🌱 Patch AM: What could the Sept. 14 SOBE hearing mean for downtown heating bills?

Coffee in hand, Youngstown? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• What could the Sept. 14 SOBE hearing mean for downtown heating bills?
• See which Youngstown groups are sharing nearly $1 million in grants
• How YSU's 30% drop in international students could reshape Youngstown

Also on today's calendar: Charley Crockett.

Today's riddle: What is the longest word in the dictionary? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Saturday: An afternoon t-storm; humid, with a high of 81 and low of 58 degrees.
• Sunday: Some sun with a few showers, temps: high: 75, low: 53.
• Monday: Partly sunny and beautiful, with a high of 71 and low of 51 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• SOBE hearing set for Sept. 14 (vindy.com) — Downtown Youngstown building owners face steep emergency steam heat rate hikes while state regulators reconsider whether SOBE Thermal Systems can keep charging them. A Sept. 14 hearing in Columbus will let the city, consumer advocates and others argue over the increases, even as Youngstown officials work with the state on funding and long‑term fixes to keep the troubled system running.
   

• Youngstown Foundation awards $986K to local organizations (wytv.com) — Nearly $1 million in new Youngstown Foundation grants is flowing to local institutions, including Stambaugh Auditorium's roof project, the YMCA of Youngstown, and Youngstown City Schools' One Vision One Youngstown efforts. Additional funding will bolster youth programs, recovery housing, trails, veterans' services, and regional history projects that touch many Mahoning Valley residents.
   

• Youngstown State University reports a 30% decline in international student enrollment, following national trends (wkbn.com) — Youngstown State University expects about 30% fewer international students this fall, a drop leaders link to tighter federal rules and slower F‑1 visa approvals. Administrators say the decline is already affecting STEM programs and could shape Youngstown's future population, so they're pursuing dual‑degree partnerships abroad while urging policymakers to understand how immigration policy hits local enrollment and community growth.
   

📸 Around Youngstown

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Youngstown

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★ Featured events ★

Thursday September 3
• Reggae Night at the Westside Bowl →
  Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave, Youngstown
  7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Tuesday August 25
• Board of Education Meeting
  Youngstown City School District Youngstown Rayen Early College High School, 20 W Wood St, Youngs
  4:30 pm
Saturday September 19
• Charley Crockett →
  Youngstown Foundation, 100 E Federal St, Youngstown
  7:30 pm

📣 Youngstown Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday August 22
• Jr. High Volleyball - Tri Match
  McDonald Local Girard Junior/Senior High School, 1244 Shannon Rd, Girard, OH 4
  10:00 am
• Stream Stomp →
  Yellow Creek Park, 17 Lowellville Rd, Struthers
  11:00 am
• Varsity Football @ Valley Christian High School
  McDonald Local Mineral Ridge High School, 1334 Seaborn St, Mineral Ridge, OH 4
  7:00 pm
• Fyath/Øutlier/Singled Out →
  Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave, Youngstown
  8:00 pm
Monday August 24
• Grade K Small Group Testing (Day 3 of 3)
  McDonald Local McDonald, OH 44437
• NEOEA Trade Day
  Austintown Local Youngstown, OH 44515
• Jr. High Volleyball @ Mineral Ridge
  McDonald Local Mineral Ridge High School, 1334 Seaborn St, Mineral Ridge, OH 4
  5:00 pm
• Varsity/JV Volleyball - LaBrae
  McDonald Local McDonald High School, 600 Iowa Ave, McDonald, OH 44437, USA
  5:30 pm
Tuesday August 25
• 1st Day for Grade K Students
  McDonald Local McDonald, OH 44437

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Looking for a great wedding cake baker.
  It will not be a large cake. Any suggestions? (Nextdoor Sherwood)
• Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
  Leo was LOST on August 20, 2026 in Youngstown, OH 44509 near Near and keystone Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the… (Nextdoor Oak Hill)

• Essilor of America, Inc. posted a job opening for RXO - Distribution Clerk in Youngstown. Apply here.
• McDonald's Restaurants posted a job opening for Team Member $13.00/hr in Youngstown. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Youngstown here.

🗞 Nearby News

Campbell

• Fresh, free haircuts send kids off to school in style in Campbell (wkbn.com)
• Plea set today for Campbell woman accused of trafficking 12-year-old (wfmj.com)
• Heavyweight clash headlines Saturday's Game of the Week (wkbn.com)

Struthers

• Jalen Nathaniel Devine, Boardman, Ohio (wkbn.com)

Boardman

• Boardman preparing for back-to-school traffic (wkbn.com)

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: Smiles, because it has a mile between "s". (Thank you Sharon M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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