Why Nobody Wants to Be the Designated Driver Anymore

You know the drill. Someone suggests a winery tour, a wedding reception across town, or a night out with the whole crew. Immediately, the group goes silent. Everyone's suddenly very interested in their phones. Because nobody — and we mean nobody — wants to be that person.

The designated driver. The unpaid chauffeur. The friend who spends the entire evening mentally calculating routes, circling for parking, watching everyone else have fun, and then herding cats at midnight when it's time to leave. Meanwhile, they're laughing in the backseat, posting stories, making memories. And you? You're just trying to remember where you parked.

Here's the thing though — Youngstown locals have quietly figured out a better way. No more guilt trips about who's driving. No more splitting into three different cars. No more playing Uber roulette at 1 AM hoping someone will actually accept your ride request.

There's a private van service that's been making the rounds lately, and once people discover it, the whole "who's driving?" conversation just... disappears. If you've spotted a sleek white luxury van dropping groups off around Boardman, Canfield, or out in wine country, that's Milton Ride Safe.

It's the kind of setup that makes sense the second you think about it. Spacious enough for your whole crew, comfortable enough that nobody's complaining about the middle seat, and professional enough that you're not worried about whether the driver actually knows where they're going. Airport runs at 5 AM? They've got you. Corporate event where you need to look put-together? Done. Wedding party that needs to arrive on time? Easy.

The real genius is in what you're not dealing with. No parking nightmares. No coordinating multiple vehicles. No "wait, where are you?" texts. No calculating who can have two drinks versus who needs to stay sober. Everyone just gets in, gets where they're going, and actually enjoys themselves.

It's one of those things where once you try it, you genuinely wonder why you spent years volunteering as tribute. The backseat crew was onto something all along.

👉 Learn more here before your next night out — and actually enjoy the ride this time.

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

Vintage YoTown Ghost Tales

🏚️ The Austintown Log Cabin
Built around 1814, the Austintown Log Cabin is one of the oldest surviving structures in Mahoning Valley. Originally constructed on land owned by Calvin Austin, the township’s founder, it served as a homestead for early settlers and later became part of the Packard and Wehr family farms. Hidden for decades beneath modern siding, the original hand-hewn logs were rediscovered in the 1970s and carefully restored by the Austintown Historical Society. Today, it stands as a proud reminder of the region’s pioneer roots—though some say the past still walks its halls after dark.

👻 The Ghost of the Austintown Cabin
If you drive down South Raccoon Road after dark, you might notice it—the flicker of a lantern glow in the upstairs window of the old Austintown Log Cabin. Locals say that if you stop long enough, a figure sometimes appears there: tall, rigid, and unmistakably dressed in a tattered Civil War uniform. No one ever sees his face… because he doesn’t have one.

The cabin once hosted township meetings, barn dances, and family suppers. But the laughter and light faded long ago. The legend tells of Thomas Hargrove, a young soldier from Austintown who returned home broken and weary after the war. Seeking quiet, he spent his last nights in the attic room, where he was struck by a falling beam and never woke again. They say his restless spirit still wanders the upstairs hallway—searching for something he lost the night he died.

Visitors who’ve toured the cabin report the same chilling details: a sudden drop in temperature, the creak of floorboards overhead, and the faint scent of pipe smoke hanging in the air. One local historian swears she heard boots pacing above her while she locked up after an event. When she looked up, she saw the shadow of a man—headless, motionless—watching from the window.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the cabin stands as a haunting echo of Austintown’s frontier past. Beneath its weathered logs and creaking stairs lies more than history—it holds the memory of those who built this town… and one who refuses to leave it.

Level up Your Small Business

Are you searching for a story that goes beyond the ordinary—and into worlds of magic, mayhem, and mischief? This November 8th from 12PM - 2PM, Boardman’s Barnes & Noble brings you face-to-face with four of Northeast Ohio’s most original indie authors. From fantasy with a “heavy dose of tension and forbidden romance” to haunting Appalachian mythos and fresh chills in horror, these writers are changing the game.

Early Bird Bonus:
The first 25 book buyers will claim a swag bag filled with exclusive treats—a little magic from every author.

Meet the Authors—and learn about their work in their own words.

With literary events across Ohio and Pennsylvania, these indie creators prove that “quality and creativity have no gatekeepers”—extraordinary books are written right here, by authors who dare to be different.

Be there on November 8th. Meet the minds behind the magic, fill your swag bag, and claim your spot in a revolution of storytelling.

Want to peek inside their worlds or see what else drives their craft? Learn more about this event and others here »

Books are sold everywhere. Life-changing stories and insights are found at Boardman’s Barnes & Noble, Nov 8th.

PLUS 20% off any medspa services

NEXT FRIDAY: OCT 24th (1-8pm / FREE)

📍 755 Boardman-Canfield Rd Suite D2 West, Boardman
🔗 Youngstown Neighbors Text "BOO-TOX” to 330-977-5788 to enter to win great prizes! PLUS you can Pick Your Prize!

Menchie’s Most Mysterious Halloween Treat

Something deliciously devious is swirling at Menchie’s this Halloween…
They call it Snazzy Jazzy, and no one quite knows what’s inside.

Is it citrus? Berry? Magic?
All we know is it’s vegan, gluten-free, and made with no artificial colors, no spooky syrups, and no tricks — just pure, clean sweetness.

Each spoonful hits with a shock of sour and a whisper of sweet — like candy kissed by lightning. It’s the kind of treat that makes your taste buds dance in the dark and leaves you wondering… what did I just taste?

🕸️ Why we’re obsessed:

So grab your broomsticks, ghouls — Snazzy Jazzy won’t stay in the freezer forever. Head to your local Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt before this limited-time spell melts away.

🩸 Warning: Side effects may include uncontrollable smiles, tingling taste buds, and a craving to return from the grave for seconds.

🎃 Menchie’s Snazzy Jazzy — Taste the mystery before it vanishes.

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. 

This holiday season, fans of grand-scale rock symphonies will want to circle Sunday, November 16, 2025, on their calendars. That’s when the Trans‐Siberian Orchestra brings its spectacular The Ghosts of Christmas Eve show to the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio. The show takes place at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., giving you two chances to catch a performance rich in lights, lasers, rock riffs, orchestral firepower and seasonal story-telling.

This is not your typical holiday concert. The Ghosts of Christmas Eve blends dramatic storytelling with rock and classical music, weaving in TSO’s signature heavy guitar riffs, soaring vocals, lush keyboards, and a full visual production. With its blend of theatricality and holiday spirit, it delights long-time fans and newcomers alike. The show is a beloved holiday tradition for many who celebrate the Christmas season.

The Covelli Centre is located at 229 East Front Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44503. It’s a multi-purpose arena designed for concerts and sports, with seating for around 7,000 for concerts. It is centrally located downtown, which means you’ll be in proximity to parking and local amenities, but keep in mind that traffic and lot-availability can be tight on big- event nights.

Tickets for the show are listed at four price tiers: $63, $83, $103, and $123 for each show time. Parking on site is set at $20 at the Covelli Center for the event. Of course, your total expense will depend on the ticket tier you choose, any additional service charges, and whether you factor in concessions, parking, local dining, and maybe lodging if you’re making it a mini-trip.

The Covelli Centre sits in downtown Youngstown. The venue directs parking to the USA Federal Garages at Federal Plaza East and Champion Street, one block north of the arena. These are first-come, first-serve and have a 9’6″ clearance for vans. Additional surface lots are available within a 5–10-minute walk.

If you’re seeking a memorable way to kick off the holiday season with family or friends, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s The Ghosts of Christmas Eve at the Covelli Centre offers a grand spectacle, immersive sound and visuals, and the kind of event that turns into a yearly tradition.

There are ticket tiers for different budgets and plenty of parking options. Be sure to arrive early, choose your parking wisely, and get ready for a show that blends rock, symphony and seasonal magic right here in The Yo!

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

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