More Ohioans fall behind on mortgage payments

More Ohioans are falling behind on their mortgage payments, according to a new report that suggests the worst is ahead for borrowers.

The mortgage and real-estate service Corelogic found that 5.6% of Ohioans with mortgages were at least 30 days behind on their payments in April, up from 4.2% a year earlier.

In some Ohio metro areas, borrowers are struggling even more. In Cleveland, 6.7% of borrowers were behind in April (up from 4.8% a year earlier), and in Youngstown, 7.1% were delinquent (up from 5.5%).

In the Columbus area, 5.2% of homeowners missed payments, up from 3.6% a year earlier. Nationwide, 6.1% of borrowers were behind, the most since January 2016. In March, 3.6% were.

Walmart, Sam’s Club stores to require face masks

Walmart will require customers to wear face coverings at all its namesake and Sam’s Club stores, making it the largest retailer to introduce such a policy that has otherwise proved difficult to enforce without state and federal requirements.

The company said the policy will go into effect on Monday to allow time to inform stores and customers. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company said that about 65% of its more than 5,000 stores and clubs are in areas where there is some form of government mandate on face coverings.

The retailer also said it will create the role of health ambassador at its Walmart stores and will station the ambassadors near the entrance to remind customers who aren’t wearing a mask of its new requirements.

JC Penney to eliminate 1,000 jobs in bankruptcy

JC Penney said Wednesday it will cut 1,000 corporate, field management and international jobs as it tries to fight its way out from under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The company said last month said it had identified just over 150 stores for closure in the first phase of a restructuring in which it will become a smaller operator. The retailer has said it plans to permanently close nearly a third of its 846 stores in the next two years, leaving it with just over 600.

Watershed’s restaurant won’t reopen before 2021

Watershed Kitchen & Bar will remain closed for dining at least through the end of the year, the company announced Tuesday.

The restaurant on the Northwest Side laid off more than 30 employees when Gov. Mike Dewine ordered restaurants to close March 15, and it did not reopen when that order was lifted in May.

The restaurant shared the news of its prolonged closure in an Instagram post featuring a photo of the empty dining room.

Watershed Distillery will continue to make gin, bourbon and other spirits, and its bottle shop will continue to offer curbside service.

The distillery, which began producing hand sanitizer for businesses and the public in addition to its signature spirits in April, has 22 employees, according to owner Greg Lehman.

Nissan shows off electric crossover vehicle coming in ’21

Nissan unveiled an electric crossover vehicle Wednesday, billing the Ariya as “a new chapter” for the Japanese automaker.

The Ariya is set to go on sale in Japan by the middle of next year, and in Europe, North America and China by the end of 2021.

The vehicle is to cost about $46,000 and will compete against the Tesla Model Y, which now sells for between $43,690 and $53,690 in the U.S., including incentives and other cost savings of $6,300. In the U.S., the Ariya will qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit.

The Ariya comes with autonomous driving, so it will park itself and brake to avoid imminent collisions. It also boasts features associated with electric cars, such as quick acceleration and a roomy interior.

The model’s global premiere in Yokohama, Japan, was held online because of the coronavirus pandemic.

From staff and wire reports