PUCO OKs Aqua Ohio’s purchase

PUCO OKs Aqua Ohio’s purchase

YOUNGSTOWN

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on Wednesday approved Aqua Ohio’s purchase of assets and properties of Mohawk Utilities Inc. and Tomahawk Utilities Inc.

On Oct. 17, Aqua, Mohawk and Tomahawk filed a joint application with the PUCO requesting that Aqua Ohio purchase assets and properties from the two public utilities.

Customers previously served by these utilities will not see changes in current rates, but will receive their bills from Aqua Ohio.

Tomahawk and Mohawk serve approximately 260 and 950 customers, respectively. After today’s finding and order, Aqua Ohio will serve 156,610 customers in Ohio.

Brown bill targets unfair competition

WARREN

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat from Cleveland, introduced legislation Wednesday that would improve the ability of the U.S. to crack down on unfair foreign competition resulting from violations of trade law.

The act would restore strength to anti-dumping and countervailing laws used by American companies — such as JMC in Warren and TMK Ipsco in Brookfield — by codifying existing commerce department practices and overturning erroneous court decisions that curtail the agency’s authority.

Mazda expands US recall for air bags

TOKYO

Mazda is expanding its U.S. recall for Takata air bags that may explode to the entire country, following Japanese rival Honda in the decision.

Mazda Motor Corp. said Wednesday it will officially notify the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration soon, but was still compiling details including the exact vehicle numbers requiring recall.

GM’S Opel to take control of German parts centers

berlin

General Motors Co.’s Opel unit says it will take full control of two auto parts distribution centers in Germany that are currently operated by a joint-venture company in which Opel holds a 20 percent stake.

Opel board member Peter Christian Kuespert said in a statement Wednesday the company has “made a decision to consider replacement parts logistics a core competence” and will operate by itself warehouses in Ruesselsheim and in Bochum.

McDonald’s to trim menu, eye ingredients

NEW YORK

McDonald’s is planning to trim its menu, review its cooking methods and maybe even get rid of some of the ingredients it uses to change perceptions that it serves junk food.

CEO Don Thompson sought to reassure investors Wednesday that such changes will help strengthen the chain’s appeal as it fights to hold onto customers. The discussion in Oak Brook, Ill., came after the company earlier this week reported yet another monthly decline in U.S. sales.

Vindicator staff/wire reports

Selected local stocks

STOCK, DIVIDENDCLOSECHANGE

Aqua America, .61, 26.08 —0.5

Avalon Holdings,3.400.18

Clear Channel, .46 19.07 —0.33

Cortland Bancorp, 15.700

Farmers Nat., .128.20 —0.02

First Energy, 1.44, 37.25—0.57

Fifth/Third, .5220.02—0.67

FirstMerit Corp., .64,18.02 —0.61

First Niles Financial, .32,9.280.13

FNB Corp., .48,12.55—0.43

General Motors, 1.2031.97—0.84

General Electric, .88,25.27—0.31

Huntington Bank, .20, 10.23—0.22

JP Morgan Chase, 1.60,60.74—1.72

Key Corp, .26,13.49-0.34

LaFarge, 17.47 -0.23

Macy’s, 1.25, 60.59-0.77

Parker Hannifin, 1.92, 125.26-3.28

PNC, 1.92,88.80-2.02

RTI Intl. Metals,24.32-0.73

Simon Prop. Grp.,5.20,182.650.42

Stoneridge 11.28 -0.59

Talmer Bank, 14.380.2

United Comm. Fin., .04 5.15-0.07

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