REGION

REGION
Financial-planning andinsurance agencies merge
VIENNA -- The E.R. Emery Agency, a financial-planning company owned by Eugene R. Emery, is merging with Douglas A. Emery Agency, a financial services and insurance agency. As of Jan. 1, both companies will be housed at 972 Youngstown-Kingsville Road.
Cortland Bancorp sharessee third-quarter gain
CORTLAND -- Cortland Bancorp earned $1.5 million, or 40 cents a share, in the third quarter, compared with $1.3 million, or 35 cents a share, in the same quarter last year. The company said operating expenses were lower last quarter because of legal expenses related to a Pennsylvania lawsuit last year. Also, investments in technology have continued to produce productivity gains, the company said.
NATION
General Motorsannounces dividend
DETROIT -- General Motors has declared a quarterly dividend of 50 cents a share on GM $1 2/3 par value common stock. The dividend is payable Dec. 10 to holders of record as of Nov. 15.
Web site is launchedfor GM employees
DETROIT -- General Motors Corp. employees will be able to follow company news, track their pay and enroll in courses through a new Internet portal unveiled Monday.
MySocrates should be available to all 180,000 hourly and salaried GM employees at work and at home by mid-December. Its launch is part of the company's business-to-employee strategy to enhance communication.
Employees will have access to traditional Web site offerings, such as news, traffic and weather reports. The portal will also give workers access to the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources, verify health plan elections and update emergency contact information online.
From Vindicator staff and wire reports