Solar-energy event

Solar-energy event

CANFIELD

Salem-based Valley Energy Solutions will host a 90-minute seminar Feb. 27 on solar-energy solutions and the tax advantages that accompany them.

The seminar is at the Mill Creek MetroParks farm building on state Route 46 and is geared toward farmers, agricultural business owners and homeowners.

The event is free, and interested parties can register by calling 330-702-0147 or emailing erinq@valleyenergysolutions.com.

Pending home sales increase in Ohio

COLUMBUS

Pending home sales were up last month, compared with a year ago, according to the Ohio Association of Realtors.

Ohio’s December index for pending home sales — those in which the seller and buyer have agreed to terms but have not yet closed the sale — increased by 1.5 percent to a score of 123.1.

Chris Hall, OAR president, credited a stabilizing housing market for the improvement.

TFS net income up

CLEVELAND

TFS Financial Corp., the holding company for Third Federal Savings and Loan Association, reported $16 million in net income for the fourth quarter, up from $11.2 million in the same period last year.

The 44 percent year-over-year improvement marked the third-consecutive quarter of net income topping $15 million.

Hess to sell acreage in Utica Shale

NEW YORK

Hess Corp. this week announced it will sell about 74,000 acres of its dry-gas acreage in the Utica Shale to an undisclosed third party for $924 million.

Hess CEO John B. Hess said the move represents the company’s focus on a liquids-based portfolio.

Hess will receive two- thirds of the proceeds by the end of the first quarter, with the remainder expected in the third quarter. The company said it will use the sale proceeds to re-purchase shares.

Toyota to dealers: Stop selling 6 models

DETROIT

Toyota has told North American dealers to stop selling six popular models with heated seats because the fabric doesn’t comply with U.S. safety codes and potentially could catch fire.

The order affects 36,000 cars, trucks and minivans, about 13 percent of the inventory on dealer lots in the U.S., spokesman John Hanson said. Also affected are additional vehicles in Canada, Mexico, Korea, Israel and other countries, but no total number was available.

No fires or injuries have been reported, but Toyota can’t legally sell cars that don’t comply with U.S. safety codes, Hanson said.

Dealers no longer can sell certain Camry, Avalon, Sienna and Tacoma models with heated seats from the 2013 and 2014 model years, as well as Corollas and Tundras from 2014. The Camry is the top-selling car in the U.S. with more than 408,000 sales last year.

One soft material beneath the seat covers does not comply with U.S. safety standards, Hanson said.

As for vehicles already on the road, Toyota contends a recall isn’t necessary since there have been no fires or incidents, Hanson said.

Vindicator staff/wire reports