Heartwarming

Local groups and churches across the Alle-Kiski Valley have a range of scheduled meetings, fundraisers and support services listed for the coming weeks. Notable items include the Armstrong Conservation District’s tree seedling sale, which is accepting orders through March 4.

A 52-unit affordable housing complex, Newton Family Apartments, is nearing completion in Canton's Shorb neighborhood with construction expected to finish by the end of February and leasing set to begin in the spring.

Plain Local Schools and the Plain Township Fire and Rescue Department run a 24-year fire science program at GlenOak High School that combines classroom courses, hands-on training at Stark State, and instruction from working firefighters; the department also conducts about 30–40 school visits each year to teach prevention, CPR and emergency awareness.

Data Friendly Space and the Humanitarian Leadership Academy have launched a brief pulse survey open until 31 January 2026 to check whether the sector's 'humanitarian AI paradox'—high individual AI use alongside low organizational readiness—has shifted since mid‑2025.

Escambia County is exploring redevelopment of more than 100 acres around the former Escambia Wood Treating Co. Superfund site into a Midtown Commerce Center and will order additional soil and groundwater testing before proceeding.

Molokai High School held a blessing to begin an $18.7 million renovation that will modernize its 21,000-square-foot gym and reinforce it to serve as a hurricane shelter, with funding from the state Department of Education and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.

The Humane Society for Greater Nashua has raised more than $7.5 million toward a $9.6 million capital campaign to fund a 10,000-square-foot expansion and renovations of its nearly 50-year-old shelter; a $1 million matching gift will be unlocked when an additional $1 million in donations is received.

A group of Theravada Buddhist monks and their rescue dog have been walking across six Southern states since Oct. 26, 2025, drawing large crowds and teaching Vipassana meditation; they plan to seek recognition of Vesak in Washington, D.C., in mid-February.

Founder Mary Spirio started what became Riverside Education Centers after volunteering with Hurricane Katrina relief; REC began in 2006 with about a dozen students and a $5,000 donation and now serves more than 1,300 students across 15 sites with a $3.5 million operating budget.

A 24-month project aims to empower youth as leaders, mediators, and change agents and will directly engage 3,000 young people to promote peace and social cohesion.