REGION

REGION
UCFC earnings decline after gain in 2003
YOUNGSTOWN -- United Community Financial Corp. earned $5 million, or 17 cents a share, in the second quarter, compared with $7 million, or 22 cents a share, in the same quarter last year.
Earnings declined partly because of a $4.2 million gain in 2003 from the sale of mortgage loans, said Douglas McKay, chairman and chief executive. Also, new mortgage loans have declined this year, he said. UCFC is the parent company of Home Savings and Loan Co. and Butler Wick Corp.
WORLD
Honda to sell cheaper car
TOKYO -- Honda Motor Co. will start selling a lower-priced car targeting young people in North America starting in 2006, a market that the Japanese automaker sees as key to continued growth, chief executive Takeo Fukui said. The car will be priced lower than the Civic compact, which starts at about $13,000, to respond to growing demand for cheaper models, Fukui said.
From Vindicator staff and wire reports