REGION

REGION

Ill. company OK’d as bidder for Blackhawk

YOUNGSTOWN — Judge Kay Woods of U.S. Bankruptcy Court has approved an Illinois company as the lead bidder for the assets of Salem-based Blackhawk Automotive Plastics. Flex-N-Gate Corp., a maker of plastic and metal parts for vehicles, has bid $16.7 million for the automotive supplier, which filed for bankruptcy court protection in October.

As lead bidder, Flex-N-Gate is entitled to a $400,000 fee if it is outbid. An auction will be held Monday, and a court hearing to approve the results is scheduled for Wednesday.

Blackhawk’s lenders required the company to auction itself as an ongoing concern. Blackhawk employs 1,500 at three plants, including 600 in Salem, and had $136 million in sales last year.

Help for those having trouble with mortgages

YOUNGSTOWN — The Save Our Valley Homes task force is holding two meetings for people who are having trouble paying their mortgages. Lawyers, bankers, real estate agents, title professionals, credit counselors, social service agencies and elected officials will be on hand to answer questions.

The meetings are at 7 p.m. today at the Packard Music Hall Shelter House, 1703 Mahoning Ave., Warren, and at 2 p.m. March 7 at the Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown. For more information, call (866) 278-0003.

NATION

Ford recalls Mustangs from 2005-2008

DETROIT — Ford Motor Co. said Wednesday it is recalling 470,000 Ford Mustangs from the 2005-2008 model years to recalibrate how forcefully the air bag deploys on the front passenger side of the car. Internal testing showed the air bag could injure a small, unbelted passenger, said Ford spokesman Wesley Sherwood.

Associated Press