New center at St. E’s

New center at St. E’s

YOUNGSTOWN

Humility of Mary Health Partners on Thursday opened the new St. Elizabeth Pulmonary Health and Research Center at St. Elizabeth Health Center on Belmont Avenue.

The outpatient center, under the direction of Dr. Timothy J. Barreiro, is focused on the treatment of a wide range of pulmonary issues. It will offer comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for patients with respiratory diseases.

In conjunction with the HMHP Department of Research, the center also is a participant in multicenter clinical trials investigating new treatments for lung issues, officials said.

Dr. Barreiro, a pulmonary- and critical-care physician, specializes in treating patients with complex breathing difficulties, sleep disorders, lung disease, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In addition, he specializes in the management and treatment of patients with lung abnormalities such as pulmonary nodules.

McDonald’s hiring

McDonald’s will hire about 1,000 workers to staff its Northeast Ohio restaurants.

The fast-food restaurant chain plans to do its hiring April 19 for its “National Hiring Day” campaign. It includes crew and management positions and a combination of full-time, part-time and seasonal employees.

Those who are interested can pick up an application at any McDonald’s restaurant or apply online at www.mcdonaldsneo.com.

Discovery room

Boardman

Boardman United Methodist Preschool and Child Care Center is hosting a weeklong grand opening for its new discovery room.

Beginning Monday, the center will have activities focusing on children’s health and Earth Day.

The week also will include multiple dance lessons from Ballet Western Reserve.

Boardman United Methodist Preschool and Child Care Center opens at 6:30 a.m. and is located at 6809 Market St.

Strong retail sales

NEW YORK

The economic recovery keeps defying expectations and getting stronger. Robust consumer spending in March is the latest sign that the rebound is entering a self-reinforcing cycle of improvement.

Shoppers shrugged off worries about higher gas prices and treated themselves at the mall last month. Retailers from Costco to Victoria’s Secret reported surprisingly good sales Thursday, and analysts said people would have spent even more but for the late Easter.

The results were the latest economic report to come in better than expected. The private sector added more than 200,000 jobs in each of February and March, and the unemployment rate has fallen more than a full percentage point, to 8.8 percent, in just four months.

Consumer spending, which makes up 70 percent of the economy, is critical to the recovery. The more shoppers spend, the more companies feel good about ramping up production, which means eventually adding workers, who spend more money.

From staff/wire reports

Selected local stocks

STOCK, DIVIDENDCLOSECHANGE

Aqua America, .62, 22.63 —.40

Avalon Holdings,3.00.07

Clear Channel, .63 58.59 .06

Cortland Bancorp, 6.00.00

Farmers Nat., .12, 4.35 —.05

First Energy, 2.20, 37.16—.12

FirstMerit Corp., .64,17.59 —.08

First Niles Financial, .32,7.25.00

First Place Fin., 1.98—.25

FNB Corp., .48,10.89.16

General Motors,32.31—.56

General Electric, .56,20.35—.20

Motors Liquidation, .0422.00

Huntington Bank, .04, 6.80—.06

JP Morgan Chase, 1.00,47.40—.24

Key Corp, .04,8.93—.05

LaFarge, 16.19 —.01

Macy’s, .20, 25.40.21

Parker Hannifin, 1.28, 96.93.95

PNC, .40,63.49—.28

RTI Intl. Metals,31.20—.08

Rural/Metro, 17.03 .00

Simon Prop. Grp.,3.20,106.37—.95

Stoneridge 14.59 .21

United Community Fin. 1.20.02

Selected prices at 4 p.m. Thursday. Provided by Stifel Nicolaus. Not to be construed as an offer or recommendation to buy or sell any security.