REGION

REGION

First Place Bank opens
branch in Austintown

AUSTINTOWN — First Place Financial Corp. has opened its new First Place Bank branch at 101 S. Canfield-Niles Road. The new $1 million branch replaces a branch that had been located in Giant Eagle. Steven Lewis, First Place chief executive, said the new office is designed to make banking more convenient for customers. The branch will offer investment and insurance services in addition to banking.

The 2,750-square-foot bank was built by Angelilli Builders and designed by Baker Bednar and Associates. It has three drive-up lanes, a drive-up ATM and more teller stations.

Information offered
on Medicare drug plans

GIRARD — The Ohio Department of Insurance will provide information on Medicare prescription drug plans at its Medicare Check-Up Day. The program will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Girard Multigenerational Center, 443 Trumbull Ave. Representatives will provide information on recent Medicare changes, compare various Part D plans and also advise seniors on how to use pension, Veterans Administration or other drug coverage in lieu of Part D coverage. People with questions on Medicare also can call the state at (800) 686-1578.

Builders Association
names new president

VIENNA — Aaron Tervo, president of Tervo Masonry of New Wilmington, Pa., has been named president of the Builders Association of Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. The other officers for 2008 are: Jerry Harper, owner/vice president of Connell Inc. of Youngstown, first vice president; Harry Grafton, owner/president of Grafton Construction Co. in Warren, second vice president; Jim Breese, president of Jack Gibson Construction Co. in Warren, third vice president; James Dicks, vice president of First National Bank, treasurer.

Applications for training
programs to be accepted

BOARDMAN — The Western Pennsylvania Operating Engineers Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program will accept applications for its heavy equipment operators and mechanic technicians programs. Applications will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 21 to Feb. 1 at various locations, including the Operating Engineers Local 66 office at 291 McClurg Road.

Daffin’s Candies opens
new store in Girard

GIRARD — Daffin’s Candies has opened a store in the former location of Costello’s Candies, 39 W. Liberty St. The store had been owned by Joe Costello, who retired. Daffin’s took over the store to expand its network of stores. The Sharon, Pa.-based company also has stores in Warren, Franklin, Pa., Greenville, Pa., and Grove City, Pa.

Foundation contributes
$15,000 to incubator

YOUNGSTOWN — The Walter E. and Caroline H. Watson Foundation recently contributed $15,000 to the Youngstown Business Incubator. The foundation wanted to assist the downtown incubator in “supporting a robust entrepreneurial climate that assists new and existing technology-based businesses,” said Gary Mrozek, a trustee for the foundation and area president of National City Bank. The foundation has been making distributions within the Mahoning Valley for more than 40 years.

From Vindicator staff reports