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Palmetto Moon is scheduled to open in late spring in a 6,342-square-foot space that was formerly Rue 21. Starting small offering fan apparel from local universities, Palmetto Moon has grown into a one-stop shop for womenÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s and menÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s fashion, kidsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ apparel, gifts, home goods, collegiate gear, drinkware and more from brands like YETI, Simply Southern, Pure Vida, Vineyard Vines, Patagonia, Bogg Bag, Chubbies, Free People, Rainbow and KanCan.

Pandora jewelry will open in a 1,003-square-foot space next to JD Sports in April.

Auntie AnneÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s pretzels is scheduled to open in a few weeks in a 777-square-foot space in the food court next to Great American Cookies.

Lids, opening in March in a 659-square-foot space next to Kay Jewelers, will give sports fans access to their favorite teamÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s headwear and apparel, offering a large selection of officially licensed gear from top quality brands.

Aqua Ohio recognized for Lawrence County sewer improvements

CHESAPEAKE, Ohio ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) recently recognized Aqua Ohio for improvements the company has made to the sewage treatment plant since acquiring the former Union Rome Sewer plant in July 2023. The award was based on a commitment to continuous system improvements, innovation, pollution prevention and sustainability practices.

In part, the award recognizes AquaÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œachievements improving OhioÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s environment, exceeding regulatory compliance obligations and commitment to environmental stewardship.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

So far, Aqua Ohio has invested more than $4 million to improve the wastewater collection and treatment system that serves approximately 4,800 customers in Lawrence CountyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Union and Rome townships.

Aqua OhioÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Area Manager Dave Dunn noted two types of changes that have been made. The first required replacing and repairing critical equipment such as lift stations, equalization basin improvements and pumps.

The second involved shifting to a more proactive approach, rather than a reactive response to breakdowns and overflows.. Employees have spent time identifying the root causes of problems and correcting them before a crisis arises.

For example, by proactively inspecting grinder pumps and preventing stormwater from entering the system, crews have significantly reduced the occurrences of sanitary sewer overflows and plant bypasses that previously would have discharged untreated sewage into the environment.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œAqua brought the financial resources and professional expertise needed to update the collection and treatment system. Under the local leadership of our Area Supervisor, Lisa Pine, weÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve made a real difference for our customers and the environment. IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m thankful the OEPA has recognized the improvements,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Dunn said in a news release.

Heating by gas, propane to cost 10% more this winter

A colder winter this year means households relying on natural gas or propane for heat will probably spend about 10% on heating this winter than they did last winter, according the latest Energy Information Administration estimates.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œResidential energy expenditures for homes heating with natural gas and propane for the current winter (November through March) have grown, and now we expect them to total 10% more than last winter,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� the EIA said in a report issued Thursday.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIn our initial Winter Fuels Outlook forecasts published in October 2024, we had expected that homes mainly heating with natural gas would spend between 2% less or 7% more this winter than last, depending on weather conditions. As the winter has progressed and energy prices and consumption have increased beyond our initial expectations, we have revised these forecasts upward.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Last monthÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s cold weather increased natural gas consumption and resulted in near-record withdrawals of natural gas from storage, the EIA said. At the same time, U.S. propane inventories, which had been relatively full at the beginning of winter, were drawn down as consumption increased. Propane exports are also at record highs, which can also elevate domestic propane prices, the EIA said.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œResidential propane and heating oil expenditures tend to have wider ranges of uncertainty in our forecasts. By comparison, natural gas and electricity prices tend to lag changes in wholesale prices because of the nature of utility regulation,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� the EIA said.