Business news digest

REGION

UCFC President Lodge to retire, leave board

YOUNGSTOWN — David Lodge, president and chief operating officer of United Community Financial Corp., is retiring, effective March 1, the company said.

He also is resigning as a board member of the company, which is the holding company of Home Savings and Loan Co.

Lodge joined Home Savings in 2000 as president and chief operating officer and moved into his current position at United Community in 2007.

“David’s leadership, commitment to our company and involvement on our board has been greatly appreciated,” said Douglas M. McKay, United Community’s chairman of the board.

NATION

Chrysler to temporarily close 4 assembly plants

DETROIT — Chrysler LLC says it will temporarily close four assembly plants next week because of weak U.S. sales.

The company says it will idle factories in Brampton, Ontario; Sterling Heights, Mich.; Belvidere, Ill., and Detroit from Monday through Friday.

Spokesman Max Gates says it’s because of economic conditions. Additional closures are possible because the company reviews its production schedules every week.

The Brampton factory makes the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger.

Sterling Heights Assembly builds the Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring, while Belvidere makes the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass and Patriot.

The Detroit factory on Conner Avenue builds the Dodge Viper.

Associated Press