Ohio home sales up

Ohio home sales up

COLUMBUS

The number of homes sold across Ohio in October increased by 5.5 percent from the level posted in September, according to the Ohio Association of Realtors. Activity also rose 8.5 percent from the level reached in October 2013.

October’s average home price of $147,133 reflects a 7.3 percent increase from the $137,161 mark posted in October 2013. Sales activity in October was the strongest monthly tally since December 2006.

Strollers recalled

WASHINGTON

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on Thursday announced that Graco has recalled about 4.7 million strollers in the United States due to a fingertip-amputation risk.

Graco has received 11 reports of finger injuries, including fingertip and partial-fingertip amputations. The recall also affects more than 212,000 strollers in Canada and Mexico.

According to the safety commission website, these 11 models of Graco and Century-branded strollers are being recalled: Aspen, Breeze, Capri, Cirrus, Glider, Kite, LiteRider, Sierra, Solara, Sterling and TravelMate.

Black Lung measure

WASHINGTON

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Cleveland, D-Ohio, introduced legislation, the Black Lung Benefits Improvements Act, to make it easier for miners with Black Lung Disease to receive their benefits. The legislation is intended to cut the claims backlog and prevent the denial of benefits for miners with the disease.

Ex-coal exec pleads not guilty in blast

BECKLEY, W.Va.

Ex-coal company chief executive Don Blankenship pleaded not guilty Thursday to conspiracy and other charges in the deadliest U.S. mine accident in four decades.

It was the first appearance in federal court for the former Massey Energy CEO since he was indicted last week. He is accused of ignoring safety and health regulations to make more money at the Upper Big Branch mine and lying to investigators about his company’s safety practices. In April 2010, an explosion at the mine in Montcoal killed 29 men.

Experts: Home, baby cameras not secure worldwide

LONDON

A child playing in Bucheon, South Korea. An empty crib in Absecon, N.J. Cattle feeding in Behamberg, Austria. Footage from more than 100 countries is being streamed from bedrooms, office buildings, shops, laundromats, stables and barns.

Experts have a message for anyone with a webcam, baby monitor or home- security camera: Change your password now, because feeds from the cameras are being posted online by a Russian website.

The site takes advantage of the fact that camera users receive default passwords to get devices working — such as “1234.” Many manufacturers also put default passwords online, Britain’s Information Commissioner’s Office said Thursday.

Vindicator staff/wire reports

Selected local stocks

STOCK, DIVIDENDCLOSECHANGE

Aqua America, .61, 26.20 —.07

Avalon Holdings,3.58.08

Clear Channel, .46 20.80 —.11

Cortland Bancorp, 15.51.00

Farmers Nat., .128.32 —.07

First Energy, 1.44, 36.73—.31

Fifth/Third, .5220.17.15

FirstMerit Corp., .64,18.36 .03

First Niles Financial, .32,9.25.00

FNB Corp., .48,12.90.17

General Motors, 1.2032.13—.02

General Electric, .88,26.85—.07

Huntington Bank, .20, 10.14.02

JP Morgan Chase, 1.60,60.12—.48

Key Corp, .26,13.35.06

LaFarge, 17.66 .22

Macy’s, 1.25, 62.84.87

Parker Hannifin, 1.92, 130.411.17

PNC, 1.92,86.92—.15

RTI Intl. Metals,23.97.98

Simon Prop. Grp.,5.20,178.752.38

Stoneridge 11.10 .10

Talmer Bank, 14.00.05

United Comm. Fin., .04 5.14.04

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