Cheviot Financial Corp., the stock holding company for Cheviot Savings Bank, announced that Cheviot Financial Corp., a Maryland company, which is the proposed successor stock holding company for Cheviot Savings Bank in connection with the mutual-to-stock conversion of Cheviot Mutual Holding Company, expects to sell 4,675,000 shares of common stock.

The shares are to be sold at $8.00 per share, grossing $37.4 million. Orders for a total of 2,489,488 shares of common stock have been accepted in the syndicated community offering, for which Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated acted as sole book-running manager. New Cheviot received orders for 2,185,512 shares of common stock in the subscription and community offerings, for which Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated acted as selling agent.

All orders properly executed in the subscription and community offerings will be filled in whole, including the order by New Cheviot’s employee stock ownership plan.

At the same time, shares of Cheviot Federal common stock owned by the public will be exchanged for shares of New Cheviot common stock so that Cheviot Federal’s existing stockholders will own approximately the same percentage of New Cheviot’s common stock as they owned of Cheviot Federal’s common stock immediately prior to the conversion.

This means stockholders of Cheviot Federal will receive 0.8570 shares of New Cheviot’s common stock for each share of Cheviot Federal common stock they own immediately prior to completion of the transaction. Cash in lieu of fractional shares will be paid at a rate of $8.00 per share. As a result of the offering and the exchange of shares, New Cheviot will have approximately 7,596,896 shares outstanding after giving effect to the transaction.

Subject to the receipt of final regulatory approvals, the transaction is scheduled to close on January 18, 2012, at which time Cheviot Mutual Holding Company and Cheviot Federal will cease to exist and New Cheviot will become the fully public stock holding company of Cheviot Savings Bank. The shares of common stock of Cheviot Federal will cease trading under the trading symbol “CHEV” on the Nasdaq Capital Market at the close of business on January 17, 2012. The shares of common stock sold in the offering and issued in the exchange are expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on January 18, 2012 under the trading symbol “CHEVD” for a period of 20 trading days and will thereafter trade under “CHEV.”

Stock certificates for shares purchased in the subscription offering and community offering are expected to be mailed to subscribers on or about January 18, 2012. Stockholders of Cheviot Federal holding shares in street name will automatically receive shares of New Cheviot and cash in lieu of fractional shares within their investment accounts. Stockholders of Cheviot Federal holding shares in certificated form will be mailed a letter of transmittal on or about January 23, 2012 and will receive stock certificates for their shares of New Cheviot common stock and a check representing cash in lieu of fractional shares after submitting their Cheviot Federal stock certificates and a properly completed letter of transmittal to New Cheviot’s transfer agent.

Popularity: 2% [?]

The Council of Smaller Enterprises, one of Ohio’s largest small business support organizations, will hold its 2011 Annual Meeting on Wednesday, January 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the State Theatre at Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland.

The organization will transition from outgoing Board Chair Eric Tolbert of Eric Tolbert & Associates to new Board Chair, Sharon Toerek of Licata and Toerek.

At the meeting, the small business members who volunteered their time through the recent Strategic Planning Process, and attended the first Small Business Summit held in February last year, will be recognized.

“COSE will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2012 and we have always been a member driven organization. That was never more evident than in 2011 and we want to thank all those small business members who help us lay the groundwork for the next 40 years of small business support from COSE.”

- Steve Millard, president and executive director

The organization relocated offices from The Higbee Building at Public Square to their new location at 1240 Huron Road on Star Plaza at Playhouse Square, in July last year, to be part of the Playhouse Square downtown neighborhood.

In addition to a brief Business Meeting, the event is a major networking opportunity, with 300-plus attendees, from 5 – 8 p.m. The cost for the Annual Meeting is $25 for members and $40 for nonmembers. For more information and to register, log on to www.cose.org/events and click on the Annual Meeting listing or call COSE Member Services at 216-592-2222.

Popularity: 2% [?]

2011 rate cuts make a bad situation worse. In 2009, skilled nursing facilities were underfunded by $262 Million;

According to a new report, there are massive financial challenges for nursing facility providers across Ohio, in the next year.

Medicaid is the health program for low-income seniors and people with disabilities. Ohio skilled nursing facilities were underfunded by $14.31 per patient per day, in 2009. Projected forward to 2011 that is now underfunded by $18.23 per patient per day, a total of $330 million.

It would have been bad enough, but it gets worse – those calculations were for Fiscal Year 2011, which did not take into account the Medicaid rate cut of nearly $10 per day imposed by the state budget bill, House Bill 153. This cut took effect for Fiscal Year 2012, which began July 1, 2011.

“The widening gap between the cost of providing the quality skilled nursing care that Ohio’s seniors deserve and what Medicaid actually pays the providers who deliver that care puts our most vulnerable seniors at risk. This report underscores the need for policymakers to consider the impact additional cuts to either Medicare and Medicaid funding for skilled nursing facility care will have on Ohio’s seniors and people with disabilities.”
- Peter Van Runkle, Executive Director of the Ohio Health Care Association

Released by the American Health Care Association (AHCA), A Report on Shortfalls in Medicaid Funding for Nursing Home Care, compiled by Eljay, LLC, a national research firm, reveals a bleak outlook for both Ohio and the nation. Nationally, skilled nursing facility care was underfunded by $6.3 billion in 2011, or $19.55 per patient per day.

State underfunding leaves care providers with a shortfall of almost $20 each day for those who rely on Medicaid. Consistent underfunding of Medicaid only harms those most at-risk.

According to the survey, the 385 responding facilities eliminated more than 3,000 jobs to cope with the cuts in both Medicare and Medicaid. Although costs have been reduced, the gap between costs and payments is still growing. The really bad news is the survey only covered 40% of facilities.

Popularity: 6% [?]

By Stevie J. Stevenson Jr.

AKRON, Ohio – According to court records Richard Beasley, the suspect in the craigslist murder and a Texas parolee was in an Ohio jail but was released after Texas officials said they only wanted him if he were convicted on a drug charge. Beasley asked to be released on bond, and on July 12, Akron Municipal Judge John Murphy granted his request.

Richard Beasley according to authorities is now linked to a recent plot to run fake Craigslist wanted ads in an attempt to lure robbery victims.

Texas Officials say they never authorized Beasley’s release and filed two additional warrants for his arrest after the Texas Parole Authority learned he’d been freed.

The legal problems facing the 52-year-old Richard Beasley who is a self-styled chaplain and youth mentor, are mounting: His attorney said a prostitution case involving Beasley and a 17-year-old boy would be upgraded with a racketeering charge Friday.

A 15-count count indictment returned Wednesday charges Beasley with promoting prostitution.

“To call me a con man when I sacrificed for others is wrong,” wrote Beasley, “To turn their back on me is not following Christ’s example…”

Beasley, in a four-page handwritten letter to the Akron Beacon Journal, said he has been miscast as a con man when he had helped feed, house and counsel scores of needy families, drunks, drug addicts, the mentally ill and crime suspects for years.

Aimlessly sending your resume to unknown emails from craigslist gives a potential predator all the tools he/she needs to locate an unsuspected victim.

Use caution when making email appointments to meet some place unfamiliar to you.

If after you email your resume and you get another email requesting you to fill out and email back a background check form that asks you for private information such as social security number, DOB and addresses. Identity theft is real.

Stevie J. Stevenson Jr. is a freelance writer and business owner. Contact him at NewsBlaze.

Published with permission, from NewsBlaze.com Current News – Ohio

Popularity: 9% [?]

The Columbus Prostate Cancer Center (CPCC), a partnership between AKSM/Oncology and Central Ohio Urology Group, is the first ever prostate-only treatment center in United States to be awarded a three-year term of accreditation in radiation oncology.

This accolade was bestowed upon CPCC as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

The ACR-ASTRO seal of accreditation represents the highest level of quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting specific Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards developed by ACR and ASTRO after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified radiation oncologists and medical physicists.

“Delivering the highest quality of care has always been a priority for the urologists within Central Ohio Urology Group.”
- Paul Kaufman, MD., practice president

“We firmly believe being recognized with such distinction demonstrates our commitment to quality and excellence, not only to our patients, but to the greater community as well,” he explained

The aspects of on-site survey, patient care and treatment, patient safety, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs were assessed.

CPCC received an unqualified recommendation which means there were no deficiencies that needed improvement.

AKSM/Oncology manages CPCC and is the market leader providing radiation therapy services in conjunction with urologists throughout the United States. It spent years planning and creating prostate-only treatment centers in partnership with urologists and radiation oncologists.

This  ensured that the highest clinical standards and protocols were adopted and implemented.

“Clinical quality is an ongoing process that requires diligence and commitment of all the parties,” said AKSM/Oncology National Clinical Director Donald Jackson. ”

Jackson also stated that CPCC is the first of numerous AKSM/Oncology-operated centers that will be seeking ACR accreditation.

The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 34,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists.

It has programs that focus on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology as well as the delivery of comprehensive health care services. ASTRO is a professional organization serving more than 10,000 radiation oncologists, medical physicists and other health care professionals involved in the treatment of cancer patients.

AKSM/Oncology has earned distinction for its radiation center expertise. It is a subsidiary of AKSM, Ltd. a national provider of technology and services for urologists since 1986.

Popularity: 5% [?]

American Electric Power (AEP), headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, has been named one of the most adoption-friendly workplaces by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. This is the fifth consecutive year the company has won the award.

AEP reimburses employees up to $3,000 per child for eligible adoption-related expenses and provides up to 40 hours of paid leave for new adoptive parents. Since early 2007, AEP has assisted its employees with more than 60 adoptions.

“We recognize the value of offering family-friendly programs to our employees and support them by helping defray the costs of adopting children,” said Curt Cooper, AEP’s director of employee benefits.

Information from nearly 500 employers nationwide was used to compile the foundation’s annual rankings of adoption-friendly workplaces. Rankings are based on the maximum amount of financial reimbursement and paid leave per adoption.

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a non-profit, public charity dedicated to dramatically increasing adoptions of the more than 150,000 children in North America’s foster care systems. The late Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s Restaurants and an adopted child, created the foundation in 1992. More information is available at www.davethomasfoundation.org.

American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. It ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. The company owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines all over the country.  The transmission system serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states as well as Eastern Canada. it also covers 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas.

AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas).

Popularity: 4% [?]

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, exclusive tire supplier of NASCAR’s three major national series and NHRA Racing’s Top Fuel and Funny Car series, pays tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces by changing the appearance of racing tires on the weekend of September 16.

This marks the second straight year that Goodyear has altered the sidewalls of its race tires to honor U.S. troops.

The design, featuring a patriotic color scheme, “Support Our Troops” replaces the traditional “Goodyear Eagle” or “Goodyear Wrangler” sidewalls used in weekly races.

This coincides with the launch of the “Goodyear Support Our Troops” initiative. It is an eleven-week awareness and fund-raising effort designed to generate support and honor the sacrifices of members of the  armed forces and their families .

“The sacrifices that soldiers and their families make for us every day deserve recognition. We hope that through the symbolic gesture of changing our tires, we can help make a difference in the lives of the troops and their families,” said Garth Ely, Goodyear director of brand marketing. ”

“We are very proud to have an iconic American company like Goodyear supporting us in our efforts to positively impact the lives of our country’s service men and women and their families,” said Martin C. Boire, executive director of Support Our TroopsZ.

“We are happy that NASCAR and NHRA fans – some of the most patriotic and dedicated fans in the world – will have even more great ways to show their support through this year’s program, and we encourage them to follow the lead of Goodyear, NASCAR and NHRA,” he stated.

The 2011 Goodyear Support Our Troops Program includes the donation of tires to help military families. A special Goodyear tire rebate will be offered during the program,. There will also be a marketing campaign to raise awareness and trigger consumer involvement.

Consumers and race fans can  get involved in a variety of ways . Opportunities range from spreading the word that military families can take advantage of incremental savings on tires to making donations to the Support Our Troops organization.

Goodyear will allow fans to show support by bidding on the authentic, race-used Goodyear Support Our Troops NASCAR and NHRA tires.

The  second phase of the program features unique new ways for consumers to join Goodyear in supporting the troops. They can experience the Goodyear Bootcamp Challenge, a first of its kind competition between NASCAR and NHRA drivers to see who is the fastest off the track. The Challenge will pit drivers from both sports, such as Joey Logano and Tony Schumacher, in a series of physical events that use Goodyear Racing Eagles.

“Consumers can also help support our troops by sharing the details with their friends, family and any military members they know and urging them to visit www.goodyear.com/supportourtroops.”
- Goodyear marketing manager

All funds will be donated to Support Our Troops, a nonprofit nationwide organization, which bolsters the morale and well-being of America’s troops and their families.

The funds will benefit the organization’s highly effective programs, which deliver more than $10 million per year in care packs and requested items to the front lines, positive support at home and kids’ camp assistance.

Goodyear has over 100 years of commitment in  building innovative and reliable equipment to support and protect troops. Goodyear’s commitment extends beyond products and charitable donations,  hosting events at U.S. military bases throughout the year, enabling servicemen and women and their families to interact with drivers and take rides on the Goodyear Blimp.

NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for one of North America’s premier sports.  NASCAR fans are among the most brand loyal in all of sports. More Fortune 100 companies participate in NASCAR than any other sport. It consists of three national series ( Sprint Cup, Nationwide, and Camping World Truck), four regional, one local grassroots and two international series.

NHRA

NHRA is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2011. As the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States, NHRA presents 22 national events featuring the  Full Throttle Drag Racing and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag.

Support Our Troops

SupportOurTroops.Org provides simple ways for citizens and civic-minded businesses to show their appreciation for those who sacrifice to protect the  country, homes, families, and American way of life.

Support Our TroopsZ is a registered trademark licensed through SupportOurTroops.org. The official website is a nationwide platform for individuals, organizations, businesses and non-profit organizations to bolster America’s troops and their families in a multitude of ways.

Goodyear

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies. It employs approximately 69,000 people and manufactures its products in more than 57 facilities in 23 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.

Popularity: 17% [?]

Ohio company, Progressive Car Insurance has been nominated by Information Week magazine to its annual list of the country’s most innovative users of business technology. Progressive was named to the InformationWeek 500 for its mobile quoting platform , which gives consumers the ability to get car insurance quotes with a mobile device. Mobile quoting is currently available in 40 states.

“We’ve worked hard to enhance our mobile capabilities over the past year, adding high-value features like the ability to get a quote and buy car insurance”
– Matt Lehman, Progressive’s mobile business leader.

Matt Lehman says the company is tapping into consumers’ increasing use of mobile technology to make it easier for people to connect.

Progressive recently unveiled new mobile offerings, providing consumers more opportunities to buy and manage their car insurance policies. Among the new and enhanced mobile services are:

• VIN Capture: Customers can simply take a picture of a car’s
  Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) bar code and find out what it
  might cost to insure it.
• Snapshot
  Discount updates: New customers can enroll in
  Progressive’s one-of-a-kind Snapshot program. Customers can review
  their projected discount by visiting http://mobile.progressive.com
  and logging into their policy.
• Policy changes and payments on-the-go: Drivers can easily update their
  address and contact information or make a payment by going to http://mobile.progressive.com
  from their smartphone.
• Severe weather text alerts: Consumers can now receive advanced warning of
  bad weather by signing up for free severe-weather text alerts at http://www.progressive.com/weatheralerts.
• Enhanced access to important insurance information: Customers can now access their VINs, policy dates, insurance coverages, and all vehicles listed on the policy from their smartphones.

The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies makes it easy for clients to understand, buy, and use auto insurance. It offers choices so consumers will find it convenient to reach progressive.com, by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE, or in-person with a local agent.

Progressive offers insurance for personal and commercial autos and trucks, motorcycles, boats, recreational vehicles, and homes. It is the fourth largest auto insurer in the country and the biggest seller of motorcycle insurance

Progressive, which was founded in 1937, continues its long history of offering shopping tools and services that save customers time and money, like Name Your Price, the Snapshot Discount^Â, and a concierge level of claims service.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Big Red Rooster, the Ohio marketing communications and branding company is adding three companies to its lineup, Integrate Inc., Moorehead Design and The Imaginati.

The addition of the three successful companies boosts the marketing communications, branding and advertising industry expertise for Big Red Rooster, allowing them to gain more clients and better serve existing clients.

The agencies’ portfolios include advertising, branding and marketing campaigns for a wide range of clientele, including Aveda, Estee Lauder, JPMorgan Chase, Gold Toe Moretz, Gildan, Limited Brands, GBQ, OhioHealth and Piada Italian Street Food.

Integrate, Inc. Principals John Galvin and Stephen Quinn started their agency in 1989, delivering business value by differentiating brands, providing marketing communications and delivering customer experiences in all mediums for national and international clientele.

Integrate is an award-winning, nationally recognized firm, and teaming with Big Red Rooster, they will be able to continue providing exceptional business value to their clients, and also offer a wider range of services.

Principal Mark Moorehead began Moorehead Design more than two decades ago, specializing in marketing communications services that create clear, measurable and lasting experiences. He will leverage his strategic creative expertise to benefit Big Red Rooster’s expanded client list.

Heather Thornswood established The Imaginati in 2007 as a means to offer her fashion, beauty and lifestyle clients strategic agility and superior creative execution. She brings more than 20 years of global expertise in advertising, marketing, creative direction, photography and broadcast to the Big Red Rooster team.

In the new setup, Galvin, Quinn, Moorehead and Thornswood serve as senior vice presidents.

Big Red Rooster will keep the 1404 Goodale Blvd., Suite 100 office in Grandview Heights for Integrate, Moorehead Design and The Imaginati, as its second Columbus Office.

Visit www.bigredrooster.com for additional information.

Popularity: 8% [?]

More than 4,500 FirstEnergy employees – including 2,300 line, service and forestry crews working around the clock restored service to customers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland who lost power following Hurricane Irene.

More than 797,000 of the 920,000 Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed), Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec) and Potomac Edison customers affected by flooding and strong winds have been restored.

As flooding subsides and roads continue to be cleared in Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey, FirstEnergy utility crews now are able to assess the extent of the damage in previously inaccessible areas. Some rivers in New Jersey continue to crest, hampering assessment and restoration efforts in these areas.

Based on current damage assessments, the following estimated restoration times have been established:

    --  JCP&L - Overall, more than 563,000 of the 670,000 affected customers
        have had power restored.  A majority of the remaining 107,000 customers
        should be restored by the weekend, with full restoration by early next
        week.
    --  Met-Ed - More than 185,000 customers have been restored at this time,
        down from a peak of 200,000.  Estimated restoration times for the
        remaining 15,000 customers:
        --  York/Lebanon/Boyertown areas - majority by midnight Saturday
        --  Hamburg/Reading/Easton/Stroudsburg areas - majority by midnight
            Sunday
    --  Penelec - More than 35,500 customers have been restored at this time,
        down from a peak of 37,000.  The majority of affected customers should
        be restored by midnight tonight, with repairs continuing into Thursday
        for some locations.

Hurricane Irene also affected 19,000 customers in Maryland served by Potomac Edison. All of these customers were restored by Monday, and FirstEnergy crews and other support personnel involved in that restoration effort were deployed to JCP&L areas.

Overall, more than 4,500 FirstEnergy personnel are currently involved in the restoration effort. In addition to the previously mentioned utilities, line workers, damage assessors, hazard responders, call center representatives and forestry crews from the following FirstEnergy companies have been involved in the Hurricane Irene restoration effort: Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, Pennsylvania Power, Toledo Edison, West Penn Power, and Mon Power.

The first priority following a major storm is to quickly and safely clear fallen trees and limbs sufficiently for our crews to repair and re-energize damaged lines. This clearing effort represents a significant portion of our work after a storm. As debris from the storm continues to be cleared, customers are cautioned never to touch downed lines. Customers should always assume downed wires are carrying electricity and are reminded to keep their children and pets away from downed wires. Downed wires should be reported immediately to your electric company or local police or fire department. Customers should never try to remove trees or limbs from power lines because they could conduct electricity; instead, wait for emergency services or utility crews to arrive.

Once the debris has been cleared, company service crews focus on restoring transmission and substation facilities, since they supply power for local distribution systems. Then, priority is given to hospitals, critical care and life-support facilities, communications facilities, and emergency response agencies. After that, crews work to restore power as quickly as possible to individual outage locations.

Occasionally, customers may wonder why a utility crew drives past their homes instead of stopping to restore their power. In the early phases of storm restoration, the primary focus is to find areas with electrical hazards – such as downed (and potentially energized) wires and related electrical equipment – and make them safe. At such times, linemen focus on isolating these hazards.

Once that is accomplished, crews begin to repair lines that supply power to crucial public safety facilities or large areas or groups of customers. A line may be damaged in multiple locations, or at some distance from those who are out of service. The linemen, tree crews, or other workers a customer sees may be on their way to make higher-priority repairs, which must be completed before damages closer to customer’s home can be fixed.

After local power lines are repaired and put back in service, damage to individual customer service wires may become apparent. If a customer receives a call from a FirstEnergy utility when their power is still out, we are trying to determine how to best restore power to your residence and the surrounding area. If your neighbor’s power is on and yours is not, the problem may be isolated to your individual service. Service to the neighbor could be fed from a different circuit. Still, it may be appropriate to report such problems, even if it is later in the restoration process.

To report an outage, JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec customers should call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) – it’s the fastest way to begin the restoration process.

Customer Generators

    --  To ensure the safety of the home's occupants as well as that of utility
        company employees who may be working on power lines in the area, the
        proper generator should be selected and installed by a qualified
        electrician.  When operating a generator, always disconnect the power
        coming into your home.  Otherwise, power from your generator could be
        sent back onto the utility company lines, creating a hazardous situation
        for utility workers.

For updated information on hurricane restoration news, current outages, FirstEnergy’s storm restoration process and tips for staying safe after a storm, go to www.firstenergycorp.com.

Popularity: 3% [?]