African-American Male Wellness Walk

African-American Male Wellness Walk

YOUNGSTOWN

The fourth-annual African-American Male Wellness Walk of Youngstown-Warren will be Saturday, Aug. 20 beginning at 7 a.m. in the Covelli Center parking lot, 229 East Front Street. Participants have the opportunity to walk, run or bike a 5K. There will also be health screenings and family-friendly activities. The 5K, which is free and does not require registration, kicks off African-American Heritage Weekend. For more information or to become a sponsor or volunteer contact (330) 788-1696. The national African-American Male Wellness Walk Initiative raises awareness of preventable health conditions that disproportionately affect black men.

Free RadKIDS camp

YOUNGSTOWN

YWCA of Youngstown, 25 West Rayen Avenue, will host a free RadKIDS camp from Aug. 8 through 12. The nationally-recognized program includes lectures and drills on safety and self-defense. The camp for preschool-aged children will take place 9 to 10 a.m., and the camp for grade school-aged children will take place 10 to 11 a.m. Call Jennie at (330) 746-6361 ext. 125 to register.

KSU blood drive

warren

Kent State University’s Trumbull campus will partner with LifeShare to host a blood drive outside the school administration building, 4314 Mahoning Avenue NW, from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday. Blood donors should bring a picture I.D. and will receive a Subway gift certificate in exchange for donating. Those with appointments will donate blood before walk-ins. Sign-up online at www.lifesharedonor.org with sponsor code KSUKENT. LifeShare funds a $500 college scholarship for every 40 units of blood collected during the academic year.

Blood pressure screenings for seniors

girard

The Girard Multi-generational Center, 443 Trumbull Avenue, will offer blood pressure screenings for seniors from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday July 20. The center funds programs through a Girard senior levy, a Trumbull County senior levy and support from the Area Agency on Aging.

Lake Erie algae blooms

WASHINGTON D.C.

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration predicts harmful algae blooms at Lake Erie will be significantly lower that the record level registered last summer, though the agency projects this year’s level of toxic bloom could still be a cause for concern.

NOAA and its research partners predict 2016’s bloom at western Lake Erie will measure 5.5 on the severity index, though the agency notes the level could range anywhere between 3.0 and 7.0. An index level above 5.0 raises “concern,” according to NOAA.

2015 saw a record-high severity index of 10.5 at Lake Erie.

NOAA attributes the decrease from last year to less discharge from the Maumee River and a return to an average amount of nutrient runoff into the lake.

Interim Director of the Ohio Sea Grant College Program Chris Winslow, Ph.D., said the lingering concern over excessive bloom growth reinforces the need to reduce phosphorous coming from fertilizer, manure and sewage remains.