REGION

REGION

Academy accepts
program applications

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Entrepreneurial Academy is accepting applications for its 12-week intensive business training program.

The program’s goal is to help disadvantaged local residents acquire skills that can help them achieve business success in the economic marketplace.

The academy was established in June through a partnership of the Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Partnership, the city of Youngstown and the National Center for Entrepreneurship Inc. For an application, call (330) 747-7921, Ext. 1191, or visit 35 S. Champion St.

Veterinarian opens
Spay Neuter Clinic

GIRARD — Dr. Suzanne Wilcox recently opened Spay Neuter Clinic, 405 S. State St. Dr. Wilcox, a Hubbard native who has been a veterinarian in the area for 14 years, said she saw a need to provide spay and neutering services. The clinic performed more than 100 spay or neuter surgeries in its first week, she said.

“Animals can reproduce at an astounding rate. As a result, thousands of unwanted cats and dogs are abandoned, neglected, or turned into animal shelters in the Mahoning Valley each year,” she said.

The clinic also provides wellness care, such as vaccinations, heartworm testing and flea prevention. The clinic does not accept sick animals or emergency cases.

Kreative Photography
schedules open house

LEETONIA — Kreative Photography will hold a grand-opening event from 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 7 at its new location. Kristina Smith started the business in her home in 2001 and has just moved it to a larger location at 244 Main St. The open house will include prizes, kids’ games and food. The new studio has backdrops, lighting, props and digital art.

Office will handle
utility complaints

COLUMBUS — Starting Monday, the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel will again be handling complaints and disputes that residential utility consumers have with utilities. The state agency hasn’t been handling these issues for the past two years but is again working on them because of changes adopted by Gov. Ted Strickland and the Ohio Legislature. The office has a consumer hot line at (877) PICKOCC ([877] 742-5622). For the past two years, all utility complaints were handled by state utility regulators. The OCC had continued to answer questions and respond to educational requests.

 NATION

Execs list crazy pitches
given by job seekers

NEW YORK — Some people will say anything to get a job.

In a recent poll by staffing firm Accountemps, executives were asked to name the wackiest pitch they’d ever heard from a job seeker. Here are some of their responses:

“An individual told me he was allergic to unemployment.”

“One candidate said that we should hire him because he would be a great addition to our softball team.”

“One job seeker said he should get the job because he had already applied three times and felt that it was now his turn.”

“One candidate sang all of her responses to interview questions.”

“One individual said we had nice benefits, which was good because he was going to need to take a lot of leave in the next year.”

The nonscientific national poll included responses from 150 senior executives with the nation’s 1,000 largest companies.

Vindicator staff/wire reports