REGION

REGION

Agricultural Hall of Fame will induct 4 people

LISBON — The following people will be inducted into the Columbiana County Agricultural Hall of Fame on Tuesday, opening day of the Columbiana County Fair: Gerald Himes of Butler Township, Edwin R. Copeland of Franklin Township, and Betty Jo and Paul Zehentbauer of Hanover Township.

The hall of fame enshrined its first class in 2000. All awards are presented posthumously.

Himes, who died at age 36 in 1982, raised dairy cows and was named the Goodyear Conservation Farmer of the Year by the Columbiana Soil and Water Conservation District. Copeland, who died in 2005, was a crop and livestock farmer who was known for his service as a weather observer for the National Weather Service. The Zehentbauers were the Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Farm Couple of the Year in 1972. Their family still operates their dairy farm. Paul Zehentbauer died in 2006, while his wife died in 1995.

Ex-OSU quarterback to speak at awards

YOUNGSTOWN — Art Schlichter, a former Ohio State University quarterback, will be the guest speaker at the 2008 Valley Impact Awards, which are organized by Meridian Services. The event is Oct. 7 at Avion on the Water. Schlichter will speak on his story of recovery from a decades-long gambling addiction.

Nominations are being accepted for the Collaboration in Action Award, which honors businesses and organizations that are working together to improve the quality of life for those affected by addiction, and Behind the Faces of Recovery Award, which is presented to those who made a significant impact on the life of someone during a recovery process.

Nomination forms are available at www.MeridianServices.org or by contacting Ellie Platt at (330) 797-0070.

Lucianno’s relocates, adds banquet center

AUSTINTOWN — Lucianno’s Cafe Banquet Center has relocated to 1739 S. Raccoon Road in the Wedgewood Plaza. It had been across the street. The Lucente family started the restaurant in 1976. The owners have added the banquet center, which can serve functions with between 50 and 250 people.

MyTown center helps develop business

YOUNGSTOWN — MyTown Business Development Center has opened at 35 S. Champion St. The center is designed to help minorities and women start businesses. It is a collaboration among the Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership, the city of Youngstown and Ohio Department of Development.

Services provided include technical assistance, business counseling, entrepreneurship training, loans and minority business certification. It can also provide office space and is equipped with several conference rooms, a computer training center and eight offices.

DD4hire.com adds franchise in Arizona

BOARDMAN — DD4hire.com has added a franchise in Maricopa County, Ariz. The Boardman-based company also is negotiating a sale for a Columbus franchise. It provides an Internet-based program that matches designated drivers with customers who want someone to drive their vehicle.

The owners — Nick Doinoff, Anthony Bell and Greg De’Angelo — announced in May that they had sold two franchises for counties in New York and Pennsylvania.

Vindicator staff reports