All posts by Hutchins AAron

Born in Deutschland 1965, hometown was Bütthart, parents were not U.S. government employees. However, when father was tricked into joining the U.S. Air Force Civil Service, in 1969, with the promise that we could remain in Germany, we were promptly shipped off to Iran. Due to one of my Iranian educators being disappeared, along with her husband, by the U.S. ally Shah of Iran's Israeli & U.S. created Savak (for the then official terrorist act of promoting the idea that women can vote), and due to my U.S. citizen mother being placed on Savak's Terrorist Arrest List (for supporting the idea that women should vote, at that time the U.S. ally Shah of Iran did not allow women to vote, now they can) we left Iran for the United States in 1973, literally in the middle of the night. At the U.S. Embassy airbase the CIA operated Gooney Bird (C-47) was so packed with other U.S. citizens fleeing our ally Iran (because the Shah gave the OK to arrest any U.S. citizen for such terrorist acts as promoting the concept of voting) that we were turned away by the Loadmaster and had to take a chance on a civilian flight out of Tehran's airport. My father told me he and my mother had three culture shocks; first when they arrived in Germany as civilians, then after being shipped off to Iran as U.S. government employees, then again returning to the United States as unemployed civilians (because so much had changed in the U.S. while they were gone, their only news source was the U.S. Armed Forces Radio & Television Service which heavily censored information about the home front). Since I graduated high school in 1982 I've worked for U.S. government contractors and state & local government agencies (in California), convenience store manager in California, retail/property management in Georgia, California and Idaho. Spent the 1990s in the TV news business producing number one rated local news programs in California, Arizona and Idaho. 14+ years with California and Idaho Army National Guard and the U.S. Air Force. Obtained a BA degree in International Studies from Idaho State University at the age of 42. Unemployed since 2015, so don't tell me the economy has recovered.
International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 18-20 January 2013. U.S. military contractor refuses to pay taxes, employees go to jail! Afghan government budget approved, you’re paying for it! More proof it’s the Afghans who’re sacrificing themselves for the U.S.!

20 January 2013

Heavy fighting reported in Helmand Province: An Afghan National Army (ANA) troop was sniped in the Charkhakyano Manda area of Sangin district. In Haji Gul Baba village of Sangin district, three ANA personnel were killed and one wounded when they drove over a landmine.   In the Samanji Karez area of Musa Kala district, Mujahideen captured four motorcycles and many weapons from local police.  In Sra Shakh and Mir Hamza Aka areas of Nahr Siraj region, Gerishk district, a U.S./NATO/ANA heliborne operation met resistance by Mujahideen.  In Basolano area of Nawa district, two cops were killed, one wounded, after their vehicle was hit with a bomb.   Near Gorgano village of Babaji district’s Loe Manda, a U.S./NATO armored vehicle hit a landmine, reports say two crewmen were killed.  In Kala Shamir region’s Mandozo area, Maiwand district, three people were killed when Mujahideen attacked a security check post.  U.S./NATO/ANA personnel invaded the Bari Gul bazaar, Shawal and Sawi Sarachi areas.  Mujahideen report that one of their own was killed.  In the Khairabad area reports say cops from the Khan-e-Sheen district HQ attacked border police personnel. Three HQ cops killed, five wounded.  No info on border cop casualties. In Nawzad district’s Sra Kala area, two separate ambushes were launched against Georgian/ISAF personnel.  The battles lasted for hours, no info on casualties for either side.

In Kunar Province, villagers report a U.S. led drone strike killed a family of five.  No other info.

In Herat Province, local police say a family blew themselves up while making explosives.  Police officials say a leader of local Mujahideen was killed, along with his wife, their two sons and a daughter.

The Afghan parliament finally approved a budget for Solar Hijri year 1392.  Most lawmakers refused to approve early budgets because most of the money went to military and national police.  Now, according to Finance Minister Hazrat Omer Zakhilwal, $1 billion USD will go to military/police and $2 billion for development/social projects.  The overwhelming majority of the funding is still coming from the taxpayers of other countries (like the United States).

Afghan National Directorate of Security (NDS) officials admitted to beating two reporters shortly after a suicide bombing in Kabul city last week.  NDS officials say they were simply concerned for the safety of the reporters and did not want them to get any closer to the crime scene!

19 January 2013

In Kunar Province, Mujahideen report launching an artillery attack on a U.S./NATO/Afghan National Army (ANA) forward operating base (FOB) in Asmar district.  They believe at least two FOB personnel were killed.

In Nangarhar Province, Achin district, Mujahideen reported an hour long ambush on U.S./NATO/ANA troops. Four troops killed, one wounded.  Mujahideen say two of their own were killed.

In Herat Province, two suicide bombers died before reaching their target.  The target was a local government building, but police say their explosive vests went off too soon, while they were riding a motorcycle.

The Afghan government has accused a European based military contractor of refusing to pay taxes.  According to Afghan government sources, supplies for U.S./NATO personnel are not taxed, but no bid food supply contractor, Supreme Group, is supposed to pay taxes on the supply services rendered.  After years of bickering, Afghan police finally arrested Supreme Group employees: “Three employees of Supreme Group including a Canadian Citizen, French Citizen and Afghan were arrested but were freed after they paid taxes.”-Rahmatullah Nazari, Deputy Afghan Attorney General

This is not the first time Supreme Group has been in trouble. Since 2005 the no bid contractor has handled food supply for the U.S. military in Afghanistan.  In 2010 the United States renewed the contract for $4 billion USD, without any bidding from other contractors.  In 2011 company officials confirmed to Newsweek that they were being investigated by U.S. officials, over possible fraud. Court documents also showed that Supreme Group was using taxpayer money to pay another contractor.  That contractor is also being investigated.

U.S. Pentagon officials gleefully reported that U.S. troop casualties due to bombs decreased in 2012.  They reported a 46% decline in U.S. deaths compared to 2011.  But get this, Afghan government troops saw a 124% increase in bomb attacks against them!  U.S. Army Lieutenant General, Michael Barbero, said that after more than ten years “Finally, our war fighters and commanders in the field are the best counter-IED capability we have. They get it and have a deep and thorough understanding of the enemy, the IED threat and how to attack it.” (yeah, it’s called pull back and force the Afghan National Army to do your dirty work)

18 January 2013

In Paktika Province, locals of Omana district say Afghan government personnel raided a village.  They kidnapped four people and stole eight motorcycles, one truck and 25 sacks of pine nuts.

In Khost Province, local Mujahideen say they assassinated a spy working for the United States in Alishir district.

Pakistani officials announced plans to release all Afghan Mujahideen prisoners still in its detention.

In Nangarhar Province, four cops were killed when they drove over a landmine.

To add insult to injury for U.S. taxpayers, after the Pentagon canceled a program to supply Afghanistan with Italian made C-27 Spartan aircraft ($600 million already spent), Airbus says they are now trying to get the Pentagon to spend money on their own transport aircraft.

European company, Airbus (a direct competitor to Boeing), wants the U.S. taxpayer to fund the use of their CN235 and CN295 aircraft.  The planes are similar to the canceled C-27 Spartan.

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 13 January 2013. “Upgrading” is corporate lingo for downsizing!

After 46 years in business, Heights Toy Center in Little rock, Arkansas, is closing.  The owner is switching to wholesale only.

A Big Lots in Lithonia, Georgia, is closed for good.   The building has been taken over by Walmart, and will be used for Walmart’s experimental grocery only store: Neighborhood Market.

Christopher’s Antiques, furniture refinishing, closing after 44 years in business.  A couple of factors led to the owner of the Nyack, New York, store deciding to retire; the business property was sold, and he is just tired of working seven days a week.

In Montclair, New Jersey, a children’s boutique is closing by mid-February.  Back in October 2012 the owners of Lili, Meili and Beau simply said on Facebook “store space is up for rent.. if anyone knows someone looking for a lovely location please let me know…its time to move on…..sadly”

Late in the day, on 13 January 2013, oil company, Halliburton, began laying off 130 people at their Duncan Manufacturing Center in Oklahoma.  Tara Mullee-Agard, Halliburton Public Relations Supervisor, called the downsizing an upgrade: “We are making a strategic investment in our test well infrastructure in Duncan, and the upgrade is scheduled to be completed in Summer 2013.”

International, U.S.

Norovirus Update, 27 January 2013: No official reporting standards! New study says people spreading the disease weeks after getting better! It’s in the fish soup & tea? Blame your veggies!

“There are multiple epidemics…..there’s not a whole lot people can do about it.”-Gary Simon, George Washington School of Medicine

“Norovirus is one of the most infectious things on the planet.”-Chris Belcher, Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent

Weeks after I first reported that this year’s norovirus (aka Norwalk virus) is a new deadly strain (Sydney 2012 hybird of the Genotype II.4 strain), the main streamers continue to report it as if it were new(s) to them.

Also, despite some media reports that people don’t usually die from norovirus, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says for an average year about 800 people in the United States do in fact die from the vomiting bug.  The CDC also said it’s too soon to tell how the new Sydney 2012 bug will affect the United States.

To make matters more difficult in reporting norovirus cases to the public, health officials are not required to track nor report cases/outbreaks of norovirus!

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environment Control is warning that the norovirus season will continue until March.

In San Diego County, California, health officials say the new strain is hitting locals hard: “About two-thirds of [gastrointestinal cases] what we’re seeing is the new Sydney strain.”-Eric McDonald, county deputy public health officer

However, McDonald also said that so far the number of cases is about average.  San Diego County has reported 27 outbreaks, and 628 confirmed cases, since last summer.

Indiana health officials also sounding a warning. The virus can survive outside a host for up to 72 hours. People who’re sick need to be isolated: “If they can stay in bed, if they can possibly use a separate bathroom, that can help the virus from being transmitted, because it is very contagious.”-Pamela Pontones, epidemiologist for the State of Indiana.

In Japan, nursing homes conintue to get hit with norovirus, and people are dying.  At least three people died between 01 January and 16 January 2013.  In December 2012, at least four people died in hospitals.

It was recently revealed that back in December 76 people became sick after eating at a buffet in the Tokyo Prince Hotel.   Also, 35 people became sick after eat meals from lunch boxes from the Ningyocho Imahan Foods Plant.  Norovirus was traced to the food factory, and it was shut down for three days of intensive cleaning.

New Zealand health officials are reporting a death caused by norovirus.  They say the Sydney 2012 strain is responsible for 17 outbreaks so far, and at least one death in a nursing home.

Ironically, the noro/Norwalk virus has ended a Native American Chief’s hunger strike in Canada. Attawapiskat Chief, Theresa Spence, was protesting the Canadian government’s continued oppression of the First Nation.  But after six weeks of not eating solid foods, she became sick with the vomiting bug.  This is interesting because supposedly all she was eating was fish broth and tea.

The vomiting bug seems to be hitting Native Americans hard, the National Chief of the First Nations, Shawn Atleo, was also ill.  He recently announced he was getting better and preparing to resume the fight against the oppressive Canadian government.

On the island of Nanaimo, in Canada’s British Columbia, hospital staff are reporting an increase in Norwalk virus cases.  It’s also hitting other areas of the province. However, health officials there don’t seem to be concerned, so far no signs of the deadly Sydney 2012 strain.   They’re still telling people to take care by isolating sick family members and cleaning everything with bleach.

Canadians returning from vacation in Cuba, and who are sick, are not being counted by government health officials. Already this year a group of seven Canadians returned from Cuba sick with symptoms of Norwalk, but because the illness was not confirmed with lab tests, the outbreak did not make official counts. Even the airlines and travel agency said officially no body got sick because no body reported it to them.  An Ontario newspaper, The Windsor Star, reported that the same thing happened last year.

Despite what many health officials say about the time period before someone is better, and supposedly no longer contagious, a new report says otherwise: “Just because someone doesn’t have active illness does not mean they can’t pass the virus along to others. Studies show that people still excrete the virus’s genetic material up to six weeks after they became infected, which probably means they can transmit it to others.”-Scientific American

More good news for us carnivores: Another report, by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) says that almost half of all deaths caused by food illnesses, are from contaminated veggies!   Not only that, but that overall illnesses from “non-animal” foods are on the increase, while diseases from food of animal origin (FoAO) are declining!  Take that you wanna-be rabbits!

Check my previous postings about norovirus.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Updated list of U.S. job losses & store closings, 12 January 2013.

Ohio media reporting 100 people will be out-o-work when Superior Fibers moves operations to Mexico.  The company specializes in air filters for HVAC, and fiber glass reinforcements.  Company officials blame their move to Mexico on increased competition, and the high cost of ongoing environmental clean up operations at their Bremen, Ohio, factory.

An Alton, Illinois, insurance company, Millers First, laid off 12 people.  Company officials blame drastically low interests rates which have severely affected the company’s investments, and they credit more automation which replaces people.

A ‘collectibles’ store in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, closing down.  The owner of Tilburys Knob says business would be better if there were more variety of stores in the area: “Business is pretty good, but it could be better. I felt there should have been more shops down here. There would be more shoppers if there was more opportunity to buy things. There have been a lot of nice people and good customers, but not enough.”-Stan Nowak

Rhodes Bake-N-Serv is closing its Caldwell, Idaho, bread factory and moving it to Wisconsin.  Production will end in April, leaving 49 Idahoans out-o-work. The Caldwell factory has been in operation since 1962.

In Santa Cruz, California, headset maker, Plantronics, is laying off 41 people, and moving some production to its Mexico factory.

American Esoteric Laboratories laying off 65 people in Memphis, Tennessee. The company provides doctors and hospitals with lab services. Company officials said the layoffs are the result of a drastic change in how payments for lab services are being reimbursed.

The 100 years old Denis Sport Shop in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, announced it is closing.  Company owners blame climate change, the bad economy and local road construction which cut off the store from customers.

Another irony, the Waccamaw Economic Oppurtunity Council laid off eight employees, and cut social help programs.  This affects Georgetown, Horry and Williamsburg counties in South Carolina.  Council officials blame big cuts in the federal government funding.  The biggest programs they offer involve helping people pay utilities and rent.  In Georgetown County alone, they’re currently helping 100 people.  They expect double that in Horry County, but will be hard pressed to help due to the funding cuts.

The Aubuchon Hardware in Bangor, Maine, closed without much warning.  Faithful customers were still showing up after everything was shuttered up.  Employees were inside moving inventory. The hardware store had been in business since 1969.  The manager said he couldn’t compete against the big box national hardware chains, and the only reason he stayed open this long is because the landlord gave him a break on the rent: “It’s been something we’ve been thinking about for a year and a half. In fact, we got a reprieve a little over a year ago when the owners of the building decreased the rent to allow us to stay here.”-Fred Stewart

 

 

Influenza

U.S. Influenza update, 25 January 2013: All 50 states affected, epidemic levels! 37 children dead! No paid sick leave? Insurance companies crying in their beer? More proof the vaccine is a joke!

25 January 2013, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting flu cases in all 50 U.S. states, and at least 37 children have died.  Remember, what the CDC reports is delayed as they have to wait for state officials to report in, and state officials have to wait for local health reports.

CDC also reporting that the percentage of deaths has exceeded official epidemic levels.  Last week it was 9.8%, the CDC’s official epidemic level is 7.3%.  The CDC does not track the number of adults who die, but compares the percentage of flu related deaths to other causes of death.

40 people have died in Indiana, 13 this past week.

In the Gem State of Idaho, 15 people have died since the start of the official flu season on 01 October 2012.  Two of those people who died were not residents of Idaho.

The Washington Health Department reporting increasing flu deaths: “We’ve had 17 laboratory confirmed deaths in Washington this season and 15 of them were 70 and older.”-Donn Moyer, Health Department.

So Far 11,000 people in Massachusetts tested positive for flu, 20 have died. Yet, health officials claim the flu has peaked, then again maybe not as hospitals in Boston are still seeing hundreds of flu patients per day:  “It does seem to have peaked here, but there are still a lot of sick people out there. Far more than last year, probably more than we’ve seen since H1N1.”-Jim Heffernan, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

17 people have died in Connecticut.

In California, San Diego County continues to see people die from flu. Eight deaths last week brings the total to 14.  Interestingly state health officials are still not including San Diego County deaths in their state count, which currently stands at five!?

Schools in Tennessee closed down. The Obion County School System has closed for the second time this flu season. One day there were as many as 541 students out sick.

Oklahoma health officials reporting a doubling of deaths in the past week. 14 people are now dead. Several grade schools were closed.

Arkansas reporting 19 deaths.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reports a 27% increase in cases last week.  Local drug stores are reporting shortages of flu vaccines and Tamiflu.  At least 40 people have died.

State health officials in New Jersey have linked the deaths of four children to the flu. Hackensack University Medical Center closed their ER because they were swamped with flu patients!  Health officials say the H3N2 flu strain is worse this year because people infected with it are developing pneumonia much more easily.  There are also reports that hospitals are having a hard time getting a hold of Tamiflu.

Data out of New York shows 20,000 people sick, more than 5,348 hospitalized.  Quinnipiac University announced that any student sick with flu will be banned from school,  unless their homes are more than 200 miles from school, then they’ll be quarantined in empty apartments in the Complex residence hall! In the City of New York workers who do not get paid sick leave held a rally to bring attention to the elites that they can not afford to take off work because they’re sick.  This after the elitist mayor of New York City declared a health emergency.

According to the Community Service Society, more than 1 million people in New York City work jobs that do not have paid sick leave!

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 43% of workers in the United States have no health coverage!

Even with that fact, the three biggest insurers in the U.S., UnitedHealth Group, WellPoint, and Aetna, are already complaining about how much they’ve paid out to doctors and hospitals.  They claim they’ve paid out $1 million USD more than last year, and the flu season is only half way done.

Despite reports of flu vaccine shortages, the number of people getting flu shots is no different than last year. For the 2011-12 flu season 47.6% of the population got flu shots, and according to the CDC it looks like it will be close to the same for the 2012-13 flu season.

Now how about that flu shot?  As I’ve tried to point out before, each year’s vaccines are short and behind the times: “These experts at the CDC say, OK, I think it’s going to be strains one, two and three this year, so that’s what we’re going to make the vaccine protect people against. But it’s a guessing game; so if it’s one, two and five and you get the vaccine, you’re not protected against three and five.”-Brian MacDonald, University at Buffalo microbiology and immunology department

In fact, there is a growing number of medical staff refusing to get the flu shot!  One hospital (Montefiore Medical Center) in New York City reported that 50% of their staff have refused to take the vaccine!

Medical researchers are not only using Google to predict the severity of influenza, but now they’re using Twitter. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University are tracking how many Twitter messages are from people complaining about being sick.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 15-17 January 2013. More Green on Blue attacks! Orphan girl gang raped! Villagers Honor Kill rapist, and his victim! U.S./European/Asian taxpayers directly funding Afghan government! Saffron replaces opium!

17 January 2013

In Herat Province, witnesses say U.S. personnel open fired on two women and two children, killing them.  U.S. officials claim the women and children were Mujahideen!

While on trial in the United States, a USMC Staff Sergent admitted to desecrating Afghan bodies (a violation of the UCMJ). He said the whole purpose was to take “trophy photographs”.  He pled guilty, but under a plea agreement he will likely be demoted in rank, only.

In Kandahar Province, a local cop shot and killed his boss. He did it after poisoning his fellow cops. He is on the loose.

In response to Afghan government officials releasing hundreds of prisoners (who’ve never been charged with anything by U.S./NATO forces) the United States has stopped handing over prisoners to Afghan counterparts.   It’s also in response to Afghan officials saying many of those prisoners showed signs of torture, and blamed U.S. personnel since they were in charge.

In Parwan Province, the roof of a building at the Bagram airbase collapsed, killing three people. International Security Assistant Force (ISAF) said they are investigating the cause.

In Balkh Province, a five story building used as a market place/bazar caught fire.  The main product sold there is wholesale clothing.  Witnesses say at least one person died after jumping from the building.  Two other similar markets, in Kabul city, caught fire at the end of December.

16 January 2013

In Uruzgan Province, two Afghan government security personnel were killed, two wounded, after their attempt to diffuse a bomb failed.

In Kabul Province, Kabul City, explosions and gunfire rocked the capital city.  A group of suicide attackers hit the National Directorate of Security compound.  Government officials and witnesses say at least 12 people killed and dozens wounded.

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan today.”

The British empire Red Coat Royal Army also reported that one of their troopers, who was blown up a few days earlier in Helmand Province, had finally died of his wounds.

In Daikundi Province, a 15 years old orphan girl was gang raped by six security guards.  Because of her age she was transferred from a children’s home to a shelter for women.  Officials suspect she was raped by the security guards at the shelter, all have been arrested (which resulted in the women’s shelter being closed). Local officials say the victim is in bad shape and probably needs to go to a hospital.  No info on why the security guards did it (if they did).

In Ghazni Province, local government officials say a vigilante group killed a man they say raped one of their own.  They also ‘honor killed’ the victim!  “A man was trying to rape a woman while her husband was away from home but the relatives of the woman kill her along with the man after they were informed of the incident.”-Deh-Yak Mohammad, District Attorney

Yet again the Afghan parliament has rejected the budget for Solar Hijri year 1392.  At issue is the use of most of the funds for military/police, and very little for anything else.  Also, there is a suspicious fund called the Caution Code, which would be allocated $580 million USD, yet gives no explanation for what the money will be spent on.  Taxpayers in other countries (like the United States) should take note; the majority of the funding for the Afghan budget is coming from you!

Your money flowing into Afghanistan is one reason why your country is struggling economically, and why Afghanistan is actually growing!  According to the World Bank, Afghanistan’s economy is blasting off despite other countries going down: “Economic growth in South Asia weakened considerably in 2012 to an estimated 5.4 percent, from 7.4 percent the previous year [still much, much better than the U.S.]. Delayed monsoon rains, electricity shortages, macroeconomic imbalances including large
fiscal deficits and high inflation, and policy and security uncertainties contributed to subdued economic activity in the region, which also faced negative impacts from the Euro Area debt crisis and a weak global economy. In contrast, Afghanistan’s economy grew robustly by about ….”

15 January 2013

In Farah Province, Afghan National Police (ANP), along with local cops,  ambushed an Italian NATO troop convoy, during the night.  Local government officials say the Italians were not hit.  However, Mujahideen say three Italians were killed, and ISAF has refused to comment.

In Kunar Province, Mujahideen say they’ve shot down, or blew up, a U.S./NATO helicopter on or over a U.S. base.  No other info was reported.

In Kandahar Province, four people were killed when they drove over a landmine.

In Helmand Province, local government officials say a program to replace opium crops with saffron is working (it’s another reason why the World Bank says Afghanistan’s economy is booming, see above). Anyone who uses saffron in their cooking knows how expensive it is, which is why it makes a good replacement for opium poppies. Helmand officials plan to expand the program this year.

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Kmart in South Carolina goin’ down! Chrysler turns empty Kmart into huge paint shop!

25 January 2013, a Kmart in Irmo, South Carlolina, will close in April.  Sears Holdings said they will not renew the lease.  Local speculation is that all the areas’ Kmarts will see their leases expire.  Officials with Sears Holdings will not give anymore info, and the Irmo store manager was not able to answer questions from local media.

According to local media reports, it is the third Kmart to close in the Columbia/Midlands area in the past three years. The Irmo store had been in business for 35 years.

A closed Kmart store in Auburn Hills, Michigan, has been taken over by Chrysler/Dodge.  The former discount store targeting middle and lower income earners is now used to paint cars for the upper class: The Dodge Viper, which starts out at $99,995 USD!  At least the new paint shop employs about 60 people, making more money than the former employees of the old Kmart did.

Here’s my updated list of store closings since the end of 2011:

Arizona: Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors.

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost).

California:   El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (at least 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost).

Colorado:  Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost),  Denver Kmart (number of jobs lost have not been made public at this time, but could be at least 40).

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost).

Guam:  Sears Hometown Store.

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway to be closed by 03 February 2013 (69 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Illinois:  Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost).  By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state.  The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Iowa:  Cedar Rapids Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors.

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, Flint Kmart (46 jobs lost).

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart.

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line.

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line.

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials.

North Carolina: High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost),  West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost).

New Jersey:  Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost).

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost).

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost).   Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned).

Oregon: Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center), Milwaukie Kmart (61 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost).

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (approximately 50 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, recently revealed Irmo Kmart (no info on how many jobs lost).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost).

Texas: Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost), Farmers Branch Sears/Great Indoors, Houston Sears Great/Indoors.

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost),  Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost),  Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears will be closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center

Washington: Bellis Fair Mall (Bellingham store, see above)

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

Business/Economics

What Economic Recovery? Updated list of U.S. job losses & store closings, 08-11 January 2013. Hobby shops closing up! No soup for you, California! Thousands more out-o-work, factories continue being moved to other countries! More of god’s christian churches shut down! Blame the landlords!

11 January 2013

Blockbuster video store closed in Greensburg, Indiana.

Ironically, Illinois Department of Employment Security announced they are closing seven offices and laying off 192 people!

SAC Capital closing its Chicago, Illinois, office.  Company officials said it didn’t make sense to maintain an office in Chicago. (I have no pity for investment companies or their employees).

Abercrombie and Fitch closing store in Charlston, West Virginia.  Last day is 26 January 2013.

Cobham Composite Products (after three years in business) closing factory in Suffolk, Virginia. 50 people out-o-work.

GearWorld North America (Italian owned) will close its Virginia Beach, Virginia, operation. 70 people out-o-work.

In the midst of viral outbreaks and epidemics, the Orleans Community Health hospital, in Medina, New York, is laying off or cutting the hours of 25 people. Hospital officials blamed federal government cuts in Medicaid and Medicare.

Hudson Valley Community College, in New York, cutting 28 jobs.  college officials said that since 2009 there was an uptick in enrollment, but since last year enrollment is way down due to the increased cost of financing a college education.

Rumors continue about upper management layoffs at the New York Times.  It’s being blamed on declining revenues.

American Eagle clothing store in DeWitt, New York.

Good Times party store (after 18 months in business) in Potsdam, New York.

The Maine-Endwell school district, in New York, cut nine jobs. They blame a $3.8 million USD budget deficit!

Accent Marketing Services call center in Zephyrhills, Florida. About 54 jobs lost.

Campbell Soup’s closing its oldest factory in Sacramento, California.  290 jobs lost by 01 February 2013.  That’s just from Phase 1 of the soup factory shut down, by the time the factory is closed this summer at least 760 people will be out-o-work!  The Sacramento factory has been in operation since 1947. Work is being moved to North Carolina, Ohio and Texas.

Zacky Farms, in California, is no more, or is it?  The company was supposedly being liquidated after filing bankruptcy.  Employees even got a notice, saying layoffs will begin 31 January.  The latest news is that the chicken processor will remain under the control of the Zacky family, even though it’s being sold for $31.6 million USD.  That’s because it was the Zacky Family Trust that made the highest bid during the bankruptcy sale!  Isn’t big business wonderful?  They go bankrupt, layoff employees then buy their own company during the bankruptcy sale!

Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts store in Glendale, California. Will be replaced with 166 apartments!

Bret Harte Union High School District Board of Education, California, announced planned layoffs.  How many people will lose their jobs was not revealed, but the school district officials blame a huge drop in local property tax revenues.

Kaplan’s Furniture (after 100 years in business) in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Current 3rd gen owner says profits keep falling, and his sons do not want to take over business.

Flair Fashions in York, Pennsylvania. Owner doesn’t have a clue: “It doesn’t seem to be getting any better. I don’t know if it’s the spot we’re in. I have no clue. It just doesn’t seem to be working for us down here.”-Andrea Giuffrida

James R.D. Oldham School in Riverside, Rhode Island, is being considered for closure.  Declining enrollment blamed.

School District 11 proposing to close down three Colorado Springs schools. They blame a district wide decline in student enrollment.

Ohio‘s Lorain County Children Services to layoff 14 employees.  Blame lack of government funding.

Williams-Sonoma high-end houseware and cookware store closed in Fairlawn, Ohio.

Brooks Brothers clothing store in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Apex Tool Group announced it’s closing its Gaston, North Carolina, factory in June. 220 jobs lost.  Shifting work to Texas and China.

The $8.5 billion settlement involving Bank of America, Wells Fargo and eight other companies, has resulted in several hundreds of employees, with North Carolina‘s Promontory Financial Group, losing their jobs. Turns out the jobs were temporarily created as part of the federal government’s investigation in to the crimes of the too big to fail banks.

Travelers Insurance claim center closing in Jackson, Mississippi. 52 jobs lost. Company officials said the call center “….doesn’t align with our current business model.”

JE Dunn Construction shutting down Bellevue, Washington, office.  Some of the 20 employees will be let go. Consolidating operations.

Kinetic Concepts hospital bed factory being closed in San Antonio, Texas.  95 people out-o-work.  The move comes after the company was taken over by Swiss company Getinge Group. The new Swiss owners are moving production to Poland and China.

Zimmer Spine closing its Austin, Texas, operations. About 100 employees affected. Moving to Minnesota and Tennessee.

Boeing announced 160 layoffs at their El Paso, Texas, factory. The cuts will take place through the end of 2014.  Boeing blames federal government spending cuts.

Bloomberg Government, an internet subscription news service, laid off 20 people.

Oxford Networks, fiber optic company, laying off 12 people across the U.S.

EBSCO Industries laying off 12 people at its Alabama HQ.

10 January 2013

The New York based company, American Express, announced that it will lay off 5,400 people in 2013!  Company officials said most of the cuts will affect positions that do not directly make money for the company.

New York based magazine company, Time Incorporated, announced they will lay off 700 people by the end of February!  They blame declining sales on internet competitors (how ’bout the fact that most people just don’t have the money to pay for niceties like magazines?).

Barnes & Noble closing their Union Station, New York, store.   They blame the landlord: “An agreement was reached….but prior to having the agreement fully executed the landlord changed their mind.”

After 57 years in business McHarris gift store closing in Utica, New York. The owner is focusing on the restaurant business.

After 91 years preaching god’s word, the Episcopal Church in Totowa, New Jersey, is closed. Church officials blame lack of attendance, which equates to lack of money.

20 East Cleveland, Ohio, cops and dispatchers were told they are unemployed. City officials blame a $8 million budget shortfall.

Superior Fibers closing their factory in Fairfield County, Ohio.  Moving to Mexico. 100 employees out-o-work.

After 21 years in business a Minneapolis, Minnesota, Neiman Marcus store will close in February.

Too big to fail Chase bank closing loan processing center in Louisville, Kentucky.  Operations will be moved to Illinois, Delaware and the country of India.

After almost 53 years of business, Martin’s Jewelers in Fort Payne, Alabama is closed.

GT Advanced Technologies, a solar power company, will close it’s Hazelwood, Missouri, factory. 35 people out-o-work. They are moving production to their New Hampshire factory.

Missouri based bankrupt Bakers Footwear failed to save the rest of its stores by selling them off.  The result is all remaining 56 stores will close.  In 2012, the inventory of 151 Bakers stores were sold off.  The company started selling women’s shoes in 1924.

The nonprofit Delaware Hospice in Wilmington, Delaware, let go 52 employees. They blame a reduction in federal Medicaid and Medicare payments.

Jefferson County, Illinois, will lay off 28 people at the County jail.  They blame a drop in the immigrant prisoner population, which means a reduction in federal funds. (you see, prisons are a for profit operation in the United States)

Too big to fail Bank of America closing a branch office in Evanston, Illinois.

In Tennessee, the Wok Hay restaurant chain will close.  A victim of parent company Ruby Tuesday.

In Tennessee, the Marlin & Ray’s restaurant chain is closed.  A victim of parent company Ruby Tuesday.

Planned Parenthood in Tusla, Oklahoma, closed after the State Department of Health terminated its WIC contract.

Oklahoma‘s SandyRidge Energy laid off employees after it sold off a big chunk of assets to a Texas company.  No details as to exactly how many people will lose their jobs.

110 people were laid off at the Lockheed Martin factory in Fort Worth, Texas.  The layoffs were announced back in November 2012.  Ken Ross, a company official, said “…we want to make sure we remain competitive.”

In Georgia, the merger of RedPrairie and JDA Software will result in at least 400 RedPrairie employees losing their jobs.

Publix, a Florida based grocery store chain, is closing its stores in Georgia. Plublix website claims they are the fastest growing grocery store chain in the U.S., but apparently not in Georgia: “We have been meeting with the community and talking with our customers about it so we are not able to turn this ship around. We have been working very hard to try to do that but we were not successful.”-Brenda Reid, Publix spokeswoman

After 19 years in business Traz Snow and Skate Shop is closing.  The owner say sales at the Grand Junction, Colorado, business just don’t cut it anymore: “Merchandise that used to be exclusive to this type of industry is now everywhere and people have just kind of forgotten about us. We just can’t generate enough income to stay in business anymore.”-Tom Levalley

Chairworks in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Owner wants to pursue other interests.

Dunn Quilting in Los Alamos, New Mexico.  Owner moving to home based business.

Monsterland Bar & Grill closing in Mesa, Arizona.  Reports say the owners have financial problems.

Strasbaugh, a high-tech manufacturing business based in San Luis Obispo, California, let go eight employees in an effort to remain financially sound.

Riverside County, California, will lay off ten code enforcement officers.  County officials blame a drop of $200 million in county revenues since 2007.

Premier Color Graphics, a printing company in California, closed for good with little notice to its employees.

09 January 2013

At least 200 jobs lost as Tesoro closes down its Oahu, Hawaii, fuel refinery. State officials say it was inevitable as Hawaii has been making efforts to get off petroleum fuels.

After 32 years Sunflower Books in Oregon will close: “I thought, there’s a lot of responsibility and the economy is turning and there are changes in the way people read books. I didn’t feel like I had the energy and expertise I needed. I tried for two years to find someone who had the interest in doing these things, but it didn’t work out.”-Lani Schroeder, owner

After 67 years in business Dave’s Hobby Central in Santa Barbara, California, is closed down: “It is with deep regret and a heavy heart that I must to tell you that today we have closed the doors for good! After a long and fruitless year I have no choice but to fold up the doors.”-store statement on Facebook

East Beach Wine Company in Santa Barbara, California, closed after 13 years in business.

Santa Barbara Outfitters closed after ten years of operations in California.

An employee with the San Francisco Weekly revealed that multi-layoffs will occur since the California based weekly newspaper was sold to the San Francisco Newspaper Company.

California based CODA electric car maker (heard of them?) announced more layoffs.  In December 2012 they laid off 15% of its staff.  Then “On Friday, January 4th, CODA furloughed a number of employees as the Company takes necessary action to bolster its financing and better position the business going forward.”-CODA statement

In New Mexico, BHP Billiton announced plans to lay off 100 people at their Navajo coal mine.  This is in advance of the pending sale to the Navajo nation.  But BHP is blaming the job cuts on the Arizona Public Service Company, who will shut down three of five power generators.  That’s because of federal government rules requiring some coal fired power plants to shut down.

Facebook’s Spruce Media laying off 20 employees. Spruce Media officials blame new advertising policies at Facebook.

Israel based Teva Pharmaceuticals will lay off employees around the world. They have operations in New Jersey, and already canceled a $300 million project in Pennsylvania.

Michigan based Dow Corning announced 500 layoffs, worldwide.    Most of the cuts will be in upper management: “Dow Corning has added significant professional capability and resources in support of expected and sustained growth in recent years. Since that growth didn’t materialize as expected, it was necessary to re-evaluate those investment decisions given the state of the global economy.”-Robert D. Hansen, president and CEO

Chittenango School District, in New York, say they have to close at least one school to cut costs.

Too big to fail New York bank Morgan Stanley planning 1,600 layoffs!  At least 800 of those layoffs will be in the United States.

Supervalu wants to lay off 117 employees in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. It’s the result of their closing a distribution center by March, which is blamed on huge sales losses.

Old Navy clothing store closing in Springfield, Ohio.

Charlotte Russe clothing store in Springfield, Ohio.

Clark’s Bar & Grill to be turned into new Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) home in Coshocton, Ohio.

The city of Springfield, Illinois, will cut 33 jobs under a proposed budget.

Blockbuster video store in Normal, Illinois.

Sassy Lady clothing store in Peoria Heights, Illinois.  Owners say they want out of the business.

Big Y Foods closing its Newton Street grocery store in South Hadley, Massachusetts.  They blame increasing competition, including competition from other Big Y Foods stores!

The Gloucester Community Arts Charter School, in Massachusetts, unexpectedly closed down. School officials admitted they are broke and can’t even pay the teachers!

Pennsylvania to close two prisons. The Greensburg and Cresson state prisons will be closed six months from now. The prisoners will be moved to a new prison that is actually too small for the estimated 2,400 inmates. Officially it’s part of the governor’s corrections reforms, and the expectation that less people will be sent to prison!

Ace Hardware in Hanover Township, Pennsylvania, closed. Landlord says R&H Holdings, owner of the Ace Hardware, failed to pay rent!  Everything was sold off at a bank auction.

Quad Graphics announced Wednesday it is closing its Dubuque, Iowa, printing facility. Work will be moved to other facilities. 215 jobs lost in Dubuque!  Since May 2012 Quad Graphics had already laid off several dozens of people.  Company officials blame internet competition.

Georgia‘s nuclear power plant project, Plant Vogtle, will see a reduction in construction workers.  The contractor, The Shaw Group, said they’re “…making a reduction in force on our Vogtle project, which is necessary to adjust the project staff to better align with our current scope of operation.”

After 70 years in business, Fair’s Shoes in Wichita, Kansas, to close.  Corporate owners say sales weren’t good enough.

The Leopard Lily florist and home decor store in Tuttle, Oklahoma, closed.

After 45 years John’s Best Pizza closing in Westport, Connecticut.  Owner blames the landlord: “I’ve been on a month-to-month lease for about a year but now the landlord wants to increase the rent, and I cannot afford it. Business is slow but I could survive if it stayed at the old rent.”-Dino Avellino

Snack food maker Mondelez Global International closing its San Antonio, Texas, factory. 102 people out-o-work!  They blame new third party management.

Zazios Italian Restaurant closing in Birmingham, Alabama.

Zumba Mexican Grille has closed in Birmingham, Alabama.

Kilwin’s Chocolates has closed in Birmingham, Alabama.

08 January 2013

Payless Shoes HQ in Topeka, Kansas, will lay off 45 people.  Also, they will not fill 97 current vacant positions. New owners of Payless say the job cuts are an effort to keep the company operating.

A New Hampshire Community Action Program will lay off three employees. A trustee appointed to run the program said it was necessary to keep the program financially sound.

The Visiting Nurse Association in Texas will lay off 400 personnel! Company officials say they’ve been losing money at an accelerating pace for the past three years.  Last year they lost $2.46 million, and they blame it on changes to state and federal government funding.  (thank you Obama/Romney Care?)

Macy’s announced they will begin laying off Texans in March.  At least 105 people will lose their jobs in Houston, Texas.

In California, the San Diego Workforce Partnership is cutting eight jobs: “Our economic realities compel us to make challenging and proactive decisions in order to best invest in helping the maximum number of job seekers across our region.”-Alan Kneale, SDWP

Too big to fail bank JP Morgan Chase laid off 300 people in Florence, South Carolina.

EMI music laid off employees.  Some reports say it was only nine people, others say as many as 60, including ten people in Nashville, Tennessee.  It’s the result of new ownership.

Internet news source, Politico, laid off several staff. Despite rumors that more lay offs are in the works, owners say they expect to expand their operations by the end of 2013.

Lockheed Martin closing down Sarasota, Florida, gyrocam factory. 57 people out-o-work.  A military contract expires in March.

A Thirstees Little Bling Shoppe will close in Lakewood, Ohio.

Value City Furniture closing in Greenfield, Wisconsin.

Gap and GapKids clothing stores closing in Pennsylvania.

Chelsea boutique in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

A Tangled Skein yarn store in Hyattsville, Maryland.

After almost 40 years in business, a Fred Meyer hypermarket in Spokane, Washington will close.  Fred Meyer officials say the store is one of their most successful, but the landlord jacked up the rent too high to justify continued operations there.

Eddie Bauer in Union Gap, Washington, is closing.

Zephyr Books in Reno, Nevada, is closing in June.  The owners are retiring (lucky).

Professional Transportation (PTI) will end its Bismark, North Dakota, operations. The owner of the building where PTI operated out of said it was “shocking” news.  At least 31 people out-o-work.  Company officials said the dispatch office was “redundant”.

U.S. Postal Service began notifying employees at the Kinston processing plant in North Carolina, that the plant will be shut down. At least 87 employees affected.

New Jersey based videogame maker, Majesco, shut down its Foxborough, Massachusetts operation.

Kimberly-Clark announced it will close its Belmont Mill, in Michigan, by June. 180 people out-o-work!

School District of Ypsilanti, Michigan, will lay off at least four teachers.  The district is dealing with a $2 million deficit.

After 100 years in business, Eads News & Smoke Shop closed in Boulder, Colorado.  Last year the owners put the shop up for sale, there were no takers.

Wayside Theater in Middletown, Virginia, says it will have to close if it can not raise $90,000 in the next 90 days.  Operators say before the economic recession/depression they would get bus loads of customers, not anymore.

The City of New York says they will close 17 schools, and more schools could be added to the closure list.  Since Bloomberg became mayor in 2002, 140 schools have already been closed, but don’t feel too bad for the teachers, most are still collecting their salaries!

Faxton Saint Luke’s Healthcare, in New York, laid off ten employees and will not fill 27 vacant positions. They blame cuts to federal Medicaid and Medicare programs.

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Oregon & Washington Kmarts going down! While Sears closes down stores they spend big on other properties! GGP wants $2 million tax break to replace Sears anchor store!!!

“This store is being closed because the lease was not renewed.”-Howard Riefs, Sears Holdings

A news report on 22 January 2013, revealed that Seattle, Washington, Bitter Lake neighborhood Kmart will be closed by March.  The going out-o-business sale started on 17 January.  85 people are losing their jobs.

A Kmart in Milwaukie, Oregon, will also close down by March.

The store will be closed by 03 March, leaving 61 people unemployed.  Going out-o-business sales started on 13 January, but only now is the closing making the news.  Rumor has it that the Milwaukie Kmart store will be turned into a used car store.

While Sears Holdings has been busy closing down Sears and Kmart stores, they’ve also been busy spending big money on other properties.

In Minnesota they’re spending big on a 14 to 17 acre (5.6 to 6.8 hectares) development, in Saint Paul.  It will be centered around their Rice Street Sears store, and includes 111,700 square feet of retail space, a four story office building, 18 townhouses, 121 apartments and a four level 586 space parking garage.

General Growth Properties (GGP) bought several Sears stores from Sears Holdings, and they’ve begun shutting them down. But here’s insult to injury; GGP now wants a $2 million USD tax break to replace a Sears store they’re closing!

The Sears store in GGP’s Quail Springs Mall, in Oklahoma, will close on 01 February. GGP wants a $2 million sales tax rebate, claiming it’s needed to offset capital investments needed to bring the space up to the standards of their potential new tenant, Von Maur.

Von Maur is basically the same thing as Sears, a department store. So you have to wonder why GGP is claiming they’ll be spending $15 million on capital investment to bring in a department store to replace the department store that GGP shut down.

Here’s my updated list of store closings since the end of 2011:

Arizona: Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors.

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost).

California:   El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (at least 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost).

Colorado:  Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost),  Denver Kmart (number of jobs lost have not been made public at this time, but could be at least 40).

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost).

Guam:  Sears Hometown Store.

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway to be closed by 03 February 2013 (69 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Illinois:  Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost).  By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state.  The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Iowa:  Cedar Rapids Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors.

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, Flint Kmart (46 jobs lost).

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart.

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line.

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line.

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials.

North Carolina: High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost),  West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost).

New Jersey:  Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost).

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost).

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost).   Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned).

Oregon: Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center), recently revealed Milwaukie Kmart (61 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost).

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (approximately 50 jobs lost).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost).

Texas: Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost), Farmers Branch Sears/Great Indoors, Houston Sears Great/Indoors.

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost),  Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost), recently revealed Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears will be closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center

Washington: Bellis Fair Mall (Bellingham store, see above)

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 11-14 January 2013. What global warming? People trapped by heavy snowfall! Billions more U.S. tax dollars promised to Afghanistan! U.S. led airstrikes against schools!

14 January 2013

Afghan National Army (ANA) conducted military operations in Helmand, Baghlan, Nangarhar and Maidan Wardak provinces. The ANA says four Mujahideen were killed, and eight wounded. Three ANA troops were killed, two wounded.

President Hamid Karzai stated that Afghanistan will be “…more secure and a better place…” without U.S. led occupying troops. Karzai also said that the issue of legal immunity for U.S. troops will be decided, and probably ended, by the end of 2013.  This comes a couple of days after U.S. officials said they want legal immunity for U.S. personnel to continue.

Afghan Finance Minister, Hazrat Omer Zakhilwal, said the United States has promised between $800,000 and $1 million USD in taxpayer money, to the Afghan government for every year after the 2014 pullout.  The United States government has already given the government of Afghanistan $22.34 billion in U.S. taxes ever since the Bush Jr ordered invasion in 2001!

13 January 2013

In Maidan Wardak Province, local government officials say a U.S. led NATO airstrike hit a Mosque/school.  Witnesses say the airstrikes continued for several hours.  As many as 15 people were killed: “All those people killed here were school students, teachers and also university students. They were all civilians. There were no armed men here!”-witness

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan stated they will stop their attacks on Pakistani targets and focus only on U.S. led NATO targets in Afghanistan.

12 January 2013

In Badghis Province, local government officials report that Mujahideen launched a major attack, killing four cops and wounding two.  The battle lasted two hours, one Mujahideen was killed and one cop is missing. In a separate incident, another Mujahideen attack left three cops wounded.

In Baghlan Province, heavy snow has closed highways and left hundreds of people (including 80 children) trapped.

In Bamiyan Province, heavy snow caused an avalanche that buried a car with four people inside.   They were rescued, but one person is in critical condition.

11 January 2013

In Badghis Province, and explosion killed a Spanish NATO soldier. The Spanish Sergent was trying to diffuse a bomb when it, or possibly another bomb, went off.