Shepherd of Valley gets OK for bond

Shepherd of Valleygets OK for bond
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners have put their stamp of approval on a $42 million hospital revenue bond for Shepherd of The Valley Lutheran Retirement Services.
The money will be used to fund a $7 million expansion to a Howland assisted living facility, already under way, and to restructure the organization's debt, said Don Kacmar, CEO.
The commissioners' approval allows tax-free status for the bonds, but the county does not retain any financial obligation. The bonds are being guaranteed by Asset Guarantee of New York, and will primarily be sold to institutional investors, he said.
Shepherd of the Valley, which operates four facilities in Trumbull and Mahoning counties, is in the process of adding 66 beds to the Howland facility at 4100 North River Road. The retirement home had 58 beds before the addition, said JoAnne McCliment, a company spokeswoman.
Bright will speakabout African art
YOUNGSTOWN -- Al Bright, art professor at Youngstown State University, speaks on "The Vitality of African Art and Afrocentric Entertainment" at the second annual open house and dinner of the Africana Studies Program on Saturday in YSU's Kilcawley Center.
The event begins with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by a dinner featuring African and black American food at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $20 per person. Call (330) 742-3097 for more information.
Hearing to focuson food licensing fees
AUSTINTOWN -- A public hearing will be at 2 p.m. Dec. 30 at Mahoning County Board of Health offices, 50 Westchester Drive, Suite 107, on proposed changes to food licensing fees.
The hearing is in response to new state requirements mandating an annual review of license fees for food service operations and retail food establishments.
The fees will apply to all areas of the county except Youngstown, Campbell and Struthers, which have their own health boards. No fee increases are proposed. Local fees range from $136 to $766, depending on the classification and size of the establishment or operation. More than half of local operators will see their fees decrease or be eliminated because of exemptions, said Rick Setty, director of environmental health.
Tax billing nets $3M
YOUNGSTOWN -- More than $3 million in delinquent property taxes was collected during a special third billing cycle offered by the Mahoning County Treasurer's Office. The money will be distributed to schools and municipalities within the county. The billing was in addition to tax bills regularly mailed in February and July.
Internet fraud probe
BOARDMAN -- Township police are investigating several cases of Internet fraud involving sales from a township business.
Police reports say individuals from California, New Jersey and North Carolina purchased wine from a Boardman business Aug. 13 to 20 this year. The customers either received nothing, colored water, grape juice or Boone's Farm wine. Total price paid was $1,709.
Made from recyclables
SOUTHINGTON -- Elizabeth Cianciola of the Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District showed township trustees samples Wednesday of products made from recycled materials. She showed chips of rubber products, other than tires, that could be used for mulch, such as under play equipment on playgrounds. Also, she showed samples of carpeting made from plastic bottles and containers, and ceramic tile made from recycled glass jars and bottles.
Asked why every site doesn't provide for recycling cardboard, Cianciola said there isn't enough money available to put special receptacles at all sites. As more grant money comes in, Geauga-Trumbull is providing more receptacles.
Paint is among hazardous materials that can't be recycled, but she noted that paint cans could be recycled if the paint is dry. Keep the lids off so an inspector can tell the paint is dry.
Synchronized swimming
McDONALD -- McDonald High School Royal Swan Club will present a synchronized swimming show, "Rock 'n' Roll Swan Style," at 7 p.m. today and at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the high school pool, 600 Iowa Avenue. Adviser for the club is Pam Ruby, who directs the girls in grades seven through 12. Admission is $3.