Farmers bank gives $11,000 to 2 groups

EMLENTON, Venango County — The Farmers National Bank of Emlenton recently donated nearly $11,000 to two organizations.

It gave $5,800 to the Passavant Hospital Foundation to advance health and wellness through education, outreach and grants in the McCandless and Cranberry township areas.

“We understand the importance of high-quality, local health care. Our donation will make a positive impact in the lives of many for years to come,” said Robert Vernick, senior vice president, chief lending and business development officer.

It donated $5,000 to St. Barnabas Charities to help patients in need, who live at St. Barnabas Nursing Home, Valencia Woods at St. Barnabas and The Arbors at St. Barnabas.

Vernick said, “The bank is committed to making a positive impact in the communities which we serve.”

The St. Barnabas Charities fund has provided more than $100 million in health care and residential services to the elderly and physically challenged for more than a century.

Couple to reopen nursing home

COWANSVILLE, Armstrong County — St. Francis Personal Care Estate will have an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 23.

Dolores and Gerald Gallyot, who are both registered nurses, recently bought the building, which had been vacant for about five years. It had been a nursing home called Russell House Estate.

Dolores Gallyot said they are working to reopen the building as a nursing home. It will have 22 beds and will open sometime this year.

The new name for the facility was inspired by both the pope and Saint Francis of Assisi, she said.

St. Francis is at 229 Rest Home Road, Cowansville.

30-year mortgage rate rises to 3.8%

WASHINGTON — Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates are up this week to the highest level since mid-March.

Mortgage giant Freddie Mac said Thursday the national average for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 3.80 percent this week from 3.68 percent a week earlier.

The rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 3.02 percent, up from 2.94 percent and the first time it’s topped 3 percent since it hit 3.06 percent in mid-March.

Chinese-made flooring gets axed

Lumber Liquidators has suspended the sale of all laminate flooring made in China a week after disclosing the Justice Department is seeking criminal charges against the specialty retailer in an investigation over imported products.

The flooring supplier said Thursday it decided to suspend the sales while a board committee completes a review of its sourcing compliance program.

From staff and wire reports