The water and ice program between Giant Eagle and FirstEnergy’s Ohio Edison provides that

The water and ice program between Giant Eagle and FirstEnergy’s Ohio Edison provides that customers without electricity can pick up water and ice free of charge from participating Giant Eagle locations.

The program is in motion and will continue until power is restored, said Paul Harkey, Ohio Edison/Penn Power spokesman. Harkey said customers should call the store location before going to make sure they are stocked with ice and water and are participating in the program.

The Columbiana County Commissioners declared a state of emergency in the county at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The decision was based on some 18,000 to 22,000 residents in the county having no electricity.

Commissioner Jim Hoppel said that the declaration will not start any action.

The declaration would help streamline any requests for aid the county may make to the state, he explained.

Mahoning Valley residents are reminded that burning debris from storm damage is prohibited under open burning regulations from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

The Boardman township road department is in the process of arranging for branch pickups for today, Thursday and Friday.

Residents should call their specific road department to see if branch pickups have been arranged.

Power outage and food safety notes to remember: Perishable foods stored in the refrigerator will keep for two to four hours. For prolonged power outage, pack dairy products and meat in a cooler packed with ice.

Items stored in a freezer will hold safely for 24 to 48 hours. For prolonged power outages, store freezer items in coolers packed with ice. Styrofoam coolers are fine for this purpose.

The children’s program scheduled to honor the Austintown Branch Library’s Top Readers from the “Catch the Reading Bug” Summer Reading Club as been rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25.

The program was originally scheduled for Monday, Sept. 15, but all libraries in the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County systems were closed Monday due to power outages caused by Sunday’s storms.