As part of its agreement with the City of Hudson, Direct Energy has set a new fixed price for natural gas customers who participate in the Direct Choice program.

For the April 2014 to October 2014 billing cycle, Direct Choice customers in the City of Hudson will pay a fixed rate of $4.548 per Mcf for natural gas (exclusive of utility charges and taxes) for a full seven months. Senior citizens age 65 or older are eligible for a discounted price of $4.448 per Mcf.

"The Direct Choice program allows residents and small businesses of Hudson to benefit from a competitive, stable price for natural gas," said Interim City Manager Scott N. Schroyer. "It is our hope that this rate will be welcome news for customers."

Direct Choice is a marketing agreement between Direct Energy and the City of Hudson that allows residents and small businesses located in the Dominion East Ohio utility territory to lock in their natural gas supply price for a specified period of time.

Those currently in the Direct Choice program will automatically receive the new rate. New participants must actively enroll into the Direct Choice program to benefit. To take advantage of the Direct Choice offer, individuals or small businesses need to be eligible to participate in the state's customer choice program and have a residence or small business located within the City limits of Hudson in the Dominion East Ohio utility territory. Further, Direct Energy encourages potential new participants that are under contract with another supplier to review their contracts for potential obligations prior to enrolling.

To participate in Direct Energy's Direct Choice offer, customers can enroll online with promo code "HudsonOH" or by calling Direct Energy's Customer Service Department, toll free at 1-866-803-4618 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.

Hudson will hold an Open House at Barlow Community Center February 27, 2014, from 4 pm - 7 pm, to provide information about the proposed Hines Hill Grade Separation Project. Currently, Hines Hill Road has a gated, at-grade crossing at the Norfolk and Southern Railroad tracks, just west of Prospect Street where commuters must drive over railroad tracks.

The proposed grade separation includes a bridge over the tracks to provide unimpeded access to the northwest corner of Hudson for safety forces and offer a safer crossing of the tracks.

Citizens wishing to provide feedback will have 30 days to respond following the meeting.

The City of Hudson supports the National AED Registry and encourages businesses with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to sign up for the national registry. By participating, 911 dispatchers will have a record of your AED. If a sudden cardiac arrest happens within 1,200 feet, a responder will be contacted.

When AEDs are entered into the National Registry, there is an opportunity for site managers to select an individual in their organization to become a "Responder." As a responder you have no duty or obligation to respond to a cardiac arrest, even if you sign up. All 50 states protect bystander responders under the Good Samaritan statutes.

The American Red Cross says improved training and access to AEDs could save 50,000 lives each year. For more information, visit the National AED Registry. 

Summit for Kids is seeking sponsors for its 5th Annual Summit for Kids, Saturday, August 2, from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, at the John S. Knight Center in Akron, Ohio. The event, which provided free dental care, school supplies, immunizations, and resources for families, attracted more than 15,000 parents and children last year.

Summit for Kids is directed by the Summit on Children Task Force whose mission is to enhance the services being provided to children and families in the Summit community.

To become a sponsor, visit Summit for Kids.