REGION

REGION
Household Internationalsettles multistate action
COLUMBUS -- State officials said Household International has mailed checks to more than 37,000 Ohioans eligible to share in a multistate settlement that resolved allegations of unfair and deceptive mortgage-lending practices.
Checks range from $200 to $5,029, with the average check for state residents being $846.
Various states alleged that the company's subsidiaries Household Finance and Beneficial Finance had overcharged borrowers on fees and interest.
Consumers with questions should go to www.household-beneficial-settlement.com.
Pregnancy center electschairwoman and others
YOUNGSTOWN -- Care Net Pregnancy Center of Mahoning Valley has elected Melissa Warren of Ellsworth as chairwoman of its board for 2004. Also elected were Jim Kautz of Boardman, vice chairman; Rita McIntosh of Ellsworth, secretary; and Susan Laird of Boardman, treasurer.
Care Net is a nonprofit organization that assists women who have an unexpected pregnancy and women who are recovering from abortions.
From Vindicator staff reports