Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 31, 1993 TAG: 9303310073
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Staff report and Associated Press
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
After five months of mostly declining gasoline prices, the self-serve regular unleaded average rose 1.7 cents in one month to $1.11 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association. The motor club said Tuesday the price is the highest in more than three months and is 4.2 cents more than the 1992 pre-Easter price.
The monthly average price increased at least 1.5 cents for all other grades, including self-serve mid-grade, which climbed 1.6 cents to $1.212 per gallon. Self-serve premium unleaded rose 1.5 cents to $1.292.
Full-serve regular unleaded jumped 2.4 cents to $1.417 per gallon. Mid-grade unleaded increased 2.8 cents to $1.509 and premium unleaded rose 2.3 cents to $1.57.
Limestone plant's founder retires
Clifford E. Wells, founder of James River Limestone Co. of Buchanan, has retired from active management after almost 43 years in the limestone business.
J.M. O'Brien Jr. of Roanoke has followed him as president.
Wells will continue as board chairman. His family and the company's employee stock ownership plan own the business.
O'Brien was vice president of Mitchell Distributing Co., a Roanoke County construction equipment firm. He has been in that field 25 years.
The Buchanan firm laid off 12 employees Friday because of a lack of orders, O'Brien said. The company had a work force of 125 people before the layoffs.
Abbott Labs to invest in Altavista plant
LYNCHBURG - Abbott Laboratories plans to invest $20 million in its Ross Laboratories plant in Altavista, creating at least 60 jobs.
Abbott Laboratories considered two other plants, in Arizona and Ohio, for the expansion, said David G. Dickson, director of business services for the state Department of Economic Development.
The Illinois-based parent company chose Altavista, he said, after the state offered a $250,000 grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund to expand a sewage pumping station near the plant. - Associated Press
Dibrell, Standard companies to merge
DANVILLE - Dibrell Brothers Inc. and Standard Commercial Corp. have announced plans to merge the tobacco companies within four months.
Both companies' boards of directors have approved a merger agreement, according to a statement from Danville-based Dibrell.
The merged company will be owned 60 percent by Dibrell shareholders and 40 percent by Standard shareholders. - Associated Press
by CNB