METRO DIGEST || Puppy-mill awareness

Puppy-mill awareness

BOARDMAN

A Puppy Mill Awareness march is planned for noon to 2 p.m. Saturday starting at the corner of U.S. Route 224 and Market Street.

Holly Justice, local activist, will lead the march. Participants are asked to wear dog ears and tails for the peaceful, educational Halloween demonstration.

Puppy mills are defined as large-scale dog-breeding operations. There are an estimated 10,000 puppy mills in the United States, with fewer than 3,000 monitored by the federal government.

Participants are asked to bring a monetary donation or bag of dog food, cat litter or cleaning supplies to be donated to a local rescue organization or county pounds. The group also will take donations without participation in the march.

Assessing kids’ sight

NORTH LIMA

The EyeCare and Vision Therapy Center of Dr. Joseph M. Pederzolli, 11995 South Ave., will host a hands-on workshop to help parents assess, test for and distinguish visual conditions that keep some children from doing well in school. The free workshop will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. Call 330-549-9780 for information.

Head Start funding

WARREN

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th, announced Thursday that $2.4 million will be awarded to Trumbull County Action Program to fund Head Start services.

Head Start promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of low-income children through the provision of comprehensive health, educational, nutritional, social and other services.

“Head Start’s mission to provide social services to low-income children gives our children the support and tools they need to succeed,” Ryan said. “This program is critical to so many in our community and across the nation, and I am happy that these funds are going to such a good cause.”

This grant is part of the Head Start program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The funds are budgeted to support the program from Sunday through Oct. 31, 2016.

Food drive underway

LIBERTY

A food drive sponsored by Veterans’ Outreach is underway. Now through Christmas, the food donations can be only nonperishable items.

Donations can be dropped off at 7 Belgrade Ave., on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. For pickup, call 330-755-5792.

5 become US citizens

YOUNGSTOWN

Five people became U.S. citizens in a Thursday naturalization ceremony before Judge Shirley J. Christian of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. The new citizens, their countries of origin and hometowns are: Zia Ullah Baig, Pakistan, Youngstown; Shanhong Wu, People’s Republic of China, Boardman; Alhoma Valverde, Mexico, Boardman; Zahida Sohail Awan, Pakistan, Boardman; and Rania Ahmad Khatib, Jordan, Boardman.

Fall Gospel Skate event

WARREN

Second Baptist Church will present Fall Gospel Skate 2015 at Champion Skate, 5040 Mahoning Ave., from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday.

This event will feature the latest in gospel and Christian music and offer fun, safe and family-friendly activities for all ages.

Each child who attends will receive a treat bag. Admission is free, and skate rental is $3. The host pastor is the Rev. Todd A. Johnson.

Sentenced in shooting

WARREN

Reginald O’Neal, 25, of Palmyra Road Southwest and Oak Circle Southwest, has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to felonious assault in a May 30 shooting on Fourth Street Southwest.

The victim, a Southern Boulevard Northwest man, 25, was hit in the back by gunfire while on the porch, police said.

It was the third time that day that gunshots were fired at the house. Four other people also were charged in the incidents, including three males charged with discharging a firearm into a habitation.

O’Neal received his sentence from Judge Ronald Rice of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.

Dance workshop

YOUNGSTOWN

Liz Rubino Studios at the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown, 505 Gypsy Lane, is offering a one-day workshop on theater dance from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday for people age 10 to 21.

Participants will work to exercise the body through dance as it applies to the theater. Participants also will practice several dance forms and learn famous choreographers’ styles to Broadway songs with a master teacher. No previous dance experience necessary.

The cost is $35 for members and $45 for nonmembers. For information, contact Liz Rubino at 330-746-3250, ext. 187, or lrubino@jccyoungstown.org. To register for this program, contact the bursar’s office at 330-746-3250, ext. 195.