ORCHID: To Habitat for Humanity International as it celebrated the completion of more than 500,000 homes. To mark the milestone, the local organization held a barbecue this week at the Habitat office on Youngstown Poland Road in Struthers.
ORCHID: For the fifth annual Taste of Hubbard being held Sunday at Kyle Pavilion at Harding Park. It's a neat idea, as food from local businesses will be available for 50 cents a taste. The event also will include restored antique cars, hand-crafted items and performances on the bandstand. It is sponsored by the Harding Park Meeting House Building Committee, a joint effort by members of Hubbard Rotary, Hubbard CARES and the Harding Park Board. Proceeds benefit the reconstruction of the historic 1857 Presbyterian Church on its new site at the entrance to Harding Park.
ONION: For the OVI checkpoint held last night in Howland. We know they are a necessary tool to combat drunken driving, but they also are an intrusion for people who know better than to drink and drive. The checkpoint was held in conjunction with nearby saturation patrols. The saturation patrols would be a better approach to attack drunken driving.
ORCHID: For Operation Safe Surrender, the program by state Attorney General Mike DeWine's office that allows people with outstanding non-violent misdemeanor warrants to turn themselves in and have a chance to clear up their cases. The most recent one is being held in Youngstown through today. It already was observed recently in Trumbull County.
ORCHID: To the City of Warren planning commission for approving a zone change to allow the building of a 120-unit senior living complex on the city's southeast side. An ORCHID also to the firm planning to build the complex on North Road S.E., Clover Management Inc., which has similar complexes throughout New York state and Pennsylvania. The firm hopes this project will be the first of five new senior apartment complexes in the state.
ORCHID: For the voluntary, random drug testing program at Champion High School, which will provide students with an avenue to say no to drugs. It is designed to give students an "out" to using drugs at parties and other gatherings.