REGION

REGION
Gas prices in regiondrop by a penny
YOUNGSTOWN -- Gasoline prices in Northeast Ohio dropped a penny this week to an average of $1.75 per gallon, according to AAA Ohio Motorist Association's Fuel Gauge Survey, but prices in the Youngstown-Warren area were lower, averaging $1.70 on Friday. Nationwide the self-serve average was $1.76, up a penny from a week ago.
AAA said gasoline prices have been varying considerably from state to state -- averaging $2.12 in California last week, while Oklahoma averaged $1.62.
Second Hands opens,offering home assistance
BOARDMAN -- Johnnie Dannett Jeter and Jean Whykeia Noisette are partners in a new business, Second Hands, LLC, a home care assistance and errand service at 3960 Hillman Way in Boardman. The business offers medication monitoring, meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry services and other help for elderly or homebound clients, and it offers errand services for busy people. The company can be reached at (330) 782-8657.
Geneva College offershelp with tax returns
BEAVER FALLS, Pa. -- Geneva College is offering free tax assistance to elderly and low-income taxpayers from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays through April 12. The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program has certified Geneva accounting students to help qualified taxpayers complete their 2003 forms.
The service is available at Northwood Hall, Room 112 at Geneva. Assistance will be offered for the following tax forms only: 1040EZ, 1040 A, 1040 simple, schedules A and B only, and PA40. Appointments are required and may be made by calling (724) 847-6615.
NATION
IntelliChoice to launchvehicle-buying guide
DETROIT -- Primedia Inc.'s IntelliChoice arm, which provides vehicle pricing, leasing data and other automotive information through its Web site, will launch a quarterly consumer-oriented magazine next week. The IntelliChoice Buyer's Guide is scheduled to hit newsstands Tuesday.
In addition to specifics on vehicle pricing, the magazine will provide ownership information, cost analyses of certain models and "how-to" pieces on topics such as maximizing trade-ins, among other features. The publication, which will have no paid advertising, will sell for $7.95 in the United States and $9.95 in Canada.
The inaugural issue highlights winners of the company's Best Overall Value of the Year awards. It features information on 245 models.
From staff and wire reports