Friendly’s closes

Friendly’s closes

POLAND

Apex Hospitality Inc., a Friendly’s franchisee, announced the closing of its Friendly’s location at 3 W. McKinley Way. Operations stopped immediately. No other information was given.

Event at Mr. Darby’s

NORTH LIMA

Mr. Darby’s Antique & Collectible Emporium, 11734 South Ave., is celebrating its two-year anniversary Friday.

The business will be open for special hours from 7 to 10 p.m. for an appreciation party with complimentary food and drink. There will also be a two-day silent auction to benefit Angels for Animals. On Saturday, Mr. Darby’s will offer 5 percent off jewelry and 10 percent off any item purchased with the donation of canned food to South Range Council of Churches.

Holiday festivities

COLUMBIANA

The Columbiana Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau will kick off the holiday season Friday featuring a variety of activities, including the Town Tree Light Up at 6 p.m., the annual Christmas parade at 6:30 p.m. and the Joy of Christmas light show at 7 p.m.

Weight-loss center opens newest site

WARREN

The Center for Medical Weight Loss announced the opening of its newest center, 4681 Mahoning Ave., under the direction of Dr. Zachary Veres. The Center for Medical Weight Loss offers clients a long-term weight- loss approach managed with the full support of certified medical professionals.

Ohio gas prices up

Ohio gas prices are a few cents higher to start the workweek. The average price for a gallon of regular gas was $2.87 in Monday’s survey from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and WEX Inc. That’s up 3 cents from a week ago, but 26 cents less than last month at this time.

Monday’s national average was $2.89 per gallon, which is 4 cents lower than last week and a quarter less than a month ago.

Analysts say gas prices will likely remain low through the end of the year amid decreased demand and lower crude oil prices.

Toledo saw the lowest prices among Ohio’s metropolitan areas, with a gallon of gas averaging about $2.82 Monday.

Parents’ standing asserted in Ohio slots challenge

COLUMBUS

An anti-gambling group tells the Ohio Supreme Court parents of public-school students should be given legal standing to sue Gov. John Kasich over his decision to legalize slots-like video lottery terminals and use some proceeds for non-educational purposes.

The Ohio Roundtable made its argument in a brief filed Friday.

This case alleges Kasich’s decision to allow VLTs at the state’s seven horse tracks and to share proceeds with facility operators violated the Ohio Constitution because slots aren’t a legal form of gambling and lottery proceeds must go to education.

Justices agreed last year to decide the standing issue.

Vindicator staff/wire reports

Selected local stocks

STOCK, DIVIDENDCLOSECHANGE

Aqua America, .61, 26.14 .02

Avalon Holdings,3.50.00

Clear Channel, .46 21.40 .20

Cortland Bancorp, 15.51.00

Farmers Nat., .128.36 —.12

First Energy, 1.44, 36.36.47

Fifth/Third, .5220.17.00

FirstMerit Corp., .64,18.64 —.10

First Niles Financial, .32,9.25.00

FNB Corp., .48,12.89—.07

General Motors, 1.2032.31.52

General Electric, .88,26.61.15

Huntington Bank, .20, 10.09—.01

JP Morgan Chase, 1.60,60.38.10

Key Corp, .26,13.24—.11

LaFarge, 17.08 —.03

Macy’s, 1.25, 61.61—.44

Parker Hannifin, 1.92, 128.56.12

PNC, 1.92,87.28—.13

RTI Intl. Metals,23.61—.01

Simon Prop. Grp.,5.20,178.50.47

Stoneridge 11.50 —.22

Talmer Bank, 14.05.00

United Comm. Fin., .04 5.11—.02

Selected prices at 4 p.m. Monday. Provided by Stifel. Not to be construed as an offer or recommendation to buy or sell any security.