REGION

REGION

Minimum wage to rise Jan. 1 for Ohio workers

COLUMBUS — Ohio’s minimum wage will increase Jan. 1 to $7.30 an hour for nontipped employees and $3.65 an hour for tipped employees, the Ohio Department of Commerce said. The current minimums are $7 for nontipped employees and $3.50 for tipped employees.

The constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2006 states that Ohio’s minimum wage will increase on Jan. 1 of each year by the rate of inflation.

Mar-Zane to pay $12,000 for above-limit emissions

WARREN — Mar-Zane Inc. has agreed to pay a $12,000 penalty for exceeding an emissions limit at its asphalt plant at 1721 Pine Ave. S.E, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency said.

During a 2006 stack test, particulate emissions from Mar-Zane’s drum mixer exceeded the limit established in its air permit, the state said. Mar-Zane performed maintenance on the pollution control equipment, and a later test verified that particulate emissions were within permitted limits. Company officials could not be reached to comment.

Used-car dealers oppose 40-hour-per-week plan

COLUMBUS — Some Ohio used-car dealers want to put the brakes on a state plan that would require them to be open at least 40 hours a week. Thirty of those hours would have to be on weekdays in the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. window.

The Ohio Auto Dealer Licensing Board says a dealers group suggested the new requirement to make their industry more consumer-friendly.

But used-vehicle seller Rodger Dunn in central Ohio’s Fairfield County says the rule will put “little guys” like him out of business. The co-manager of 674 Sales LLC in Stoutsville says he and his son often need to be away from their family business on weekdays to buy inventory at auctions.

Dunn and other opponents of the mandatory-hours proposal intend to sound off during a public hearing today.

200-300 Timken workers to get 2-week furlough

CANTON — Northeast Ohio bearings and specialty metals maker Timken Co. will furlough 200 to 300 hourly workers for two weeks to trim production as the economy slows.

Steelworkers Local 1123 President Randy Feemster says the furloughs at the Canton-based company will begin Monday. Timken spokeswoman Lorrie Paul Crum says the furloughs are seasonal in nature, reflecting holiday shutdowns by Timken customers, with some extended for economic reasons.

Timken has nearly 4,800 employees in the Canton area.

Vindicator staff/ wire reports