Frank Marr Photography

Frank Marr Photography

Frank Marr Photography.

Frank Marr Photography

Frank Marr Photography

Typically held in the fall, this special spring version of Good Turn Day will be commemorating the Girl Scouts 100^th Anniversary. Girl Scouts earn a patch by collecting re-saleable clothing and household items from friends, family and neighbors, and then donating these items to one of the participating donation centers on Good Turn Day. Girl Scouts are asked to donate three bags to earn their patch. The Girl Scout, or their troop, must register in advance to participate in the event. To register, a parent or troop leader must contact Goodwill’s marketing office at 330.759.7921 ext. 1207 with their troop number, donation center location, and number of girls participating, or they can email the information to e.parker@goodwillyoungstown.org. For those located outside of Mahoning, Trumbull or Columbiana counties, please contact your local Goodwill to find out if they are participating in the event.

Good Turn Day not only provides Girl Scouts with the opportunity to earn a patch, but to give back to their community.  The processing of their donations help to provide job training and employment, while the sale of these donated items provide funding for programs and services for individuals with disabilities or other barriers to employment in the community.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Potential Development Program’s School of Autism, which educates children in grades K-8 who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  “We are overwhelmed by the generosity of the Mahoning Valley and completely surprised that the event has sold out so quickly,” said Paul Garchar, Executive Director, Potential Development Program.  “It is a wonderful example of how the community can come together to make a difference in the lives of children with autism.”

The title sponsor for the 2012 Mahoning Valley Pizza Cook-Off is BeautiStone, with the premier sponsors being Akron Children’s Hospital and Columbiana and Salem Chrysler Jeep Dodge.  Media sponsors are My Valley Dining and Mix 98.9, with other major sponsors including Home Savings and Loan, Kernan Insurance Company, Cocca’s Pizza and Save-A-Lot Stores.   All proceeds from this event will be used to support the Potential Development School of Autism.  For more information about the School of Autism, visit www.4pdp.org or call Shellie (Sabel) Duchek at 330-746-7641.

COLUMBUS – The Ohio House of Representatives this afternoon approved House Bill 108 sponsored by State Reps. Ronald V. Gerberry (D-Austintown) and Robert F. Hagan (D-Youngstown) to crack down on animal abuse. The bill passed the House in 2010 as HB 70, although the Senate failed to take action on the legislation.

“For too long, kennel owners have been getting by with a slap on the wrist when they inflict pain and harsh living conditions on the pets left in their care.  This bill makes animal abuse by a kennel owner a fifth degree felony,” said Rep. Gerberry in a speech to colleagues on the House floor during debate on the bill. “I believe this legislation will encourage kennels to do what is morally right when it comes to protecting companion animals left in good faith with those who are supposed to take care of them.”

The measure gives local prosecutors the authority to charge the owner, custodian or caretaker of a registered kennel with either a misdemeanor or a fifth degree felony if animals are abused in their care.

“Often times, animal abuse is indicative of how the abusers treat fellow human beings. House Bill 108 will give local prosecutors a much needed option to ensure the seriousness of these abuses is reflected in the charges and subsequent punishment for violations,” said Rep. Hagan. “People all over the nation have been calling to voice their support; citizens understand we need this bill. Now we just have to convince the Senate and Governor that this law is desperately needed,” said Rep. Hagan.

The legislation stems from an incident that occurred in Youngstown in October 2008.  At that time, a local kennel owner was arrested because he clearly was not taking care of animals that he was boarding and training.  Humane agents were called to the premises where they found horrific living conditions.  Fifteen dogs were discovered dead or dying.  The remaining animals were suffering from starvation and dehydration.

The owner was taken into custody and the nineteen counts of cruelty to animals he was originally charged with were reduced to four due to legal missteps.  At the time of sentencing for this individual, it was determined that Ohio only provides misdemeanor penalties for animal cruelty regardless of the brutality.

House Bill 108 now goes to the Ohio Senate for consideration.

Though the most visible role of the Secretary of State is that of chief elections officer, the office is also the first stop for individuals or companies who want to file and start a business in Ohio. While recognizing these numbers can’t provide a complete picture of Ohio’s jobs climate, they are an important indicator of economic activity that Secretary Husted hopes will add to the discussion of how to improve the state’s overall climate for business.

NOTE: New business filings are classified as forms filed with the Ohio Secretary of State that declare the formation of a business entity, including for-profit, non-profit and professional corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships. Filing as a business in Ohio does not guarantee the company will begin operations, be profitable or create jobs.

NILES, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to recover back wages for 33 current and former workers of McMenamy’s LLC in Niles, Ohio, operated by Kelly Greens Investment Co. Inc., owner Richard Leonard and general manager Robert Leonard, all named as defendants.

The department also is seeking an equal amount in liquidated damages, as well as civil monetary penalties for the repeated nature of the minimum wage and overtime violations and the child labor violations.

A recent investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division found that employees of the restaurant and banquet facility were denied minimum wage and overtime pay in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and employees ages 14 and 15 were required to work beyond the act’s allowable hours. A 2003 investigation of the company disclosed overtime, record-keeping and child labor violations of the FLSA.

“The Labor Department continues to make a concerted effort to protect children and other vulnerable, low-wage workers who may not know their legal rights under federal labor laws. Businesses are obligated to pay their workers fairly and abide by these laws,” said George Victory, director of the Wage and Hour Division’s district office in Columbus. “We have seen continued problems in the restaurant industry. Unfortunately, some employers such as McMenamy’s are repeat violators. We will not hesitate to take the enforcement measures necessary to hold restaurants accountable for protecting children and paying employees their hard-earned wages.”

The investigation covering the period from Sept. 1, 2009, through Aug. 31, 2011, found that the four defendants violated the FLSA by failing to pay required minimum wage and overtime compensation amounting to $3,207 to the 33 employees. Civil monetary penalties sought for the repeat violations amount to $23,141.

Additionally, the company violated the act’s child labor regulations by requiring three employees ages 14 and 15 to work beyond the hours allowed by the FLSA,, often as late as 11 p.m., resulting in child labor civil monetary penalties of $3,130. Fourteen- and 15-year-olds are only permitted to work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., except from June 1 through Labor Day, when evening hours are extended to 9 p.m.

The suit also requests to have Kelly Greens Investment Co. Inc., McMenamy’s and Richard Leonard placed under permanent injunction from violating the provisions of the FLSA in the future.

The FLSA requires that covered employees be paid at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 for all hours worked, plus time and one-half their regular hourly rates for hours worked beyond 40 per week. For more information about the FLSA and other federal wage laws, call the Wage and Hour Division’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Information is also available on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov/whd.