Hospitality alliance

Hospitality alliance

YOUNGSTOWN

A new trade group, Mahoning Valley Hospitality Alliance, will be launched officially next week.

A growing frustration over employee drug and alcohol addiction is partially why area hospitality leaders got together to form the alliance.

The group is spearheaded by Christian Rinehart, owner of O’Donold’s Irish Pub, Suzie’s Dogs & Drafts and Mission Taco.

The alliance is a broad-based membership organization created to foster the education, growth and vitality of the area’s service- industry professionals, according to its website.

For more information, go to www.mvhospitalityalliance.org/.

Home prices rise

WASHINGTON

Steady job growth, low mortgage rates and tight inventories helped fuel rising U.S. home prices in October.

The Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller 20-city home- price index rose 5.5 percent in the 12 months ending in October, up from a 5.4 percent pace in September, according to a report released Tuesday.

Home values have climbed at a roughly 5 percent pace during much of 2015, as strong hiring has bolstered a real-estate market still recovering from a housing bust that triggered a recession eight years ago. Home sales have increased this year as the 5 percent unemployment rate has strengthened confidence in the economy.

Consumer confidence rises in December

WASHINGTON

A stronger job market lifted consumer confidence in December, a business group said Tuesday.

The Conference Board’s consumer-confidence index rose to 96.5 this month from November’s revised 92.6.

Americans were more optimistic about current conditions and about the future.

More than two-thirds of consumers said they expected interest rates to rise over the next year, the highest share since August 2013. On Dec. 16, the Federal Reserve raised the short-term interest rate it controls for the first time since 2006.

Macy’s recalls 2 Martha Stewart pans

NEW YORK

Macy’s is recalling two Martha Stewart brand frying pans after customers said small metal discs popped off the pans and caused bruises, burns and welts.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday that there were seven reports of metal discs flying off the frying pans and three reports of injuries. The metal discs cover the rivets that attach the pan to the handle.

The 8-inch and 10-inch frying pans were sold as part of a Martha Stewart Collection 10-piece stainless-steel cookware set. The sets cost about $170 and were sold at Macy’s stores and its website for four years until September. The sets also were sold for $90 at shops on military bases.

The CPSC said customers should stop using the pans and return them to Macy’s for a store credit. Those who bought them at military bases can return them at those stores for a refund. More than 120,000 sets are part of the recall, the CPSC said.

Staff/wire reports