Good morning, Wooster.

Wayne County opened nearly three miles of new trail on Sept.

23 in Orrville as part of the Great American Rail-Trail project, developed over decades. The sections, funded by public agencies & local donors, enhanced local recreation and paved the way for future connectivity.

Wooster will host trick-or-treating on Oct.

31 from 4 to 8 p.m., and nearby communities like Orrville, Doylestown, Smithville, Apple Creek, Millersburg, Shreve, and Fredericksburg hold events on Oct. 29 and Oct. 31 + check local times for planning.

Today at West View Pawpaw Farm in Wooster, the Kirchners hosted an open house with pawpaw tasting, orchard tours, and a petition to name the Zebra Swallowtail butterfly the state butterfly *highlighting its unique bond with the fruit*.

The farm plants 600 trees by seed and grafting to boost habitat.

The Jewett Park Foundation will run a haunted house on Fridays and Saturdays in October at 501 E.

High St. It costs $5 from 7-10 p.m., with a kickoff performance by Mark Statler (6:30-7 p.m.) on Oct. 2 and groups limited to five with children under 15 needing an adult.

Gov. Mike DeWine & Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel proclaimed Dolly Parton Day Friday, Sept.

25 to honor her legacy and the Imagination Library, which now serves 6,100 children in Wayne & Holmes counties. The day also marks the first Give Like Dolly Day, referencing her hit '9 to 5'.

The YMCA of Wayne and Holmes is enrolling families in two child care programs that serve about 80 families in Holmes County today.

Full-day care is provided at the Holmes County Y Learning Academy (located at NewPointe Church) and before- and after-school care is offered at West Holmes Elementary School.

Bolivar Sportsman’s Club will offer a free hunter education class on Oct.

24-25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Certified volunteers and Wildlife staff will teach safe hunting practices, conservation and ethics — study materials provided — and include lunch — registration through the Ohio DNR is required.

Loren Kirchner at West View Pawpaw farm hosted an open house that educated visitors about Ohio's state fruit (pawpaw) today in Wooster.

The event highlighted local agricultural traditions.

Ohio has imposed a ban on outdoor fires in unincorporated areas from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and through November amid dry, windy conditions — officials warn against burning food waste, dead animals or petrochemicals to prevent wildfires.

Starting Jan. 1, Ohio’s minimum wage will increase to $11.40 per hour for non-tipped workers and to $5.70 for tipped employees — the change will apply only to companies earning over $420,000 annually.

This adjustment represents a 3.5% increase from the current rates.