What are you

thankful for?

November is here, and with it comes Thanksgiving, a holiday where we stop and count our blessings.

So what are you most thankful for since the last time we observed this holiday? Was it a special anniversary or achievement? The birth of a child? Retirement? A new job? Restored health? A special reunion? A valuable lesson learned?

We'd like to hear from our readers about what they're especially grateful for this Thanksgiving for a feature story to be compiled by staff writer Janice Kiaski.

Submit your story or idea to her any of these ways: By phone at (740) 283-4711, extension 354; by fax at (740) 284-7355; by e-mail at jkiaski@heraldstaronline.com; or by regular mail to her attention c/o the Herald-Star, 401 Herald-Star, Steubenville, OH 43952. Include a full name and phone number if further information or photographs are needed.

The deadline is Nov. 14.

South end paving

project scheduled

STEUBENVILLE - The South End Street Rehabilitation Project will resume Monday and continue through Wednesday, weather permitting.

City Engineer Michael Dolak said the hot mix asphalt surface course will be applied on Lincoln Avenue from Prospect to Sinclair avenues, Sinclair Avenue from Lincoln Avenue to the city limits, Coal Hill Road from Sinclair Avenue to Walnut Avenue and Brondos Avenue from Coal Hill Road to the south terminus.

"Traffic will be maintained but motorists are urged to use alternate routes to avoid delays. The affected streets will have 'No Parking' signs posted at least one day in advance. And any vehicle left on the street will be towed and owners will be responsible for towing and storage fees," warned Dolak.

Dolak said Shelly & Sands of Rayland is performing the paving work at a cost of $521,135. The project is funded with a combination of Ohio Public Works Commission funds and the city's income tax revenue. Dolak said the project is scheduled for completion by late November.

Finance committee

meeting planned

WINTERSVILLE - The village will hold a finance committee meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday at village offices, 200 Grove St., to discuss the 2009 budget.

Chamber hosts small

business event

STEUBENVILLE - The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce will hold a "Lunch and Learn" session Wednesday at the Holiday Inn on University Boulevard.

Tim Ensch of the Small Business Administration in Cleveland will offer information about available assistance and programs to boost business for area small businesses. Reservations must be made to the chamber at (740) 282-6226 by 4 p.m. Monday.

The event will begin at noon. Cost is $11 for members and $14 for non-members of the chamber and includes lunch.

Boil order for

Hammond customers

WELLSBURG - The Hammond Public Service District has issued a boil order, effective Monday through Nov. 20, for customers in McKinleyville, Marshall Terrace, Chapman Heights, Lazears Lane, Commerce Street Extension and state Route 67.

Dale Poling Sr., the district's chief operator, said the order is needed because those customers will receive water through a temporary connection with the city of Wellsburg's water system while repairs are made to the Hammond treatment plant.

"All other Hammond PSD customers will be receiving their water through an existing connection to the Ohio County Public Service District. Because this connection is permanent and has been in use for several years, no boil order is required," Poling said.

Customers with questions may call (304) 737-4421.

Veterans invited to school programs

WELLSBURG - Area veterans are invited to attend a Veterans Day assembly to be held at 8 a.m. Monday at Brooke High School.

The program will be followed by a visit by a crew from Army Company C 1-150 Aviation Battalion, who will arrive in a Blackhawk helicopter at Brooke Memorial Stadium.

Veterans also are invited to a Veterans Day program to be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday at Wellsburg Middle School. Former state Sen. John Chernenko and other members of the American Ex-Prisoners of War Barbed Wire Chapter are set to appear.

For information, call Brooke High School at (304) 527-3410 and Wellsburg Middle School at (304) 737-2922.

Cans Across America at university

STEUBENVILLE - Franciscan University of Steubenville will participate in the nationwide food drive, Cans Across America, on Wednesday.

Students, faculty, staff and the community are invited to donate canned food. The food items then will be distributed to local nonprofit agencies, including the Urban Mission.

Organized by Sodexo USA in conjunction with the Sodexo Foundation and the S.T.O.P. Hunger initiative, the event hopes to set the Guinness World Record for the most non-perishable food collected nationally in a 24-hour period.

Ohio Valley residents can participate by dropping off canned food from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday at Heavenly Grounds Coffee House, located near the main university entrance on University Boulevard. Canned food also can be purchased directly at Heavenly Grounds.

Information is available by contacting Franciscan University of Steubenville Campus Dining Services at (740) 283-6274.

Mobile clinic brings free immunizations

SCIO - The Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine Childhood Immunization Program, a mobile health program, will offer free immunizations to area children from birth through age 18 from 2:30 p.m to 4 p.m. Friday at Baker's Food Store, 105 Walnut St.

The service is available to families of all income levels and those with insurance coverage.

Parents must bring a child's immunization record.

Flu vaccines for adults also will be available at the clinic. The cost is $20 per shot, or Medicare can be billed if a Medicare card is presented.

For information, call (800) 844-2654.