No. 1 in auto sales

No. 1 in auto sales

YOUNGSTOWN

Dealerships owned by David A. Flynn ranked No. 1 in automotive sales with a combined total of 7,220 vehicles, outselling the next local competitor by 2,215 new and used vehicles, according to final sales figures published by the Automotive Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio for 2011.

It is the sixth-straight year Flynn dealerships have accomplished that feat.

The Flynn dealerships, the largest group in Northeast Ohio, include Columbiana Buick Cadillac Chevrolet in Columbiana, The Honda Store and Donnell Ford in Boardman, Donnell Ford Lincoln of Salem, Power Chevrolet Buick GMC in Calcutta and Performance Trucks in New Waterford.

Gas prices decrease

YOUNGSTOWN

Ohio gasoline prices have dropped more than 15 cents from last week but remain high for this time of year.

Analysts note that fuel costs remain under pressure from tensions in the Persian Gulf.

A survey Monday from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and Wright Express put Ohio’s average price for regular-grade gas at about $3.31 a gallon, compared with $3.47 a week ago. One year ago, regular was averaging $3.09 statewide.

In the Mahoning Valley, gas now averages about $3.33 per gallon, down from $3.38 this time last week.

Iran has threatened to close the entrance to the Persian Gulf if the U.S. and other countries impose more sanctions on its nuclear program.

PFGBest analsyt Phil Flynn says gas prices will go up or down by as much as 50 cents a gallon depending on what happens with Iran.

Landowners’ events

YOUNGSTOWN

Denny Malloy and Rob Palowitz, hosts and sponsors of the “Mahoning Valley Shale & Energy Show,” will conduct two landowners’ meetings for those interested in learning more about the natural-gas and oil industry.

There will be two meetings: from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Yankee Lake Ballroom, 1814 state Route 7 NE, Brookfield, and from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 1 at Boardman Park Rotary Room, 375 Boardman-Poland Road, Boardman.

For more information, call Malloy at 330-507-9489 or Palowitz at 330-333-1186.

Union targets stores

YOUNGSTOWN

Three new Youngstown grocery stores could have more than customers when they open next month.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union already has stationed information pickets outside Bottom Dollar at 890 E. Midlothian Blvd., according to 21 WFMJ-TV, The Vindicator’s broadcast partner.

The union promises similar pickets at Bottom Dollar’s other soon-to-open locations at 2649 Glenwood Ave., Unit 1, and 3377 Mahoning Ave.

All three Bottom Dollar stores, the first in Ohio, will open at 8 a.m. Feb. 9.

The UFCW says it hopes to encourage people to shop at supermarkets that employ union workers.

The union in 2009 picketed at Henry Nemenz’s stores in Sharon, Pa., Hubbard, Poland and Struthers.

Vindicator staff reports