Business News Digest

REGION
F.N.B. reports earnings
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- F.N.B. Corp. earned 17.4 million, or 29 cents a share, in the first quarter, compared with earnings of 15.8 million, or 27 cents a share, in the same quarter last year. F.N.B. is the holding company for First National Bank of Pennsylvania.
Harry & amp; Jean's ceremony
CANFIELD -- A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 3 p.m. today for Harry & amp; Jean's Restaurant, 6580 Ironwood Blvd. The restaurant in the Ironwood Commons plaza opened Wednesday.
Harry & amp; Jean's was created by Ralph Meranto, formerly of Poland. He opened the local restaurant after opening two others with the same theme in the Carolinas. He named the restaurant after his grandparents and based the menu on family recipes. He used to be a managing partner with Outback Steakhouse. His brother, David, is joining him in running the local restaurant and is the manager.
Ex-bank exec sentenced
AKRON -- A former KeyCorp executive was sentenced to eight years and one month in prison for stealing 40 million from the bank. David Verhotz, 57, apologized in court and asked for mercy, saying he wasn't the scoundrel some have made him out to be.
In January, Verhotz admitted fabricating 106 loans over a nine-year period beginning in 1997. He spent millions on luxury homes, jewelry, cars and payments on loans.
STATE
Kroger announces it willbuy 18 stores in Indiana
CINCINNATI -- The Kroger Co., the nation's largest traditional grocery retailer, said Thursday it will buy 18 Scott's Food & amp; Pharmacy stores in northeast Indiana from Supervalu. The transaction is expected to close this year. Terms were not disclosed. The Scott's stores will become part of the Kroger division based in Indianapolis, which operates 145 stores under the Kroger, Hilander, Owen's and Pay Less banners in parts of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio.
Robert Moeder, president of the division, said Kroger intends to continue operations under the Scott's banner.
Kroger operates 2,468 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banners.
From Vindicator staff and wire reports