REGION

REGION

Opportunities offered to comment on electricity increases

YOUNGSTOWN — Two local hearings will give area residents the opportunity to comment on rate increases proposed by FirstEnergy and its subsidiary, Ohio Edison.

The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel will have a forum from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Kent State University, Trumbull campus. It will be in Lecture Hall A of the main building. Included will be a panel presentation on the proposed rates. Experts also will be on hand to answer questions from the public.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio will have a hearing at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Austintown Middle School.

The monthly bill for 750 kilowatt-hours of electricity would drop by 1.3 percent next year but then increase by 3.2 percent in 2010 and 3.8 percent in 2011.

BWC co-sponsors safety conference and expo

LISBON — The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation will co-sponsor the upcoming Columbiana County Safety Conference & Expo from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 24 in the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center, 9364 state Route 45.

The expo will provide information on a variety of topics, including services of BWC and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

Classes include fundamentals of an effective safety and health program, controlling workers’ compensation costs through claims management and safe work practices.

There is a $25 workshop fee for attendees that covers the cost of class and lunch. Participants can preregister by Sept. 26 by sending a check payable to the Columbiana Area Chamber of Commerce, 322 N. Main St., Columbiana 44408.

Wellness center opens

CANFIELD — Erin Tarasuck has opened Reflections Wellness Center at 5160 Timbercrest Drive. The business offers several types of massage therapy, including Swedish, aroma, deep tissue, prenatal, hot stone and reflexology. Body treatments include scrubs, wraps and aroma customizing complex.

The business also offers infrared sauna sessions that are designed to penetrate joints, muscles and tissues to speed oxygen flow and increase circulation.

More information is available by calling (330) 360-0238.

Comic, card store opens

LIBERTY — Jason and Audra Carlson have opened Small Planet Comics at 316 Church Hill-Hubbard Road. It carries a variety of comic books, collector cards, interactive games, toys and apparel.

Game nights will feature Heroclix, Pokemon, Chaotic and Magic the Gathering.

For more information, visit www.smallplanetcomics.com.

Bed and breakfast opens in Brookfield

BROOKFIELD — Susan Fonagy has opened Alice Jones Bed & Breakfast at 7552 Warren-Sharon Road, next to Yankee Run Golf Course. She and her husband, Dr. Joseph Fonagy, bought the home earlier this year. It had been in the McMullin family since 1919.

The bed and breakfast features four guest rooms. Breakfast is provided each morning, along with snacks and coffee throughout the day.

Vindicator staff reports