Ben and Emma mark Halloween

Ben and Emma mark Halloween

boardman

The Farmers National Bank mannequins, known as Ben and Emma, that rest atop the Farmers billboard on Route 224 now are dressed as the Tin Man and Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz” in honor of Halloween.

The bank pays special attention to the mannequins, intended to generate interest and attention from passers-by.

Initially, the campaign began with an introduction to both characters, their engagement and marriage and the acquisition of both a home and a dog.

Most recently, Ben and Emma were dressed in Youngstown State University apparel to show support for the school at the beginning of the football season.

Ice-cream maker recalls some items

UTICA, Ohio

An Ohio ice-cream maker is voluntarily recalling some of its peanut-butter flavored products because of suspected salmonella contamination.

Velvet Ice Cream said Thursday that some of the peanut products bought from Sunland Inc. for use in the ice-cream flavors could be contaminated.

The recalled Velvet products are sold mostly at convenience stores, ice-cream parlors and small, independent retailers in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

The possibly affected Velvet brands include Peanut Butter Cup, Supreme Peanut Butter Cup and Buckeye Classic.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it is investigating the presence of salmonella in samples taken from the Sunland Inc. production facility.

United Airline drops fare increase

DALLAS

The latest attempt by airlines to raise fares has collapsed.

United Airlines said Thursday that it rolled back an increase of $4 to $10 per round trip on many U.S. routes. Delta Air Lines, which had matched the price hike that United started Tuesday night, dropped prices back earlier Thursday.

J.P. Morgan analyst Jamie Baker said the increase unraveled because it gained only limited support from a few other carriers — American, Alaska and US Airways. He said airlines have tried 12 fare hikes this year, but only four have succeeded.

US trade deficit rises to $44.2B

WASHINGTON

The U.S. trade deficit widened in August from July because exports fell to the lowest level in six months. The wider deficit likely dragged on already-weak economic growth.

The deficit grew 4.1 percent to $44.2 billion in August, the biggest gap since May, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

Exports dropped 1 percent to $181.3 billion. Demand for American-made cars and farm goods declined.

Imports edged down a slight 0.1 percent to $225.5 billion. Purchases of foreign-made autos, aircraft and heavy machinery fell. The cost of oil imports rose sharply.

Vindicator staff/wire reports