BARBOURSVILLE -- The First State Bank announces the launch of its new online financial calculators.

The bank added 25 financial calculators to its Web site to assist customers in their personal financial decisions. The site offers tools to help with balancing a checkbook, home budgets, college student budgets, mortgages, debt consolidation, credit card management, auto loan calculations, planning for retirement and some business-related calculators as well.

"During a time when many consumers are taking a closer look at personal finances, tools like this are very valuable," Adam Daniels, marketing director with the bank, said in a press release. "You can use these tools to get organized, plan your personal finances and more, all from the convenience of your home or office." The calculators can be viewed by visiting http://www.fsb-wv.com/calculators.

The First State Bank is an independent, community bank celebrating more than 100 years of service.

Ashland Inc. reports $10 million 4Q loss

COVINGTON, Ky. -- Ashland Inc. on Tuesday reported a $10 million fourth-quarter loss, a drop the company attributes in part to a rising cost of raw materials.

The Covington-based chemicals company said only $1 million, or 1 cent per share, of the loss in the fiscal quarter that ended Sept. 30 was from continuing operations. Another $9 million, or 15 cents per share, was from operations it no longer owns or intends to sell.

A year ago, Ashland's earnings were $32 million, or 52 cents per share.

Ashland reported operating income of $28 million in the fourth quarter, $2 million more than the same period in 2007.

Ashland Chairman and CEO James J. O'Brien says the company has been hampered by the recent economic downturn. He predicted an upswing due to several strategic moves to improve the company's performance, including the pending acquisition of Hercules Inc.

Augusta Systems gets supplemental contract

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- A Morgantown network technology company has been awarded a supplemental computer-networking contract with the Navy.

Augusta Systems Inc. announced the $1.9 million contract Tuesday. It follows a $10 million Navy contract awarded to the company last year for similar work.

The company is building a network to link battlefield sensors and remote-controlled reconnaissance vehicles, enabling them to communicate without the need for human intervention.

AP Video