REGION

REGION
UCFC lowers earningsfor third quarter
YOUNGSTOWN -- United Community Financial Corp. said it has lowered its third-quarter earnings after learning more money was needed to cover loan losses.
The parent of Home Savings and Loan Co. said it's now reporting earnings of $194,000, or 1 cent a share, instead of $3 million, or 10 cents a share, which it previously reported. In the same quarter last year, it earned $5.8 million, or 17 cents a share.
UCFC said it raised its loan loss provision after learning information on the collectability and collateral of loans made by a boat dealer. The company recorded $4.4 million in additional accounting charges related to these loans, raising the total to $8.4 million.
Restaurant opens
BOARDMAN -- Harvest Buffet and Grill, a Chinese buffet restaurant featuring up to 300 food items, was serving free food starting at 11 a.m. today to celebrate its grand opening in the Boardman Plaza.
The owner is Kevin Yang, who recently moved to Boardman from the New York City area. The restaurant employs 25.
Yang's family and partners also own two restaurants in New York City.
Local stations added
YOUNGSTOWN -- DirecTV said it is offering Youngstown television stations in its satellite package.
The California-based company said Youngstown is among the 24 markets where it is making local channels available.
Receiving them requires a second 18-inch dish, which will be provided and installed at no charge, the company said.
Chamber chief resigns
SHARON, Pa. -- David Grande, executive director of the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce, is leaving to return to banking.
Grande, who has served as executive director for three years, said he is leaving at the end of November to take a position as manager of the Hermitage Square Branch of Citizens Bank.
Grande spent six years with First Western and its successor, Sky Bank, before taking the chamber post.
He said the move back into banking offers him a better professional opportunity and better opportunities for his family as well.
The chamber board of directors will launch an immediate search for a successor, he said.
Board approves planfor plaza on Route 14
COLUMBIANA -- The city planning commission approved a site plan for a medical and retail plaza at 213-233 state Route 14, east of McDonald's.
Bob Belding, city planning and zoning officer, said the plaza will be known as Fairfield Commons and house a doctors office suite and three retail sites. The retail sites have not yet been leased.
Howells & amp; Baird Inc. engineers of Salem are engineering the project. No construction start date was given, Belding said.
Belding said the planning commission and Mayor Lowell Schloneger said the builders will work with Seventh Street residents to ensure that fencing or landscaping along the south property line be part of the building plan. The planning commission previously rejected plans for a grocery store on the property because Seventh Street residents were opposed to the plans.
From Vindicator staff reports