Good Morning Youngstown!

It’s been so beautiful, we hope you’ve been outside enjoying this long summer weather during in the Fall. Did you pick out your pumpkins yet? We’re excited to get out this weekend and hit the Maze Craze with a couple friends. It’s the perfect weather for it and maybe a bonfire after. Stay tuned, there’s so much to do this time of year and this week’s edition of The Steel Valley Scoop has you covered.

The Scoop To Keep You In The Loop!

• Columbiana Ford Hosts Annual Trunk-or-Treat for Local Families

• Salvatore’s Italian Grill: Austintown’s Hidden Gem You Need to Try

• Events going on this weekend

Let’s dive in.

Steel Valley Spotlight

Columbiana Ford Hosts Annual Trunk-or-Treat for Local Families

Halloween spirit rolled into Columbiana early this year as Columbiana Ford hosted its annual free Trunk-or-Treat event, drawing families from across the Valley for an afternoon of candy, costumes, and community fun. The dealership’s parking lot transformed into a festive lineup of decorated vehicles, each packed with treats and spooky displays for kids to enjoy. Local businesses and staff joined in to make it extra special, turning what started as a small dealership event into one of Columbiana’s favorite fall traditions. It’s the kind of hometown gathering that proves even a car lot can become the perfect spot for family memories and Halloween magic.

Puerto Rican Flavor Transitions from Food Truck to Restaurants in Niles and Campbell

Over the summer, Red Rican, a local Puerto Rican restaurant and family business, opened its second location in Campbell, marking a major milestone in a journey that began when brothers Jonathan and Carmelo Morales moved from New York City to Youngstown and found a lack of cultural representation in local cuisine. Drawing on their childhood experience working in their father’s restaurant, Jonathan launched the Red Rican food truck in 2022, named after his nickname "Colorado" (Spanish for red), with Carmelo and younger brother Jeremy eventually joining in. Their dream of owning a family-run Puerto Rican restaurant took root early, and this year, they opened two brick-and-mortar locations in Niles and Campbell. The brand’s logo symbolizes their close family ties and heritage, with references to their siblings, children, mother, and the island of Puerto Rico. The food reflects a blend of influences from their upbringing across New York, the South, the Caribbean, and Puerto Rico, creating a unique culinary experience that stays true to their roots.

YSU Professor Spearheads Initiative to Digitize Warren Cemetery Records

Amy Fluker, an associate professor at Youngstown State University, is spearheading a grant-funded initiative with the Trumbull County Historical Society to digitize over 30,000 records from Warren’s Oakwood Cemetery, dating back to the mid-1800s. Supported by a $74,795 grant, the Oakwood Cemetery Digitization Project aims to preserve these records, which include notable national figures and local residents, by creating a free, searchable online database and an ArcGIS map. The project also involves linking these records with naturalization documents to provide a richer history of the Mahoning Valley, while offering cemetery tours, interpretive signage, and hands-on educational opportunities for students, making the community's history accessible and engaging for all.

Business Brief

Salvatore’s Italian Grill: Austintown’s Hidden Gem You Need to Try

Sometimes you stumble onto a place that makes you wonder how you’ve missed it all these years, and that’s exactly how I felt after grabbing takeout from Salvatore’s Italian Grill in Austintown this past Saturday. I ordered the Chicken Francaise with a side of pasta and an appetizer of wedding soup, and even after a 20-minute drive back to Hubbard, everything was still incredible. The sauce was perfectly balanced, the chicken was tender, and the soup tasted like it came straight from a family kitchen. You could tell this was the kind of food made with care, not corners cut.

What really surprised me was the energy at the restaurant when I stopped in to pick up my order. The place was packed, full of laughter, the smell of garlic bread in the air, and families gathering around hearty plates of pasta. It’s clear that Salvatore’s isn’t just another Italian restaurant, it’s a local favorite that deserves every bit of its buzz. Next time, I’m dining in to soak up that atmosphere and maybe try one of their famous pizzas or desserts. If you haven’t been yet, trust me, you’re missing out on one of Austintown’s best-kept secrets.

Francesco's Pizzeria in Hubbard

Francesco's Pizzeria is absolutely delicious! Their wood-fired pizzas are bursting with fresh, high-quality ingredients, and the crust is perfectly crispy yet chewy. The staff is warm and welcoming, creating a cozy vibe that makes every visit a delight. Highly recommend their classic Margherita or the spicy Diavola—both are outstanding! Great spot for a quick bite or a relaxed dinner.

Charity Spotlight

Remedy’s Time to Shine: From Supermom to Super Companion

After raising her puppies and watching each one find their forever home, it’s finally Remedy’s turn to be the one loved and cherished. This sweet and stunning girl has a heart as big as her smile. She’s calm, affectionate, and always ready to brighten your day with a gentle nudge or a tail wag. Remedy would thrive as the only pet in the home, soaking up all the attention she deserves from her people. After giving so much love to her little ones, she’s ready for a family who will return that same love tenfold.

If you’ve been thinking about adding a furry friend to your home, you might just meet your match at Mr. Darby’s Antique Vintage & Antiques in Boardman. On Saturday, October 11, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, Animal Charity of Ohio will be hosting a Dog Adoption Day, bringing along Remedy and other adoptable pups looking for their forever families. Visitors can browse Mr. Darby’s incredible collection of vintage finds, meet some amazing dogs, and even contribute to the ongoing donation drive supporting Animal Charity through October. It’s the perfect mix of shopping, community spirit, and second chances—so stop by, say hi, and maybe give Remedy the home she’s been waiting for.

Weekend Planner

Thursday, October 9th

🎃 Ty’s Pumpkin Walk │ Angiuli’s Farm Market, Canfield │ 6:00 PM

🍷 Wine & Cider Event | Maze Craze | 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM

🧘‍♀️ Yoga in the Gardens | Fellows Riverside Gardens | 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Friday, October 10th

🫖 Hocus Pocus Tea with the Sanderson Sisters │ Piccadilly Parlour Victorian Tea Room │ 7:00 PM

🎃 Pumpkin Carving | Fellows Riverside Gardens | 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

🕺 Country Line Dance Nights | Penguin City Brewing Company | 9:00 PM

Saturday, October 11th

🏒 Youngstown Phantoms vs Cedar Rapids RoughRiders │ Covelli Centre │ 6:05 PM

🎃 Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers Weigh-Off | Parks Garden Center | 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

👹 Noble Creature OkTrollberfest | Noble Creature Wild Ales & Lagers | 12:00 PM

Sunday, October 12th

🏁 Youngstown Peace Race │ YMCA, 17 N. Champion St., Youngstown │ 7:30 AM

🚂 Canfield Train & Toy Show │ Canfield Fairgrounds │ 10:00 AM

🐷 Fall Weekends | Molnar Farms | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

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