16 loops. 86 stops. Pick your Halloween route.
New this week: a 20-home Struthers decorating-contest loop, a brand-new Alliance loop, and more community addresses in Niles, Warren, Salem, Hartville and North Jackson. Every route is ordered so no two houses are more than about 20 minutes apart.
Find a loop near you →QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice.”
William Arthur Ward
PERSON OF THE WEEK
THIS WEEKEND IN THE VALLEY
Meander Hill Annual Christmas Open House
Meander Hill
FRI OCT 23Halloween Lights Drive-Thru
Boardman Township Park
FRI OCT 23Haunted Trolley Tour: Ghosts & Legends of Mill Creek Park
Ford Nature Center
FRI OCT 23Nightlights
Ward Beecher Planetarium – Youngstown State University
See all events →LATEST GOOD NEWS
Halloween Loop Update: 16 Loops and 86 Stops, Including New Struthers and Alliance Routes
The Spanning the Need Halloween Loop keeps growing thanks to you. The loop now has 16 routes and…
Kraynak’s Christmasland Is Open: A Free 300-Foot Christmas Wonderland in Hermitage, Pa.
Kraynak’s Christmasland in Hermitage, Pa. is open through Dec. 31 and free to walk through. See photos of…
STN Inspirational Quotes To Keep You Inspired in 2026
The #SpanningtheNeed shares inspirational quotes of the week in 2026 to help motivate individuals or groups in our…
Fall Fun at White House Fruit Farm in Canfield: Pumpkins, Food and Family Activities Through Oct. 25
Pumpkins, food trucks, a busy farm market and family fun fill White House Fruit Farm in Canfield. Fall…
Halloween Loop Updated: New Stops in Niles, Warren, Hartville and Alliance
Our Halloween Loop just got bigger. We added five new decorated homes across the Valley, including new stops…
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Streams Free on Apple TV This Weekend, Oct. 17-18
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is free for everyone to stream on Apple TV Saturday, Oct. 17,…
Halloween Loops: 16 routes, one night
Ready-to-drive trick-or-treat and light-display loops across five counties. Christmas lights loops are coming soon.
CHRISTMAS MOVIE SEASON
Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas Returns With 34 New Movies
Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas 2026 kicks off October 16 with 34 new original movies and the return…
Great American Family’s 2026 Christmas Movie Lineup: 18 New Films You Won’t Want to Miss
Great American Family kicks off its 2026 Christmas movie season October 8 with 18 new original films, featuring…
Most Read This Month
- 1
Halloween Loop 2026 Is Live: 16 Trick-or-Treat Routes Across the Valley - 2Sportscasters, Dana Balash, still enjoys Covering Area Sports…Celebrating his 39th Anniversary & 33rd as Nightly Sports Anchor
- 3American Heart Association brings CPR training resources to Mahoning Valley schools
- 44th Annual Halloween Loop Lights Up the Mahoning Valley
- 5Great American Family’s 2026 Christmas Movie Lineup: 18 New Films You Won’t Want to Miss
COMMUNITY & ACTIVISM
Melmark Receives $30M Gift to Fuel Services for Individuals with Autism, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Landmark contribution will have generational impact and accelerate the development of the EnvisionSMART™ Institute. Melmark, a nationally-recognized non-profit human…
Sam Covelli: A Legacy Built on Service, Standards, and the Heart of Community
When people think of Covelli Enterprises, they may think of the largest franchisee of Panera Bread and one…
Tressel’s Lifetime of Leadership, Faith and Service
For more than four decades, Jim Tressel has been a symbol of leadership, humility, and service, both on…
SPORTS
Boardman Baseball Legend Dave Dravecky Inducted into Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame
Dave Dravecky is being inducted into the Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame this spring, honored for his celebrated…
Ursuline Football Great John Greene, Sr. Inducted into Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame
John Greene Sr. is being inducted into the Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame this spring for his standout…
Sports Marketing Icon Sonny Vaccaro Honored by Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame
Sonny Vaccaro is being inducted into the Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame this spring, honored for his contribution…
THE PODCASTALL EPISODES →
E138: From Nurse to Heart Health Advocate: Jennifer Knight’s Inspiring Journey
E137: Chef Ottavio Musumeci’s Culinary Journey: Celebrating 38 Years of Passion and Excellence at Station Square
E136: Educating with Passion and Purpose: Superintendent Tim Saxton’s 36-Year Journey
EDUCATION
Dogs Placed in Elementary Schools Making a Big Difference in Academics and Mental Health for Michigan Students
To help reduce anxiety—and open the way for learning—several elementary schools in Michigan have enrolled service dogs as…
#POTW Senior Spotlight: Aidan O’Donnell, Howland Local Schools
Each week, #SpanningtheNeed will present an “Inspirational Person of the Week’ and have a “Q & A” with…
#POTW Senior Spotlight: Austin Rowe, LaBrae Local Schools
Each week, #SpanningtheNeed will present an “Inspirational Person of the Week’ and have a “Q & A” with…
KIDS & FAMILY
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Streams Free on Apple TV This Weekend, Oct. 17-18
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is free for everyone to stream on Apple TV Saturday, Oct. 17,…
Faith in Action: Building Hope and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Northeast Ohio
When Darlene Jones first learned about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Northeast Ohio (SVdP) in Northeast Ohio, she was struck by…
Mackenzie Scott Donates $1.5 Million to iACT
Back in 2024, Mackenzie Scott’s Yield Giving donated $1.5 million to iACT, an award-winning international nonprofit organization. iACT’s mission is to…
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Uplifting stories, events and loops from the Mahoning Valley. Free.