More Utica Wells for Trumbull, Columbiana
Saturday, July 06, 2013YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- BP America Production Co. plans to develop a new horizontal well targeting the Utica shale in Mecca Township in Trumbull County, records show. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources issued a new permit June 28 for BP to drill a horizontal well on the Zerovich property in Mecca.
It's BP's third permit and the 10th overall horizontal well permit issued in Trumbull County since last year, according to ODNR data. Brammer Engineering Inc., a firm contracted by BP that initially develops test wells for the company, holds two other permits in the county.
Vinifera Grapes Take Root at Conneaut's Markko Vineyard
Thursday, July 04, 2013CONNEAUT, Ohio -- Arnie Esterer is the real deal, a purist and the godfather of Ashtabula County’s wine industry.
His Markko Vineyard in Conneaut was the first in Ohio to successfully grow European Vinifera grapes, the chardonnay and Riesling wines his vines produce are said to be among the best in the United States, and a trip to his vineyard is like a taste of the Old World.
“We believe wine is a food,” Esterer tells nearly every visitor he greets. “It’s healthy and nutritious and should be consumed with food. It’s the beverage of moderation, not to be abused.”
ADL Cites Traficant in ‘Freedompalooza’ Alert
Thursday, July 04, 2013YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Former U.S. Rep. James Traficant is one of the speakers scheduled to headline “Freedompalooza 2013,” a three day event that starts today outside Philadelphia. The event, is co-sponsored by American Free Press, a far-right news organization for which Traficant writes, and a musician, Paul Topete, whose band often appears at “patriotic gatherings,” writes Michael Collins Piper in American Free Press.
Northside to Break Ground Tuesday on $20M Project
Wednesday, July 03, 2013YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- ValleyCare Health System of Ohio will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking Tuesday at Northside Medical Center for its $20 million expansion, the system announced today.
ValleyCare, an affiliate of Community Health Systems, Nashville, announced plans last month to construct a new 30,000-square-foot patient tower at the Northside campus and renovate 28,000 square feet of existing space. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. near the emergency room lawn.
Summer Festival of the Arts at YSU Set for July 13-14
Wednesday, July 03, 2013YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- More than 75 artists have been selected to participate in the 15th annual Summer Festival of the Arts, set for July 13 and 14 on and around the Youngstown State University campus. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, and there is no admission charge.
Obama Administration to Delay Health Care Mandate
Wednesday, July 03, 2013WASHINGTON – The Obama Administration announced late Tuesday that it is delaying for one year, until 2015, the Affordable Health Care requirement that businesses with more than 50 employees must provide health insurance for their workers or pay a penalty.
The assistant secretary for tax policy at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Mark J. Mazur, disclosed the decision in a blog posted at the department’s website.
"We have heard concerns about the complexity of the requirements and the need for more time to implement them effectively," Mazur wrote.
Chesapeake to Get $1B for Texas, Louisiana Assets
Wednesday, July 03, 2013OKLAHOMA CITY -- Chesapeake Energy Corp. announced this morning that is has executed agreements to sell assets in the Texas and Louisiana to EXCO Operating Co. LP a subsidiary of EXCO Resources Inc. for aggregate proceeds of approximately $1 billion, of which approximately 90% will be received upon closing.
Wine Industry Ripens on Ohio Vines
Wednesday, July 03, 2013NORTH KINGSVILLE, Ohio -- Greg Johns reaches into a patch of healthy leaves and produces a cluster of light-green berries the size of pellets. In about 100 days, these small berries will ripen into rich, red grapes ready to harvest and then be processed into cabernet wine.
“It’s all about the vine, the soils and the climate,” says Johns, director of the Ashtabula Agricultural Research Center here on South Ridge Road just west of Conneaut.
Auto Dealers Association Gives $47K to Rich Center
Wednesday, July 03, 2013BOARDMAN, Ohio -- A hefty donation from the Automobile Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio will help the Rich Center for Autism at Youngstown State University offset the costs of running its various programs throughout the year, officials say.
"This is an amazing partnership we have with the automobile dealers," said Lisa Long, the Rich Center's associate director of development. "This money will do so much good for the kids."
'3 Minutes With' Greg Johns, Ashtabula Agricultural Research Center
Wednesday, July 03, 2013YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- In today's "3 Minutes With," Greg Johns of the Ashtabula Agricultural Research Center discusses wine making in Ashtabula County, including the role Lake Erie plays and the search for a signature northeastern Ohio grape (READ STORY).