April Home Sales in Valley Keep Pace with 2012
Friday, May 24, 2013YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- April home sales in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties largely kept pace with a year ago, newly released statistics show. Sales last month totaled 391 units in the three counties, nearly matching the 397 units sold in April 2012 and up from 368 in March, the Youngstown Columbiana Association of Realtors reported.
Eastern Gateway's Meeks Receives Athena Award
Friday, May 24, 2013BOARDMAN, Ohio -- Laura Meeks, president of Eastern Gateway Community College, is the 2013 recipient of the Athena Award. Her selection was announced Thursday night before a crowd of nearly 700 at Mr. Anthony’s Banquet Center. She was among 29 area women who were nominated for the award.
Aim Technicians Take Top Honors in Tech Challenge
Friday, May 24, 2013GIRARD, Ohio -- Two technicians at Aim NationaLease took the first and third places during NationaLease's 3rd Annual Tech Challenge May 14. Bob Mryzglod of Buffalo, N.Y., came in first place, and Rich Ramsey from Cleveland took third-place honors.
This is the second year in a row that Mryzglod won first place.
Portman Says Questions Remain over IRS Scandal
Friday, May 24, 2013YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio --U.S. Sen. Rob Portman is accusing Steven Miller, former acting administrator of the Internal Revenue Service, of misleading Congress and the American people over concerns that the agency targeted conservative groups,
Friends of Poland Forest Host Photo Contest
Friday, May 24, 2013POLAND, Ohio -- "The Beauty of the Woods,” an inaugural photography competition organized by the Friends of Poland Forest, kicks off with a free workshop June 2. Bill Lewis, a Vindicator photographer, will share tips for getting great nature photos at 2 p.m. in The Gallery at Wittenauers’ here.
Gordon Longmuir, president of Friends, said the purpose of the contest is to spotlight one of Poland village's greatest treasures and promote membership in the Friends of Poland Forest. All entrants will receive a one-year membership in the organization.
'3 Minutes With' at Banding of the Peregrine Falcons
Friday, May 24, 2013YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- In today's "3 Minutes With" video, local volunteer Kathy Zook and Brian Kay, wildlife research technician with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, discuss the peregrine falcons that have nested downtown. Stammy and Strike have produced three chicks, Utica, Diva and Millennia.
Facebook Postings Help Catch Workers’ Comp Cheaters
Friday, May 24, 2013COLUMBUS, Ohio -- If you're cheating the government, watch what you share on social media websites. A Port Clinton woman learned that the hard way, and now she has to repay more than $61,000 in benefits she wrongly collected from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation.
"As social media has grown, BWC investigators have deployed enhanced analysis of these sites to support our investigations," said administrator Steve Buehrer. "Our fraud team has proven very resourceful when it comes to ensuring dishonest employers, workers and providers do not escape detection."
Treatment Centers Battle Teen Subtance Abuse
Thursday, May 23, 2013YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The numbers are sobering.
According to the survey of 11th graders conducted last year by the Coalition for a Drug-Free Mahoning County – the same group preparing to graduate this spring – 28% had consumed alcohol in the preceding 30 days, 19% had used marijuana, 6% had misused prescription medications and 3.5% had used heroin.
Since 2007, the Ohio Department of Health reports, more deaths have resulted from drug overdoses than from motor vehicle crashes, and at least 223 Mahoning County residents died of drug overdoses from 2000 to 2009.
WRPA to Finance $60 Million for Penn National Racino
Thursday, May 23, 2013VIENNA, Ohio – The Western Reserve Port Authority is moving forward with a proposal to provide $60 million in capital lease financing for the new Hollywood Slots at Mahoning Valley Race Course.
The port authority board voted Wednesday to authorize its executive director, Rose DeLeon, to formalize financing terms with Penn National and to engage bond council to begin preparing documents, which would then have to receive final approval from the board.