REGION

REGION
Avalon Holdings reports1st-quarter loss of $1.1M
HOWLAND -- Avalon Holdings Corp. lost $1.1 million, or 28 cents a share, in the first quarter, compared with a loss of $1 million, or 26 cents a share, in the same quarter last year. Net operating revenues in the first quarter were $13.8 million, compared with $11.6 million in the first quarter of 2003. Avalon owns Avalon Golf and Country Club, DartAmerica and other companies. The Howland-based company has lost money for four straight fiscal years.
NATION
Union to give 1-day noticeof strike intent to SBC
SAN ANTONIO -- Officials with the Communications Workers of America say they planned to give SBC Communications Inc., the nation's No. 2 local phone company, a one-day notice today of the union's plan to strike.
CWA and SBC have been trying to agree on a contract to replace one that expired April 3. Health-care costs and job security issues have been sticking points for three months in the talks.
The union, which represents 102,000 phone company workers, had promised the company it would give 24 hours' notice before a walkout in exchange for the company's promise to keep providing health benefits during a strike, the San Antonio Express-News reported.
The contract represents SBC employees in 13 states.
From Vindicator staff and wire reports