FirstEnergy projects

FirstEnergy projects

AKRON

FirstEnergy Corp. has planned about 70 major transmission and distribution infrastructure projects and other work this year to enhance reliability in the service area of its subsidiary, the Pennsylvania Power Co.

According to a company news release, major projects planned for this year include relocating substation equipment at a power plant that is being deactivated; building new circuits; replacing underground cables; inspecting and replacing utility poles; and installing automated remote-control devices designed to reduce the number of outages Penn Power customers might experience.

Penn Power serves more than 160,000 customers in all or parts of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Crawford, Lawrence and Mercer counties in western Pennsylvania.

Cookies recalled

PITTSBURGH

Giant Eagle issued a voluntary recall for all of its brand seasonal cut-out shapes cookies, baked and sold inside its supermarkets through Wednesday. The cause of the recall is due to an undeclared milk allergen.

The affected cut-out cookies were produced in various holiday-themed shapes and were sold plain or decorated with icing or sprinkles. Customers with a milk allergy who purchased the product should dispose of it or return it for a refund. For information, call Giant Eagle Customer Care at 800-553-2324 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

IRS reminder

WASHINGTON

The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers who turned 701/2 during 2014 they must start receiving required minimum distributions from Individual Retirement Accounts and workplace retirement plans by April 1.

The deadline applies to only traditional IRAs. It also applies to participants in various workplace retirement plans, including 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plans. For information, go to www.irs.gov.

Ryan votes against nullification of rule

YOUNGSTOWN

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th, voted against a resolution that nullifies a rule published by the National Labor Relations Board on Dec. 15, relating to representation-case procedures. The House passed the resolution Thursday.

In a news release, Ryan said the resolution makes it tougher for American workers to join unions and participate in union elections.

“The continued erosion of union rights in this country is weakening working conditions, middle-class wages and the American economy,” Ryan said.

Target raises minimum wage

MINNEAPOLIS

Target Corp. is raising the minimum wage for its hourly workers next month to at least $9 an hour, after a similar decision by rival Wal-Mart last month.

The Minneapolis-based retailer declined to disclose what it is currently paying employees, citing a long-standing policy.

Vindicator staff/wire reports