 6878 Tod Ave SW — Lordstown, OH
🕒 Sun, Sep 27 · 7 PM to 9:30 PM
Simply Ed Karaoke
📍 Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave — Youngstown, OH
🕒 Sun, Sep 27 · 7 PM to 11 PM
WORTH THE DRIVE
Four Chord Music Fest 12
📍 Acrisure Stadium lot — Pittsburgh, PA
🕒 Fri, Sep 25 to Sat, Sep 26
Two day punk and emo festival, stacked lineup.
Disney’s The Lion King
📍 Benedum Center — Pittsburgh, PA
🕒 Through Sun, Sep 27
Broadway Lion King closes its Pittsburgh run Sunday.
Brenckle’s Fall Festival 2026
📍 Brenckle’s Farm, 543 Evans City Rd — Butler, PA
🕒 Sat, Sep 26 to Sun, Sep 27
Pumpkins, corn maze, hayrides, and farm animals galore.
Maized and Confused
📍 Freedom Farms — Valencia, PA
🕒 Sat, Sep 26 · 3 PM
Corn maze adventure on a working family farm.
P.S. 💛 Grab a hoodie, a pumpkin spice something, and go enjoy the first weekend of fall in the Valley. The leaves are putting on a show, and you've got a front-row seat. 🍂
The YoTown Scoop · Youngstown & the Mahoning Valley
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