If you’ve ever tried to round up a crew for a night out in the Valley, you know how it goes — someone’s gotta drive, someone always “forgets” gas money, and suddenly you’re coordinating more than you’re celebrating.

That’s where Milton Ride Safe comes in. Seth and his crew have the party bus game on lock — clean, comfortable rides that keep your group together and your night stress-free. Whether you’re planning a brewery crawl, birthday bash, or just want to roll up to a Halloween party in style, this is the move.

We’ve teamed up with Seth to help more locals find safe, fun, and worry-free ways to enjoy everything happening around here. When we say he’s one of the good ones, we mean it — this guy’s all about keeping the community connected and safe on the road.

📞 Call 330-651-6562 to book your next ride — or share this with your favorite designated driver who deserves the night off.

Locals know: good times hit different when you don’t have to drive home.

👉Book with Seth for your special event transportation at Go.MiltonRideSafe.com

Once upon a moon-lit October night in the rolling hills of the British Isles, the ancient Celts—bless their woolly socks—gathered around roaring bonfires to mark Samhain. This harvest-ending celebration would signal the start of winter, when the sun’s rays got skinnier and the nights seemed to crave extra hours. The Celts believed that on this threshold the barrier between the living and the dead got thinner, which meant that ghosts and spirits might pay a house call.

To keep the spirits at bay—or maybe invite them for a ghostly cup of cider—they lit bonfires, donned disguises of animal skins (yep, prehistoric cosplay), and carved turnips into lanterns to ward off wandering phantoms.

Then, as Christianity swept across Europe, the church said, “Hey—let’s make November 1 All Saints’ Day” and the evening before became “All Hallows’ Eve” (which eventually got shortened to “Halloween”).

Fast-forward to the charmingly haunted streets of Youngstown, Ohio in the Mahoning Valley: the local newspaper archives show that in 1895, the city’s youth declared joyfully, “Lads and lassies will all join in celebrating All Hallowe’en this evening…” — so our town was already getting spooky long before Instagram filters were a thing.

So here we are, celebrating in the very same region where your grand-great-aunt may have bobbed for apples while wearing a homemade ghost sheet and fending off spectral visitors.

Happy Halloween to our Greater Youngstown & Mahoning Valley community—may your costume be comfy, your jack-o-lantern cheerful (not haunted) and your spirit lit from within. 🎃

If you own a local business, you know the hardest part isn’t the work — it’s getting people to see the work you’re doing. That’s where the YoTown Scoop Skool Community comes in.

When you’re part of the Skool, you don’t just get marketing tips — you get visibility that actually moves the needle. Every member gets:

✨ A featured article in our newsletter (sent to thousands of locals who love supporting small businesses)

📌 A pinned Facebook post once per month inside our growing YoTown Scoop community

Your newsletter feature introduces you to readers who trust us — they’re already in the mindset to support local. Then your pinned post keeps you visible all month long, reminding folks exactly where to find you when they’re ready to buy, book, or visit.

Inside Skool, we’ll show you how to turn that exposure into steady customers — with simple content ideas, plug-and-play automations, and support from other business owners who get it.

🎯 Want your business in front of more locals every single month?

Join the Skool today, grab your feature spot, and let’s make sure your name’s the one people remember.

👉 Join here: Local Scoop Media Skool

Because around here, visibility isn’t luck — it’s strategy. And we’ll show you how to use both.

📍 755 Boardman-Canfield Rd Suite D2 West, Boardman
🔗 Youngstown Stylists Text "PAMPER” to 330-977-5788 to RSVP PLUS you can win prizes!

-G.M. Gotti

In a world where many musicians settle for the comfort of cover gigs and familiar bar stages, Daniel Butch dared to dream bigger. From his roots in the Rust Belt music scene, Butch, best known as the frontman of The Stage of Dreams, has transformed ambition into an art form, proving that even in an age of streaming algorithms and short attention spans, vision and perseverance still matter.

The Stage of Dreams began as Butch’s answer to a creative void. After years performing in cover bands, he longed to tell original stories through heavy metal and theatrical performance. “I always wanted to be in an original band,” he said in an interview earlier this year. That determination gave birth to The Duality Conflict, a full- scale concept album released in 2024 that fuses storytelling, music, and stagecraft into a modern rock opera.

The album follows a soldier’s descent into a supernatural world where he is forced to confront evil and his own fractured soul. It’s a narrative rich in symbolism, exploring redemption, pain, and the duality of human nature. Musically, it channels the energy of classic metal acts like Iron Maiden and Dream Theater while blending cinematic production and dual male-female vocals. Butch and his band recorded at The Vault in Pittsburgh with producer Dave Hillis, whose credits include Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains.

Bringing this dream to life wasn’t easy. The project was self-financed, built from passion rather than record-label backing. The band spent years writing, recording, and staging elaborate live shows complete with lighting, props, and actors. Family and local artists joined in, turning The Stage of Dreams into not just a band but a community-driven creative movement.

Beyond the riffs and pyrotechnics lies a deeper story: the power of chasing your vision despite the odds. Butch and his bandmates could have remained local weekend warriors. Instead, they built something uniquely theirs—a heavy-metal theater production born out of grit and imagination.

Their journey mirrors the album’s message itself: confronting obstacles, battling self- doubt, and finding purpose through creation. For anyone standing at the crossroads between comfort and aspiration, The Stage of Dreams is a reminder that chasing your dream, no matter how audacious, can turn the impossible into the unforgettable. It is a magnificent spectacle, and it’s right here in The Yo!

Please check our Facebook group for more info as it becomes available related to food assistance.

The holidays are a whirlwind — twinkling lights, travel plans, and a to-do list longer than Santa’s nice list. But for pet parents, there’s one big question that adds an extra layer of stress: Who’s going to care for the fur babies?

Here are the top 4 holiday pet-sitting concerns every Youngstown pet parent faces — and how to plan ahead like a pro:

Between packing, family gatherings, and flight delays, it’s easy to feel guilty leaving your pets behind. But here’s the secret: animals pick up on your energy. A good sitter can keep their routine steady — same walks, same snacks, same snuggles — so your pet stays calm (and you can enjoy your trip without checking the dog cam every 10 minutes).

Finding a reliable sitter a week before Christmas? Nearly impossible. Local sitters book out early, especially those who also board or offer overnight stays. Start your search before Thanksgiving to lock in a trusted caretaker. Bonus points if they send daily photo updates (because who doesn’t want a festive pic of their pup in reindeer ears?).

Even if you’re staying local, the holidays bring new temptations — rich foods, shiny decor, and visitors who “just want to give him a little turkey.” A sitter or drop-in helper can make sure pets don’t get into trouble (or the trash). Keep those chocolate truffles and turkey bones far, far away.

From late-night parties to visiting relatives, schedules shift. Dogs thrive on consistency, and cats… well, they tolerate it. Having someone pop in for walks or playtime keeps their world steady. Think of it as self-care for your pet — and peace of mind for you.

Looking for someone just like this?
Karen at Pet Sitting 4 Paws has you covered during the holidays!

You asked for it… so here it is…
ONE TRUSTED PLACE WHERE YOU CAN:

We’ve all been there—needing something done and thinking, “Man, I wish I knew someone who does that.” Or putting off an important task because you don’t “know a guy.”

That’s exactly why we created the YoTown Scoop Recommended Business List. Every business on this list has been thoroughly researched so you can be confident the job will be done right.

This isn’t advertising. We don’t earn commissions from these businesses. We built this for you—to bridge the gap between what the community needs and the home town businesses ready to serve.

PLUS every week we give away prizes like gift cards to local businesses to the TOP 3 members in the community. I mean…who doesn’t love weekly FREE STUFF?!

👉 Join today, explore the list, connect with neighbors, and support the local businesses that keep Youngstown thriving. 

Want more of The Scoop? Join our Facebook group where we post often…plus you can chat with us there!

Brunch lovers, rejoice — the national breakfast-and-lunch favorite First Watch is officially opening its first Mahoning Valley location in Boardman.

The new restaurant will take over the former Choolaah space on Boardman-Poland Road, right near Condado Taco and Starbucks. The space will span about 3,500 square feet and feature a covered patio and a cozy bar area with room for around 160 guests.

Known for its elevated, health-conscious breakfast and brunch options — like lemon ricotta pancakes, avocado toast, and their famous “Million Dollar Bacon” — First Watch will be open from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily, serving fresh, made-to-order dishes with no evening hours.

The Boardman location is expected to open in early 2026 and will bring approximately 30 new jobs to the area.

For the Greater Youngstown & Mahoning Valley community, this marks another exciting addition to the growing local dining scene. Between its fresh approach to breakfast and its focus on quality ingredients, First Watch will be a welcome addition to Boardman offerings.

Stay tuned for updates on the grand opening —
and maybe even a bacon review ;)

🎃 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30

✨ Stylist Serenity Night @ Skin Solution MedSpa
755 Boardman-Canfield Rd, Boardman | 5–7 PM | Free RSVP Event
Calling all hair stylists, nail techs and makeup artists
Chair massages, wine & charcuterie for beauty pros and stylists.

New to YoTown Scoop? Thanks for supporting local!

🙌 Send this to that Debbie/Douglas downer who says:
‘This town is dead’… you’re welcome :)