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Almanac 2026

‘Couples Therapy’ finds success on the road

There are many live theater options in the Mahoning Valley. Some of the productions have been successful enough to get extended runs or become annual traditions. But there aren’t many local stories like “Couples Therapy.” Written by Jason Tarr and starring John Cox and Brandy Johanntges, the comedy has played dozens of theaters in several states since its 2022 debut at the Youngstown Playhouse, and it will travel to at least 13 cities in five states in 2026. Tarr, who lives in Poland, initially was a standup comedian, first taking the stage at an amateur night in 1992 at the ...

CEO glad to welcome BRITE ideas

WARREN — For more than 15 years, BRITE Energy Innovators has powered those who spearhead advancements in energy technology. Jade Davis and his staff’s mission is to keep Ohio’s lone energy incubator fully charged as it harnesses potential and transforms it into real-world applications. “You’re not going to go into the local Walmart or Giant Eagle and find a BRITE-branded bottle or battery pack and things like that,” said Davis, who was named the organization’s CEO and president in November. “We deal with folks that are in their basement tinkering and all the way to ...

‘It is still a great time to be buying properties’

2025 was a strong year for the housing market as numbers grew across all facets. According to statewide housing data from Ohio Realtors, the state’s largest professional trade organization for the real estate industry, statewide home sales reached 10,075 in December 2025, marking a 6.9% increase from the 9,420 homes sold in December 2024. The median sales price across Ohio climbed to $250,000, up 2% from $245,000 the previous year. The state also ended the year with a greater housing supply, 2.69 months — the rate at which the market would sell at under 2.7 months — a 1.1% ...

What going on at the hub?

YOUNGSTOWN — Construction is expected to start this summer on the first phase of the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense that will have $162 million in economic impact when finished. “We’re seeing generational investment here in the Valley, and that’s one of the ...

TCTC witnesses expansion taking shape

CHAMPION — Trumbull Career & Technical Center’s new Industrial Technology, Career Exploration and Resource Center is expected to open for the 2026-2027 school year. It will serve as a hub for workforce development, mental health care access and student success, providing critical ...

Weather delivers snow job late in the year

In November 2025, the local area saw 6.4 inches of snow including over Thanksgiving weekend. Campbell said from March to May was the sixth least snowiest period on record with 2.2 inches of snowfall in those three months in the Warren and Youngstown areas. She said in December 2024 and January 2025 there were very cold winter temperatures. Campbell said Lake Erie was not completely frozen from the winter so there was less lake effect snow. As for cold record days. January 22, 2025 set a record low of -10 degrees. Campbell said the two other record low days set in 2025 were December ...