Sunday, July 3, 2016
PROGRESS 2016
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East Liverpool City Hospital By JO ANN BOBBY-GILBERT Staff Writer
EAST LIVERPOOL — The announcement in February that River Valley Health Partners was to be acquired by Californiabased Prime Healthcare Foundation was met with optimism by both the residential and medical communities. Interim-CEO Ruben Garza said at the time that Prime Healthcare looks for hospitals in communities that want their hospitals viable, able to serve the medical needs of the com- Richardson munity. Garza expressed confidence that East Liverpool City Hospital could be “re-energized” and made successful, able to provide all the services the community needs. Some of the areas mentioned where improvements were expected to be made included surgery, cardiology, the primary care physician base, gastroenterology and the addition of a cath lab, all of which Garza admitted would not happen overnight. He said, however, the hospital would not only be viable within six months but “busy” within a year. Just about five months later, the hospital is operating with a new CEO in Keith Richardson, named in March. Richardson brings 35 years experience in health care to the position, primarily as a chief financial officer. Richardson recently said Prime Healthcare has made a commitment to making hospitals profitable, saying, “They have never had one they didn’t turn around. I’m confident we will turn this one around.” He emphasized Prime has a focus on healing hospitals and healing lives, saying high quality care and patient safety is their first responsibility. Richardson said Prime has committed $20 million in capital to the hospital. Already, a portion of the fifth floor has been reopened due to increased patient needs, resulting in the hiring of additional nurses, patient attendants and ward clerks. With the changes taking place at the hospital, nursing care has remained constant, according to officials, who said there are an estimated 156 nurses on duty, most full time, working three, 12-hour shifts per week. Jayne Rose, with 34 years of service to the hospital, was named this year as chief nursing officer. She recently said nurses are critical to the hospital’s overall provision of services. The Senior Behavioral Health unit is now being managed by the hospital, providing patients 55 and older with treatment by psychiatrists, social workers, nurses and milieu specialists. Recently, East Liverpool City Hospital received the Healthgrades 2016 Patient Safety Excellence Award, the only Columbiana County hospital to be awarded. The designation recog-
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River Valley Health Partners was to be acquired by California-based Prime Healthcare Foundation in February.
Nursing
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This postcard image shows East Liverpool City Hospital’s past appearance.
nizes superior performance in hospitals which have prevented serious, potentially avoidable complications for patients during hospital stays, according to a hospital spokesman. She said this places ELCH among the top 10 percent of hospitals in the nation for its performance as evaluated by Healthgrades, the leading online resource for comprehen-
sive information about physicians and hospitals. “This award symbolizes our commitment to clinical quality and patient care,” Richardson said. jgilbert@mojonews.com
EAST LIVERPOOL — While East Liverpool City Hospital has been no stranger to change, one thing that has remained constant is the steady presence of nurses throughout the hospital’s six floors and various departments. Whether inpatient or outpatient care, nurses are critical to the hospital’s overall provision of services, said Chief Nursing Officer Jayne Rose. “The staff of ELCH provides top quality care, and I am very proud to be leading them into the future,” said Rose, who was named CNO in October after 34 years with the hospital. An estimated 156 nurses work at the hospital, most of them full-time nurses who work three 12-hour shifts a week. Those in the inpatient units, including the Intensive Care Unit, are trained in basic life support and advanced cardiac life support, Rose said. In the surgery department, nurses are there for both pre- and post-operative care. In the outpatient clinic, they assist with treatments such as injections, chemotherapy and IV therapy, she said. See ELCH, Page 8A
PROGRESS 2016
Ohio Sports & Spine Institute 2A
EAST LIVERPOOL — Ohio Sports & Spine Institute “OSSI” has been providing chiropractic services to the East Liverpool area for quite some time. Dr. Joseph A. DiDomenico, DC began providing chiropractic services in this area in 1986. He joined Ohio Sports & Spine Institute in 1994. OSSI is a multidisciplinary group of medical doctors including Dr. Joseph Cerimele, D.O. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Dr. Irene Heldman, M.D. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and also a specialty in Internal Medicine and Dr. John Dunne D.O. Occupational Medicine. The most recent OSSI addition of Dr. Andrew Hospodar IV, DC has expanded the chiropractic services to the practice and he is a one of a very few physicians licensed in acupuncture in this area. The core of OSSI is our Rehab department, which provides quality outpatient rehabilitation with staffing of highly trained and talented licensed Physical Therapists, Licensed Physical Therapy
Assistants and Licensed Massage Therapists. Our dedicated staff provides hands-on treatment to all of our patients utilizing a oneon-one approach. The patient is the focus of our attention and we take great pride and effort to meet all of the patient’s needs as we strive to motivate, encourage and challenge our patients to take an active role in their recovery. Our dedicated Rehab staff services range from general orthopedics, industrial rehabilitation, sports medicine and spinal care. Our Rehab staff provides a comprehensive evaluation and solution with close attention to the patient’s specific objectives to help return back to an active and pain-free activity level. Education is vital in prevention of re-occurrence as well as the importance of an individualized home program. OSSI offers a full range of services for musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. OSSI Physicians and Rehab staff specialize in improving the
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Ohio Sports & Spine Institute has been providing chiropractic services to the East Liverpool area for a number of years.
quality of movement of their patients, facilitating a speedy recovery and prevention of recurrences. OSSI is committed to provide complete rehabilitation excellence so our patients can achieve maximum recovery benefits. Our Physician and Rehab staff are available to answer any and all questions regard-
ing patient care and we always communicate routinely with the referring physician or surgeons. OSSI has taken pride and has enjoyed serving the local area and athletes over the years. We are dedicated and committed to take a personal and direct approach with all of our patients.
Salem Area Visiting Nurse Association
Sunday, July 3, 2016
SALEM — The Salem Area Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) has been providing a variety of home health care services to the residents of Columbiana and Mahoning counties for the past 98 years. Salem Area VNA is currently located at 718 E. Third St., Salem, Ohio 44460. Salem visiting nurses provide skilled nursing, therapy services, medical nutrition therapy and home health aid services to homebound clients. Our on site Adult Daycare Program is a combination of a medical and social model day care program. This program provides medical monitoring, memory stimulation activities and a variety of supervised activities to adult clients in a home-like atmosphere. The program runs from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Salem Area VNA is offering improved patient care with new technology,
telehealth monitors that are placed in patient homes. We can provide monitoring of patient vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, weight and glucose levels) remotely on a daily or more frequent basis. This program allows us to set a new standard of care, improve patient outcomes and consistently collect patient information. The monitors enable the nurses to detect potential problems and decrease the potential for hospital re-admissions. Home Care Advantage, our sister agency, is located at the same address as VNA. Home Care Advantage opened in 1994 and provides in-home private duty non-medical and homemaker services to clients in their own homes. For more information on their services contact Cindy Kenst at 330337-4663. Both Salem VNA and See SALEM VNA, Page 9A
We really listen As physicians dedicated to helping patients feel their very best, we know that taking the time to carefully listen to your symptoms, your history, your concerns and your feedback is essential to delivering the best care. RVP provides medical services to the community through a network of physicians and nurse practitioners. Medical services include Family Practice, gynecology, internal medicine, orthopedics and sports medicine, gastroenterology, urology and Ear/Nose/Throat - including an audiologist. Call our friendly scheduling staff to arrange an appointment at one of our offices.
Family Medicine 15655 State Rt. 170, Suite H, East Liverpool, Ohio 330-932-0183
Primary Care & Women’s Health 16761 St. Clair Ave, Suite 2, East Liverpool, Ohio 330-385-9670
General Surgery and GI
98% of our patients would recommend us to friends and family.
205 W. 6th St., East Liverpool, Ohio 330-386-6444
Otolaryngology Ear, Nose, Throat, Allergy & Audiology 15613 Pineview Drive, Suite C, East Liverpool, Ohio 330-382-1422
Internal Medicine I 123 W. 6th St., East Liverpool, Ohio 330-385-7170
Internal Medicine II 205 W. 6th Street., East Liverpool, Ohio 330-385-9509
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine 425 W. 5th Street, East Liverpool, Ohio 330-386-2047
Urology 205 W. 6th Street, East Liverpool, Ohio 43920 330-386-9212
A f f i l i a t e d w i t h E A S T L I V E R P O O L C I T Y H O S P I TA L
Family Recovery Center PROGRESS 2016
Sunday, July 3, 2016
The past year has been a time of quick growth and expansion for the Family Recovery Center. New programs have been added to serve those struggling with drug and alcohol addictions and/or mental health issues, and new locations provide better access to those in need of services. Our East Liverpool office, 416 Jackson St., continues to grow to serve the southern part of Columbiana County. Intakes/assessments can be completed there and individual and group sessions also are held. A Methadone Clinic will be opening in this office this summer. Renovations have been completed and approved by the Drug Enforcement Agency and security measures are currently being implemented and staff members are being recruited in anticipation of the clinic’s opening, targeted for late summer/early fall. Methadone is used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to help people reduce or quit their use of heroin or other opiates. Methadone has been used for decades to treat people who are addicted to heroin and narcotic pain medicines. When taken as prescribed, it is safe and effective. It allows people to recover from their addiction and to reclaim active and meaningful lives. In the summer of 2015, FRC contracted with the Jefferson County Prevention and Recovery Board
to provide alcohol and other drug abuse treatment and prevention programming in that county. We have purchased a building in downtown Steubenville, which will be expanded and renovated. In the interim, we opened a suite of offices in the Towers building in downtown Steubenville and began offering treatment services in mid-August and grew so quickly we needed to lease a second suite of offices by October. More than 500 clients are receiving services at this location already. Supportive, sober housing is a vital component of the recovery process as the client works toward self-sufficiency. To that end, FRC applied for and was awarded grants in 2015 and 2016 from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (MHAS) for direct recovery housing operations. This grant allowed FRC to open the Renaissance House in Salem and Renaissance 2 in Mingo Junction. Each residence provides sober housing for five men. Residents are guided and encouraged by a recovery coach, who helps them work the steps to their recovery and seek educational and employment opportunities. We celebrated a bit of a “baby boom” in 2015 at the Fleming House, our transitional housing facility for recovering women and their children. Four babies were
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Lt. Shawn Bain of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office shares drug trend information during Operation Street Smart, presented May 25 at the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center.
born drug free to residents of the Fleming House. Moms and babies are all doing well. In fiscal year 2015 alone, FRC’s Education Department directly served 4,182 students and 8,235 community members and targeted another 15,091 community members through media and awareness campaigns, including Click it or Ticket and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. In May, the depart-
Alliance Community Hospital
Margi Hoover, director of urgent care and after hours facilities for Alliance Community Hospital, oversees ACH’s three urgent/family care facilities. The following question, answered by Hoover, was submitted to info@achosp.org as part of an interactive question-andanswer feature. Q: I recently fell on an uneven sidewalk here in Alliance and landed on my wrist. It hurt, but I wasn’t sure if it was broken. I ended up going to the emergency room, where I was treated well and it was diagnosed as a sprain. In retrospect, should I have gone to an urgent care center (it happened during the day) instead of the ER? — Eileen L. of Alliance A: This is a good question, whether it happens in Alliance or anywhere else. The issue here is having a game plan and educating yourself ahead of time as to the best course of action. In this case, you were obviously in pain and coherent enough to make a decision and get yourself to the emergency room. The fact that it was just a sprain should not make you feel like you made a bad decision. Among the things you need to consider is the severity of the injury or illness and the urgency of the situation. Since you were in obvious pain and thought something was broken, the emergency room made sense and I am glad to hear you had a good experience there. Could you have chosen an urgent care center? In retrospect, yes. Most urgent care centers are there to take care of patients for less traumatic situations and have X-ray and a lab available during extended hours. In either case, once treated in an urgent care or emergency room, follow-up with your primary care physician is advised. Also, as a rule of thumb, if you sense that you have an
emergency on your hand, call 911. There are certain guidelines that have been estabHoover lished to help patients make choices between urgent care centers and emergency rooms. Among them: Urgent care: Coughs, colds, sore throat, earaches, body aches, sinus infections, muscle aches, rashes, cuts, nausea, animal bites, eye and ear irritation, urinary tract infections. Emergency room: Uncontrolled bleeding, sudden numbness or speech difficulty, severe shortness of breath, sudden severe chest pain or pressure, poisoning, vomiting blood, sudden severe abdominal pain. This is by no means a complete list of possible symptoms, but the pattern suggests that the choice is based on the severity of the trauma. Here in our area, in addition to the emergency room, Alliance Community Hospital operates three facilities; two are labeled After Hours and one is called Family Urgent Care. After Hours Care of Alliance is located at 2461 W. State St. and is open 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; After Hours Care of Minerva is located at 625 N. Market St. and is open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and at this time closed on weekends; and Family Urgent Care of Louisville is located at 506 W. Main St. and is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Both the Alliance and
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ment hosted Operation Street Smart, an award-winning, nationallyrenowned program presented by representatives of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. More than 150 attendees were given information about drug terminology and slang, current drug trends, physiological effects of drugs and ways young people can obtain and conceal drugs. The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team (ADAPT)
Coalition is planning and coordinating several team events and participating in community events throughout the summer, reaching thousands of attendees. The Prevention Department has a very active teen leadership team. About 40 teens traveled to Columbus in April to take part in the annual We Are The Majority Rally to promote and See FRC, Page 9A
Louisville facilities have Xray capabilities to diagnose broken bones and sprains; Minerva does not. While each case is different, the key to making the best choice is to do your homework, understand the differences and be prepared to make a snap decision armed with the best information available.
Providers of Skilled Nursing Care, Short Term Rehabilitation, Alzheimer’s Care, Assisted Living and Home health to the residents of Mahoning Valley for over 50 years. Windsor House is a family owned and operated organization and operates eleven nursing homes and four assisted living communities.
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930 East Park Avenue • Columbiana, Ohio
330-482-5547
A source for dedicated care of those in need of Skilled Nursing Care and Short Term Rehabilitation.
ST. MARY’S ALZHEIMER’S CENTER
1899 W. Garfield Road • Columbiana, Ohio
330-549-9259
A source for dedicated care of those in need of Alzheimer’s care and short term rehabilitation.
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PROGRESS 2016
Sunday, July 3, 2016
The Counseling Center
Sunday, July 3, 2016
The Counseling Center, is located at 40722 state Route 154, Lisbon, was incorporated in 1963 and is a private, not-forprofit organization providing a full range of services for the entire county including psychiatric, counseling, crisis and community support services, as well as housing, vocational and homeless outreach programs. These high quality full-spectrum mental health and substance abuse services are offered by the Center’s caring professionals to community members of all ages - children, youth, adults and seniors. The Counseling Center offers a subsidized fee that is based on a client’s ability to pay and gladly accepts Medicaid, Medicare and most other insurances. On June 21 the Counseling Center held a grand opening for a new eight unit Permanent Supportive Housing Project, The Hornsby House and there is already a full occupancy. Increased capacity for youth psychiatry through the addition of two Psychiatric Family Nurse Practitioners: Dr. Christopher Kalinyak, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), board-certified as a Psychiatric Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist; and Mr. Seth Frampton, a Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The use of Vivitrol, a non addictive injectable medication, has been established as medication that will be used for addiction and alcohol dependency.
The Counseling Center also offers offices in East Liverpool/Calcutta and Salem, recently opening a new satellite office in Calcutta on Pineview Drive near Brusters. In addition, the center’s Salem location has expanded adult psychiatric services. Through the Capital Funding to End Homelessness Initiative, the Kendall Home, which is housing for people who are homeless, was awarded $181,005 in order to make repairs at the house. This past fall, the staff made financial donations that helped provide vouchers for Christmas toys to 58 client families and 126 children. The toy give-away also provided toys to 77 additional child clients and as a result, these families were able to celebrate Christmas last year. Appreciation of The Counseling Center’s service was noted in several comments from community referral sources such as “The intake staff are always very friendly and helpful every time I talk to them. Kudos!, thank you again for the great services your agency provides. We really enjoy having your staff in our classrooms, your services and supports for folks in recovery are excellent – you should all be very proud of being a leader in Ohio in this area.” All of the clients who completed satisfaction surveys felt that the Center locations were convenient, they were treated in a courteous and professional manner and the services were helpful. See COUNSELING, Page 9A
PROGRESS 2016
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Morning Journal/Deanne Johnson
Those helping to cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the Hornsby House were (from left) Leah Werner, senior program manager, Corporation for Supportive Housing; Scott Mingus, vice president of operations, J. Herbert Construction Co.; Les Zapor, architect, Zapor Architects Group, Inc.; Joseph B. Shemasek, vice president of commercial loans, Farmer’s National Bank; Roger Sikorszky, executive director, Counseling Center; John Byczkowski, vice president of communications, Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati; Thelma Rist, chair Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board; Shawna L’Italien, president, Board of Trustees of the Counseling Center; Kathie Chaffee, executive director, Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board; Terrie Kyser, housing coordinator, the Counseling Center; Doug Garver, executive director, Ohio Housing Finance Agency; Bernie Bennett, executive director, Columbiana Metropolitan Housing Authority; Douglas Bailey, community capital project manager, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services; and John Stock, developer, Stock Development Co., LLC.
Hornsby House
By DEANNE JOHNSON Staff Writer
LISBON — A recently opened housing project, the Hornsby House, in Lisbon will give adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses a chance to live and recover in a supportive environment. Three years after the project began, the Counseling Center had an official grand opening in June. The eight-bedroom facility, along with two additional bedrooms added in the form of a duplex in East Liverpool, brings the total
apartment number to 49 available through the Counseling Center for local severe and persistently mentally ill residents, including those also struggling with substance abuse issues. Subsidized with Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, those tenants qualifying to live at the home will pay no more than 30 percent of their adjusted income and will receive 24-hour a day, seven-day a week on site support. Residents receive counseling, monitoring and recovery coaching while living in their own apartment in a home with both private
and common spaces. Kathie Chaffee, the executive director of the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, who was speaking at the grand opening of the facility in June said Jim Hornsby, whom the facility is named after, was a supportive, kind, funny man, who was part of a volunteer group helping mentally ill people. “This is a place where people could live independently and still get the support they need,” Chaffee said. “A place where they can See HORNSBY, Page 10A
Windsor House
PROGRESS 2016
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Windsor House Inc., owner and operator of 11 nursing homes, four assisted living communities and a home health company, Windsor Home Health, continued to see a demand for those who needed short term rehabilitation, assisted living care and home health services in 2015. “The nursing home industry used to be known as the place you went to live out the rest of your life, but over the years, that has changed,” says Dan Rowland, director of marketing for Windsor House Inc. “We’re sending more and more patients home to lead full lives.” Nursing homes today are more of a rehabilitation destination and the middle point between hospitals and home. “Our goal is to return patients to their normal living environment as soon and as safely as possible,” noted Rowland. In 2016, Windsor House will complete one project and start another. Scheduled to open late
summer of this year is a new memory care assisted living in Champion, Trumbull County’s only assisted living dedicated for the memory impaired. “Windsor House has seen a growing demand in the Mahoning Valley for assisted living communities for the memory impaired,” stated Rowland. According to the Alzheimer’s Association website (www.ALZ.org), someone in the United States is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s every minute. In addition to providing peace of mind for family members and safety to the residents, those who reside at Champion Memory Care Assisted Living will enjoy the privacy of their own apartment, as well as the companionship of staff members and other residents. Residents will benefit from daily recreational activities and a secure outdoor courtyard. Additional amenities include a nursing staff seven days a week, personal laundry and housekeeping, three
Sunday, July 3, 2016
Submitted photo
Windsor House plans expansions to meet demand.
fresh meals prepared daily, select transportation to doctor appointments, emergency call system and more. In addition to Champion Memory Care Assisted Living, this spring Windsor House will break ground on a new skilled nursing center in
Canfield. The 60,000-square-foot Canfield skilled nursing and rehabilitation center, scheduled to open in 2017, will consist of 72 private beds and will employ about 70 workers. “Windsor House is extremely excited to care for the residents of Canfield and the surround-
ing community. We are thankful to Canfield City Council and Canfield Township Board of Trustees for making this project come to fruition,” noted Rowland. For more information on Windsor House Inc. call 545-1550 or visit www.WindsorHouseInc.com.
Most don’t shop for lower prescription drug prices By MATTHEW PERRONE AP Health Writer
Doctors On Call
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Shown front, from left, Kelley Blystone, Angie Carr, Dexter Witherow, Lyndsey Walker; back, Vicky DeJane, Jessica Hazlett, Beth Watkins, Heidi Smith and Jamie Koontz.
EAST LIVERPOOL — Doctors On Call has been providing health care to the East Liverpool and surrounding communities since 2002. Dr. Ted Chrobak, D.O. is board certified in family practice. He is a certified Medical Review Officer and registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Privately owned and providing same day, all-inclusive health care, Doctors On Call strives to make the health care experience convenient for patients and their families, as wll as the local and national companies they serve. For family medicine, the focus is
on treating children to adults from everything from coughs and colds to lacerations. Both acute and chronic illnesses may be screened, diagnosed, treated and managed. This is assisted by patients having convenient access to X-ray, laboratory, ultrasound, stress testing and EMG/NCV testing all under one roof. The team at Doctors On Call strives to assist patients with the utmost best in care coordination. A healthy workforce is an integral ingredient of a healthy business. When it comes to occupational medicine, Doctors On Call provides many services include DOT, Non-DOT, T-8 and return-to-work
physicals. Drug testing, alcohol testing and a wide variety of other services are offered to assist companies in maintaining productive employees at a low cost. Workers’ Compensation injuries are also treated at Doctors On Call when needed. As companies strive to keep safety at a high level, injuries may occur on rare occasions. Doctors On Call may service the initial and follow-up treatment for all workplace injuries. The team prides itself on the efficient processing of paperwork and the effective See DOCTORS, Page 10A
WASHINGTON — Most people don’t shop for lower prescription drug prices. They should, especially now that there are easier ways to do so. More than a dozen websites and apps are vying to help U.S. consumers find the lowest prices for prescription drugs by comparing prices and searching for deals, similar to the way Expedia looks for cheap airfare or Bankrate.com looks for low mortgage rates. “Patients want to see a pharmacy that says ‘every-day low prices,’ but most pharmacies can’t achieve that because the way prices are configured is pure mayhem” said Professor Darius Lakdawalla, a health economist at the University of Southern California. “That’s why consumers need to know: ‘Where can I get my beta blocker for the best price?’” Recent studies show that more than one in five prescriptions in the U.S. go unfilled, in part due to financial hardship. Yet only 17 percent of U.S. consumers are willing to check multiple pharmacies for lower drug prices, according to a survey by Consumer Reports.
show, for example, that a 30-day supply of a common cholesterol drug is $11 at Wal-Mart and $13 at a Kroger pharmacy. In both cases the price is linked to a coupon which the app downloads so the customer can give it to the pharmacist. The services are exploiting the complex, nearly-constant negotiations between pharmacies, drugmakers and pharmacy benefit managers that result in wide price disparities for commonly-used medications to find the best deals available that day. “We’re trying to give you a baseline of information so that you can make the right decision,” says Doug Hirsch, founder and CEO of GoodRx, the largest of the services. GoodRx, founded in 2011, offers 25 million users access to discounts from pharmacies, drugmakers and pharmacy benefit managers. Newer services include Blink Health, which says it negotiates lower drug prices by pooling its users with customers of pharmacy benefit managers. Each of the companies claims to have the lowest prices available, so consumers may want to shop around.
Q: Who stands to benefit most from these services? Patients who are taking several Q: What do these services do? Websites and apps like GoodRx generic drugs and have no insurand WeRx are doing two basic ance or high co-pays. Most of the things: searching local pharmacy largest savings to be had are for prices and then applying various See APPS, Page 10A discounts and coupons available to customers. The search results will
Salem Regional Medical Center PROGRESS 2016
Sunday, July 3, 2016
SALEM — At Salem Regional Medical Center (SRMC), located at 1995 East State Street, Salem, the launch of new services and several national recognitions during the past year highlighted the hospital’s ongoing commitment to providing advanced, high-quality health care. In April 2016, SRMC announced the launch of its newest facility renovation project, in an effort to address the region’s growing need for expanded outpatient care and Endoscopy services. The Endoscopy expansion project will enable SRMC to increase its patient capacity, improve patients’ comfort and privacy, and enhance staff work flow and efficiencies. At 11,600 square feet, the newly expanded Endoscopy treatment center will be located on the ground floor in its current space; and will also expand into the space vacated by the Outpatient Procedures unit. A fourth procedure room will be added to improve patient access. In addition to the expansion of Endoscopy services, the project will relocate SRMC’s Outpatient Registration department into a larger and more functional space next to the Endoscopy unit, to enhance patient privacy and convenience. With an expected completion date of early 2017 and a cost of $6.3 million, the total expansion project will also include updating the flooring and walls of the main corridor that runs from the hospital’s main lobby to Outpatient Lab; as well as the hallway that connects the Emergency Department with the Surgery Center. Growth continued at SRMC with the opening of the hospital’s new Cancer and Infusion Center, Orthopaedic Bone and Joint Center and Outpatient Procedures unit in Fall 2015. The $4.6 million cancer care expansion and $2 million orthopaedic and outpatient projects were designed to meet an increasing community need for more convenient access to advanced cancer treatment and to support a growing number of outpatients requiring these specialized services. Fellowship trained in adult hip and knee arthritis replacement surgery, Orthopaedic Surgeon Dominic Peters, M.D., brought a new procedure to the region called anterior hip replacement. Currently performed by about 20 percent of orthopaedic surgeons across the country, this innovative procedure involves making an incision at the front of the hip instead of going through the buttocks or the side of the hip. Study results have shown that many patients recover quicker, have less post-operative pain, discontinue use of a cane or walker sooner, and return to their normal walking pattern earlier.
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Each of the 15 private treatment bays in SRMC’s new Cancer & Infusion Center have been designed to enhance patient comfort and support family involvement, and are furnished with reclining chairs and televisions.
Anita Hackstedde, M.D., Salem Regional Medical Center’s President/CEO, displays the 2016 Women’s Choice SRMC’s Endoscopy expansion project is designed to meet the region’s growing need for Award, given to SRMC as one expanded outpatient care and endoscopy services, and will also provide new registration of America’s Best Hospitals and waiting areas to enhance patient privacy and convenience. for Patient Safety.
General Surgeon Jonathan Pulido, M.D., became the first physician in Northeastern Ohio to offer the ReShape Integrated Dual Balloon System, which is an FDA approved, first-of-its-kind non-surgical weight loss procedure for people with mild to moderate obesity. ReShape provides a new option for adults with a body mass index (BMI) between 30-40 and a related health condition, who haven’t succeeded at diet and exercise alone and are not a candidate for bariatric surgery. During the past year, SRMC was recognized by several national and state organizations for its accomplishments in providing safe, high quality care. In June, SRMC earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for its Orthopedic Knee and Hip Replacement program, by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for quality and safety in disease-specific care.
Submitted photos
Salem Regional Medical Center celebrated the completion of
The hospital earned the 2016 Women’s Choice Award as one of “America’s Best Hospitals for Patient Safety,” acknowledging its dedication to providing exceptional patient care and treatment. SRMC was one of 472 U.S. hospitals to receive the award that recognizes hospitals across the nation with an excellent record in providing a safe environment for women and their families.
For the third consecutive year, SRMC’s Wound Healing Center (WHC) was recognized as a “Center of Excellence” by Healogics, Inc. The WHC was 1 of only 9 Ohio facilities to receive this honor for maintaining outstanding patient satisfaction and wound healing rates. Both SRMC and Salem Home Medical successfully completed The Joint Commission’s (TJC) sur-
vey accreditation process, demonstrating compliance with TJC’s national standards for health care quality and safety. The hospital’s Laboratory Department successfully completed its bi-annual accreditation inspection by the College of American Pathologists, which is designed to ensure that clinical laboratories meet or exceed regulatory requirements. SRMC’s Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) was re-licensed by the Ohio Department of Health, following an annual survey designed to measure the quality of care provided to SNF residents. SRMC’s continued pledge to meeting the health care needs of area residents remains at the heart of the hospital’s mission, “To Serve. To Care. To Heal.” During fiscal year 2015, SRMC provided comprehensive health care services, including: 5,427 admissions; 3,445 surgeries; and 28,951 See SRMC, Page 10A
Making life better...one patient at a time. 98% of our patients would recommend us to friends and family. RVP provides medical services to the community through a network of physicians and nurse practitioners. Medical services include Family Practice, gynecology, internal medicine, orthopedics and sports medicine, urology, and Ear/Nose/Throat - including an audiologist.
Most insurance plans are welcome.
Saving Hospitals.
425 West 5th Street • East Liverpool, Ohio 330-385-7200
Saving Jobs.
Saving Lives.
Family Medicine
General Surgery & GI
Internal Medicine I
Internal Medicine II
15655 State Rt. 170, Suite H, East Liverpool 330-932-0183
205 W. 6th St., East Liverpool 330-386-6444
123 W. 6th St., East Liverpool 330-385-7170
205 W. 6th St., East Liverpool 330-385-9509
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Primary Care & Women’s Health
Otolaryngology
Urology
Ear, Nose, Throat, Allergy & Audiology 15613 Pineview Drive, Suite C, East Liverpool 330-382-1422
205 W. 6th Street, East Liverpool 330-386-9212
425 W. 5th Street, East Liverpool 330-386-2047
16761 St. Clair Ave, Suite 2, East Liverpool 330-385-9670
PROGRESS 2016
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ELCH Continued from Page 1A
Nurses also are necessary for procedures such as colonoscopies and endoscopies, as well as pediatric outpatient surgeries for dental and ear-nosethroat maladies, she said. On the behavioral health side, the hospital contracts with Psychiatric Resource Partners for psychiatric services for patients who are 55 and older. Patients there are cared for by psychiatrists, social workers, nurses and milieu specialists. City Hospital also contracts with New Vision for the provision of addiction services related to the management of withdrawal symptoms. An average of 55 patients a month spend three to five days in an inpatient setting under the care of doctors and nurses, while their drug or alcohol addiction-related symptoms are stabilized. In the cardiac rehabilitation unit, nurses assist with stress tests, EKGs, exercise regimens and other aspects of recovering from cardiac events-heart attacks, coronary bypass surgery, heart valve replacement, heart transplants, angioplasty and chest pain caused by blocked arteries. City Hospital also employs nurses as community educators, IT specialists, case management experts and infection
control specialists, Rose said. The hospital’s wound care center has a nurse as a director and other nurses who assist doctors with care for patients with chronic wounds. The center’s hyperbaric oxygen chamber does an average of 33 procedures a month, she said. Nurses also are an integral part of the emergency department, which has 22 rooms and sees an average of 110 patients a day. Five RNs are on duty at the busiest time of the day. — Stephen Huba
Changes EAST LIVERPOOL — River Valley Physicians has already seen its share of changes in 2016. In January, internal medicine physician Dr. Clement “Craig” Cahall joined the group, making his office on Sixth Street the ninth site for River Valley Physicians in East Liverpool/Calcutta. The Cahall office building now has three River Valley service lines, and his office is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Then, in February, Prime Healthcare Foundation completed its acquisition of River Valley Health Partners, former owner of East Liverpool City Hospital, and River Valley Physicians, a network of doc-
tors associated with the hospital. Those developments came in the wake of the September 2015 move of the RVP Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Service from the City Hospital Emergency Department to the sixth floor, former home of the pediatric unit. River Valley’s orthopedic surgeon, formerly an independent contractor, is Dr. Marcy Dickey. “We continue to look for growth opportunities and expansions,” said RVP Executive Director Beth Weir. “We are concentrating on primary care, to make sure we have enough providers for folks in our service area to receive care at times that are convenient for them.” River Valley’s main service lines include orthopedic surgery, general surgery, family practice, internal medicine, urology, OB-GYN, and earnose-throat. Each service line has its own location, and all the RVP offices are within two miles of each other, Weir said. River Valley hopes to expand into mental health services in the near future. “We are actively recruiting for the mental health service line,” Weir said. Weir is enthusiastic about the group’s prospects under the new ownership.
OUR NURSES The Heart of Our Hospital
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“They are similar in outlook in that what we want to do is provide the best possible core care for our patients-primary care, orthopedic services, things they want close to home,” she said. Prime Healthcare also is looking at areas that are in need of expansion and improvement, she said. “One thing they’re doing is focusing a lot on our infrastructure, making sure we have the best possible equipment, doing a lot of upgrades to our big equipment. Those things are going to be very noticeable to our physicians and our staff,” Weir said. “The public will definitely benefit.” — Stephen Huba
Ohio Valley Home Health EAST LIVERPOOL — As much as a hospital stay is nothing to look forward to, the return home is often just as challenging. Since 1967, Ohio Valley Home Health Services Inc. has been helping people make the transition from hospital to home, reducing their hospital stay and the likelihood of a nursing home admission. “There’s always been a gap between that skilled care that people get in the hospital and what they get at home,” said
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Director of Clinical Services Deb Locke. The agency, located on the first floor of East Liverpool City Hospital and now owned by Prime Healthcare Services, provides skilled nursing care for hospital patients once they are back in the home. It also provides physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aide services, social worker services and nonskilled care. “It’s much more cost-effective for a patient to be cared for in the home rather than in a skilled nursing facility,” Locke said. “Usually, once they start to improve, the patients are able to go home more quickly.” Ohio Valley Home Health continues to grow as the trend toward more in-home care grows. Even in the last six months, its census has increased as referrals have increased. “We’re getting a lot of referrals from physicians in Weirton, at the Pittsburgh hospitals and from the Heritage Valley Health System in Beaver County,” Locke said. “Physicians are starting to realize that it’s more effective and less costly to take care of patients in their home.” The agency’s services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurers. It also receives referrals from
the Area Agency on Aging, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, United Healthcare, Medicaid Managed Care, the Ohio Home Care Waiver and the MR/DD waiver program. “We have a good reputation,” said Director of Administrative Services Janet McCoy. Locke said the majority of the agency’s patients are 60 and over. Many of them require IV care in the home, therapy for joint replacement surgery, post-stroke rehabilitation, treatment for cardiac or respiratory problems and help with managing diabetes. Ohio Valley Home Health employs 15 nurses (RNs and LPNs), two skilled aides and 41 home health aides. The latter provide personal care and homemaker services, including help with minor chores. The agency’s geographic outreach now includes Hancock and Brooke counties in West Virginia-it has a separate office in the Chester Municipal Building-all of Columbiana County, the southern part of Mahoning County and the northern part of Jefferson County. Other services include Senior Link Adult Day Services in Glenmoor and training for family members of patients receiving in-home services. — Stephen Huba
The Therapy Center
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CALCUTTA — When it comes to recovering from illness or injury, one facility can help people get back on their feet and handle several treatments all under one roof. The Therapy Center of East Liverpool City Hospital provides therapy through a variety of programs and services that best benefit the patient. Located within the Calcutta YMCA on state Roue 170, since Jan. 2, 2003, the center serves as the rehabilitation department of the hospital for outpatients, but also caters to inpatients from the hospital for physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT) and speech therapy. Physical therapy involves the treatment of injuries and disorders using physical methods. This includes threapy designed to improve mobility, recover from weakness or limited endurance, help treat diseases or disabilities, restore function and prevent disability from disease, and treat pain. The center can can help patients with a plan to include strength training stretching for flexibility, balance/coordination aquatics, massages, and developmental milestones. Some of the workouts include positioning, mobility, gross motor development, teaching transfers and exercises for the legs, arms, back and neck. Occupational therapy involves skilled treatment to help patients gain independence, and assists patients to develop skills for living (like dressing and grooming), strengthen fine motor development, work with sensory disorders, handle learning behavior disabilities, and perform exercises with fingers, hands and shoulders. OT can serve as a benefit for those with workrelated injuries, stroke, chronic conditions like arthritis or multiple sclerosis (MS), birth injuries or learning problems, mental health or behavioral problems, spinal cord injruies and amputations, and those with broken bones or hand injuries. Speech therapists at the center
work with patients of all age groups who may have cognitive deficits, fluency disorders, swallowing disorders, expressive language deficits, voice disorders, receptive language deficits, speech disorders and Autism spectrum disorders. The center also handles vestibular rehabilitation, treatment with patients with Parkinson’s disease with the Big Movements and the Loud program for the voice, and lymphadema treatments for those with fluid build-up. Maria Boyd, director of the center, said the facility at the YMCA provides a fit for the services needed as opposed to originally at the hospital itself. “This was actually a better fit for growing our outpatient, moving out the actual shell,” Boyd said. Boyd noted with its location, it can utilize some of the benefits the YMCA also provides, including its track, gym equipment and swimming pool. “The aquatic therapy is good for joint protection, one of the reasons we use it for some of the diagnoses, but otherwise you can get a great cardiac workout,” Boyd said. “We have a lot of people who have, over time, we have bad knees, hips, ankles, you can do what’s called aqua jogging in the deep end of the pool, so if you still really want to work your cardiac system, but you can’t go fast enough on land, it’s a good way to keep your system healthy while you still heal.” According to Boyd, the center is also able to treat pediatrics, noting its high pediatric population, and also can work with workers’ compensation. “The nice thing is the facility that we have shared with the YMCA does help us with being able to offer those workers’ comp patients a way to get back to work that offers more activity,” Boyd said. “We have the space to mimic what their job is here, which helps.” Another key aspect to its location is the ability for therapists from
PT, OT and speech therapy to be able to interact with each other and the patient at the same. Karen Tice, the center’s rehabilitation coordinator, mentioned the better convenience. “Some people work out here but they also may do home health so they’re seeing each other at different levels,” Tice said. “But being in one building, if a patient sees all three disciplines, then they can communicate with that and see each other. Sometimes they may even be together doing different things.” The in-house staff of 25 helps out in several ways to make the patients feel comfortable, but as Boyd mentioned, they also go above and beyond to make the patient happy as well. “We had a birthday party for this little girl whose basically whole family died in a car wreck. Here she is a paraplegic now,” Boyd said. “She wasn’t supposed to be doing anything, and now she’s walking with minimal bracing now, and she’s still here everyday. She makes the grown men cry that come around from the Y. This 9year-old and all these men. “We planned a surprise birthday party, and we all wore pink pajamas, even the men, one day because that’s what she wanted. Just those kinds of things that just lighten them up. The staff never ceases to amaze me how much they can actually wow their patients, and it makes being a director easier.” The Therapy Center also handles outside contracts including home health, althletic training for Beaver Local, East Liverpool and Wellsville schools, Robert Bycroft School, Columbiana County Head Start, early intervention for the county and the Federal Correction Institution in Elkton. For more information, call 330386-2054. — Steve Rappach
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Home Care Advantage are accredited by the Joint Commission and are partially supported by the Northern Columbiana County United Way. Salem Area VNA and Home Care Advantage are committed to expanding our services to meet the home health care needs of clients in Columbiana County.
For information on services or the Adult Daycare Program contact agency Director Susan K. Yoder, Ph.D., R.N. or the Adult Daycare Director Patricia Flamino, MSN, R.N. at 330-332-9986. We look forward to serving the residents of Columbiana County for another 98 years.
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encourage pride in living their lives drug-free, and a large group of teens from both Columbiana and Jefferson counties are attending Leadership Camp at Mohican State Park during the summer. A beautification project on agency property at the corner of North Market Street and Saltwell Road was completed in the fall of 2015. A 25-foot lighted flagpole was erected, complimented by a decorative stone wall, tasteful landscaping and concrete walkway. This area was formally dedicated during a Tribute to Veterans event held on Veterans Day and attended by many community leaders, FRC supporters and veterans organizations. We are considering making this an annual event. In November, Family Recovery Center was honored to receive the Non-Profit of the Year award from the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. The award was presented
during the Chamber’s annual meeting Nov. 18 at the Salem Community Center. Looking forward, 2016 already promises to be another successful, busy year. The Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board received more than $110,000 in funding to better serve persons incarcerated at the Columbiana County Jail. Through this program, Family Recovery Center is providing alcohol/drug abuse treatment services to inmates, as well as helping inmates plan for re-entry after release. We plan to continue to build upon our success in Jefferson County with the addition of services and programming to better serve the community. Throughout this growth and change, however, our mission remains the same: To Make Recovery a Reality.
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They also stated they would recommend the Counseling Center to their friends and families saying “the counselors were very compassionate and honest. I felt very comfortable and cared about. I have learned a lot and have been using the skills taught to me every day. It has been an extraordinary experience. Thank
you.” A proud member of the community for 53 years, the Counseling Center is grateful to those who have supported the levies that help the agency offer all its many needed services. For more information on the Counseling Center call 330-4249573 or online www.colmhc.org.
Our unique practice model of physicians within the specialties of: • Medicine • Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation • Occupational Medicine / Primary Care • Chiropractics
With an expert team of on-site physician directed and supervised rehabilitation staff consisting of: • Therapists • Athletic Trainers • Exercise Physiologists • Massotherapists
Provides excellent treatment of: • Sports & Auto Injuries • Musculoskeletal Disease • Acute & Chronic Pain • Post Surgical Rehabilitation • Workers Compensation Injuries
How to Get Started You don’t have to wait to see us!
1 Call to make an appointment 2 We are open everyday!
It’s that easy. Whether you need to come in for your first appointment after your injury or get a second opinion, we can help you begin your road to recovery.
Call our office at (330) 386-6500
Our Therapy Staff The Ohio Sports & Spine Institute has developed and expert team approach to treating musculoskeletal injury and disease. We are the only practice in the area that specializes in a combination of physical medicine and rehabilitation, occupational medicine, chiropractic medicine, acupuncture, and massage. Joseph A. Cerimele, DO
Joseph A. DiDomenico, DC
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Sports Medicine
Chiropractic Orthopedics Chiropractic Consultant
John L. Dunne, DO
Andrew J. Hospodar, DC, LAC
Occupational Medicine Chiropractic Orthopedics Acupuncture Independent Medical Examiner Worker’s Compensation Specialist
Boardman
Calcutta
1265 Boardman-Canfield Rd. Boardman, Ohio 44512 Phone: (330) 758-9400
16844 St. Clair Ave. East Liverpool, Ohio 43920 Phone: (330) 386-6500
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SRMC
HORNSBY
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Emergency Department visits. Salem Regional Medical Center is a private, non-profit, independent hospital; and the largest employer in Columbiana County with more than 1,000 staff members. The impact of SRMC’s workforce triggers a strong impact on the community as SRMC’s annual payroll contributes $46 million to the economy. Each SRMC job supports about two more jobs in our local communities and every dollar spent by SRMC creates further economic value in goods and services to area business of about $2.30 of additional business activity. For more information on Salem Regional Medical CenSubmitted photo ter call 330-332-1551 or visit The Cancer & Infusion Center includes a Community Treatment area that is furnished with six their website www.salemre- reclining chairs and televisions, for patients who wish to receive therapy in a more social, group treatment setting. gional.com.
DOCTORS
APPS
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coordination of patient care. Convenience and personal attention are at the heart of Doctors On Call. Whether serving an individual or a business, the staff goes above and beyond to provide quality, convenient health care. We accept most commercial health plans, Medicare and government assisted plans such as United Healthcare Community Plan, CareSoure, Molina, Buckeye and Paramount, just to name a few. Doctors On Call is now accepting new patients. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit docmedicalcenter.com or call 330-386-6339.
generic drugs, where competition between multiple manufacturers and pharmacies leads to a wide range of prices. Discounts on newer, branded drugs are harder to find, since they are typically produced by one company that doesn’t have to cut prices to compete. Still, services like GoodRx can link to drugmaker coupons that bring down the price of even high-end drugs like Humira, an injectable treatment for psoriasis. These coupons irk insurers because they entice patients to opt for the branded drug by making the outof-pocket cost to the patient comparable to that of a generic — but they don’t reduce the higher cost the insurer has to pay for the
medication. Still, it helps patients reduce the amount of money leaving their wallets. Some of the priciest drugs won’t appear on pharmacy apps at all. Specialty cancer drugs like Avastin, for example, must be administered at a doctor’s office and aren’t available at the pharmacy.
to fill a $4 prescription for a generic drug at Wal-Mart or Target than to use your insurance and pay a $12 copay. In these cases, pharmacy apps simply direct customer traffic to long-standing offers at big-box stores. In other cases, the services provide a streamlined way of obtaining coupons and discounts that consumers would Q: How do these dis- otherwise have to juggle on counts work with my health their own. insurance? They don’t. The prices Q: So where do these disquoted by apps need to be counts come from? paid by the consumer and In some ways, pharmacy can’t be used to lower your apps are just updating a co-pay. However, the servic- decades-old business. Many es’ cash prices are often less of the offers found on than patients’ co-pays, espe- GoodRx and similar services cially for those in high- come from discount prodeductible health plans. For grams offered by prescripexample, it may be cheaper
tion benefit managers like MedImpact and OptumRx. Those companies are best known for negotiating lower drug prices on behalf of large employers and insurers, but they also have separate businesses offering discount pharmacy cards to consumers who pay cash. The cards have been distributed through the mail, newspapers and magazines for more than 20 years. Pharmacies like the programs because they ensure a steady stream of cash-paying customers. And the card programs pocket a small percent of each transaction, a sort-of finder’s fee. This is also one of the ways that the new services make money.
hopefully be a positive influence on one another. I hope they get the sense of community Jim really personified.” Terrie Kyser, housing coordinator at the Counseling Center, also spoke well of Hornsby, stating he began as someone who needed help himself and later was part of efforts to help others, speaking about what can be done for those dealing with mental illness and working with others. “He epitomized what this is,” Kyser said. “This man was truly loved. Everyone knew Jim.” The project was funded by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, a startup loan from the Corporation for Supportive Housing, a bridge loan from the First National Community Bank and there was additional funding from the Ohio Development Services Agency and the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board. John Byczkowski, vice president of communications for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, also spoke at the opening ceremony in June. His organization gives millions each year for housing projects for those in need and he noted when you think about the need for a place like the Hornsby House it makes you “count your blessings.” “The gulf between those who are fortunate and those who need this type of facility is not that wide,” Byczkowski noted. djohnson@mojonews.com
Let our experienced and compassionate staff care for you in the privacy and comfort of your own home. We’ve been helping people just like you since 1919.
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• Nurses • Home Health Aides • Homemakers • Companions • Private Duty Care & Passport Waiver 1-24 Hours • 7 Days A Week BWC and Veterans Provider
330-337-HOME • 330-337-4663 718 E. Third St., Suite C • Salem
Fast money: Banks making it easier to split the tab KEN SWEET AP Business Writer
NEW YORK — Splitting the bill for those pizzas you shared with your buddies or that utility bill that is suddenly due is going to get easier and faster even if you don’t all use the same bank. JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and other big banks are upgrading their online payment services to let customers make instant transfers of money to others who bank elsewhere, often at no cost. The move comes as traditional banks face pressure from payment companies like Venmo and Square Cash that offer ways to split the bill. Banks developed online services that allow their customers to send money to anyone with a phone number or email address several years ago. But the services were considered overly complicated. Until last year, bank customers could only send money to another customer the same bank. The only option bank customers often had to send money instantly to another person was a wire transfer, which can cost upward of $30 at a branch, or to use a service like Western Union, which also charges a fee. When the option to send money to person at a different bank became available, the service would take upward of three days to complete. Silicon Valley startups Venmo and Square Cash, on the other hand, promised person-to-person transfers that were open to anyone with a debit card and would be completed in as little as one business day. The banks don’t want to lose more customers and are trying to top Silicon Valley. “This is what our customers have been asking for,” said Jason Alexander, head of digital platforms for Chase, in an interview. Chase, the nation’s largest bank by assets and the largest bank operator of person-to-person payment
NutriMost
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Associated Press/Mark Lennihan, File
In this Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015, file photo, a customer uses an ATM at a branch of Chase Bank, in New York. JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and other big banks are upgrading their online payment services to let customers make instant transfers of money to others who bank elsewhere, often at no cost.
services, is rolling out its upgrade to Chase QuickPay next month. Wells Fargo is launching its service in July. Bank of America customers have had the ability since March, but only between them and U.S. Bank — they were the only two with the necessary software upgrades at the time. Capital One plans to roll out real-time transfers later this year, a spokeswoman said. The instant payments between these big banks come with a limitation: the instant payments will only occur between banks on the same network, called clearXchange. The network includes Chase, Wells Fargo, BofA and U.S. Bank, as well as Capital One and Colorado-based FirstBank. That network represents 60 percent of all U.S. mobile banking customers, according to a Chase spokesman. ClearXchange is expected to grow in the coming years, said Gareth Gaston with U.S. Bank. “It’s about connecting all the banks together to make our customers’ lives a little simpler,” Gaston said.
Acceptance of mobile payments has accelerated in recent years. About 46 percent of U.S. consumers have made a mobile payment, according to a study by The Pew Charitable Trusts released this week, with most of those users being millennials or members of Generation X. “It will take some time for customers to adopt this, but we want to be there and be ready when our customers are ready,” Gaston said. Users of Venmo sent $1 billion in payments in the month of January this year, up from $100 million in the same month in 2014. In comparison, Chase customers now send $20 billion a year using QuickPay. Wells Fargo customers send $10 billion over its service SurePay. Mobile payments, particularly when people are splitting a bill, reached a level where Venmo users are using the pizza emoji every 20 seconds when sending money to each other.
BOARDMAN — Dr. James Leone began a journey a year ago that helped many people create realistic weight loss goals and have great success with the program. NutriMost is located at 6775 Applewood Boulevard, Boardman, and Leone said that it is not a weight-loss program, but a personalized fat loss program. He makes it clear that there is a distinct difference between the two. “We don’t want people just losing weight, we want them losing fat,” Leone said. “A person can starve themselves and lose weight, (this is what most diet programs do); however, they won’t get into fat burning.” NutriMost is a personalized fat burning program that is scientifically designed to get people into optimal fat burning. At the office, Leone runs a Body Composition Analysis (BCA) on each patient. This provides a snapshot of the patient’s current health condition measuring nine critical factors. For example, it shows body fat percentage, hydration levels, and how effective their metabolism is working to name a few. One of the most crucial aspects that the Body Composition Analysis checks for is whether the patient is hydrated. What he had to say about patients’ hydration levels was shocking. “Just about 100 percent of the people we check are dehydrated,” Leone said. “We’re the only program that checks for this in a high tech way and we are the only program that has procedures to get people better hydrated. Getting better hydrated is not as simple as drinking more water. Your body has to have the chemical and nutritional where withal to hold the water and move the water into the cells. Otherwise, your brain, knowing that your body is dehydrated, will hold fat cells hostage for their water content.” The Body Composition Analysis Report also shows the patient’s metabolic age. If the age of one’s metabolism is running above their current age, their metabolism is slow and they are trapped in fat storage instead of fat burning. The NutriMost Fat Loss Program is scientifically designed to get each person’s body
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flipped from fat storage into fat burning, Leone said. Leone is not only endorsing a program that he thinks works, he has undergone the program himself and had successful results. “I have struggled with weight since I was a kid,” Leone said. “So I know what it is like to be overweight. I was at my highest weight several years ago. Being interested in natural health care and nutrition I have tried all those different diet programs on my own without lasting results. I was pre-diabetic. I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high triglycerides. I was the same age my dad was when he started to have heart attacks and I felt terrible. I was afraid that I was going to have a heart attack.” This was Dr. Leone’ s motivation to begin a NutriMost program for himself. He lost 30 pounds in three weeks and has kept it off for a year now. He is no longer prediabetic, and his blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol are at good levels. He also said that just about every one of his patients who start the program with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes has to lower or completely get off their medication altogether because they no longer need it. This program is a life transforming program. It changes a person’s relationship with food. Their life will never be the same again in good ways because of this program. When asked if so much weight loss in such a short amount of time is safe, Leone said that as long as the body is in fat burning, it is safe and healthy for the patient. The nutritional program does not have any prepackaged foods, and there are no shakes. Leone said that the patient eats the healthy, nutritious foods that people buy at grocery stores such as proteins, vegetables and fruits. It is a reduced calorie diet. Leone has been a practicing chiropractor for 39 years and has been involved in natural healthcare methods and nutrition. He is also a certified chiropractic orthopedist. If you would like more information about the NutriMost Ultimate Fat Loss System call 330-727-1407.
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Kent State University
Salem Campus By MARY ANN GREIER Staff Writer
Morning Journal/Stephen Huba
Caitlyn Seskey, 19, (left) and Emma Fabbro, 21, both of East Liverpool, take a moment to visit in the Learning Loft of the library at Kent State University East Liverpool. Seskey is a nursing student, and Fabbro is an English major.
East Liverpool Campus By STEPHEN HUBA Staff Writer
EAST LIVERPOOL — From the time classes began in the International Brotherhood of Operative Potters building in 1965 until the present day, Kent State University has increasingly become a part of life in East Liverpool. Today, it is an anchor for the city — the only “downtown” campus among the eight campuses in the Kent State regional system. “We feel that we are vital to the success of the community. We’re very tied to the community,” said Dr. Susan Rossi, assistant dean. The Kent State East Liverpool Campus comprises Purinton Hall, the Mary Patterson Building and, most recently, the James and Margaret Locke Occupational Therapy Facility. Located at 134 W. Fifth St., the Locke House was dedicated in September 2015 and is home to the occupational therapy assistant program. The latter is among the top three associate degree programs at Kent State East Liverpool, the other two being nursing and physical therapy assistant, Rossi said. Only East Liverpool and Ashtabula offer the physical and occupational therapy degrees.
In total, East Liverpool offers 10 associate degree programs and five bachelor’s degree programs. More than 900 students attend the East Liverpool Campus exclusively, while another 1,300 take some of their classes here. Rossi said enrollment for this year’s spring semester is up from last year. East Liverpool is unique among the Kent State campuses in its proximity to three states. “It’s not unusual for us that we have students, staff and faculty from Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania,” Rossi said. “That’s just how we’ve always been.” Kent State’s outreach to West Virginia includes Hancock, Brooke and Ohio counties. In Pennsylvania, it includes Beaver, Washington and Greene counties. Because of a reciprocity agreement, students from these areas don’t have to pay the full out-of-state tuition. “It would be cheaper for a Pennsylvania student to come to us rather than their own Penn State branches,” Rossi said. Many of those students are nontraditional students. While there is no typical student, the average age is 26. There are more women than men who attend the East Liverpool Campus, and 80 percent get some form of financial aid. More than half are parents and have day jobs. In 2015, Kent State East Liverpool provided 75 scholarships to students, totalling nearly $100,000. That same year, Kent State See ELO, Page 6B
SALEM — The ever-expanding list of programs available at the Salem campus of Kent State University will grow again next fall, this time in the area of horticulture. “We’re excited about that,” Assistant Dean Dr. Celeste Oprean said. Two new certificate programs will be introduced, one for Floriculture and one for Greenhouse Management. The curriculum is currently being developed, but Oprean explained that these programs will allow a student to come out of high school, learn the physical skills and background needed for the particular area and be able to walk into the industry. The certificates can also tie into an associate degree. The Salem Campus is working in tandem with the Geauga Campus in Burton on the certificate programs, but Salem will be the designated campus to provide the programs. Since its construction in 1971 on a picturesque 100 acres filled with flora and fauna along state Route 45 outside Salem, Kent State University has continued to serve the educational needs of area residents and become a contributing member of the Salem area community through volunteerism by both
Submitted photo
James and Coralie Centofanti Hall opened last fall on the Kent State Salem campus, providing students access to the latest technology and equipment in new chemistry and biology labs, thanks to a generous donation by the James and Coralie Centofanti Foundation.
students and staff to local causes, like Habitat for Humanity and the Banquet in Salem. “We’re like that little gem hidden in the back woods that not a lot of people know about but it’s a cool place to be,” Oprean said. The campus has continuously been updated, especially in recent years, to keep up with the addition of programs, the needs of industry and the needs of students. The campus includes a lake, walking trails and community-used soccer fields.
“We’re always looking for grant opportunities to continue to upgrade technology,” she said. “As the workforce changes, we have to keep up with that. We’re always pushing the envelope to the next level.” Students returned this year from winter break to a new-look library that included new carpeting, new paint, moved shelves, a new location for the circulation desk and See SALEM, Page 6B
Submitted photo
The Kent State University Salem Campus sits on 100 acres of woods, a scenic lake, walking trails and youth soccer fields.
Crandall Health Education Center PROGRESS 2016
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The Crandall Health Education Center will offer the Nursing Assistant Program 7 a.m.-3 p.m. beginning Monday, July 11 running through July 27 at the training center located in the Copeland Oaks Administration building on Johnson Road. “The course focuses on the appropriate skills needed to provide bedside care to patients in many health care settings,” said Diana Simmons, RN, program coordinator.
She explained that the curriculum includes a broad range of subjects including infection control, communication and interpersonal skills, safety and emergency procedures, personal care skills, psychosocial needs, basic restorative services and skills, basic nursing skills, quality improvement and more. Candidates who successfully complete the course are eligible to take the Ohio Department of Health test to be listed on the registry as a
CFBank has had its roots in the clay-rich soil of Wellsville, where it was founded in 1892 as Central Federal Savings and Loan. Central Federal Corporation is the holding company for CFBank. Our principal market area for loans and deposits include the following Ohio counties: Summit County through our office in Fairlawn; Franklin County through our office in Worthington; Cuyahoga County through our office in Woodmere and Columbiana County through our offices in Calcutta and Wellsville. The executive management team consists of CEO/Director
Timothy T. O’Dell and Executive Vice President and CFO John Helmsdoerfer. Our bankers get to know you and your businesses, then find products and services to fit your needs. Drawing on CFBank’s stability, strength, expertise and dedication can improve your company’s performance in key areas of commercial loans and lines of credit, cash management including ACH and Remote Capture, Merchant Services for credit card processing, Work Place Banking with advantages for your employees and Business online Banking and bill pay. You can also take advantage of
CF Bank
State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA). The state test will be scheduled at the Crandall Health Education Center in early August. “Serving a vital role in the health care team, nursing assistants help patients with daily activities including hygiene, support doctors and nurses in procedures and treatments, assist in patient charting, document care given and report significant observations to the nursing staff.” Simmons added.
our personal services and investment strategies for your personal banking and mortgages. If you have never experienced concierge banking services, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Call or stop by your local branch today to meet our team. With recent staffing changes we are also pleased to announce the promotion of La Dawn Whitman to officer and market manager; Michelle Smith to client service supervisor in Calcutta, Amy Dalrymple to client service supervisor in Wellsville.
Sunday, July 3, 2016
“As a nursing assistant you can give direct patient care in long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, clinics, physician offices and in the home,” reported Mariann Mannion, RN, Crandall Medical Center Director of Nursing. Mannion went on to say “Nursing assistants are a valuable member of the health care team. Becoming a bedside care giver allows someone considering a career in medicine to observe how many members of the
health care team contribute to patient care. They have the opportunity to work with nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, therapists, dietitians, etc., which often helps them choose their career path.” “With the skills you acquire as a nursing assistant, you can continue your education and diversify into other areas of medicine such as licensed practical or registered nurs-
EAST LIVERPOOL — For over 25 years Pipelines, Inc. has been a waterworks supply distribution company located at 16363 St. Clair Ave. The company has 49 employees and operates out of Masury, Ohio; Freeport, Ohio; and in Pittsburgh on Neville Island. Owners Tag Lewis and Michael Pusateri founded the business in January of 1991, stocking a variety of water, sewer, sanitary and storm pipe, along with valves, fire hydrants, service brass and tap saddles as well as other related accessories that are included in the inventory and continue to change and stay current in the industry according to
customers’ needs. Pipelines, Inc. takes pride in providing competitive product pricing and outstanding customer service, maintaining stock levels that allows same-day delivery where others might not be able to deliver until tomorrow. The 50-plus years of industry experience is utilized to provide solutions to problems. Project quotes are complete and conform to the project specifications. We represent a wide variety of vendors and manufacturers that are considered the best in the industry. To see what Pipelines, Inc. has to offer call 330-386-3646 or visit www.pipelinesinc.com .
Pipelines, Inc. See CRANDALL, Page 6B
We’re here to bring you one step closer to your goals with every visit.
Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies The Therapy Center has the most comprehensive set of programs in the region. The therapists receive specialized training to promote a better quality of life for people with diagnoses such as Autism, Parkinson’s and dizziness. There are also programs to help promote healthy lifestyles for those that have suffered a catastrophic injury and for people as they age.
Promoting long term benefits Learn about the proper body motions used for performing daily activities that prevent injury, improve socialization skills, and enable patients to overcome physical obstacles. All of these therapies incorporate quality of life as a part of its objective.
Access to better equipment leads to better care Use the same equipment available at the YMCA to perform your therapy by using the swimming pool, weight lifting machines, free weights, treadmills and the walking track.
15655 St. Rt. 170, Calcutta, Ohio 330-386-2054
PROGRESS 2016
Sunday, July 3, 2016
3B
Rule to protect students from rogue institutions JENNIFER C. KERR Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is trying to make it easier for students who have been misled or defrauded by their colleges to have their loans forgiven. The Education Department says a proposed rule would lay out a clear relief process for borrowers who believe they were lied to about job prospects after college or otherwise deceived in order to enroll in the school. It also aims to hold schools accused of fraud or at financial risk more accountable by requiring them to notify prospective and enrolled students, as well as set aside money that could help cover future claims against the school. The proposal follows the collapse last year of Corinthian Colleges, one of the largest for-profit college companies. “A college degree remains one of the best investments anyone can make in his or her future,” Education Secretary John B. King Jr. said on a call with reporters. “But that’s only true if it’s a meaningful degree that helps you land a better job, not if it’s a worthless piece of paper that’s an artifact of deception rather than proof of accomplishment.” Undersecretary Ted Mitchell said the new regulations, expected to take effect in July 2017, “would replace a complicated uneven and burdensome standard that varies by state with a new robust federal standard that will allow easy use by students.” The proposal would streamline debt relief for groups of students if they all experienced the same misconduct by a school, such as instances of wide misrepresentation — meaning they all wouldn’t have
to file individual applications for loan forgiveness. The new provisions also would bar colleges from forbidding students from classaction lawsuits as part of enrollment agreements, something Corinthian had done. The Debt Collective, a New York-based group that has lobbied to have the student loans of Corinthian students canceled, was cautious in its response. “What the department released today amounts to little more than a loose statement of intention to do right by student debtors after decades of collaboration with corrupt for-profits,” spokeswoman Laura Hanna said in a statement. The group is concerned the education secretary would have too much power in deciding relief to groups of borrowers. A whistleblower raised concerns about Corinthian in early 2011, alleging that employees of the for-profit chain fabricated employers to make it appear as though unemployed graduates had secured good jobs in their careers of study. California’s attorney general filed a lawsuit in 2013, alleging rampant lies to students about job placement. Corinthian filed for bankruptcy protection last year, closing schools and leaving thousands of students with hefty debt and frustrated their efforts to earn degrees. The Education Department continues to vet thousands of requests from Corinthian students for relief from their federal loans. So far, it has erased the debt for more than 8,800 former Corinthian students, totaling more than $132 million. But that’s only a small fraction of the estimated $3.6 billion in federal loans given to Corinthian students.
To love, honor and share a credit card statement SARAH SKIDMORE SELL AP Business Writer
It’s wedding season and as many couples get ready to say their vows, they may want to have a talk about fidelity — financial fidelity. A study by Harris Poll for the National Endowment for Financial Education finds that two in five Americans who have combined finances admit to lying to their partner or hiding information about money matters. And it’s on the rise — 42 percent of those surveyed admitted to financial infidelity compared to 33 percent just two years ago. It could be something as minor as hiding a recent purchase or something more significant, like hiding a bank account. There are sometimes pleasant surprises, such as money set aside for a gift or trip, but those who study the matter say it’s typically more devious. And experts warn that financial deception, no matter the scale, can cause damage — or even end — a relationship. NEFE found that the most common offense is that of hiding something: 39 percent have hid a purchase, bank account, statement, bill or cash from their partner. A smaller percentage committed more serious deception: 16 percent have lied about the amount of debt they have or even how much they earn. “When you agree to combine finances in a relationship, you are also agreeing to a certain degree of cooperation and transparency in your money management,” Ted Beck, president and CEO of NEFE said in a statement. “Yet we’re seeing the implicit promise of collaboration destroyed by financial game playing.” It’s easy to conceal the information in the digital age — receipts can be texted and credit card statements can be emailed, leaving less of a paper trail. While that is a component, NEFE spokesman Paul Golden says it’s difficult to say exactly why financial infidelity is on the rise. What the organization does know is that it’s more likely to occur in relationships where finances are combined and only one person assumes responsibility for managing the money. Golden said having both people involved creates a sys-
Recovery tips Financial infidelity — lying about or hiding money — can cause major problems in a relationship. The National Endowment for Financial Education has a few tips on how to deal with these issues. Talk with your partner Talking about money can be stressful. But approach the situation knowing what you want to get out of the conversation and with the attitude that you are working together toward a solution. Try not to be judgmental. When people are put on the defensive, conversations become strained. Broach the topic at a time that is good for both of you. Get on the same page Decide how you want to manage your money together and how you plan to share information going forward. Establish what the threshold is for spending autonomously, which will vary greatly by couple. Rebuild trust If you or your partner has come clean about some financial deception it may take time to rebuild trust. It takes continued transparency, a commitment from both sides to stick to the goals and good communication to help heal. — The Associated Press
tem of “checks and balances.” The issue of deception appears to run across all the board. About 46 percent of men have committed an act of financial deception and 38 percent of women. And while it happens at all ages, the practice appears more common among younger adults, with 61 percent of those ages 18 to 34 admitting to the act. The problems often don’t surface until a major event, like buying a home, car or refinancing, forces it out. Some respondents didn’t find out about hidden spending habits till their divorce proceedSee INFIDELITY, Page 7B
New Castle School of Trades
Morning Journal/Jo Ann Bobby-Gilbert
A total transformation is under way at the former Ogilvie Department Store in downtown East Liverpool, which will become a New Castle School of Trades vocational school.
By JO ANN BOBBY-GILBERT Staff Writer
EAST LIVERPOOL — A major renovation of two downtown buildings is well under way, preparing them for the New Castle School of Trades’ vocational school. The $7.2 million project was initiated four years ago under the administration of former Mayor Jim Swoger when city officials approached the school about locating here, according to Jim Buttermore, NCST director. He said the cooperation and excitement of everyone — from the Better City group, Mayor Swoger and planning Director Bill Cowan to the East Liverpool Community Partnership for Revitalization, Rosemary Mackall of the Lou Holtz Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame and new Mayor Ryan Stovall — “made this an easy decision for us.” The ground-breaking was held this past October, during which Buttermore and other NCST officials spoke of their commitment to the city and plans to operate within the school’s five core values: character, connection, communication, consistency and competence. Despite the extensive remodeling needed on both the former Ogilvie’s Department Store and Woolworth’s buildings, the project is currently on track, according to Buttermore, who
Morning Journal/Jo Ann Bobby-Gilbert
The former Woolworth store on East Fifth Street in East Liverpool will need a new roof and floor before it can be used as part of the New Castle School of Trades’ vocational school.
said the intent is for construction to be complete by September. The Ogilvie’s building had the least damage of the two, but still needed considerable improvements to be adapted for the school’s needs, Buttermore said. First up was a new roof and repair of water damage, followed by new joists and supports and replacing all windows that had to comply with the city’s historic district designation. “It is supposed to look like it did
in the day. The windows are supposed to match the appearance of the old ones. We had to have them custom-made,” Buttermore said. The original tin ceilings were redone where possible, although not all could be replaced due to the extraordinary cost of reproducing them. New walls were framed in and covered with dry wall to divide the building into eight classrooms for
The academy isn’t considering another location just yet, but whether another site will be added in the future will depend on the Ohio Department of Education, Sampson said. Right now the academy is focused on increasing the amount of certifications offered. There are currently four certifications. Of those, three are in the oil and gas industry and the fourth is a 10-hour Occupational Safety and Health Administration course. “We are working with our online curriculum partner to figure out what is going to be available. We also want to get more hands-on certification, potentially First Aid, CPR, or a heavy equipment operator’s license of some sort,” he said. Students at the academy earn their certifications through a combination of online and hands-on learning, with site visits to fields in the industry scheduled on a regular basis. “With the certifications that we offer, our students will be ready to go right into the oil and gas industry,” Sampson said. Of the students that graduated this year, about half plan to go straight into the oil and gas industry, he added. However, students also have other opportunities, and bringing on First Aid, CPR and heavy equipment operator’s licensing will expand those opportunities as well. “They can use those in any type of industry. They are not just pigeon-holed into the oil and gas, but we like to specialize in the oil
and gas,” Sampson said. He also said that he is optimistic for the future despite the dip in oil and gas production. “The folks in the industry say that it is really cyclical in oil and gas. Every 10 years they reach a peak and then they hit a valley. They have said this is one of the worst valleys they have ever seen, but they are anticipating that at the end of the fourth quarter of this year things are going to start seeing an uptick,” he said. He added that people shouldn’t base their opinion of the industry on the production of wells alone. “The things that people see in the area are how many wells are drilled and how many wells are running, but there is so much more into it with pipelines and processing. The industry folks are telling me they are optimistic that by the end of the year things are going to be in pretty good shape,” he said. The academy is currently accepting applications for the 2016-17 school year. Those who can apply are students in grades 9 through 12 that live in Ohio and are able to get to one of the two Columbiana County locations. Sampson said the academy is exploring the possibility of adding an adult education program in the future, for those post-high school to earn oil and gas certifications as well. More information can be obtained by calling Sampson at 330-679-8162 or visiting www.uticashaleschool.com.
Utica Shale Academy By KATIE WHITE Staff Writer
SALINEVILLE – In only two short years the Utica Shale Academy has successfully transitioned high school students into careers in the oil and gas industry, and it can only get better from here. In May, the academy graduated 16 from the Southern Local High School location and three from its satellite location at the Columbiana High School. Students attend the academy during their high school years and can earn certifications in the oil and gas industry. Once they graduate, they can choose to continue their education at a college or university, or go straight into the field. Begun in 2014, the academy brought Columbiana on board as a satellite location last year. The expansion was successful, and the Columbiana School District recently approved continuing to house the academy for the 2016-17 school year. Academy Director Eric Sampson said 70 students were enrolled between both locations this year. Of those, 45 attended at Southern Local. “I think the Columbiana site did well. We started up the year with a minimal number of students and finished off with 25. Even though we are separate, we are in this thing together,” he said. The additional location was needed in order to draw students from other areas of the county and even Ohio.
See NCST, Page 7B
kwhite@mojonews.com
Sunday, July 3, 2016 PROGRESS 2016 Tips for staying safe while traveling overseas Regulators looking to curb payday lending 4B
SCOTT MAYEROWITZ AP Airlines Writer
NEW YORK — The terrorist attack at Istanbul’s main airport may make many travelers jittery as they prepare for an overseas summer getaway. And who can blame them, following attacks in Paris, at the Brussels airport and elsewhere around the world? Travel experts advise vacationers not to lose sleep over the highly-publicized tragedies and to look at the larger, statistical picture. Be more concerned, they say, with more-common vacation hazards, like failing to put on an extra coat of sunscreen to avoid skin cancer. “My advice is to stay calm and play the odds,” says George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog.com. “The odds of becoming a victim of terrorism while traveling abroad are less than being injured or killed at home, by any number of possible hazards: driving a car, smoking, a non-terrorist gunshot or being swept away by a tornado.” But don’t ignore the threat of terrorism either. Take practical precautions, such as avoiding large protests or crowds that might lead to violence or be a target. Start by signing up for the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which provides registered travelers with information from the local embassy about safety conditions in the country. It also helps the embassy contact you in an emergency — whether it’s terrorism or a natural disaster. Learn more about the program at step.state.gov/step Travel expert Wendy Perrin offers a number of tips on
KEN SWEET AP Business Writer
Associated Press/Julio Cortez
A traveler looks at an information board as officials, far right, stand guard at Newark Liberty International Airport June 29, 2016, in Newark, N.J. Following the Istanbul terrorist attack, travel experts say still take that vacation but always be valiant about surroundings. A few key tricks can help to make the trip safer.
her website wendyperrin.com to stay safe overseas. “Clearly, we’re living in a world where an attack can happen anywhere at any time. The answer is not to stop traveling abroad out of a misperception that your risk is greater overseas than it is at home,” Perrin says. “The answer, actually, is to experience more of the world — to make friends in other countries and to be a responsible ambassador for yours.” Planning for a safe trip starts long before departure. For instance, Perrin suggests booking hotels that have CNN, BBC, and Al-Jazeera and reliable internet so travelers can get news in the mornings and evenings. And when arriving at the hotel, grab its business card — the one written in the local language — and carry it at all times. If there is an emergency, the card can be shown to non-English speak-
Associated Press/Julio Cortez
A police officer patrols a terminal at Newark Liberty International Airport June 29, 2016, in Newark, N.J.
ers, such as taxi drivers, who can help you get back to the hotel. Program emergency numbers such as the police, the hotel and medical facilities into the cellphones of everyone in your party. Finally, make practical decisions such as staying
away from bad neighborhoods, especially a night, just like travelers would in any U.S. city. “We’re more scared,” Perrin says, “of risks that are new and unfamiliar than of those we’ve grown acclimated to over time, such as heart disease or skin cancer.”
NEW YORK — Federal regulators proposed a significant clampdown on payday lenders and other high interest loans, the first nationwide attempt to address an industry widely thought of as taking advantage of the poor and desperate. The proposals, if enacted intact, are likely to cause a nationwide contraction and restructuring of the $38 billion payday loan industry. Consumers desperate to borrow money quickly to cover an unexpected expense might have an avenue they once used now closed, since mainstream banks generally don’t provide these kinds of lowdollar, short-term loans. Payday lending is often thought of as an exploitive, deceptive industry that traps desperate borrowers in cycles of debt that can last for months. Roughly half of all states ban payday lending outright or have caps on how much payday lenders can charge in interest, which often carry annual rates north of 300 percent. Last month Google announced it would ban ad for payday loans, saying the industry creates “misleading or harmful products.” The loans are used widely, partly because many Americans do not have enough savings to cover an emergency , as seen in a poll released last month by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Roughly 12 million Americans take out a payday loan each year, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts, who has done extensive research on the industry. The average borrower takes out eight loans of
$375 each per year, spending $520 on interest. John Charette, 47, of Yarmouth, Maine, said the payday loan outfits can be helpful for people like him, who’s divorced and has bad credit. He used RepubliCash in Portland to get a $250 loan to update the expired registration on his car, knowing a police citation would be even more expensive. “It’s going to fill in the gap,” Charette said, noting that he’s unable to get a credit card. “It’s another avenue for credit because I simply don’t have it.” The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s proposed regulations seek to tackle common complaints about the payday lending industry. The proposal would also be the first nationwide regulation of the payday lending industry, which had largely been left to the states to regulate. The CFPB is proposing that lenders must conduct what’s known as a “full-payment test.” Because most payday loans are required to be paid in full when they come due, usually two weeks to a month after the money is borrowed, the CFPB wants lenders to prove that borrowers are able to repay that money without having to renew the loan repeatedly. There would also be restrictions on the number of times a borrower can renew the loan. The CFPB would require that lenders give additional warnings before they attempt to debit a borrower’s bank account, and also restrict the number of times they can attempt to debit the account. The aim is to lower the freSee LENDING, Page 6B
Riding Segway’s hoverboard is like skiing on LA’s streets RYAN NAKASHIMA AP Business Writer
LOS ANGELES — A new self-balancing electric scooter from Segway grows on you. Like a comfortable pair of shoes, it takes you places, but on wheels. Unlike a skateboard that can shoot out from under you, Segway’s MiniPro — and all hoverboards for that matter — try to stay under your center of gravity. That makes them easier to ride than a skateboard, and because of its electric motor, a lot less work. In the couple weeks I had to play with it, I came to view the MiniPro less as a dangerous new toy and more like a bicycle. It’s a way to make public transit more accessible if you aren’t near a subway station or bus stop. The catch is you need to navigate a maze of regulations . New York City, for instance, won’t let you carry them on subways and buses at all, let alone ride them on the platform, because of their risk of fires. Over the past year, hoverboards have become synonymous with danger. They’ve been blamed for embarrassing falls by the likes of Kendall Jenner and Mike Tyson and for at least 62 electrical fires in the U.S., as tallied by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Amazon, Best Buy and other retailers dumped the products after videos of burning hoverboards went viral. Only recently have they reopened sales in light of new fire-safety tests. Segway, maker of the eponymous upright scooter beloved by mall cops and airport security, is one of those brands that passed. That means it survived a battery of
Associated Press/Reed Saxon, File
This May 27, 2016, file photo shows Segway's new self-balancing scooter, the MiniPro, in downtown Los Angeles.
punishment including being submerged partially in water and dropped three feet onto concrete without bursting into flames. Orders for the $1,000 MiniPro are already being taken, with shipments expected to begin next Wednesday. What wasn’t tested, though, was how safe they are to balance on. On that front, you’re on your own. For people who have skateboarded, skied or gone snowboarding, the MiniPro is a piece of cake. At first it can make your feet sore as you find your balance, but for me it took only about a half hour to relax. Friends who tried it wobbled, and some reached for my hand. One took a minor spill, but got right back on and was quickly cruising — albeit slowly — through our office parking lot. This two-wheeled electric vehicle zooms forward when you lean forward and slows down or rolls backward when you lean back. To turn, you push a steering stick between your legs left or right. You can spin in circles if you want. It does take some practice, but not a lot. At first, I couldn’t imagine hitting the top
speed of 10 miles per hour. Sidewalk cracks were terrifying. But before long, moving became as easy as thinking about it. You keep your feet and knees together and swerve side to side. Just like carving around moguls on the ski slope, you can turn the corner on sidewalks. You even put pressure on the outside foot in a turn, just like putting your weight on your outside ski. Sidewalk cracks and even tree roots quickly become minor obstacles. A little bending of the knees and a mental hop is all it takes to get over them smoothly. Going uphill and downhill is a breeze. Even on crowded sidewalks, I found I was able to get by without rolling over anyone’s toes. You can stay on while waiting for traffic lights to turn, without contorting to find your balance like cyclists. MiniPro’s range of about 14 miles on a single charge was more than enough for a couple afternoons of roaming around. The biggest hurdle is figSee SEGWAY, Page 7B
5B PROGRESS 2016 Cheapskates doing it Trustees: Tiny rise in Social Security coming right when investing Sunday, July 3, 2016
STAN CHOE AP Business Writer
NEW YORK — Stay cheap. Research keeps piling up to show that one of the best predictors for the success of a mutual fund is if it has low fees. Whether the fund specializes in stocks, bonds or other investments, having low costs tends to lead to higher future returns. The latest piece of support comes from Russ Kinnel, director of manager research at Morningstar. He recently looked at returns for several categories of funds through 2015, from foreignstock to municipal-bond offerings. He ranked funds in each category into five groups, based on their expenses. For each type of fund, he found that the lowest-cost group had a higher rate of success than the second-cheapest, which had a higher rate of success than the third-cheapest, and so on. To see how much your mutual fund charges in fees, check its expense ratio. The number shows what percentage of its assets goes each year to pay for manager salaries and other costs. Many stock funds have an expense ratio of 1 percent, but most of the dollars invested are in funds that charge significantly less than that. Kinnel recently talked about the importance of keeping that number as low as possible. Answers have been edited for length and clarity. Q: So, when I’m considering a mutual fund, the very first thing I should look at is its expense ratio, right? A: I’m always careful to point out that it’s not all you need, but it’s a great place to start. It’s such a strong predictor of future success. Our data show that it works in all kinds of funds and in all kinds of markets. And the longer you hold an investment, the more important it becomes. The compounding effect of getting into lower costs is huge. In a single year, that 0.30 percentage point difference between the expenses of Fund A and Fund B is obviously not going to be a huge deal for your returns. But the way compounding works and the way that investing is a very long-term game, it adds up tremendously. Q: What about people who are comfortable being in a higher-cost fund because it’s done well for them the last few years? A: I could say they overcame the fee in the past, so who cares? But the reason you should care is that fees are far more persistent than
outperformance. Performance, especially in the short term, is a combination of luck and skill and fees and other things. We’ve tested it, and you can take the top performers and pit them against cheapest funds, and in the next five years, the cheapest funds will crush the top performers from the previous year. We’ve gone so far as to say that if you put cheap funds with bad performance versus great funds with high costs, the cheap bad performers will win. Q: It feels strange for something with a lower price tag to be better than the “premium-priced” one. A: Often, we’re inclined to think that if you pay more for something, you get something better. If I pay more for a car, computer or bottle of wine, I’m generally going to get something better. Not always, but generally. There are a couple catches with that. One is that when you’re looking at a fund’s expense ratio, you’re not looking at the dollars that the manager is paid. You’re looking at the percent (of the fund’s assets). Because of economies of scale, it’s often the case that the manager of the lower-cost fund is actually getting paid much more, because they’re running an $8 billion fund for 0.70 percent versus a $500 million fund charging 1.0 percent. The manager of the bigger fund is getting paid more. So it’s kind of comparable to a Ford or Toyota versus if someone made a car for you by hand. It would cost 10 times more, but would probably be worse. Also, fees are very persistent. All around, having low fees improves your margin for error. You don’t know what the market’s going to give you. If you know the next 10 years will be the greatest bull market ever, then great, you could probably buy a higher-cost fund. But it’s probably more likely that the next 10 years will have subpar returns, and you’re forking over an even bigger chunk of your return. Q: Is a takeaway from this that we should just invest in index funds? They’re often the cheapest funds. A: That can be a takeaway. But not all index funds are cheap. If you look at ETFs, there’s a lot of highcost garbage out there. There are crazy ETFs for crazy niches. I’d turn it the other way and say: Stay with a low-cost provider, such as Vanguard, American Funds, Fidelity, T. Rowe Price, iShares.
RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR and STEPHEN OHLEMACHER Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Millions of Social Security beneficiaries would get a tiny increase in monthly payments next year — less than $2.50, about enough to buy a gallon of gas. Meanwhile, Medicare is expected to go bankrupt sooner than expected — 12 years from now. And some beneficiaries could face higher monthly premiums next year. The annual report from the trustees of the government’s two bedrock retirement programs warned that politically gridlocked Washington needs to act sooner, rather than later, to shore up finances and avoid upending the lives of millions of retirees and their families. Social Security’s trust funds are expected to be depleted in 2034, unchanged from the trustees’ projection a year ago. Medicare’s trust fund for inpatient care will be exhausted in 2028, two years earlier than previously projected. If Congress allows either fund to run dry, millions of Americans living on fixed incomes would face steep cuts in benefits. “Lawmakers should address these financial challenges as soon as possible,” said the trustees’ report. “Taking action sooner rather than later will permit consideration of a broader range of solutions and provide more time to phase in changes so that the public has adequate time to prepare.” The projected 0.2 percent increase in Social Security payments would come a year after beneficiaries received no increase. By law, increases are based on a government measure of inflation, which has been low. The official 2017 cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, won’t be determined until the fall. Advocates complained that the government’s measure of inflation — the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers — doesn’t adequately reflect the prices that older Americans pay. “Seniors continue to see their modest Social Security benefits eaten away by growing health care costs,” said Max Richtman, who heads the National Committee to Protect Social Security and Medicare. More than 60 million retirees, disabled workers, spouses and surviving children receive Social Security benefits. The average monthly payment is about $1,232. After Social Security’s trust funds are depleted, the program would collect enough in payroll taxes to pay only 79 percent of benefits. Medicare’s problem is
Associated Press/Andrew Harnik
Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, right, accompanied by, from left, Acting Social Security Commissioner Carolyn Colvin, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt, and Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, speaks at a news conference at the Treasury Department in Washington, Wednesday, June 22, 2016, on the annual Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees report.
more immediate, and more complicated, because health care costs can change in unpredictable ways. Medicare provides health insurance for more than 55 million people, including seniors and disabled people. After its inpatient care trust fund runs dry in 2028, Medicare would only be able to pay 87 percent of projected costs. Medicare’s insolvency date has moved closer despite a recent stretch of slow growth in health care costs, with notable exceptions like prescription drugs. Experts who advise the trustees said the change of insolvency dates was mainly technical, due in part to lower-thanexpected income from payroll taxes. In more worrisome news, the trustees said that some Medicare beneficiaries may face sharply higher “Part B” monthly premiums for outpatient care next year. By law, increases in premiums for
most Medicare recipients cannot exceed their increase in Social Security payments. So about 70 percent are “held harmless.” However, about 30 percent of beneficiaries are not covered by that safeguard. Those who would feel the impact include new beneficiaries and people with higher incomes. The trustees project that the base monthly premium for this group will increase by about $27, to $149. Upper-income beneficiaries would pay considerably more. Officials cautioned that projections for next year’s premiums are highly uncertain. The final numbers will be released this fall. Notably, the report carried an appendix amounting to a disclaimer about Medicare estimates: “The actual future costs for Medicare may exceed the projections shown in this report, possibly by substantial amounts,” it said. That’s because some hos-
pitals and nursing homes may not be able to make money under payment rates currently set for Medicare. If providers stop taking Medicare patients, Congress could be forced to raise payments. Despite the long-term financial problems of Social Security, the Obama administration is calling for increased benefits. So are Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said benefits can be expanded even as lawmakers overhaul finances. The two goals are “not at all inconsistent,” he said. In addition to Lew, the Social Security and Medicare trustees are Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell, Labor Secretary Thomas Perez and acting Social Security Commissioner Carolyn Colvin. Two public trustee positions are vacant.
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PROGRESS 2016
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SALEM Continued from Page 1B
Submitted photo
John J. Purinton Hall is part of the Kent State University East Liverpool Campus.
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kicked off a campaign to create 50 new scholarships to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the East Liverpool campus. This year, Kent State is contributing to a city “streetscape” project that will improve the intersection of Broadway and East Fourth Street. The project will
include a realigned intersection, safer pedestrian crosswalks, landscaping and renovated sidewalks. Construction is set to begin after the 2016 East Liverpool High School Alumni Association All-Class Reunion.
Submitted photo
The Kent State University East Liverpool Campus’ Mary Patterson Building.
open seating areas created for students lounging, studying or conferencing. Senior Library Associate Maegan Richards said computers were moved out of the former multi-media lab into the open arranged to form a hub. The room used for the multi-media lab was transformed into the Willow Room which can be used to practice presentations. The library now has a more modern feel, complete with a secure phone and mobile device charging station for student use. Last fall, the university unveiled James and Coralie Centofanti Hall, the health and sciences wing housing state-of-the-art hands-on chemistry and biology laboratories, classrooms, research labs and restrooms on the second floor and nursing and radiology instruction, a conference room, classrooms and a bookstore and seating area on the first floor. The James and Coralie Centofanti Foundation had donated $700,000 for the completion of the second floor of the wing. Renovations on the first floor were completed in December 2011. The radiologic technology program also celebrated its 30th anniversary in September, starting out with 19 students in 1985 and graduating more than 900 students since its inception. The program now offers a bachelor’s degree in radiologic and imaging sciences technology which includes coursework in computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, diagnostic medical sonography and radiation therapy besides offering an associate degree in radiologic technology. Students have opportunities to get out in the community both near and far from the Salem campus. Nursing students and four members of the nursing faculty traveled to South Dakota last semester for a visit to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation where they interacted with members of the Oglala Lakota Sioux tribe and spent time in their health care facilities as part of a cultural diversity program. Some of the more than a dozen bachelor’s degrees
Morning Journal/Mary Ann Greier
Madison Sabatine, of Sebring, a junior art education major, sits at the new circulation desk in the newly renovated library at the Salem campus of Kent State University. The project included moving shelving and the circulation desk, new carpeting, new paint and new seating areas.
offered at Kent State Salem include applied horticulture, business management, communications studies, criminology and justice studies, early childhood education, English, human development and family studies, insurance studies, integrative studies, nursing, psychology, technical and applied studies and radiologic and imaging sciences technology. Associate’s degrees can be earned in accounting technology, arts and sciences, business management technology, computer technology, criminology and justice studies, early childhood education technology, horticulture technology, human services technology, information technology for administrative professionals, radiologic technology and technical study. Certificate programs are also available. To learn more about the campus, the offerings and financial aid, call the Salem campus at 330-332-0361 or visit www.salem.kent.edu. Oprean spoke highly of the insurance studies program launched in 2012, noting that students come out with multiple job opportunities in the insurance industry, not just in selling but in other facets such as claims adjusting or working in company offices. She stressed that there’s more to insurance than just selling and prospective students should consider the program, especially considering the scholarship money available. She said overall enroll-
Morning Journal/Mary Ann Greier
Freshman radiology student Lindsey Balmenti of Rogers places her phone in the new phone and device charging station inside the Kent State Salem library.
ment on the campus is steady. One of the biggest growth areas has been the College Credit Plus Program which allows area students in grades seven-12 take college level courses while still in school, sometimes in their own school with their teachers vetted by Kent State or at the Kent State City Center on North Lincoln Avenue in Salem. The university repurposed the old Salem Junior High School in September 2006 into the city center. Some students even take courses online. There’s no cost, either. “Taking advantage of these programs is something parents may want to look at,” Oprean said. “I would encourage parents who are thinking of sending their child to college to attend one of our information nights and look at the opportunities.”
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quency of overdraft fees that are common with people who take out payday loans. “Too many borrowers seeking a short-term cash fix are saddled with loans they cannot afford and sink into long-term debt,” CFPB Director Richard Cordray said in a prepared statement. Cordray compared the situation to getting into a taxi for a crosstown ride and finding oneself stuck on a “ruinously expensive” trip across the country. He said the proposal would aim to “prevent lenders from succeeding by setting up borrowers to fail.”
Students can get a head start on their college education, saving them money in the long run. At this time, there are 169 students enrolled in College Credit Plus. The school also offers the Rural Scholars Program to ready students for college through workshops, summer courses and mentoring and give parents guidance on getting their child to college. The campus will host a new flea market event this year to support the program. The campus is home to 47 full-time faculty members and 40 to 50 part-time instructors. Oprean said three awards will be offered for the first time this year to recognize a full-time faculty member, a part-time faculty member and a staff member during the annual Kent State Salem awards banquet in April.
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Payday lenders would have to give borrowers at least three days’ notice before debiting their account. Also, if the payday lender attempts to collect the money for the loan twice unsuccessfully, the lender will have to get written authorization from the borrower to attempt to debit their account again. In a study published last year, the CFPB found that payday borrowers were charged on average $185 in overdraft fees and bank penalties caused by payday lenders attempting to debit the borrower’s account. Rosa Evans, 57, of Birm-
ingham, said she took out an auto title loan for about $1,000 five years ago and was working toward repaying it when she lost her job. “I tried to stop them from getting my car, but once I lost my job and ... missed like two payments, they stopped calling and just came and got my car,” she said outside of Easy Money, where signs on the doors and windows advertise payday loans of up to $500 and title loans of up to $25,000. Evans was glad to hear about the proposed regulations and said they would be a huge help to consumers during financial
emergencies. The agency’s plan is likely to face stiff opposition from lobbyists from the payday lending industry and auto-title lending industry, as well as opposition from members of Congress. “The CFPB’s proposed rule presents a staggering blow to consumers as it will cut off access to credit for millions of Americans who use small-dollar loans to manage a budget shortfall or unexpected expense,” said Dennis Shaul, CEO of the Community Financial Services Association of America, which is a trade group for the
payday lending industry. According to the trade group, the new rules would eliminate 84 percent of the industry’s loan volume and would likely result in payday lender storefronts closing. Consumer advocates had mixed reactions to the bureau’s proposal, some saying the proposed restrictions do not go far enough. Nick Bourke, director of the smalldollar loans project at the Pew Charitable Trusts, said that the rule to document a borrower’s ability to pay is good, but it does not address the high interest rates these products often charge.
ing. Many of our nurses began their careers as nursing assistants and have remained on the Crandall clinical staff after obtaining their LPN and RN licenses,” observed Gaynette Hawkins, Crandall assistant nursing director in charge of staffing. “Job security, a competitive wage and having a flexible schedule are benefits of a career as a nursing assistant. This entry level program is a wonderful opportunity for ‘empty nesters,’ recent high school graduates or anyone looking to change positions or start a new career,” commented Jason Cicchillo, Crandall administrator. He reported that being a nurse assistant is one of the fastest growing occupations through the year 2020 with a growth rate expected at about 31percent. “But, being a nursing assistant is much more than a job offering a pay check, it is a career that offers personal satisfaction, growth and gratification,” Cicchillo added. Deadline for registration is Wednesday, July 6. The fee for the course is $100 and includes the book. Applications are available at the Copeland Oaks Reception Desk. More information can be obtained by calling the Crandall Staff Education Department at 330-9386126 or by email at: educoord@copelandoaksinc.com.
Sunday, July 3, 2016
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ings and or after the death of their partner. The NEFE found that most of the time the deception undermines the relationship — causing arguments, mistrust and even divorce. Although a small percentage of respondents said it brought them closer because it forced them to face their financial issues together. Money is a common topic for arguments in relationships, notes Sonya Britt, an associate professor of personal financial planning at Kansas State University who specializes in financial therapy, which she suggests for all soon-to-be wed couples. Her research has found that arguing about money is one of the top predictors for divorce. “We are socialized to not talk about money,” Britt said. “When (couples) are dating, they are not having the conversations they need to about money. So when they are sharing a household they are facing it more intensely.” As with many things in relationships, communication is key. Whether a couple is just
getting started or is trying to recover from a financial infidelity, the recommended steps are similar: Start with an open conversation, get on the same page and follow up regularly. That’s not to say that couples need to report every dime they spend. NEFE says each couple needs to find a budgeting and money-management system that works for them. And the threshold for what can be spent without checking in with the other varies with each couple. There is some good news for recent newlyweds. Research by credit reporting bureau Experian found that couples who have gotten married after the recession are more apt to talk about finances early on. But Sandra Bernardo, manager of consumer education at Experian, says they still aren’t talking to the extent they should. “(Money is) a major dynamic in a marriage and you need to think about your goals,” she said. “And sooner or later you need to talk about it and address it, and it’s better to do that sooner.”
SEGWAY Continued from Page 4B
uring out where you can ride . In Los Angeles, for example, state law requires you to be at least 16 years old, and you aren’t allowed to ride inside buildings on the University of Southern California campus. Outdoors, though, no one seemed to mind. One campus security guard smiled and said “hi.” I had no trouble elsewhere in downtown Los Angeles, as long as I was outdoors. Regulations aside, I found that security guards
treat them much like skateboards. But there’s still uncertainty, and it’s a $1,000 gamble on whether you can use it for your commute. There is one thing you can bank on. These things are head-turners. Riding one is like you’ve beamed to Earth from the future. People will smile at you and stare. That’s half the fun.
electrical/industrial maintenance and commercial truck driving courses, with plans to add a course in heating and air conditioning within the first year. A reception area and administrative offices round out the bottom floor of the Ogilvie’s building, which also has a large upstairs space which has not yet been earmarked for any use as yet. The Woolworth’s building had extensive damage and was filled with debris that had to first be removed, Buttermore said. “It was really bad. The roof had basically fallen in,” he said. “There is quite a bit of work to be done there, but it’s going good.” The first floor of the Woolworth’s building will be designed for the welding program, with the second floor designed as a community room for meetings, both for school and public use. The brick facade will be maintained, with Buttermore pointing out, “The front architecture is beautiful, but the building will get a whole new roof and floor.” In addition to the classroom space in the two buildings, the NCST project includes a truck driving range on about two acres behind Westgate School where students in the commercial driving program will be able to practice parking and maneuvering tractor-trailers. The driving course will be constructed on the site of an existing basketball court which is to be relocated to another spot in the city. Buttermore emphasized the course will be used during the daytime, meaning the area will be freed up for parking when needed for events
7B This will be the reception area and administrative offices in the vocational school located in the former Ogilvie’s Department Store in downtown East Liverpool.
at Patterson Field. General contractor for the project is Stitle Construction of Salem, with Sayre Electric of East Liverpool, Tolson Heating of Salem, Ellyson Plumbing of Salem and Extreme Demo of East Liverpool also contracted for the project. “It was the intent to keep the work in Columbiana County as much as we can. I knew Stitle is good, and they have proven it so far. He has done a tremendous job,” Buttermore said, also crediting Sayre Electric for “getting a lot done” on the electrical work. He credited Stitle for the project being on track as it is. Plans call for up to 250 students, both recent graduates and non-traditional, to enroll within two years of the school’s opening late this year or early in 2017. “We could do more, but we think that’s a realistic number,” Buttermore said. Classes will be offered during the day and evening. “We’re looking forward to finishing it and being there. It’s going to be a really neat project. We’re excited,” Buttermore said. jgilbert@mojonews.com
Morning Journal/Jo Ann Bobby-Gilbert
Workers install one of the historically-correct windows in the former Ogilvie’s Department Store building in East Liverpool, which is being transformed into the New Castle School of Trades vocational school.
Media use in America up a Click here when I die: Sites full hour over just last year lay out plans for loved ones DAVID BAUDER
JOSEPH PISANI
AP Television Writer
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK — The typical American adult is using media for a full hour a day more than just last year, with smartphones accounting for most of the increase. People spent an average of 10 hours, 39 minutes each day with smartphones, tablets, TV, radio, computers and video games during the first three months of 2016, according to a Nielsen company study released this week. It was nine hours, 39 minutes during the same period in 2015. Even these numbers are probably underestimated, since while Nielsen measures the amount of time spent online on smartphones, it doesn’t count texting, taking selfies or talking on the phone. Most Americans can sense the increase anecdotally given the ubiquity of smartphones. People stare at screens while waiting in line for fast food, riding in elevators or walking down the street. Retail outlets post signs pleading that phones be turned off. People check messages in bed before falling asleep, and reach for the devices upon waking up. As she waits for her 5:45 a.m. spin class to begin, Cassandra Girao of Ossining, New York, sits on a bike scrolling through her email, listening to music or solving a puzzle. “I feel like I would be lost without it,” Girao said. “My whole life is on it.” Even so, Girao said she feels better when she gives the phone a rest. She sometimes hides tablets from her 4-year-old son to give him device-free days, and said he’s better behaved as a
NEW YORK — Several websites are trying to make death easier — for the people left behind. Everplans, Everest Funeral, My Life & Wishes and other companies are helping with end-of-life planning. Users can upload digital copies of their wills, plan their funeral or name the person who will take care of the dog when they die. Access to the information can be given to a spouse, child or anyone else you’d like. The idea is to reduce the arguments over funeral plans or the frantic search for documents that can happen after a death. Some of the sites charge fees, but others are free or offer a free service through financial planners or employee benefits. Financial advisers say everyone should write down important financial information and funeral wishes in a safe place, whether it’s on a website or in a notebook. Heirs risk losing out on money if they’re in the dark about accounts or insurance policies, says Len Hayduchok, president of Dedicated Senior Advisors in Hamilton, New Jersey. But getting people to think about their demise is a challenge. “People just don’t want to do it,” says Hayduchok. “It’s something that is easy to put off.” The sites are trying to make the process more inviting. Everplans guides users through everything they need to do, such as uploading information about life insurance policies or pensions. There’s also room to leave letters to loved ones and a
Associated Press/Matt Rourke, File
In this July 11, 2014, file photo, a pedestrian views his smartphone as he crosses South Broad Street in Philadelphia.
result. An estimated 81 percent of American adults use a smartphone regularly, with the number of users growing by more than 20 million in the past year, said Glenn Enoch, senior vice president of audience insights for Nielsen. Of the additional hour in media time that Nielsen has measured this year, smartphone usage accounts for 37 minutes and tablets 12 minutes. Online smartphone use averages an hour and 39 minutes a day — more than double what it was two years ago, Nielsen said. Liana Sayer, director of the Time Use Laboratory at the University of Maryland, notices restaurant patrons who sit at tables staring at their phones and ignoring their companions. They might as well be eating alone. “Young people text a lot, but they’re not doing it at the expense of face-to-face contact,” she said. “What I see that is more concerning is family members focusing on their phones and not sitting around the dinner table enjoying conversations.”
Smartphone usage has grown so quickly that there hasn’t been much research into what kind an impact it is having on people’s lives, Sayer said. People spending more time on phones and tablets hasn’t caused a corresponding drop in the use of other media, an indication that there’s a lot of multi-tasking going on. People are spending 3 minutes less watching live television than they did a year ago, but they still spend 4¢ hours a day in front of the TV, Nielsen said. One ominous sign for television executives is that people aged 18 to 34 spend more of their time each day online than they do watching live television, by a margin of 39 percent of their media time to 29 percent. People over 50 prefer TV by 53 to 21 percent, Nielsen said. Nielsen noticed another media milestone this year: For the first time, as many American homes subscribe to video services like Netflix or Hulu as there are homes with digital video recorders. Nearly 30 percent of homes have both DVRs and a streaming service.
My Life & Wishes via Associated Press
This screen grab image provided by My Life & Wishes shows a page on the My Life & Wishes website featuring Jon and Michelle Braddock and their testimony on why they created the site.
place to put passwords for emails and instructions on what to do with Facebook accounts and other social media sites. The site charges $75 a year for the service. But about 150 financial firms and advisers around the country offer Everplans to their clients, sometimes for free, says cofounder and co-CEO Abby Schneiderman. Some employers are also starting to offer Everplans to workers as a benefit, she says. Another service, called Everest, is offered as a free perk with employee benefits. On Everest’s site, users can write out their funeral wishes or upload photos, their will or other documents. The company also offers concierge service that helps those left behind to plan funeral and deals with all the details. If your employer offers group life insurance from Aetna, Hartford or Voya, ask your human resources office if it comes with Everest. It likely does; more than 25 million people have access to Everest, says CEO Mark Duffey. My Life & Wishes , which was launched this year, helps put together end-of-life plans
online for $79 a year. Michelle and Jonathan Braddock came up with the idea after Michelle’s father passed away and left the couple scrambling to piece together his financial life. My Life & Wishes was first published as a workbook that the couple handed out to clients of the insurance company they owned. But they quickly started working on a website, realizing that updated passwords and new accounts needed to be added to the book. “Things change so frequently,” says Jonathan Braddock. Fidelity, which manages retirement and brokerage accounts, recently launched a free service called FidSafe that lets users upload passports, wills and other documents. Users can give access to documents to next of kin, and you don’t need to be a Fidelity customer to use it. FidSafe was launched after most Fidelity customers surveyed said that they had never talked about end-of-life planning with their families, says Daniel Brownell, CEO of Fidelity’s document storage management subsidiary Xtrac Solutions.
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