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ORCHID: To the Youngstown Fire Department for reigning supreme over other public safety forces in that city and from Warren in a recent Battle of the Badges softball tournament at 717 Credit Union Field at Eastwood. The Youngstown firefighters defeated their city police department in the opening round and then squared off against the Warren Fire Department, which had defeated that city's police force in an earlier game. As an added bonus, the YFD plans to donate proceeds from the victory to a worthy local charity. But regardless of the results, members of all of the safety-force teams in the Valley's two largest cities can take a deserved bow for their participation in the good-natured competition and for their selfless community service.
ORCHID: To members of the Youngstown Skatepark Association for their exemplary civic and community engagement in conducting a major cleanup of Youngstown's Lincoln Park earlier this month. The association, with the generous assistance of Green Youngstown litter control agency, spent an entire day picking up trash, clearing garbage, trimming overgrowth, cutting brush and clearing woody debris at the East Side park. Though the association had its own priority of working to make the site the location of its first permanent skatepark in the city, the beautification efforts there benefit the entire neighborhood and improves the overall aesthetics and image of the city. With such responsible prep work, we're confident YSA is on a roll toward a rapid and successful launch of its permanent skatepark.
ONION: To the twisted perverts who engage in indecent and illicit sexual activity in parks and other public spaces in the Mahoning Valley. Recently, two men were arrested in Warren's Perkins Park after a caller reported he and his wife saw two men engaged in sexual activity by the side of a car near the park ballfields. Other cases of indecent exposure periodically have been reported in other parks in Trumbull and Mahoning counties. Though criminology and law enforcement officials note the vast majority of public sexual acts or indecent exposures go unreported, we urge continued vigilance and punishment to the fullest extent of the law for those who do get caught. Mill Creek MetroParks officials, for example, are adamant in protecting the public as its rules assert that any form of public indecency, soliciting or disorderly conduct is subject to immediate arrest.
ORCHID: To all the organizers -- especially lead sponsor Covelli Enterprises — along with the many donors, volunteers and, of course, the 10,000 runners, walkers and crawlers in this year's Panerathon fundraiser last Sunday in downtown Youngstown to build awareness of and treat breast cancer. Since its inception, the event has raised an incredible $6 million. Funds all stay local and are used to benefit the Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley in support of the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center at the St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital complex and its mobile mammography units. Such success from the region's largest fundraising event of the year reinforces the compassion and charity that so typify the Mahoning Valley.
ORCHID: To the leaders, parishioners and supporters of Chestnut Ridge Church of God in Hubbard for getting the new school year started on strong -- and fashionable -- footing for more than 400 local children. The church last week sponsored its 16th Annual New Tennis Shoes Ministry at which new athletic shoes and sneakers were provided free of charge to all who took advantage of it. In these days of skyrocketing costs for school supplies and clothing, we're certain the charitable event also pleased the youngsters' parents as well.
ONION: To the newest crop of shameless phone scammers who masquerade as county sheriff's office representatives while attempting to rip off their victims of tens of thousands of dollars. Just last week Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene reported cases in which con artists will terrify their callers with threats of arrest if not paying up immediately. Trumbull Sheriff Mike Wilson earlier this summer reported fraudsters calling families of incarcerated demanding payment for their release. Both sheriffs have urged residents not to fall prey to such schemes. Hang up on unexpected requests, especially those demanding money, and never disclose any personal financial information to such scum artists.
ORCHID: To leaders and school board members of the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center for successfully opening an expansive and promising $11.4 million addition for the start of this new school year. At the MCCTC in Canfield, the 40-000-square-foot LEAD (Leadership, Employment, Advancement and Discovery) Center enhances the school's already robust career and technical educational opportunities for its growing student body. It will house programs in Industrial Robotics and Automation, Computer Networking and Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence Systems, Software Development, and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. These innovative additions strengthen MCCTC's already strong reputation as a viable training ground for in-demand careers in the Mahoning Valley and beyond.