Business

As AEP Ohio continues to restore electric service to the more than 660,000 customers who were left without electricity by Friday's windstorm, company officials are reminding customers that some repairs to the customers' premises cannot be performed by AEP Ohio employees.

In instances where the storm has damaged customer's wiring or

equipment, the customer needs to contact a qualified electrician to ensure that their home can accept AEP Ohio's service when crews arrive to make repairs.

In an overhead electric system, the connection between AEP Ohio and

Fortman Insurance staff: Front: Catherine and John Fortman. Standing from left, Laura Kuhlman, Jonathan Fortman, Pam Eickholt, Dale Metzger, Kathy Green, Branden Fortman, Sam Brauen, Amy Baker, Zack Fortman, Laurie Basinger

Fortman Insurance Services, Inc., celebrated its first anniversary in Bluffton on July 1.

The Ottawa-based company opened a branch office at 115 N. Main St., Bluffton, in the former Book Reviews store front on July 1, 2011.

Fortman's expansion to Bluffton took place due to the expanding number of clients outside Putnam County, according to Catherine Fortman.

"The need to expand to a second location made sense. Because the business had several customers in the Bluffton area, the expansion into Bluffton made sense," she said.

By 9 a.m. today, (July 3) AEP Ohio had restored power to
approximately 55 percent of the 660,000 customers affected by the
catastrophic storms that moved through the state June 29 and the
additional 20,000 outaged by the July 1 evening storm.

Meteorologists continue to show the threat of possible thunderstorms
through the end of the week. Temperatures are forecasted to remain in the mid-90s throughout this period.

Brendon Matthews and Richard Boehr

On June 11 the Bluffton Industrial Expansion Corp. presented a transfer of its funds to Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs. The transfer took place at a Bluffton council meeting. Click for a video.

Following the council meeting BCE gave a thank you to Boehr of the Industrial Expansion Corp. It consists of a smiley face, which, when a switch is pressed it proclaims: "Thank you."

Brendon Matthews of BCE (left) made the presentation to Boehr. Ropp Triplett created the award.

Krysti's Music Studio, South Main Street, Bluffton, offers free trial lessons through July 31.

Persons wanting more information may contact Krysti Schey at 419-233-5255 or e-mail at: [email protected].

Click here for the studio website.

Provided by Steiner & Granger
Insurance and Financial Services
[email protected]

With the 2011 tax filing season behind us, much attention is being paid to the expiring "Bush tax cuts"-- the reduced federal income tax rates, and benefits, that will expire at the end of 2012 unless additional legislation is passed. In fact, though, several important federal income tax provisions already expired at the end of 2011.

Here's a quick rundown of where things stand today.

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