REGION

REGION
Astro Shapes requestslimit on pickets' number
YOUNGSTOWN -- Astro Shapes has requested that pickets be limited outside its plant. About 320 members of United Steelworkers of America Local 9401 started a strike at the plant Tuesday after negotiations failed to reach a new labor contract.
The aluminum extruder filed a request Friday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court that asks that the union be limited to two pickets at each driveway so that it can conduct its business.
NATION
Recall on Ford Windstars
WASHINGTON -- Ford Motor Co. is recalling 257,119 Windstar minivans because the latches that connect the rear seats to the floor could release in an accident, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday.
There have been no reported injuries because of latches' releasing, Ford spokesman Glenn Ray said. NHTSA discovered the problem during tests of the 2003 Windstar. Windstars from model years 2001-2003 are affected in the recall.
From Vindicator staff and wire reports