Breaking News

Life

Promotion creates distance between work besties

Lifestyles

DEAR ANNIE: My best friend, “Ashley,” and I have worked at the same marketing agency for three years. We started on the same day, bonded over bad coffee, and we have been inseparable ever since. We have lunch together almost every day and text constantly. We have even taken a few vacations together. She was the first person I told when I found out I was pregnant last year, before I’d even told my mother. Last month, I was promoted to Senior Manager, which means I am now directly responsible for overseeing her work, giving her performance reviews, and if it ever came to it, ...

Keeping bugs at bay

Lifestyles

DEAR HELOISE: I keep a clean house, but I still have an ant and roach problem. What will help me stop attracting these filthy pests? I’ve used commercial companies that come in and sort of bomb the house with a mist of chemicals. I hated the smell that lingered for weeks, and the expense was nightmarish. Can you offer some advice to keep these bugs out of my house? You always know what to do, and I appreciate all your hints. — Leilani M., in Oahu, Hawaii Leilani, having lived in Hawaii, I know how difficult it is to completely seal off a home from ants and roaches. Here are some ...

Bridge by Steve Becker

Lifestyles

Some deals from the annual world championship receive only passing notice because the outcome at both tables is exactly the same. But this one from the Italy-U.S. match in 1973 deserved more publicity than it got. Nothing much happened at the first table, where the U.S. pair bid and made four spades. West led the K-Q-2 of diamonds. South ruffed, drew trump, lost a club finesse to East’s queen and eventually discarded his heart loser on dummy’s fourth club to score 620 points. At the second table, where Giorgio Belladonna was declarer for Italy, West led the K-Q of diamonds and ...

Religion news

Lifestyles

102 YEARS: The 102nd anniversary of New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St., Youngstown, where the Rev. Kenneth L. Simon has served as pastor for more than 30 years, will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. GOSPEL CONCERT: First Baptist Church of Niles will host a gospel concert with Wes Hamptom at 7 p.m. July 10. FIRST FRIDAY: The First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown will meet at noon July 9 with a luncheon and program with Steven Kramer, who will present “Evangelization: Encouraging an Encounter with Jesus Christ” at Avion on the Water Banquet Center, 2177 W. Western ...

Is the weekend effect a real thing?

Lisa Resnick

Have you ever wondered about the days of the week and how they would feel if they had feelings? No? Well, I have. It all started on a regular Monday morning where I caught myself still smiling because of the day before. Otherwise, let’s face it, Monday would probably hold every single feeling that Mondays are accused of having. You know the ones I’m talking about. The eye roll says it all before the coffee even hits your system. But this Monday felt different. Or maybe I just paid more attention. This Monday was coming off a productive, relaxing, fun, detoxing kind of ...

Diocese receives national Catholic Media awards

Lifestyles

The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown and The Catholic Echo Magazine earned 10 awards at the 2026 Catholic Media Conference June 16 to 19 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Bishop David J. Bonnar won second place for Best Regular Column in a Diocesan Magazine, “Walking by Faith Together” and third place for Best Diocesan Pastoral Message for “Take Heart! Do Not Lose Heart! Behold the Sacred Heart!” with graphic design by Michael Houy, social media and development specialist. The letter is also available in Spanish and audiobook formats. Bonnar’s regular column appears in English and ...