Morning Read

STARK COUNTY MAN INDICTED – Following a criminal referral by the Division of State Fire Marshal Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulation (BUSTR), Daniel L. Wilson, of Canton, was indicted on two counts of tampering with records, two counts of violation of a BUSTR statute and one count of forgery.

BUSTR regulates certain types of underground storage tanks that are used to store petroleum products such as gasoline (typically found at a gas station). When one of these tanks are removed or replaced, soil samples must be taken around the cavity where the tank, piping, and dispensers were previously located. The soil samples help assess whether any gasoline had been released into the environment, and if there is any human health or environmental risk of such release.

The owners of the tanks typically employ contractors or consultants to perform the work. Mr. Wilson was hired as a subcontractor at two sites, one in Stark County and the other in Mahoning County, when he allegedly submitted the false reports to BUSTR.

“Because of the effort and teamwork between BUSTR and the Attorney General’s office, we were able to make sure these actions stopped,” said State Fire Marshal Larry L. Flowers. “We will continue to work together to see this case through.”

The case is being prosecuted by an attorney with Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s environmental enforcement section and the Licking County prosecuting attorney’s office.

JOBS REPORT RELEASED – Generation Opportunity, a national, non-partisan youth advocacy organization, is announcing its Millennial Jobs Report for May 2015. The data is non-seasonally adjusted (NSA) and is specific to 18-29 year olds:

The effective (U-6) unemployment rate for 18-29 year olds, which adjusts for labor force participation by including those who have given up looking for work, is 13.6 percent (NSA). The (U-3) unemployment rate for 18-29 year olds is 9.1 percent (NSA).

The declining labor force participation rate has created an additional 1.791 million young adults that are not counted as “unemployed” by the U.S. Department of Labor because they are not in the labor force, meaning that those young people have given up looking for work due to the lack of jobs.

The effective (U-6) unemployment rate for 18-29 year old African-Americans is 19.2 percent (NSA); the (U-3) unemployment rate is 16.5 percent (NSA).

The effective (U-6) unemployment rate for 18-29 year old Hispanics is 13.9 percent (NSA); the (U-3) unemployment rate is 10.3 percent (NSA).

The effective (U-6) unemployment rate for 18-29 year old women is 11.6 percent (NSA); the (U-3) unemployment rate is 8.6 percent (NSA).

Generation Opportunity Director of Policy Engagement Luke Kenworthy issued the following statement:

“Young people do have some reason to be optimistic about their futures as they continue to see economic conditions improve for our generation this year. May’s jobs report shows a 13.6 percent youth unemployment rate, down 0.6 percent from where we started at the beginning of 2015.

“While we’re encouraged, we also know there are still far too many obstacles in place preventing our generation from exercising our entrepreneurial muscles and creating jobs for ourselves. Excessive government regulations are preventing us from doing the simplest of things – driving for Uber, renting out our homes, or opening a food truck.

“Millennials are key drivers of the American economy – we should be able to pursue our dreams, explore new ideas, and distrupt the status quo. Our generation will flourish when Washington releases its grip on trying to control our futures.”

NATURALIST PROGRAM OFFERED – Do you have children, ages 2 through 6, who are already developing a love of nature? Then take advantage of their inquisitive years and get them on the road to nature appreciation by accompanying them to the free Knee High Naturalists event June 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Arboretum in South Chagrin Reservation.

The afternoon will be loaded with many fun-filled and educational things for the little ones to do in the 15-acre arboretum. Kids can touch, climb, sing, jump, shout, laugh, run, dance, craft and get their hands a little dirty.

Spend the afternoon exploring, learning and most of all having fun with the following activities:

* Make and fly a kite

* Meet a live animal

* Hold a crayfish

* Go on a nature adventure hike

* Dress up in animal costumes and let your imagination run wild

* Take a picture with the Hiking Chipmunk

* Make a nature craft

* Discover the arboretum’s hands-on Nature Play Area complete with corn cob pool, sand area, rock pile, tepee, canoes on land and even a tree deck

* Listen to songs and stories with Musical Mark

* Explore the 30-foot long felt board representing pond, field and forest habitats

* Dive into the Pond Discovery Tent featuring wildlife sights and sounds you’ll find at any Ohio pond

* Light refreshments available for purchase from local Girl Scouts

There will be photo opportunities, so be sure to bring a camera to capture the memories.

Parking is available at the Shelterhouse Picnic Area, located off Hawthorn Parkway, east of SOM Center Road/Route 91 in Bentleyville – north of the Route 91 exit off Route 422. From the parking area, visitors can either ride a shuttle or follow the signs and walk to the entrance of the arboretum. This event is rain or shine except for severe weather.