LOCAL

LOCAL
H & amp;H's Hollister tally now at 27 stores completed
AUSTINTOWN -- H & amp;H Contracting Co. recently completed construction of eight more Hollister Co. stores, bringing to 27 the total number of Hollister projects completed by the construction company.
H & amp;H built its most recent Hollister stores in San Antonio and Laredo, Texas; Flint, Mich.; Omaha, Neb.; Waterford, Conn.; Eugene, Ore.; Provo, Utah, and at Westlake, Ohio's Crocker Park, a new concept in live-work-play communities.
"Building for Hollister and other major retailers has enabled H & amp;H to gain a reputation for successfully completing construction projects on time, on budget and to the exacting design specifications so important to our customers' marketing and branding strategies," said H & amp;H President Chris Hoff.
Hoff said his company has more Hollister stores in progress in Asheville, N.C., and Erie, Pa. He said H & amp;H also has projects under way in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., for Abercrombie & amp; Fitch, Abercrombie Kids and Hollister.
The company also recently announced it has begun working on a project for Talbots in Deer Park, Ill.
H & amp;H Contracting is owned and operated by veteran builders Chris Hoff and Eric Hammer. Based in Austintown, H & amp;H Contracting specializes in commercial buildings for retail companies and high-end residential construction.
OHIO
Former Cardinal Health manager enters plea
DUBLIN, Ohio -- A former Cardinal Health Inc. manager accused of billing a hospital for fishing trips and strip club visits has pleaded innocent to grand theft and fraud charges in Florida.
Kevin Reece, 39, of Houston, fired in September by the medical products and services company, surrendered to police in Florida on Monday and was arrested on the two felony charges. He could be sentenced up to 10 years in jail if convicted.
Reece's arrest resulted from an ongoing investigation in Florida of Cardinal's $50 million contract to manage the pharmacy of Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.
Hospital administrators think Cardinal might have received thousands of dollars in excess payments from over-billings and erroneous calculations.
Cardinal spokesman Jim Mazzola said Tuesday that the company has taken the matter seriously and reimbursed the hospital for any expenses declared by Reece.
"Our internal investigation is continuing, and we will continue to work with the hospital to determine if any billing mistakes were made," he said.
PENNSYLVANIA
Sallie Mae offers $1B to take over lending business
HARRISBURG (AP) -- Sallie Mae, a private student loan provider that was founded by federal government sponsorship, has made a $1 billion offer to take over Pennsylvania's state-run student loan business.
The Reston, Va.-based company has offered to pay the state $500 million up front and make five annual payments of $100 million to buy the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.
Officials of the PHEAA received a letter outlining Sallie Mae's proposal Monday. A copy was obtained by The Patriot-News of Harrisburg, which reported on it Tuesday.
Albert Lord, the vice chairman and CEO of Sallie Mae, said his company might raise its offer if the state wants to negotiate.
"In Pennsylvania, we often lose to PHEAA," Lord said. "From my point of view, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em."
From Vindicator and wire reports