Off to a good start

Off to a good start

Columbiana County deer hunters had much better luck their first time out this year than last year.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife said 722 deer were checked and tagged by hunters in Columbiana County during the first day of deer-gun hunting season Monday, compared with 331 last year.

In Mahoning County, the take was 198, compared with 152 on opening day last year; for Trumbull County, 657 compared with 333 on the first day of last season.

Ohio hunters killed 33,034 white-tailed deer Monday, ODNR reported. The deer-gun season remains open through Sunday, and then reopens for two days Dec. 20-21.

Horticulture open house

CANFIELD — The horticulture program at Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, 7300 N. Palmyra Road, began its Holiday Open House this week, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring holiday floral arrangements for sale.

Horticulture students have prepared fresh mixed pine wreaths, fresh arrangements, silk arrangements, artificial wreaths and poinsettias for the open house. Poinsettias start at $4.50, live and artificial wreaths start at $12, and arrangements start at $12. This sale will continue through Dec. 19.

The horticulture gift shop is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday through the end of the academic year. Items available for sale change seasonally. To place an order or for more information on the open house, contact Mary June Emerson, horticulture instructor at MCCTC, at (330) 729-4000, ext. 1671.

Items needed for auction

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — The Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County for victims of domestic violence is collecting items for its annual auction, scheduled Feb. 28 at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. The shelter is looking for collectibles, furniture or handcrafted items. Also, sports tickets, trips and jewelry have been popular items.

Businesses can buy an auction sponsorship for $500, which includes a full-page ad in the program and two event tickets.

Donations can be mailed or taken to the shelter at 1218 W. State St. Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania is sponsoring the event.

For more information, call the shelter at (724) 652-9206, ext. 123.

Sobriety checkpoint set

A sobriety checkpoint will be held somewhere in Mahoning County from 11 p.m. Friday until 3 a.m. Saturday. Members of the Mahoning County Operating a Vehicle Impaired Task Force will have increased impaired-driving enforcement.

The mission of the task force is to keep roadways safe by reducing alcohol- and drug-related crashes through public awareness and enforcement. The task force encourages responsible drinking and the use of sober designated drivers.

Ministries plan event

YOUNGSTOWN — Heart Reach Ministries’ Stocking Day will be 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at 211 Redondo Drive. Each year, women’s ministry groups from local Assembly of God churches fill small gift boxes (they used to fill stockings) and hand them out to children.

Heart Reach buses will pick up area children and bring them to the event.

If you would like to participate or volunteer, call (330) 744-2000. Heart Reach Ministries is a nonprofit organization that serves more than 600 inner-city children and youth each week.