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U.S.

“I need to pay higher taxes.”: U.S. government shenanigans, February 2018

Incomplete (i-e ‘Tip of the Iceberg’) list of U.S. Federal/State/Local Government self-destruct announcements for February 2018:

Action News Now: Fast list of U.S. politicians killed in mysterious plane crashes, it happens more often than you think

Brookings Institution:  Opportunity Zone tax breaks new form of taxpayer funded gentrification

CNBC: Barely anyone is paying the taxes they owe on their bitcoin gains

USA Today: States where Americans pay the least (and most) in taxes

“I need to pay higher taxes…. …I’ve paid more taxes, over $10 billion, than anyone else, but the government should require the people in my position to pay significantly higher taxes.“-Bill Gates, at one time the world’s richest man

Alabama: A female employee of Dothan’s Farm Service Agency charged with fraud, theft of government property, and using a false document, relating to crop insurance.  Pike Road Butcher Block suddenly shutdown due to “small town politics”, the landlord is the town of Pike Road.  The Federal Republic of Nigeria is suing Alabama State University, essentially accusing it of stealing Nigerian tax funding that was meant to pay for Nigerian students’ ASU attendance.   Now former Alabama House Majority Leader Micky Hammon sentenced to three months in prison for using campaign donations for personal reasons.

Alaska: National and state taxpayers (along with the fishing industry) are paying for a ‘cost recovery’ study to determine if crab catch limits could be increased without reducing crab population.  Federal and state researchers are actually catching as many crabs as they can, just to count them. Apparently Alaska’s crab fishers feel threatened by Russia.   State House politician Zach Fansler resigned after being accused of hitting a woman.

Arizona: Senate candidate Kelli Ward linked her website to an endorsement from a ‘news’ site called Arizona Monitor, which turned out to be a Fake News site.  A female Senate aide resigned after her former boyfriend “shopped” around her computer records of suggestive conversations with senators.  Lawmakers are so desperate for tax revenues they’re considering ways to allow tax payments to be made in BitCoin (Forbes says it only “Triggers More Taxes“).   If you’re a female and doing crime don’t get caught in Arizona, you’ll have to work 27 prison hours to get one box of tampons. 

Arkansas: A former wrestler came out and stated he was a witness to a 1987 murder of two teenagers.  Police called it a suicide by train, but an autopsy showed the boys were dead before the train ran over them.  The wrestler says the boys were killed by a drug dealer who was also a politician.  The wrestler didn’t give the name of the politician, but the implication was that it was Bill Clinton.  The Arkansas Times revealed that the state Senate doesn’t want you to know what’s going on: “No meetings of Senate committees are streamed on the web. The Senate grudgingly allows an audio stream of its sessions, but it is impossible for the average Arkansan to have any idea who’s speaking.”

California:  Despite marijuana being legal in The Golden State, the city of Los Angeles reports there are still ‘hundreds’ of illegal ganja shops within city limits!  Since January, eight MaryJane raids resulted in 35 people arrested. You must get a license to sell marijuana and Los Angeles administrators say so far only 99 licenses have been issued, despite more than 2-hundred ganja shops operating openly.  This brings up the question, are those illegal shops paying their taxes?  A $53-thousand USD Huntington Beach taxpayer funded study reveals “…that virtually the entire Police Department, including his own management staff, opposes Chief Handy’s failed management practices and policies. Violent crime is skyrocketing. Officers are being shot and attacked. It’s time that city leaders face the truth and replace Rob Handy.”

Florida: Lockheed Martin eliminating 82 jobs at Hurlburt Field Air Force Base, by the end of March.  DynCorp issued a shutdown WARN for its taxpayer funded ops on Patrick Air Force Base, 279 jobs gone by the end of March! Taxpayer funded General Dynamics-ARMA Global eliminating 241 jobs at MacDill AFB, by the end of March!   Records show the local police and state Department of Children and Families had been involved with the Parkland school shooter since at least 2012.  Records also show the federal FBI knew about the Parkland school shooter’s plan. What makes things worse is that taxpayer funded police had no problem shooting and killing an 84 years old veteran because he was threatening to kill himself! 

Georgia:  Spineless state politicians used Delta Air Lines’ anti-2nd Amendment policy as an excuse to kill an estimated $40-million USD in fuel tax breaks.  I say ‘spineless’ because if I was a Georgia lawmaker I would’ve voted against the tax-break regardless, because guess who would’ve had to make up Delta’s fuel tax break?  All you happy individual taxpayers.   (whatever happened to businesses writing off such things as fuel costs as a tax deductible business expense?)  A taxpayer funded disease specialist with Atlanta based U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) went missing after he was denied a promotion.  

Illinois: The state Appellate Court reinstated a $3.5-million USD verdict against the city of Chicago in the fatal 2011 police shooting of at teenager.  56% of bike tickets were imposed in majority black neighborhoods, according to Chicago police statistics.

Maryland: Jury Awards $38 Million to Family of Maryland Woman Shot by Police, taxpayers of Baltimore County will pay it, not the cop who killed the woman.  Baltimore’s taxpayer funded Gun Trace Task Force acted as a de facto criminal gang.

Massachusetts: Taxpayer funded Boston Police apologized after tweeting a Black History Month tribute post that honored a white man. Mmmm, I don’t recall a White History Month, let’s start one.  The city of Boston has a residency requirement to get hired-on as a cop or firefighter, but labor groups revealed that some veterans who are not residents of Boston are somehow being hired.

Michigan:  The New Yorker reveals the city of Flint’s ‘Broken Police Department’.  Instead of filling the numerous potholes in city streets, Michigan leaders are blaming fast driving for causing the death of a man after he hit a pothole and crashed.

Missouri:  Ignorant taxpayer funded Saint Louis Police thought they could win over taxpaying residents by giving them candy, they were wrong.

Nebraska: Warren Buffet’s Omaha based Berkshire Hathaway Gained $29 Billion from the New Tax Law.

Nevada: The Silver State makes $30-million USD in marijuana taxes! 

New York:   “If New York City’s assessments are up to date, you already pay more in taxes. If there is any public amenity nearby that causes the property to be worth more than similar properties without the amenity, then that higher value is in the assessment and you pay higher taxes because of it.” Regarding the preceding statement, at the state level 58% of Empire State properties are exempt from taxation, to the tune of about $500-billion USD, and that does not include NYC!  the   PepsiCo eliminating 2-hundred corporate level InfoTech and finance jobs in Westchester, as part of its global plan to kill jobs. Local news media revealed that PepsiCo (Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Tropicana, Gatorade, Quaker) was getting $4-million USD in state taxpayer funded credits and another $7-million from sales-tax breaks in Westchester County!   New York Times demands Close the Police Rape Loophole, after reporting that Police Complaint Board to Investigate Charges of Sexual Misconduct.

North Carolina: Taxpayer funded General Dynamics-ARMA Global eliminating 99 jobs at its site in Fayetteville, due to losing a U.S. Army contract.

Oregon: Federal taxpayer funded Vectrus (formerly known as Exelis) issued a layoff WARN for its Hillsboro office, 54 jobs gone by the end of April.

Pennsylvania: Off-duty Philadelphia police-woman found dead in home with a dead man, drugs overdose suspected?

Puerto Rico: The territory’s Housing Department suspended a $133-million U.S. tax dollar funded contract to rebuild hurricane damaged homes.

Texas: Amarillo police respond to church shooting, end up shooting man who disarmed church shooter!  In Red, so called conservative, Lone Star State residents have been paying more and more in local taxes: “Let’s set the record straight. Local property tax rates are set by locally elected officials. Period. Local property tax collections dictate the state’s share of education funding – not vice versa.”-Glen Whitley, Tarrant County Judge

Vermont: For proof your taxpayer funded police policies are insane, the State Police said the killing of a motorist by cops was justified because he intended to take his life anyway!  Police say the man came at them with a gun, the cops shot at him 12 times, but hit him only three times!  Save the taxpayers some money and learn how to shoot Idaho style.

Washington: Seattle based Amazon Paid Zero in Federal Taxes in 2017, Gets $789 Million Windfall from New Tax Law.

West Virginia: Justice Family-Tams Management owes the state $3-million USD in back due taxes, going back to 2014.  ‘White’ former Weirton city cop fired because he refused to shoot a ‘Black’ man! 

Wisconsin: New Data Reveals Milwaukee Police Stops Are About Race.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Government Shenanigans, January 2018: SEX & DRUGS = THE AMERICAN WAY!

DRUGS, THE AMERICAN WAY, FEBRUARY 2018:“TEACHING KIDS ABOUT THE HARM OF DRUGS…DOESN’T REALLY WORK.”  

ObamaCare ACA death spiral, February 2018: “WE ARE IN VERY CHALLENGING TIMES.”

VACCINE FAIL, JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018:“NOT COST EFFECTIVE.”

Dumbing Down U.S.A., February 2018:“PORCH MONKEY”

U.S.

“porch monkey”: Dumbing Down U.S.A., February 2018

“The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.”-George Orwell (aka Eric Arthur Blair)

 Disappearing Students Syndrome (DSS): A phrase created by me to describe a phenomenon taking place across the United States, affecting both privately and publicly funded schools, from Kindergarten all the way through University levels.

Incomplete (Tip-o-the-Iceberg) list of publicly announced education related layoffs, shutdowns and education crimes, February 2018:

PolitiFact: No ‘official’ definition of what a mass school shooting is, liberals lie about number of school shootings

Private school teacher reveals Israel is behind False Flag military style school security ops: I’m a Teacher Who Went Through Firearm Training And it was an absurd disaster.

NPR: School counselors can’t keep up with increasing student anxieties

Arkansas: University of Arkansas Medical Science eliminating 124 additional jobs, on top of the 6-hundred positions announced last month, due to being $72.3-million USD in the hole!

California: The Learning Policy Institute surveyed 25 school districts and found that despite taxpayer funded incentives teacher shortages continue to be a problem.  A Yuba City High School teacher accused of sex crimes. A substitute teacher at Highland Elementary School, in Vallejo, accused of slapping a six years old special-ed student.  A math teacher in the San Dieguito Union High School District resigned after being accused of ‘inappropriate behavior’ with 14 students.  In Los Angeles, after 63 years Caravan Book Store shutdown. Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) approved plans to kill 139 full-time jobs, on top of the 53 teacher aide jobs already killed, due to Los Angeles County Office of Education demanding $16-million in budget cuts for PUSD!   Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) warning of layoffs due to being $1.8-million USD in the hole. It was also revealed that BUSD is spending more than 100-thousand tax dollars per year on legal/consulting fees.   Calaveras Unified School District laying off nine teachers and eliminating the  technical education Police Science program due to what I call DSS.  There was a warning that more layoffs are in the works: “We’re hoping enough teachers retire so we won’t have to lay off as many people. We won’t know until May.”-Zerrall McDaniel

The Los Angeles Times reveals that school security in southern California is actually covert class warfare!

Colorado: A 65 years old teacher with the Methodist Children’s Center disappeared, his vehicle was found abandoned near a trail in Clear Creek County, it’s suspected he got lost while cross country skiing.

Connecticut: Wallingford Schools eliminating 12 teaching jobs despite a taxpayer funded spending increase of $2.44-million USD.  Some of the increased funding is being spent on hiring more mental health counselors (apparently students have become so weak minded) and a faculty survey!

Florida: Saints Peter & Paul Catholic School, in Miami, fired a teacher for marrying a person of the same sex.  Several sheriff’s deputies remained outside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School while a shooter was blasting away inside the school, killing 17 people, the cops claim the gunshots they heard were taking place outside the school.  Is this more proof of an anti-2nd Amendment False Flag operation?  It was also revealed that the FBI, the local school district and even local law enforcement knew about the shooter’s mental problems/shooting plans for months before the shooting took place. NPR: Logs Of 911 Calls Reveal The Troubled History

CNN: A series of failures in Florida shooting

Naples News Times: Teachers wanted Nikolas Cruz transferred to alternative school 

Georgia: A supposedly well-liked Dalton High School teacher brought a gun to school and barricaded himself in a classroom. Police say he refused to say why, but pointed out that the teacher was officially against the idea of allowing teachers to bring guns to school.

Hawaii: The non-profit Filipino Community Center chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  A teacher at King Kekaulike High School is accused of showing students cartoon pornography.

Idaho: Incompetent state leaders spent $7-million tax dollars on college advisers and mentors for the 2017-18 school year, and next school year they plan to spend $9-million, due to high school graduates not being able to meet college requirements.  I wonder what would happen if they spent that money directly on high school education (not to be confused with high school administration)?  Despite what the mainstream national fake new media says about guns and teachers, Idaho schools allow the use of guns in their safety protocols. 

Indiana: Allows teachers to use guns.  Book publisher Readerlink issued a shutdown WARN for its distribution ops in Indianapolis, 147 jobs gone by the end of August!

Iowa: God powerless to stop ‘his’ liberal Graceland University from suddenly laying off 19 people, and more layoffs are expected because student enrollment is expected to continue crashing for the next ten years (The Rapture?).  A now former Buchanan Elementary teacher pled guilty to child porn charges.

Kentucky:  The Book and Music Exchange shutdown its Louisville location, the assistant manager saying “Financial difficulties is all I’m allowed to disclose.”   Pike County School District allowing teachers to use guns. 

Massachusetts: City of Everett Schools suddenly laid off 110 people due to losing $8-million USD (referred to as ‘serious financial issues’)!  The ultimate bullies in the state court ruled that you can’t sue a school district for failing to protect your child from be bullied at school!  This after a family tried to sue Lynn School District when their child was permanently paralyzed by school bullies! This also comes after it was revealed that public schools physically restrained students 9-thousand times last school year!  Dorchester charter school on probation for financial mismanagement.

Michigan: In Wayne, god powerless to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 93 years old (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Saint Mary Catholic School due to $5-million USD of debt caused by crashing enrollments (down 243 students since the 2010-11 school year).

Minnesota: McNally Smith College of Music now chapter 7 bankrupt and being liquidated to pay its creditors, including unpaid employees.

Mississippi: Despite using his .45 caliber pistol to stop a school shooter, a now former assistant principal says teachers shouldn’t be forced to use guns. 

Missouri: Missouri State University eliminating 32 jobs due to an $8-million USD shortfall in state taxpayer funding.

New Hampshire:  A now former teacher at the Episcopal Saint Paul’s School arrested for interfering with investigations into accusations that he committed sex crimes with students for years.

New York: It’s been revealed that a teacher who worked at four private schools in the 1970s-80s was a sexual predator and school administrators covered it up.  A teacher at Thurgood Marshall Academy was arrested with seven pounds of date rape drugs!

Ohio: In Marblehead, after 14 years Ex Libris Bookshop shutdown, it was opened for the purpose of raising money to help build the Ida Rupp Public Library.  In Xenia, Blue Jacket Books shutdown, a “terrible” holiday season was the final straw.  A Covington Independent Schools teacher suspended without pay for calling a student a “porch monkey”.

Oklahoma: God powerless to stop ‘his’ Saint Gregory’s University from going chapter 7 bankrupt dead, after a failed attempt to get a taxpayer funded loan from the USDA, 110 jobs gone, 550 students now looking for a new home!  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Sooner State has the lowest average teacher salary in the entire United States.

South Carolina:  Teacher shortage reaches crisis level. 

South Dakota: Sioux Falls teacher denied health insurance coverage for cancer treatment. 

Texas: The Lone Star State already allows teachers to use guns.  A teacher at Cypress Woods High School investigated for hitting a student with his belt, after the student spat on him.

Utah: Beehive State already allows teachers to use guns.  A teacher at Logan High School accused of sex crimes with female student.

Vermont: Castleton University warning of mass layoffs due to an expected loss of $1.5-million USD for the current school year. Administrators blamed crashing high school graduation rates for crashing college admissions.

Washington: Kent School District eliminating 45 jobs, pay raises for non-union employees canceled, due to lack of taxpayer funding. Optimistic school administrators had predicted much higher student enrollments, based on all the new housing projects in the district, but they were wrong.  It was revealed that a teacher at Garfield High School knew of a student’s plan to shoot-up the school, and did nothing about it. Despite the potential-shooter’s own snapchat posts, it took several complaints from classmates before police arrested him.  The teacher offered to resign, the student swears he was joking.

Dumbing Down U.S.A., January 2018: “LET’S PISS IN HIS MOUTH.”

Idaho, U.S.

“We are in very challenging times.”: ObamaCare ACA death spiral, February 2018

Incomplete (tip-o-the-iceberg) list of healthcare related layoffs, shutdowns and crimes in February 2018:

For the month of February at least 13 U.S. hospitals had their patient data bases hacked, affecting more than 80-thousand people.

Beasley: Global healthcare industry number one target for cyber attacks in 2017

JAMA: ObamaCare-ACA mandated Electronic Health Records (EHR) billing system does not reduce healthcare costs

American Journal of Managed Care: ObamaCare-ACA mandated outpatient care for cancer victims actually increases taxpayer funded Medicare costs 

JAMA Pediatrics: Skyrocketing number of U.S. babies under one year of age dying of suffocation

U.S. News & World Report: Best/worst state healthcare rankings

U.S. CDC: 28.9 million people still don’t have health insurance. Almost half of those that do have high deductible insurance. 

The New York Times: Skyrocketing nursing home evictions due to Medicare/Medicaid changes

Center for Connected Health Policy: Beware tele-health programs

Gallup Poll: Four out of ten doctors say the cost of their degree was not worth it

Becker’s Hospital Review: In first two months of 2017, 12 hospital executives resigned without notice or explanation

Mayo Clinic Proceedings: One in three early drug/device trials for patients with chronic conditions, falsified data

U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH): Corporate healthcare systems getting NIH taxpayer funding

The Washington Post: Bank loans to be made available to hospital patients.   No loan, no healthcare? 

The Medicus Firm: Don’t cry for the doctors as sign-on bonuses hit record average high of $30-thousand USD in 2017

Arkansas: University of Arkansas Medical Science eliminating 124 additional jobs, on top of the 6-hundred positions announced last month, due to being $72.3-million USD in the hole!

California:  San Diego based Scripps Health reported a 94% crash in operating income!  The hospital says operating costs are outpacing revenues.  Anthem Blue Cross accusing Sonoma West Medical Center-Palm Drive Health Care District of a $13.5-million USD fraudulent billing scam.  Federal government accusing Health Net of interfering with a Info-Tech audit, violating its contract with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.  A husband and wife team accused of ripping off Medicaid taxpayers to the tune of $5-million, while they were managing Community Health Group in San Diego. Federal auditors also accuse California of failing to scrutinize $7-billion of Medicaid payments in 2016.  San Diego based life science company Illumina eliminating 61 jobs mid-April.  ReVision Optics issued a layoff WARN, 40 jobs in Lake Forest gone by the end of March. Blue Shield issued a layoff WARN, 44 San Francisco jobs gone by March. God powerless to stop ‘his’ Adventist Health Bakersfield from eliminating 177 jobs by April!  Adventist Health White Memorial eliminating 160 Los Angeles jobs by April!  Novartis Pharmaceuticals suddenly laid off 29 people in San Carlos.  Pacific Alliance Medical Center finally revealed that it killed 731 Los Angeles jobs when it shutdown back in December!  Texas based Concentra issued a layoff WARN for its Valencia ops, 134 jobs gone by April!   Maker of plastic medical products Nypro issued a shutdown WARN for its factory in Porterville, 111 jobs gone by April!

Connecticut: New haven based Achillion Pharmaceuticals eliminating 18 jobs after partner Johnson & Johnson halted its support for developing a new Hep-C drug.  After almost non-stop layoffs since 2016, Bristol-Myers Squibb announced an additional 107 more layoffs by April, as part of a plan to halt operations in Wallingford!  Out of fear of lawsuits, Stamford based Purdue Pharma halted promotional ops to get doctors to push their opioid drugs.  Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics eliminating 198 jobs as part of its plan to halt ops in Brookfield by September!

Florida:  Pensacola Naval Hospital shifting to outpatient pediatric care only, starting in July.  Transitions Optical eliminating 34 Pinellas Park jobs mid-April.

Georgia: Federal government accusing HCA Healthcare owned Memorial University Medical Center of failing to comply with Medicare billing rules, at least 39 times, estimating that taxpayers overpaid the hospital by $1.4-million USD.   Marietta based WellStar Health System laid off 49 people, including seven executives.  Six hospitals suing Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for refusing to cover the costs of MRIs and CT scans.  Two nurses with Northeast Atlanta Health and Rehabilitation charged with killing a patient in 2014, while other nurses watched and laughed. Others were charged with covering up the death. Security camera video shows the nurses cutting off the air to a World War-2 veteran and other nurses laughing as he begged for his life! 

Idaho: The federal Health and Human Services Secretary met with Idaho administrators to discuss Idaho’s plan to offer health insurance that is not approved by ObamaCare-ACA, details of the meeting were not made public.

Illinois: Outcome Health suddenly laid off an additional 20 people (after eliminating 215 positions last year), possibly in connection with an investor fraud settlement. Naperville based Edward-Elmhurst Health slashing $35-million USD from its budget (on top of slashing $50-million last year), with layoffs in the works, due to a $92-million accounting error!  Chicago based Norwegian American Hospital threatening to shutdown its pediatric unit by the end of March, due to crashing demand for services (only nine patients in 2016 and zero in 2017).  News reports say other hospitals are considering similar shutdowns.  Israel based Teva issued a shutdown WARN for its ops in Gurnee, 101 jobs gone between now and the end of the year!

Indiana: Med Express Urgent Care in Terre Haute shutdown due to ‘business reasons’.  Indiana University Health Paoli Hospital shutting down its obstetrics unit, ten jobs affected by the end of March.  Medical device maker Cook Medical restructuring in response to the changing global healthcare market, mainly through consolidation of operations (which usually means job cuts).

Kentucky: Kindred Healthcare reported a $135-million USD loss in its fourth quarter of 2017.  Four executives of Louisville based Humana made more than $12-million USD combined by selling-off their own stock holdings in Humana.

Massachusetts: UMass Memorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital shutting down its gastrointestinal unit, eight jobs affected. Morton Hospital shutting down its maternity ward in April.  Lemuel Shattuck Hospital shutting down, 7-hundred jobs affected by 2021!  Boston based drugs maker Intarcia suddenly laid off 60 people due to the FDA rejecting its latest drug.  Steward Health Care moving its HQ to Texas, affecting 1-hundred jobs in Boston!  Partners HealthCare off-shoring 1-hundred tech jobs, to India!   Also in Boston, Sanofi Genzyme laying off 130 people in an effort to reduce operating costs!  Lowell General Hospital laid off seven health info-tech employees.

Michigan: Employees of Borgess Medical Center warned of massive layoffs due to the hospital being “over budget”, despite hospital administrators boasting of building a new addition to the hospital, which will cost at least $35-million USD.  Mmmm, wonder why they’re over budget?  Texas owned Detroit Medical Center reducing meal options for patients and eliminating 3-hundred jobs saying “It’s part of a plan to be much more efficient…”  Sparrow Health System shutting down its Saint Lawrence emergency room in May.  Henry Ford Allegiance Health agreed to settled a federal lawsuit accusing it of colluding with other hospitals to intentionally limit advertising competition within their respective counties.  Memorial Healthcare facing a federal lawsuit after allegedly rejecting a nurses job application, because she refused to get a flu shot as part of her religious beliefs.

Minnesota: Shriners Hospitals for Children-Twin Cities “evaluating alternative options for inpatient care” including a total shutdown.  The Star Tribune reporting 341 ‘preventable’ medical errors in 2017, at least 12 people died and 103 injured due to increased incompetence in Minnesota hospitals.  In Fridley, DaVita Clinical Research eliminating 53 jobs by mid-April.

Missouri: Non-profit Western Missouri Medical Center suddenly eliminated 41 jobs saying “We have not been immune to the ever-growing challenges in the healthcare industry…”   A woman sentenced to five years probation for posing as a nurse instructor at Saint Alexius Hospital, it was shown she lied about her education and employment history, and stole a nursing license from a nurse in New Mexico.  Taxpayer funded Iron County Medical Center now chapter 9 bankrupt busted.  Administrators are also asking voters to approve a sales tax hike to increase funding of the hospital.

Montana: A now former CFO of Rocky Boy Health Clinic spending 12 months in prison for fraud.

Nebraska: Methodist Hospital halting home health and hospice services in March, affecting 40 jobs.

New Hampshire: LRGHealthcare shutting down its maternity ward by the end of May.  Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital shutting down its maternity ward, 12 jobs gone mid-July.

New Jersey:  Israel based Teva Pharmaceuticals suddenly laid off 46 people in Parsippany, as part of its plan to eliminate 18-thousand jobs globally.

New Mexico: University of New Mexico Hospital being sued by a former immigrant employee who says co-workers bullied her because of her accent.  The state health department is facing lawsuits claiming conflict of interest in how Medicaid contracts are awarded, such a lawsuit by Molina Healthcare has been thrown out of court, but other lawsuits are pending.

New York: Pfizer issued a shutdown WARN for its Rouses Point drugs factory, 82 jobs affected by March.  Cayuga Centers eliminating 120 jobs as it halts residential treatment ops, blaming ObamaCare-ACA for the loss of $2-million USD since July 2017!  On-demand tele-health company Teledoc reported a loss of $106.8-million, possibly in connection with its take-over of rival Best Doctors.  A U.S. District Judge found the now former drugs company CEO Martin Shkreli (the one who jacked-up prices outrageously) guilty of frauding investors and causing the companies he worked for to lose a combined total of $10.4-million.  Nassau University Medical Center spent two days eliminating $674-thousand worth of salaried and contracted jobs, in an effort to save $1.67-million for “mission critical” jobs.  Taxpayer funded Hunter College is suing one of its nurses after it discovered the nurse is living in the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing dorm, and has been for the past 40 years. Local news reports say that particular nurse isn’t the only one living in the college dorm as it’s apparently the result of a contract from a discontinued nursing program that dates back to the 1960s.

North Carolina: A doctor at Duke University School of Medicine sued saying the university engaged in hiring collusion with UNC School of Medicine.  The case could affect 5-thousand-649 faculty at both universities!  Atrium Health (formerly Carolinas HealthCare System) admitted it had reduced working hours for 90 employees since November 2017 and more labor cost cuts were in the planning, which is interesting because Atrium Health is still advertising that it is hiring.  Novant Health suddenly eliminated 23 jobs.  State investigators fined Strategic Behavioral Health Center $20-thousand for violating patient safety laws. The ‘behavioral’ center was mistreating patients so badly that dozens escaped, which alerted investigators.

Ohio:  New York Based Personal Touch Home Care halting ops in Ohio and eliminating at least 257 jobs by mid-April!   Memorial Health Systems suddenly laid off 15 people and shifted 1-hundred employees into new jobs, blaming it on an expected reduction in taxpayer funded Medicare spending.  Philips Medical Systems eliminating 65 jobs mid-April.  Cardinal Health eliminating 101 jobs mid-April!

Oklahoma: The state Department of Health interim commissioner and Cabinet Secretary of Finance, Administration and Information Technology resigned after being accused of domestic violence.

Oregon: God powerless to stop ‘his’ Adventist Medical Center from eliminating 157 jobs in Portland!

Pennsylvania:  A now former UPMC Health Plan director is spending two years in federal prison for stealing $846-thousand USD from UPMC, by creating ‘ghost workers’ on the payroll.

South Carolina: Regional Medical Center suddenly laid off an undisclosed number of people, an audit last month revealed the hospital lost $7-million USD, administrators warned of more layoffs saying “We are in very challenging times.”  Medical University of South Carolina revealed it fired 13 employees for espionage-ing patient records, in 2017.

Tennessee: Franklin based Community Health Systems reported a loss of $2-billion USD in their fourth quarter of 2017, despite selling-off hospitals!  More Community Health Systems owned hospitals will be sold-off in 2018.

Texas: Dallas based Tenet Healthcare reported a $230-million USD loss in its fourth quarter of 2017, despite $5-billion in revenues, despite killing 2-thousand jobs nationwide and despite taking advantage of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Utah: State legislators advanced a bill to the state Senate that would prohibit hospitals and health systems from testing a doctor’s competency!  20 volunteers at University of Utah Hospital are ensuring no patient dies alone, it’s part of a growing movement called No One Dies Alone.

Vermont: It was revealed that Brattleboro Memorial Hospital paid state and federal regulators $1.7-million USD to settle claims that it submitted false outpatient laboratory claims to Medicaid and Medicare.

Virginia: University of Virginia Health System ‘exposed’ data of more than 1-thousand-8-hundred patients over 17 months.

Washington: Skagit Regional Health revealed it had laid off 94 people and shutdown 36 vacant positions during the past seven months, due to $17-million USD in losses since 2016.

Washington DC: The former CMO of United Medical Center says he was fired for blowing the whistle on the hospital’s “malfeasance affecting patient health and safety” and “submission of fraudulent statements to Medicare and Medicaid.”  The Internal Revenue Service hitting employers with fines for violating ObamaCare-ACA employee insurance mandate.  Federal Health and Human Services new Conscience and Religious Freedom division received more than 3-hundred complaints since 18JAN2018.

Wisconsin: Marshfield Clinic Health System reported a loss of $17-million USD directly blaming lower reimbursements on the halting of cost sharing taxpayer funded subsidies to ObamaCare-ACA.  Agnesian HealthCare hit by federal lawsuit accusing it of a doctor kick-back Medicare scam.  Mike Flint Enterprises-Interim Healthcare of Wisconsin-Mallatt’s Homecare Pharmacy eliminating 168 jobs starting in April!

Wyoming: Campbell County Health-Powder River Surgery Center lost $200-thousand USD as a result of Medicaid and Medicare billing delays caused by recent changes to the hospital system, including software upgrades, however they still reported an overall profit in 2017.

ObamaCare (ACA) death spiral January 2018: “INADEQUATE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATES”

U.S.

Installation Strategic Action Plan: New massive military bases for state Militia units

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04MAR2018 /18:32 UTC-07 Tango 06  (14 Esfand 1396/17 Jumada t-Tania 1439/18 Yi-Mao 4716)

“Today is really special, the relationship with National Guard goes back to 1961 and they have gone the extra mile to get this building in great condition for this transfer of ownership.”-Kenneth Manuel, Mayor of Woodland

At the end of February the North Carolina Army National Guard quietly off-loaded one of its Armories onto the city taxpayers of Woodland.  It’s part of an operation called Installation Strategic Action Plan/Readiness Center Transformation Master Plan (RCTMP).

Ostensibly North Carolina is trying to save state taxpayers money by consolidating its Army National Guard Armories into larger state-run military bases.   According to military sources it’s really about dealing with North Carolina’s changing population demographics and the acquisition of the latest Army technologies: “The RCTMP is a consolidation effort to better serve the state and meet the needs of a modernized force.”-Lieutenant Colonel Rodney Newton

Interestingly, in reference to demographic changes, in 2017 Lieutenant Colonel Rodney Newton blamed the influx of females into the National Guard for the push to abandon old Armories: “We didn’t have very many females in the military back then, they didn’t really influx until the late 70s, so you lack female restrooms.” 

The RCMTPs being built in Morganton and McLeansville are costing state taxpayers at least $70-million USD.  Many other states are attempting their own RCMTPs, but apparently are not able to raise the local taxpayer funds to do so.

VIGILANT CATAMOUNT: NORTH CAROLINA MILITIA PREPS FOR DISASTER, MILITARIZES LOCAL COPS!

Business/Economics

50-thousand+ jobs killed in one year!: Sears Kmart death spiral, March 2018

Albany Business Review: Shopping mall ViaPort Rotterdam (Rotterdam Square) suing Sears for half-a-million in back due rent!

Hardware Retailing: Sears Continues to See Dropping Sales and Revenue

Kankakee Daily Journal: Sears Logistics now Innovel

Chicago Tribune: Sears slashed more than 50,000 jobs last year!

CNNMoney: Sears downgraded to default status

The Real Deal: Half of vacant Santa Monica Mega Sears store sold for $50-million USD, to pay off mortgage and fund redevelopment

Chief Investment Officer: Sears Holdings gets $440-million loan to pay employee retirement fund

Newsday: Local Business owner, forced out by Sears Auto Center closure

Chief Investment Officer: Court Orders Inquiry into Sears Canada Dividend Payment

YubaNet: Kmart pays half-a-million to settle MediCal fraud charges

Media Post Communications: Federal Trade Commission loosens terms of 2009 settlement that restricted Sears’ ability to sell products through mobile e-commerce apps

WLS-TV: Sears under scrutiny after customer complaints and product disputes

Alaska: In Juneau, the Sears Hometown reverted to corporate ownership after the franchise owner quit, it’s now for sale.

California: Taxpayers are the new owners of the vacant Highland Kmart as they will be funding the construction of a new high school on the property. The school will be operated by taxpayer funded San Bernardino Public Charter School, Real Journey Academies.

Colorado: Ohio based mall owner-operator Washington Prime just bought the Sears store and Auto Center in Aurora (see Ohio below).

Florida:  RD Management-University Mall is the new owner of the still active 43 years old Sears store, which sold for $7-million USD.  Local news media says RD Management has plans to ‘revamp’ the building, marking “a significant milestone in the transformation of the entire University Mall site.”  The mall will be renamed Uptown.  Public feedback forces changes to redevelopment plans for vacant Neptune Beach Kmart.

Indiana: WFIE reporting that the Evansville Sears has been listed for sale, for a paltry $3-million USD. The store is shutting down in April.

Iowa: Ohio based mall owner-operator Washington Prime just bought the Sears store and Auto Center in Sioux City (see Ohio below).

Kansas: Local news media discovered that the Lenexa Point Sears Outlet store will shutdown, local realtors announced that the store front will be “available” on 01JUL2018.   

New Jersey: It’s been confirmed, the Paramus Park Mall Sears store and Auto Center will shutdown by Spring 2019, to be redeveloped into a grocery store and movie theater (a smaller Sears Appliance store will remain).  Without warning the Brick Big Kmart is being shutdown, it was revealed when Store Closing Sale signs were posted.  Local news media reported that no official shutdown date was made public.

New York: A former Sears employee accused of stealing $8-thousand USD from the Arnot Mall Sears store.  State taxpayers are funding the demolition of the now city taxpayer owned vacant Kmart plaza in Binghamton, as part of the Restore NY taxpayer rip-off operation.  Three other cities are also getting millions in state taxpayer funding to demolish commercial properties now owned by city taxpayers. 

North Carolina: In Wilmington, the owners of the Independence Mall revealed their plan to demolish and redevelop the entire mall, including the still active Sears operation.  Local news reports stated that the planned The Collection at Independence shopping-“village lifestyle” plaza does not list the currently active Sears store and Auto Center as one of the future tenants.   In July 2017, Eddie Lampert sold the Independence Mall Sears store and Auto Center to New York based Rouse Properties for $10-million USD.

Ohio: Columbus based mall owner-operator Washington Prime just shelled out $28.5-million USD buying four Sears stores and their related Sears Auto Centers, including the Sears store and Auto Center in Columbus.  Local news media reported that the four stores and auto centers will be redeveloped, however, Washington Prime says it signed new leases with Sears worth $1.25-million which give Sears an easy out if it wants to shutdown; just give 30 days notice.

Pennsylvania: Taxpayer funded MaST charter school is offering to buy the still active Middletown Sears store for $9.6-million USD.  MaST’s plan is to kick out Sears to make room for up to 1-thousand-275 students, if their plan is approved by the local school district and taxpayers.

Tennessee: The Thompson Lane Sears Outlet/Home Services & Repair sold to C.B. Ragland for $13-million USD.

Texas: Ohio based mall owner-operator Washington Prime just bought the Sears store and Auto Center in Longview (see Ohio above).

Virginia: Regency Mall owner The Rebkee Company, along with Thalhimer Realty Partners, just spent $3-million USD buying eight acres of the now vacant Sears store property in Richmond.  The mall owner claims it has new tenants lined up for the Sears store, which shutdown last year.  Local news media reports that a Sears “subsidiary” still owns three acres of the property, including the vacant Auto Center, but that it is currently under “negotiations”.

Washington: Sears Holdings suddenly selling off six active locations in The Evergreen State.  The 48 years old Lacy Sears store, the 47 years old Tukwila Sears, Union Gap Sears, two Sears operations in the Spokane area, and the Spokane Kmart.  

Wisconsin: Taxpayers of Greendale being raped of $2.2-million USD as their ‘elected’ leaders use taxpayer money to turn a former Southridge Mall Sears store into the unAmerican  anti-Constitution Dick’s Sporting Goods!  UnAmerican city leaders claim taxpayers will ‘recover’ the tax incremental financing by 2030, via increased property taxes on the property, but my lifetime of taxpayer experience shows your exalted leaders will find many other ways to jack-up your taxes between now and 2030.  Taxpayers in La Crosse might become the new owners of a vacant Kmart store, currently the property is valued at $4-million.  Apparently the plan is to turn the vacant lot in more residential housing, at taxpayer expense.

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, FEBRUARY 2018: “MONOTONOUS”

Kit Bashing

Falling Down: U.S. model kit/railroad hobby demise, 2016-17

Incomplete list of U.S. model kit/hobby shop, retail/wholesale industry shutdowns from 2016 through 2017:

“The local hobby shop was closed up….No big deal, I thought….I can always go to another. Wrong. When I looked, every hobby shop within 50 miles of my house had been closed.”

California: After 45 years brick-n-mortar chain store, as well as mail order and online retailer, Hobby People (formerly Hobby Shack) suddenly shutdown, possibly in connection to the founder’s death although many fans say quality of service had been in decline, and the company ‘lost’ some of its in-house brands.  In Palm Desert, the owner of popular Uncle Don’s Hobbies was found laying on the side of a road, dead.  His hobby shop had been robbed of merchandise, including RC (drone) electronics, months earlier.  In Goleta (Santa Barbara), California Hobbies was robbed of RC (drone) monster trucks, it was caught on video.   News reports out of Long Beach report that local hobby shops are being repeatedly robbed, the burglars are targeting RC (drone) electronics.

Colorado:  In Denver, Guinness Book certified as the world’s largest model train store in 2014, Caboose Hobbies shutdown after 65 years because the owner wants to retire.  At one time the model train store employed 60 people!

Idaho:

Photo by AAron B. Hutchins, November 2014.

After first going up for sale at the end of 2014, then making one last attempt to stay alive in 2015 (by moving to a much smaller location), Southeast Idaho’s once iconic Dapco Hobbies finally died, and nobody noticed.  More details in Model-Land Deaths; 2013-15.

Illinois:    In Bloomington, after 63 years Hobbyland shutdown after a failed attempt to sell the store.

Indiana:  Granger Hobby Stop shutdown after 18 years, the owner says he never recovered from the 2008 recession.

Massachusetts:  In Brocktown, after six years Hogie’s Hobbies shutdown, but continues to run its model railroad museum.  The owner blames customers for his hobby shop shutdown saying for the month of December he had a measly $5-hundred USD in sales: “There’s a lot of people downtown, but they don’t spend their money downtown. The whole atmosphere for people actually shopping here is not here.”-Bill Hogan

Michigan: In Detroit, after 70 years iconic Doll Hospital & Toy Soldier Shop shutdown, the owners admitting that even though they beat-out the ‘big-box’ competition they just couldn’t “adapt” to online competition.  In Bridgeport,  after 23 years hobby shop Junction Valley Railroad announced on Facebook “Due to declining sales, we are being forced to close the Hobby Shop Doors! 
Our final day open will be October 31, 2017!”

Montana: In Great Falls, after more than 25 years Hobby Land shutdown, the owner said she was ready to retire.

New Hampshire: In West Lebanon, Hobbies ’N’ Stuff/Valley Art Suppliers evicted by the the Grafton County Sheriff at the request of the landlord. The owner of the hobby shop told customers he had to shutdown due to health problems, but the landlord’s civil complaint said the owner hadn’t paid the rent for months (more than $10-thousand USD worth).

New Jersey: After 48 years Jackson Hobby Shop put up for sale due to the owner’s health problems.  If it doesn’t sell it’ll be shutdown.  Shadow Hobbies was robbed of thousands of dollars worth of stuff, including RC (drone) electronics, it was caught on video. 

New York: After 31 years Niagara Hobby & Craft Mart shutdown due to crashing sales: “We can’t compete on price with the national chains or an internet-only site. But you can’t stand inside the internet and ask to open a package or put a locomotive on a test track and see it run.”-John S. Kavulich

North Carolina: In business since 1968 the owners of the two story The Antique Barn and Hobby Shop blame declining sales caused by internet competition, plus Mother Earth’s climate change, for their demise: “We were making money, but it’s going down. Ten years ago it was thriving and 18 years ago we were a victim of Floyd and we had 7 feet of water in here for a couple of weeks. So we started from scratch again and of course, we had two more 500-year floods this past year, Matthew and in April this one that didn’t even have a name…”

Ohio: After 40 years John’s Hobby Shop shutdown so the owner could retire.

Oklahoma: Christian Evangelical Hobby Lobby caught illegally importing more than 5-thousand artifacts from The Middle East.  The top illegal artifact dealer in The Middle East is Islamic State (DAIISH).  Hobby Lobby admits most of those illegally acquired artifacts were meant to be displayed in their massive Biblical Museum in Washington DC.

Pennsylvania:   After 33 years J&C Hobbies shutdown so the owners could take a “proper vacation”.

Rhode Island: AA Hobby Shop was hit by burglars who apparently didn’t steal anything, it was caught on video. 

Texas: A San Antonio Hobby Town was robbed by a man armed with brass knuckles.  Police say the man seemed obsessed with RC vehicles (drones).

Utah: Police captured burglars when they tried to sell the stolen goods, including RC (drone) kits burgaled from a hobby shop in Sandy, on the OfferUp app.

In Canada: R.I.P. Niagara Central Hobbies

MODEL-LAND ‘DEATHS’, 2013-15!

Car and Driver: Where Have All the Hobby Stores Gone?

MARTIAL LAW U.S.A.: RC MODEL PLANES NOW CONSIDERED ‘DRONES’ MUST BE REGISTERED WITH OBAMA REGIME!

Idaho, U.S.

“I’m not sure we can support all these stores. Obviously, we can’t.”: U.S. Food Crisis, February 2018

Video

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of February, 2018: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production, spread of disease and extreme weather.

While I don’t like most of the crazy stuff the folks at PETA do, they have compelling evidence that those ‘free range’ poultry products you buy at Walmart, Harris Teeter and Whole Foods are anything but:

Alabama: A female employee of Dothan’s Farm Service Agency charged with fraud, theft of government property, and using a false document, relating to crop insurance.  Pike Road Butcher Block suddenly shutdown due to “small town politics”, the landlord is the town of Pike Road.

Alaska: Hook Line and Sinker-Humpy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  It’s blamed on a massive re-development project (gentrification) which left Humpy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse with millions of dollars of debt.

California: In The Golden State that loves migrant workers “A Soledad farm labor contractor has been fined $168,082 in penalties for housing employees in unsanitary and dangerous conditions following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division.” New York based Seneca Foods shutdown its factory in Modesto, 265 full-time jobs suddenly gone due to “competition from overseas”! DineEquity owned, Gelndale based, schizophrenic IHOP shutting down 40 restaurants in 2018, while at the same time claiming they will open even more restaurants. Cafe Napa Valley Traditions forced to shutdown after 24 years by a huge rent increase. San Francisco based coffee roaster Four Barrel began laying off employees due to crashing wholesale orders.   K and R Farms shutting down operations in Salinas, 235 jobs gone by April!  CKE Restaurant Holdings (aka Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s, Green Burrito and Red Burrito) eliminating 54 jobs in Anaheim, by mid-April. Freshly Picked issued a shutdown WARN for its Cypress location, 26 jobs gone in March.  After 25 years non-profit animal rescue op Farm Sanctuary-Orland Shelter shutdown, the owners got the hell outta The Golden State and took the 250+ animals to a new 39 hectares (96 acres) ranch in New York.  In San Luis Obispo, after three years popular Bowl’d shutting down because the owners say the profits just aren’t high enough to cover the rent.  In Fresno, Parsley Garden Cafe suddenly shutdown due to not being able to renew the lease.  Tyson Foods killing yet more jobs as it issues another WARN, this time 401 people in Otay Mesa out-o-work as the frozen food factory is shutdown!  Oregon based New Seasons Market suddenly shutdown its six months old grocery store in Sunnyvale saying “This location proved to be a challenge for several reasons”, 101 jobs gone! Connecticut based food service company Centerplate issued a mass layoff WARN, 759 Levi’s Stadium jobs in Santa Clara gone by mid-April!  TGI Friday’s issued a shutdown WARN for a restaurant in Brea, 57 jobs gone by mid-April.  In Modesto, the 25 years old Hometown Buffet was suddenly shutdown by a greedy landlord who canceled the lease.  After 60 years Menlo Park’s Oasis Beer Garden shutting down by March because of the greedy landlord: “After several months of effort, we were unable to negotiate a reasonable lease for our business, nor meet the requested terms of the building’s owner.”-facebook post

Colorado:  In Fort Collins, employee owned New Belgium Brewing suddenly laid off 28 employees (25 in Colorado, three in North Carolina).  It’s probably due to increasing competition as local news sources reported that in Denver alone four new breweries have opened in the past four months!

Connecticut: Iconic Woody’s hot dog joint shutdown after 41 years so the owners can take a vacation, before their next business venture.

Florida: Southeastern Grocers owned, BI-LO, Harveys, Winn-Dixie, and Fresco y Más threatening to shutdown 2-hundred grocery stores in an attempt to avoid bankruptcy, it could mean more than 18-thousand jobs lost! In Fort Pierce, Granny’s shutdown after 53 years, the worn-out owners saying “We are going to sit on the front porch and rest…..I think we deserve it.”  Hard Rock Cafe issued a shutdown WARN for its HQ in Orlando, 184 jobs gone between April and July!

Georgia: Atlanta based Coca Cola eliminating even more jobs, this time an additional 350 corporate level jobs!  At the same time Coca Cola administrators swear they are hiring.  Kroger shutting down a 26 years old grocery store, on the south side of Savannah, more than 1-hundred jobs gone in March due to “declining sales and negative profit” (‘negative profit’ is Orwellian doublespeak for losses).  Local news reports said customers were shocked as the store is “always packed”, but also admitted there were now a lot of competitors in the area.

Hawaii:  The Shack suddenly shutdown its 26 years old Hawaii Kai location, the owners were not able to renew the lease.

Idaho: Blind Bat News reader reported that the Pita Pit, in Pocatello, shutdown without warning.

Illinois:  In Chicago, after 41 years iconic Carson’s Prime Steaks Famous BBQ forced to shutdown by property developers. Also in Chicago, Marcello’s suddenly shutdown one of its three pizza joints, no official reason given but property redevelopment (gentrification) is suspected. In Downers Grove, after 15 years restaurant Carlucci suddenly shutdown, the property was sold.  In Belleville, IHOP shutting down its 45 years old restaurant, on Carlyle Avenue, because the local franchise owner is retiring and nobody wanted to take-over the franchise.  In Crystal Lake, Joseph’s Marketplace shutdown after 12 years, no official explanation, but residents and even city leaders blame it on several new grocery stores that have opened since 2015: “I’m not sure we can support all these stores. Obviously, we can’t.”-Judi Spizzirri, customer

Iowa: Hy-Vee shutting down its grocery store in Waterloo, 282 jobs gone by the end of March because Hy-Vee built too many grocery stores in the region! 

Louisiana: In New Orleans, Lakeview Harbor Restaurant forced to shutdown after 25 years because the landlord revoked the lease.  Non-profit Hollygrove Market & Farm suddenly shutdown saying “We are reorganizing financially and will have another announcement about our permanent status as soon as possible.”  It was later revealed they ran out of money.  Internet based food delivery service Street Breads now chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to debts that far outweigh its assets.

Maine: Somebody is going around and shooting people’s goats and shooting cows.

Massachusetts: In Arlington, after a couple of decades Bagels By Us shutting down in March, the property is for sale.

Michigan: In Brighton, after 35 years iconic ice cream shop Yum Yum Tree suddenly shutdown, on facebook the owners promised a detailed explanation would be released.  Angry customers said they should have given at least a month notice so they could fatten up on the unique ice cream treats.  In Ostego, after 70 years Harding’s (Harding and Hill) shutdown, no reason given.

Minnesota: Colorado based Pilgrim’s Pride shutting down a former Gold’n Plump corporate office in Saint Cloud, 30 jobs gone due to Pilgrim’s Pride $350-million USD take-over of Gold’n Plump in 2016-17.  In Saint Paul, after 20 years the Wild Onion shutting down in March, the owner blamed reduced revenues and increased costs such as minimum wage. In Duluth, after 14 years Johnson’s Bakery Lakeside shutting down by the end of April, due to not being able to renew the lease.  In Minneapolis, after more than 60 years the last Vescio’s Italian Restaurant shutdown. At one time there were two Vescio’s.  Bellisio Foods issued a WARN, 105 jobs in Austin gone by April!

Missouri: DineEquity owned, Kansas City based, Applebee’s added an additional 80 restaurants to its previously announced plan to shutdown 1-hundred restaurants in 2018, due to “lack of performance”.  In Kansas City, after 54 years upscale Plaza III The Steakhouse shutting down in March, 30 jobs lost with no explanation by the owners.   Pi Pizzeria suddenly shutdown its Kirkwoood location due to gentrification (construction projects) destroying the employee parking lot: “…we’ve lost our employee parking lot due to a redevelopment, and that leaves us with fewer than 25 guest parking spots…”-facebook post

Montana: In Missoula, after 27 years Uptown Diner shutdown, crashing sales were blamed on the demise of the Macy’s store next door.

Nebraska: C & C Specialty Market shutting down its store in Beatrice, in April, so the owners can focus on their more profitable operations.

New Jersey: In Freehold, International Vitamin eliminating 160 jobs in May!

New Mexico: In Albuquerque, the once profitable Farmers Market chain is now dead.  Local news media say at one time there were ten Farmers Markets in New Mexico: “We’ve always had competition, but in the last five to seven years, it was much harder.”-Jhett Browne, owner of the last Farmers Market

New York: In NYC, 21-Club revealed to state officials that they suddenly shutdown back in January, 156 jobs suddenly gone, blamed on Mother Earth (climate change-storm damage)! Also in NYC, Siggy’s Good Food suddenly shutdown, the owner saying “…it’s time to fly.”    JJC Food suddenly shutdown its Hicksville grocery store, 38 jobs gone, blamed on Mother Earth (climate change-storm damage)!  Williamsville based Tops Friendly Markets now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, blaming increased competition. GLK Foods shutting down ops in Shortsville, 50 jobs gone in September due to consolidation. In Rochester, after almost 20 years restaurant 2-Vine shutdown due to the owner’s health problems.   PepsiCo eliminating 2-hundred corporate level InfoTech and finance jobs in Westchester, as part of its global plan to kill jobs. Local news media revealed that PepsiCo (Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Tropicana, Gatorade, Quaker) was getting $4-million USD in state taxpayer funded credits and another $7-million from sales-tax breaks in Westchester County!

North Carolina: Charlotte based Healthy Home Market grocery chain now chapter 7 bankrupt and being consumed by its creditors, its last two stores were shutdown in January, thousands of jobs lost! In Monroe, after 25 years Seacrest Feed & Seed shutting down by March, due to the greedy property owners.  Logan’s Roadhouse suddenly shutdown due to a “corporate decision”.

North Dakota: In Bismarck, Dan’s Supermarket shutdown after 65 years, due to not being able to renew the lease.

Ohio:  A fire in a barn on Country Lane Tree Farm killed dozens of goats and chickens.

Pennsylvania:  After almost 50 years Mattocks Five Incorporated suddenly shutdown several operations (known as Albion Mill, Meadville Farm and Garden, 5M Feeds Waterford, 5M Feeds Titusville) with only a two days notice on facebook, and no explanation.  In Ardmore, Chung Sing forced to shutdown by the end of March, due to the landlord canceling the lease.  In Pittsburgh, BYOB restaurant Avenue B shutdown due to not being able to renew the lease.  “The Greater Washington County Food Bank reports on its website that Washington County has an estimated 25,000 people who are food insecure, more than 30 percent of its clients are children under the age of 18 and 20 percent are senior citizens.”

Despite supplying restaurants with poultry for more than ten years, family run Quails R Us Plus facing foreclosure, several area chefs are holding a ‘rescue dinner’ to save the poultry farm.

  South Carolina: Florida based Tijuana Flats shutting down its less than two years old restaurant on Percival Road, in Columbia, by March.  Terrace Restaurants suddenly shutdown its Greenville location, after being open less than a year, due to lack of sales.

Tennessee: In Murfreesboro, after more than two years Sub Stop suddenly shutdown because the owners got an offer from a property developer they couldn’t refuse. After ten years in East Nashville, Pied Piper Eatery shutdown as a result of the owner’s death two years ago.

Texas:  In Pflugerville, after one year Idle Vine Brewery shutting down by March.  In Austin, after 45 years Buck Moore Feed & Supply shutdown. Bellisio Foods shutting down its factory in Austin.  Kettle & Brine shutdown its brick-n-mortar store in Austin, will continue selling kitchen krap online.  In San Angelo, after 30 years Chinese Kitchen shutdown, the overworked underpaid owner complained “It has been extremely hard to get workers for the restaurant……..working 14 hours for seven days a week is hard on my husband and me.”  After seven years Grinners Daiquiri Bar shutdown due to not being a good ‘fit’ for San Angelo.

Virginia: After more than 35 years Frankie’s Place for Ribs shutdown without warning, die-hard fans were shocked, the owner blamed declining sales and increasing costs.  In Richmond, after less than five years Kitchen on Cary suddenly shutdown.  A poultry farm fire in Mount Vernon killed an estimated 14-thousand chicks!

Washington:  In Spokane, after 20 years Wolf Creek Lodge Steakhouse suddenly shutdown.  Marine View Beverage shutting down operations across the state, 278 jobs gone by mid-April!   Pacific Seafood issued a shutdown WARN, 69 Federal Way jobs gone by the end of April.

Washington DC: Le Mano Coffee Bar shutdown after almost five years, the owner wants more family time.  After nine years award winning chocolate restaurant Co Co Sala suddenly shutdown.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) warns “…a relatively strong U.S. dollar is expected to dampen growth in U.S. agricultural exports, the United States remains competitive in global agricultural markets, in part due to efficiency and quality margins, and export values grow over the next ten years. Net farm income is expected to increase in 2018 followed by a drop…”

Wisconsin: After 110 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Silver Spring House Bar & Restaurant suddenly shutdown, the property is for sale, asking price $1.2-million USD.  For the fifth year in a row income for Wisconsin farmers is expected to be down from the record high in 2013.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

U.S. Food Crisis, January 2018: “IT’S TIME TO ADAPT OR DIE”

Idaho, U.S.

“God’s Plan A for reaching a lost world.” : U.S. Christian Rapture, January 2018

Video

Incomplete (tip-o-the iceberg) list of U.S. Christian shutdowns, layoffs and Rapture oddities for the Gregorian (western christian calendar) month of January 2018.

This prophetic video is about the demise of christianity:

https://youtu.be/D63gAK1GuN4

In an act of desperation (and greed) the Switzerland based ICF Church is now taking Bitcoin for tithe and donations!

“We can’t prevent evil, and trying to prevent it by taking away the freedom of law-abiding people is not a price our society should pay.”-HomeSchool Association of California, regarding the 13 adults and children rescued from their “Good Christian Family” home-school-hell in Perris

Pew Research Center: “Jehovah’s Witnesses (75%) and Mormons (70%) say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases”

Alabama: Presbyterian-agnostic Warren Buffet owned clothing maker Fruit of the Loom laid off 72 people at its Russell Brand’s factory in Alexander City.  Local news media reported that ever since Warren Buffet bought the operation (in 2006) there have been continuous layoffs, at one time there were more than 1-thousand people working at the factory, now there’s less than 5-hundred.

Arkansas: Presbyterian founded, Bentonville based Walmart revealed the truth behind their pay raises and bonuses, by suddenly shutting down dozens of Sam’s Clubs and Walmarts killing thousand of jobs, plus announcing intentions to layoff 1-thousand corporate level employees between now and the end of 2019!

California: In the Los Angeles area, church vandalisms are so common place that a taxpayer funded House of Worship Task Force has been created.  The task force arrested a man suspected of set fire to the Church of the Angels, the Resurrection Catholic Church and another Episcopal church, as well as spray painting Bible verses on the Ancient Church of the East Mar Shaleeta Parish.  The House of Worship Task Force believes the man they arrested has been vandalizing churches since February 2017.  In Santa Maria, the former married pastor couple of Church for Life being sued for sex crimes.  The lawsuit accuses the husband and wife pastors of sex crimes that took place from 2014 to 2016, and says other church leaders knew about it.  God powerless to stop ‘his’ Seventh Day Adventists from killing multiple healthcare operations; Adventist Health Sonora eliminating 135 jobs in April, Adventist Health Feather River shutting down 72 jobs gone by April, Adventist Health Glendale shutting down 167 jobs gone by April, Adventist Health Simi Valley shutting down 70 jobs gone by April, Adventist Health Reedley and Selma eliminating 115 jobs, Adventist Health Hanford eliminating 205 jobs, Adventist Health Saint Helena eliminating 2-hundred jobs, Adventist Health Corporate in Roseville eliminating 229 jobs!  Methodist founded Tyson Foods issued a layoff  WARN for its chicken plucking ops in San Diego, 79 jobs gone mid-March.

Connecticut: Police arrested a church employee who was hiding in the First Congregational Church, for assaulting his mother.  The female pastor of the church tried to protect the man by claiming that police are not allowed to make arrests in churches, she  promptly quit her job when it was clear police would not comply with her holy-than-thou demands.

Delaware: A former priest with Catholic Diocese of Wilmington charged with child rape.  The alleged crime took place 25 years ago.

Florida: First United Methodist Church of Miami sold some of its land to a property developer, for $55-million USD.

Georgia:  The congregation of the 98 years old Sanctuary Village of Power (formerly Underwood Methodist Church) has been given a vacate notice by the new owner of the property.  The greedy owner worships money and is rumored to have plans for building a Starbucks where the iconic church building now stands.  Methodist co-founded Coca Cola embarked on a mission to shutdown bottling/warehouse ops, 430 jobs across the U.S. gone!  Somebody stole the Lighthouse Community Church‘s van, instead of ‘god’ an Hollywood actor worked a miracle and bought the church anew van.

Idaho: Signs of religio-class warfare as rich Mormon dominated taxpayer funded School District 25 in Bannock County wants to end what it calls “student self-segregation”.  It involves a decades old rivalry between rich-Mormon-brat-prep’s and wannabe-prep’s Highland High School and everybody else’s (including poor working class Mormons) Pocatello High School (aka Pokey High).  ‘Christian’ Gem State lawmakers supporting a bill that will expand the use of taxpayer funded prisoners in the agriculture industry!  

Illinois:    A mysterious fire burned the attic of the 1-hundred years old Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal Church, it was also revealed that a couple of years ago a mysterious fire burned the church’s altar.   God powerless to stop the Archdiocese of Chicago from shutting down five schools (Saint Cyprian School, Holy Cross School, Incarnation School, Our Lady of the Ridge School, Saint Michael School)  due to The Rapture, I mean what I call DSS.

Indiana: The Unitarian Universalist Church in West Lafayette targeted with vandalism for its support of LGBT, and possibly because it is anti-Trump.

Kansas:  Some parents of students at Herington Elementary School stood up to christian bullying and halted the 1st Amendment violation of Bibles being forced upon public elementary school students: “The district’s actions in assisting the Gideons in distributing Bibles to elementary students represents a clear breach of the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution and we hereby demand assurances that this practice will discontinue immediately.”-Appignani Humanist Legal Center

Kentucky: Southern Acres Christian Church banned just under a dozen members for disagreeing with the church pastor! Isn’t christian ‘democracy’ wonderful?

Louisiana: God powerless to stop Mother Earth from halting Mount Olive AME Church‘s food program.  The program feeds about 3-hundred people everyday, but was halted when unusually cold weather damaged water pipes and a water heater.  7-hundred members of the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association are so afeared of what’s happening to the United States, and their idea of christianity, that they held an emergency prayer fest and asked ‘god’ to protect cops, the “persecuted church”, missionaries and church leaders.

Maine: Methodist founded Goodwill shutting down its 50 years old Lewiston thrift store, because sales are too low.

Massachusetts: A woman charged with stealing more than $20-thousand USD from The First Church of Deerfield while she worked as an administrative assistant there.  Church leaders discovered the theft after the woman was charged with stealing money from a condominium association.   God powerless to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 1-hundred years old Our Lady of the Rosary Church, due to lack of tithe paying members.

Michigan:  Seventh Day Adventist founded Kellogg issued a layoff WARN for its RTEC (Ready-To-Eat Cereal) Plant, 14 jobs lost as part of its plan “…to simplify and streamline operations in our North American cereal network.”  A man was arrested and accused of breaking into church services (Griswold Street Baptist Church, Bridges Church and First Presbyterian Church) and threatening to whack people with a hammer if the didn’t repent.

Saint Paul’s United Church of Christ

Minnesota: 15 years ago Pilgrim Lutheran Church started services  to bring alienated christians back to church by offering alternative sermon-less night time services, so far only 250 people per month attend things like Celtic Service, Nordic Service and Compline for a New Millennium.  The bankruptcy mediator for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis suddenly quit, and refused to say why.   Taxpayers forced to pay for the repairing of two churches, Central Presbyterian Church and Friends of Historic Virginia Street Church, under the guise of preserving historic buildings.

Missouri: Gov’na Eric Greitens wants lawmakers to extend a taxpayer funded college scholarship program for graduates of taxpayer funded high schools to graduates of privately funded (christian?) high schools.  A now former church volunteer charged with hiding cameras in the toilet rooms of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  God wasn’t on his side as his own video cameras recorded him doing the evil deed.

New Mexico: God powerless to stop ‘his’ Holy Cross Hospital from suddenly laying off 12 people due to a new Medicare payment method.

New Jersey: The owners of bankrupt Toys R Us, which includes Mormon-Mitt Romney co-founded Bain Capital, shutting down at least 182 stores by the end of Spring 2018.

New York: In Blauvelt, the now vacant 205 years old Greenbush Presbyterian Church has been sold to a foreign Catholic church based in India!  The Greenbush Presbyterian Church was vacated in October 2016 due to disappearing members (The Rapture?).  NYC based The Episcopal Church’s Church Pension Group (CPG) reporting that their latest survey revealed “big changes” affecting church clergy.   Some of the changes include a big decline in full time employment by the the church with a single position, with gradually (predictable) increasing pay.  The current trends now show more part time work, clergy working multiple church positions, and some clergy even forced to get jobs outside the church to support themselves.   In Manhattan-NYC, after 33 years Coogan’s shutdown due to a massive $40-thousand USD per month increase in rent by the ‘christian’ owners of the property (New York Presbyterian Hospital)!  God powerless to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 94 years old (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Saint John Villa Academy, apparently god needs money because The Sisters are conducting a study to see how much money would be made from selling the school.  Influenza more powerful than ‘god’ as Catholic churches in Buffalo halt the use of wine during Mass and forbid church members from shaking each others hands, due to the flu epidemic.

North Carolina: The Summit Church doesn’t think there are enough churches in the world, promising to build 1-thousand new churches over the next 50 years.  Leaders say it’s “God’s Plan A for reaching a lost world.”  I got news for you, that’s been the plan from the very beginning of christendom about 2-thousand years ago!

Ohio:  God powerless to stop ‘his’ Premier Health owned Good Samaritan Hospital, on Philadelphia Drive in Dayton, from shutting down.   1-thousand-6-hundred jobs affected by the end of 2018, due to a plan by Premier Health to ‘repurpose’ the hospital property!  Quaker founded, Cincinnati based Macy’s announced it will continue shutting down stores through 2018, plus eliminate 5-thousand jobs!  

Oklahoma: Christian Science Monitor explains How cattle rustling and drugs are roiling rural America.

Pennsylvania:  The now former youth leader of Oxford Valley Chapel pled guilty to molesting two teenage girls, and was sentenced to just under two years in prison.

Tennessee: Highpoint Church hires investigators to investigate one of their own pastors, and to investigate former church leaders, after women accused the pastor of sex crimes.  The now former pastor (who confessed to the crimes in front of his congregation earlier this month) says he admitted to a sex act with a teenager during his job interview with church elders, which means church leaders knew of the crime before they hired him!

Texas: Remember the baby splitting trial of King Solomon?  The leader of LIFT Community Church now suing the leader of new competitive church Lift Frisco, basically for threatening territorial domination of the Dallas-Fort Worth area!  In Austin, an illegal immigrant family is taking sanctuary in Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, for the second time!  Presbyterian-Methodist-Episcopalian co-founded Irving based toilet paper and disposable diaper maker Kimberly Clark announced plans to shutdown ten factories worldwide, killing-off 5-thousand jobs over the next year-and-a-half!  Kimberly Clark administrators blame their efforts to reduce costs by $550-million USD, by 2022, on the U.S. population Death Spiral (not enough babies being born).

Utah: The new LDS (Later Day Saints) leaders openly support protecting the children of illegal immigrants, known as Dreamers.

Washington: A child is being blamed for a fire in historic Saint Patrick Catholic Church which destroyed the nursery room.  The original Saint Patrick Catholic Church was destroyed by fire in 1905.

Washington DC:  Congress snuck into its latest funding bill provisions to use taxpayer dollars so FEMA can rebuild churches destroyed by natural disasters.  I guess ‘god’ isn’t powerful enough to get the job done, so FEMA has to do it!

West Virginia: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the largest and most powerful of ‘mormon’ churches) hit by a lawsuit claiming LDS officials knew about and covered up a local leader’s sexual abuse of children for at least five years.  The local Mormon leader was found guilty of at least two cases of sex crimes and sentenced to 75 years in prison.  The Salt Lake Tribune reported that LDS leaders promoted the man as a role model for youth.

Wisconsin:  God powerless to stop ‘his’ Saint Gregory Catholic School from shutting down due to lack of students, apparently they’re unable to meet the minimum of 20 students required for next school year.

U.S. Christian Rapture, December 2017: “SHE WAS BASICALLY STALKED BY THE CHURCH…”

“No man can work for two masters, for either he will hate one and will love the other, or he will honor one and the other he will ignore. You cannot work for God and for money.”-Matthew 6:24, Aramaic Bible

“But the root of all these evils is the love of money, and there are some who have desired it and have erred from the faith and have brought themselves many miseries.”-1 Timothy 6:10 Aramaic Bible

“And Yeshua [Jesus of Nazareth] entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. And he said to them, It is written: ‘My house will be called the House of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers.’ “-Matthew 21:12-13 Aramaic Bible

“Yeshua said to them, ‘Give what is Caesar’s to Caesar and what is God’s to God.’ And they marveled at him.”-Mark 12:17 Aramaic Bible

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.-1st Amendment, U.S. Constitution

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance (or even be counted as unemployed): “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

“market conditions” blamed on population Death Spiral! : U.S. Industrial/Mining/Logistics layoffs, January 2018

Incomplete list of U.S. Mining/Industrial/Logistics job loss/shutdown announcements made in January 2018.

Trulia reports that overall housing rents across the United States jumped an average of 19.6% since the end of 2012, even though the majority of working class people saw no increase in pay.

Alabama: Warren Buffet owned clothing maker Fruit of the Loom laid off 72 people at its Russell Brand’s factory in Alexander City.  Local news media reported that ever since Warren Buffet bought the operation (in 2006) there have been continuous layoffs, at one time there were more than 1-thousand people working at the factory, now there’s less than 5-hundred.

 California: Menasha Packaging shutting down its Bloomington location, 25 jobs gone in February.  Zodiac Pool Systems issued a shutdown WARN for its Vista location, 67 jobs gone in October.  Brinderson-Tesoro Martinez Refinery eliminating 94 jobs on March.  Brinderson also eliminating 256 jobs in Wilmington!

Colorado:  Boulder based Star Wars/robot toy maker Sphero eliminating 45 jobs, and shifting to educational products, due to lack of holiday sales of its robot toys.

Connecticut: Southport based Sturm-Ruger laid off 50 gun-making employees at undisclosed locations across the U.S.  It was blamed on a combination of low sales and “employee performance”.

Florida: Texas based ‘outdoor products’ maker Plano Synergy eliminating 104 jobs in Tarpon Springs, by the end of May!

Idaho: In Lewiston, Clearwater Paper announced it will layoff 1-hundred people in May, due to “market conditions”!

Illinois: The Plastics Group issued a shutdown WARN for its factory in Willowbrook, 105 jobs gone starting in March!   Box maker Pactiv issued a shutdown WARN for its Bolingbrook factory, 101 jobs gone in March!  What automotive industry recovery? Germany based Daimler issued a shutdown WARN for its truck parts distribution center in Chicago, 52 jobs gone by the end of March.

Indiana: What automotive industry recovery?  Truck maker Autocar suddenly laid off 70 employees due to crashing sales.   MV Transportation issued a shutdown WARN, 142 jobs gone by the end of March!  Trump’s buddy Carrier continues killing jobs, this time 215!  Supposedly it’s the last round of layoffs connected to Carrier moving some production to Mexico.

Iowa: In Nevada, DuPont eliminating 28 jobs in March.  Germany based Siemens eliminating 202 jobs in Fort Madison, by the end of March!

Kentucky: Kentucky Electric Steel shutting down its factory in Ashland, 113 jobs gone in March!

Louisiana: State Department of Revenue accusing three companies of tax evasion; Elliott Roofing Services, Antunez Painting and Extreme Cars and Trucks.  The companies allegedly avoided payroll taxes by calling their in-house employees ‘independent contractors’.  Nuclear power plant pipe maker CB&I eliminating 163 jobs due to Entergy’s plan to eliminate 123 jobs at the Riverbend nuclear power plant!

Minnesota: Sweden based home appliance maker Electrolux shutting down its factory in Saint Cloud, about 9-hundred jobs gone in 2019, due to consolidation ops!

Mississippi: What construction industry recovery?  Nucor-Kirby Building Systems eliminating 1-hundred jobs due to consolidation of some production to Tennessee!

Missouri: What automotive industry recovery?  Harley Davidson shutting down its factory in Kansas City, 8-hundred jobs gone in Spring 2019!

Nevada: What construction industry recovery? Finished steel products maker Nucor shutting down its American Buildings factory, at least 1-hundred jobs lost to operations in Utah!

New Jersey: Japan owner shipping company MOL eliminating 32 jobs in Woodbridge.  What automotive industry recovery?  Japan owned Toyota-NYK eliminating 75 jobs in Secaucus.

New York:  General Electric (GE) laid off 130 people as part of the larger plan to kill 12-thousand jobs globally!

North Carolina: After getting $475-thousand local tax dollars in incentives Absolute Plastics issued a layoff WARN eliminating 1-hundred of its 150 jobs due to crashing sales!  PRC Industries issued a layoff WARN for its Spruce Pine location, 1-hundred jobs gone by March!  In Indian Trail, RSC Chemical Solutions eliminating 65 jobs between March and the end of June.

Ohio:  Deutschland (Germany) based delivery service DHL outsourcing 229 jobs in Lima, by March!  Fremont Plastic Products shutting down its factory, 185 jobs gone starting in March! What automotive industry recovery?  Chrysler-Fiat-Jeep parts maker Toledo Molding & Die shutting down its North Toledo factory, 120 jobs gone by Spring 2019, due to the shutdown of Jeep Wrangler production!  Korea based Hyundai-Mobis eliminating 572 jobs at its Toledo/Lucas factory, between April 2018 and April 2019!

Oklahoma: More layoffs from oil company Chesapeake Energy, in a surprise announcement 4-hundred employees learned they are soon to be jobless!  Company administrators also revealed they’ve sold-off 25% of its oil wells in an attempt to pay-down debt.

Oregon: General Distributors shutting down its ops in Oregon City, 165 jobs gone!

Pennsylvania: MEPCO issued shutdown WARNs for its coal mines in Green County, 370 jobs gone starting in March!  The largest east coast refinery, Philadelphia Energy Solutions, now bankrupt busted due to federal government imposed Renewable Energy Credit (RIN) which cost the refinery $217-million USD in 2017.  Dover Corporation-Pump Solutions Group issued a shutdown WARN for its North Wales ops, 63 jobs gone between April and December.  Denmark based climate control parts maker Danfoss shutting down its factory in Chambersburg, 70 jobs gone right before Xmas 2018!  Johnson & Johnson issued a ‘phase 2’ shutdown WARN, 34 jobs gone in March.  Pittsburgh Glass Works issued a shutdown WARN for its Creighton location, 61 jobs gone by the end of June.  John Middleton Company issued a shutdown WARN for its tobacco factory in Limerick, 118 jobs gone in April!  Ryder Integrated Logistics eliminating 136 jobs in February!

Texas: Irving based toilet paper and disposable diaper maker Kimberly Clark announced plans to shutdown ten factories worldwide, killing-off 5-thousand jobs over the next year-and-a-half!  Kimberly Clark administrators blame their efforts to reduce costs by $550-million USD, by 2022, on the U.S. population Death Spiral (not enough babies being born).  Offshore rig operator Maersk Drilling laying off 84 people in March, due to loss of contract.  Oil transporter First River Energy now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  New York based petroleum company Hess eliminating 3-hundred jobs in Texas, in an attempt to make a profit for the first time since 2014!

Virginia:  Railroad company Norfolk Southern shutting down its Roanoke dispatch center, 56 jobs affected by consolidation ops.

Washington:   Paper and wood construction products maker Georgia Pacific shutting down its ops in Camas, 243 jobs gone by May!  Tacoma experienced the highest rent increases of any U.S. city in 2017, by 8.8%.  

Wisconsin: Texas based toilet paper and disposable diaper maker Kimberly Clark shutting down two factories, 610 jobs gone by Spring 2019!  Family run Flambeau River Papers suddenly laid off 82 people saying “Paper prices in the commodity grades have really gone down while pulp prices have gone up.”  Bankrupt busted Real Alloy Recycling shutting down its aluminum melting factory in Mount Pleasant, 40 jobs gone.  Illinois based ACCO Brands shutting down its Pleasant Prairie distribution center, 26 jobs gone by the end of May due to a 35% crash in net income.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Mining/Industrial/Logistics layoffs, December 2017:NEVERENDING “BUSINESS SLOWDOWN”

Business/Economics, Idaho, Kit Bashing

“There’s a feeling of loss…Maybe I’ll go get a real job.”: U.S. Retail/Banking/Service sector collaspe, January 2018

Incomplete list of U.S. retail/banking/service sector job loss WARNings and store shutdowns made or announced in January 2018:

Trulia reports that overall housing rents across the United States jumped an average of 19.6% since the end of 2012, even though the majority of working class people saw no increase in pay.

Arkansas: Bentonville based Walmart revealed the truth behind their pay raises and bonuses, by suddenly shutting down dozens of Sam’s Clubs and Walmarts killing thousand of jobs, plus announcing intentions to layoff 1-thousand corporate level employees between now and the end of 2019!  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down two stores statewide.

 California: Building maintenance contractor ABM Industry issued several shutdown WARNs, 365 jobs gone by the end of March!  Absolute Screenprint shutting down its ops in Brea, 170 jobs gone in March!  In Fresno, after 68 years Herb Bauer Sporting Goods shutting down when the inventory is gone, due to increased competition from ‘big-box’ national chain stores.  Too Big to Jail San Francisco based Wells Fargo shutting down an additional 8-hundred offices across the U.S. by 2020.  Bank execs officially blaming it on ‘Americans’ reducing the use of banking services, but analysts believe it’s blow-back for the bank getting caught massively ripping off its customers.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down stores in Emeryville and San Jose, 113 jobs gone by April!  It should be noted the stores were not listed on the recent nationwide shutdown list.  Dollar Loan Center eliminating 41 jobs by the end of March.  Montage Hotels and Resorts temporarily shutting down its Beverly Hills ops, 54 jobs gone by the end of March.   StandardAero Business Aviation Services issued a shutdown WARN for its Los Angeles ops, 63 jobs suddenly gone.  Accounting company Vasquez issued a shutdown WARN for its Corona office, 53 jobs gone in March.  Market research company Ipsos Interactive Services issued a shutdown WARN for its Fresno office, 88 jobs gone in March.  Macy’s issued shutdown WARNs for stores in Fresno, Laguna Hills and Los Angeles, at least 436 jobs gone by mid-March! In Orangevale, iconic Wild Sports shutting down, the owners forced to retire due to ‘big box’ and online competition coupled with California’s police-state anti-gun laws.   In Moraga, after eight years New Rheem Theatre shutdown due to increasing costs to maintain the 61 years old building, plus undisclosed rent which is more than $5-thousand per month, plus utilities averaging $5-thousand per month: “It’s tough to run a building of that age on the amount of people that come through the theater. The numbers don’t work.”-Derek Zemrak, theater operator

Colorado: In Denver, after 16 years Mile High Doggie Daycare shutdown and unable to refund money to customers who ‘pre-paid’ for services, the owners blame the lack of sales on the city’s gentrification of the area.

Connecticut:  Retail service company Daymond Worldwide suddenly shutdown its Stamford ops, more than 50 jobs gone. After 19 years industry recognized RR Model and Hobby Supply shutting down so the owner can retire.

Delaware: Too Big to Jail Capital One sold 1-million retail brokerage accounts to E-Trade, and will eliminate an undisclosed number of jobs in Wilmington as a result.

Florida: Jackson National Life Insurance-National Planning Holdings eliminating 60 jobs by the end of 2018.  Along with several Sears, Kmart and Sam’s Club shutdowns, Macy’s issued a shutdown WARN for its store in downtown Miami, 161 jobs gone by the end of March!  In Jupiter, after 33 years Kretzer Piano shutting down in February, the owner lamenting “It’s iPads and kids doing techy things…..the days of gathering around the piano and singing are kind of gone.”  Harbor Community Bank eliminating 1-hundred jobs due to being taken over by CenterState Bank!  Securitas Critical Infrastructure Services eliminating 117 jobs at the end of March!

Georgia: In LaGrange, after 45 years Crockett Brothers towing shutdown due to the 70 years old owner’s health problems.  In Athens, for a second time Junkman’s Daughter’s Brother eclectic junk store shutting down, this time due to the rent being jacked-up by 56%, and the property being secretly listed as for sale.  The owner said he isn’t going to look for another location, he’s taking it as a sign to retire.

Hawaii: After nine years Central Guns and Ammo shutdown its brick-n-mortar store to focus on internet sales. Monthly gun classes will continue.

Idaho: California based Cost Plus World Market (aka World Market) suddenly shutdown its store in Nampa.  Bon Ton owned Herberger’s announced it will exit its Pine Ridge Mall location, in Chubbuck, when the inventory runs out. It’s part of Bon Ton’s plan to shutdown dozens of stores in 2018.

Illinois: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down seven stores statewide.  Champaign based Hobbico (formerly Don Anderson’s Great Planes Model Distributors and Bruce Holecek’s Tower Hobbies, and current owner of the iconic Revell brand) laying off 332 people, and is now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and for sale, blaming “an increasingly competitive industry, market headwinds and a series of one-off events with key suppliers.”  In Wheaton, after five years women’s clothier Bella Roba shutting down at the end of February, due to owner getting married.  In Barrington, after 29 years Pasquesi Home and Garden suddenly shutdown.  Ascena Retail Group owned Loft shutdown its Champaign’s Market Place Mall store, as part of a plan to shutdown  hundreds of Ascena Retail Group owned stores stores across the U.S.   At the O’Hare Airport, ABM Aviation issued a mass layoff WARN, 481 jobs gone by March! Just Ducky shutdown its five years old Plainfield store, local news media say at one time there were several Just Ducky stores across the state.  California based Cost Plus World Market (aka World Market) suddenly shutdown two  stores in the Chicago area.

Indiana: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down two stores statewide.  In Lafayette, after 60 years Trader Horn Boot Center shutdown, blaming internet competition.  (when it comes to shoes I don’t understand the internet excuse, because shoe sizes have changed so much over the decades, even between manufacturers, that the only way I can buy shoes is by trying them on in a old fashioned store)

Iowa: Washington based investment company CUNA Mutual Group outsourcing 35 jobs in Waverly in an attempt to reduce operating costs. In Mason City, after 50 years the Hallmark gift shop shutting down by the end of February.  Tradehome Shoes shutdown its Mason City, Southbridge Mall location due to crashing sales over the past few years.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down two stores statewide.

Kentucky: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutdown its Simpsonville location.  In Bardstown, American Greetings eliminating 150 jobs in March, due to lack of demand for greetings cards!

Louisiana: In Shreveport, after 68 years Sun Furniture shutdown so the owner can retire.

Maine: In Lewiston, the 50 years old Goodwill thrift store shutdown because sales are too low.

Maryland:  Ascena Retail Group owned Ann Taylor suddenly shutdown its Towson Town Center store as part of a plan to shutdown  hundreds of Ascena Retail Group owned stores across the U.S.  Ignorant local news media blamed internet competition, but then reported that you can still buy Ann Taylor clothing through its online Infinite Style service.  Urban Outfitters suddenly shutdown its Harborplace location, no explanation.  Local news media reported that there are only two Urban Outfitter locations left in the state.  In Bel Air, after 15 years Two Sisters Gallery American Fine Craft & Jewelry shutdown so the owners can retire.

Massachusetts: In Needham, after 46 years Taylor’s stationery and party supply store shutting down by March, so the owners can retire. In Attleboro, after 117 years  (surviving The Great Depressions and numerous recessions) Highland Country Club now chapter 7 bankrupt busted, being liquidated to pay the debts. ‘Off price’ retailer Stein Mart shutting down its Westboro store as soon as the inventory is gone, due to crashing sales in 2017.  Zoots Dry Cleaning chain suddenly shutdown and went chapter 7 bankrupt dead, the bankruptcy judge ordered the chain to re-open 18 locations so customers can get their clothing.  The owners of Zoots said efforts to sell the dry cleaning service failed.

Michigan: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down six stores statewide.  In Muskegon, after 24 years Carol’s Bridal and Tuxedo shutdown due to family health problems.  In Detroit, after 70 years iconic Doll Hospital & Toy Soldier Shop shutdown, the owners admitting that even though they beat-out the ‘big-box’ competition they just couldn’t “adapt” to online competition.

Minnesota:  In Duluth, after 35 years the last Video Visions shutdown, news media say at one time there were six stores, the owners proudly stated “We were the first video rental store in Duluth and we’re the last.”  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down four stores statewide.  Edna based Regis owned SmartStyle Salons shutting down 6-hundred stores located inside Walmarts across the U.S.

Missouri: In Normandy, after 113 years (surviving The Great Depressions and numerous recessions) Schulte Hardware & Supply shutdown, the owner blamed internet competition.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down four stores statewide.  American Girl shutdown its doll store in the Chesterfield Mall, due to financial problems.  To prove to you how many customers still shop the old fashioned way, and refuse to shop online, they started a petition to keep the store open because they didn’t want to drive three hours to the nearest American Girl store! 

Nebraska: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutdown its Omaha location.  What housing market recovery? In Lincoln, after five years low cost second-hand building material seller Eco Store shutdown due to not being able to renew the lease.  The owner hopes to find another location.

Nevada: No luck as Lucky Dragon suddenly began halting casino and restaurant ops in Las Vegas, hundreds of jobs suddenly gone!  Apparently Lucky Dragon is now focusing on hotel ops only.

New Jersey: What housing market recovery? Mortgage company PHH Home Loans eliminating 78 jobs by mid-March, due to a venture deal with a competitor, and a $45-million USD settlement concerning fraudulent foreclosures.   JCPenney  shutting down its 60 years old Westfield Garden State Plaza location by March, 144 jobs gone!  In Lodi, iconic Party Box shutting down so the owners can retire.   Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down three stores statewide.   Hollywood Speedway & Hobbies shutdown by a mysterious fire, which also damaged next door Sharp Elevator and Atlantic Protective Pouches.

New Mexico: In Albuquerque, House of Football shutdown, the owner said it was due to sales taking a huge dump after NFL players began protesting the National Anthem! In Nob Hill, gift shop Beeps shutdown, the 70 years old owner said sales are still good but she wants to retire.   New Jersey based Bed, Bath & Beyond shutting down its store in Paseo by the end of February.  Its part of a Bed, Bath & Beyond plan to shutdown stores as their leases expire.

New York: Clothier Zara shutdown its first flagship store in NYC, as a result of a $15-million USD lawsuit by the greedy landlord against Zara.  After only ten months kids clothier MMKidz shutting down its Great Neck location when the inventory is gone, the Great Neck Plaza Business Improvement District admitted the local economy is in the dumps by saying “it would have been a surprise if they made it.”   In Greece, Alfred Angelo wedding store suddenly shutdown, the money made from the two day going out of business sales was donated to charity. Also in Greece, after 91 years Blanchard Florist shutdown, with the owners blaming the internet.  In Clay, children’s clothier Justice shutdown its Great Northern Mall store.  In East Syracuse, utility service Osmose moving work to other locations, affecting 101 jobs!  In Amherst, Dave’s All-Season Store forced to shutdown by the landlord who revoked the lease.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down five stores statewide, at least 250 jobs gone by mid-April!  Sterling National Bank eliminating more than 1-hundred jobs across the state by the end of 2018!  Contract manager Sykes Enterprises issued a shutdown WARN for its Amherst location, 89 jobs gone by the end of March.  Payment processor First Data Remitco issued a shutdown WARN for its Staten Island location, 64 jobs gone in September. Blue Ridge Capital issued a shutdown WARN for its NYC ops, 55 job gone by the end of March.

North Carolina: California based background check company HireRight shutting down its Charlotte location, 93 jobs gone in September.  After ten years Ciel Gallery shutting down by the end of February.  After 21 years the Charlotte Art League being forced to move due to a greedy property developer.  British empire United Kingdom based ‘professional services’ Aon Hewitt issued a layoff WARN for its Charlotte location, 76 jobs gone by March.

Ohio: In Cleveland Heights, after 27 years Big Fun Toys announced on facebook that it will shutdown this Summer.   After 69 years specialty shop The Villager (formerly Mariemont 5 Cents to $1) shutdown due to the owner not being able to renew the lease.  In Rocky River, after eight years Local Artistree shutdown blaming a shift in the maker community.  Macy’s issued a shutdown WARN for its Cincinnati/Hamilton store, 104 jobs gone by the end of March!  On top of that, Cincinnati based Macy’s announced it will continue shutting down stores through 2018, plus eliminate 5-thousand jobs!  End of year holiday sales rose by a piddly 1.1%, including Macy’s online sales!  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down four stores statewide.  In Boardman, after 62 years Adamas Jewelry and Gifts shutdown so the owner can retire.    Dover Business Services eliminating 48 jobs by June.

Oklahoma:  Ascena Retail Group-Ann Taylor suddenly shutdown its Tulsa store as part of a plan to shutdown hundreds of Ascena Retail Group owned stores across the U.S.  Ignorant local news media blamed internet competition, but then reported that you can still buy Ann Taylor clothing through its online Infinite Style service.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down two stores statewide.

Pennsylvania: New York based, but British empire Canada owned,  department store Lord & Taylor suddenly killed 202 e-commerce fulfillment jobs in Wilkes Barre, due to e-commerce ops being moved elsewhere!  In York, after 20 years “the biggest O gauge dealer in Pennsylvania” B&E Junction Electric Trains shutting down in February so the owner can retire, don’t know if you can blame the internet because the owner has his own website (www.stevenheffnerart.com).  In Titusville, after more than 45 years Tarr’s Country Store and Florist shutting down mid-February.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutdown its Erie location.    In Honesdale, after three decades Country Dawn shutdown, the owners lamenting “It’s different times, different times than it was.”

South Carolina: Burlington (formerly Burlington Coat Factory) shutting down its Columbia Place Mall store in March.  The Tanger Outlets Eddie Bauer in North Charleston shutdown.   Banana Republic in Mount Pleasant Towne Centre shutdown.  Mister Don Shoes and Dance in South Windermere Shopping Center shutdown.  Antiques Market suddenly shutdown its Mount Pleasant location due to the landlord refusing to renew the lease.

South Dakota: Bankrupt Toys R Us shutdown its Rapid City location.  Clothier Glik’s suddenly shutdown its Northridge Plaza store due to lack of sales, the landlord was shocked saying “It was very sudden. We had no idea.”  Family Dollar shutdown its store in Brookings, the district manager told local news media “We are just told that that store is closing, and we just oversee that. This is one of several that are closing, but there are so many that open and close. They relocate them, close them.”

Tennessee: In Franklin, after more than ten years ThriftSmart shutdown as part of consolidation plans that the operators hope will provide better funding for charities.  Hallmark shutdown its 43 years old gift shop in the Northgate Mall, and its gift store at the Hamilton Place Mall.

Texas: In Amarillo, after 51 years Duncan & Boyd Jewelers shutting down so the 70 years old owner can retire.  Blockbuster shutdown its last video store in The Lone Star State, in Edinburg.  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down five stores statewide.  After spending big bucks the past two years building 21 new stores, women’s clothier A’gaci now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and shutting down 49 stores, admitting it “spread the organization too thin”.  What automotive industry recovery?  After almost 24 years the Honda of Houston motorcycle dealership shutdown, with no explanation.  However, weeks after the shutdown announcement it was revealed that Honda of Houston was sold to Drake Powersports, who will supposedly continue operations  in that location as Honda of Houston.  In Corpus Christi, Cinemark Dollar Cinema shutdown, local news media say the owner Cinemark refused to respond to their questions.  In Austin, Bobalu Cigar Company suddenly shutdown, the owner blaming “deteriorating situation and terrible neglect by the City of Austin”.

Virginia:  After less than two years Todd’s Hobbies shutdown, the owner saying “The clientele that I have are predominantly in the retired community. They appreciate having a store handy. The younger segment of the population that are into model railroading I think are much more comfortable with buying online.”  In Gretna, Nett’s Nest thrift store shutting down by March, due to the owner’s health problems.  Ocracoke Station, the only fuel station on Ocracoke Island, suddenly shutdown because the owner was unable to pay a back due fuel bill due to health problems that resulted in hospitalization.  Hallmark gift shops in the Towers Shopping Center, the Tanglewood Mall and the Valley View Mall all suddenly shutdown, one local news source said inquiries as to why they shutdown were not answered.   In Richmond, after 41 years  W. Hirsch Oriental Rugs shutdown, so the owner can go to Puerto Rico to help relatives deal with hurricane recovery.  In Lynchburg, after more than 1-hundred years (surviving The Great Depressions and numerous recessions) Sheard’s Beauty Shop shutdown due to new city parking rules which drive away customers: “Why would they pay to park here when they can go to the mall?”-Mamie Branham, owner

Washington: In Seattle, after 42 years Zanadu Comics shutdown its last store, at one time there were three, the upset owner blames the un-recovered recession saying “There’s a feeling of loss……Maybe I’ll go get a real job.”  State Farm shutting down two call centers in Tacoma, 8-hundred jobs gone by the end of 2018!  Tacoma experienced the highest rent increases of any U.S. city in 2017, by 8.8%.

Washington DC: After 84 years iconic Johnson’s Florists and Garden Center shutdown: “This closure is a direct result of the significant increase in rent and other related fees of occupancy imposed upon us by the building’s owner. Despite months of earnest negotiation we have been unable to arrive at a mutual understanding with our landlord.”

Wisconsin: Department store Younkers issued shutdown WARNs for its stores in Appleton and Wausau, 138 jobs gone in March!  Bankrupt Toys R Us shutting down two stores statewide.  France based ‘body care’ store L’Occitane en Provence suddenly shutdown its seven years old Hilldale Shopping Center location.  Local news reports say L’Occitane en Provence began shutting down its U.S. locations in 2017.  Olympia Resort and Conference Center shutdown without warning, causing more than 60 people to become jobless and organizations scrambling to find a new place to hold their events.  Local news reports say organizations found out about the shutdown from laid-off employees.  It turns out the Conference Center is part of a lawsuit and has been up-for-sale for some time.    In Milwaukee, after ten years Jokerz Comedy Club suddenly shutdown.  In Delafield, after eight years Bittersweet Gifts and Accessories shutdown, the owners saying “Retail is quickly changing, and we feel it is time for us to change as well.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

OBAMA LEGACY: U.S. APPAREL INDUSTRY DEATH-SPIRAL

U.S. RETAIL/BANKING/SERVICE SECTOR COLLAPSE, December 2017: “DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS”

SEARS KMART DEATH SPIRAL, JANUARY 2018: 103+ NEW STORE SHUTDOWNS ANNOUNCED! 

U.S. INDUSTRIAL/MINING/LOGISTICS LAYOFFS, January 2018: “MARKET CONDITIONS” BLAMED ON POPULATION DEATH SPIRAL!

Dumbing Down the U.S.A., January 2018:“LET’S PISS IN HIS MOUTH.”

U.S. HI-TECH/COMMUNICATIONS BREAKDOWN, January 2018: “TOUGH CHALLENGES THAT WE CAN NO LONGER IGNORE”

U.S. government shenanigans, January 2018:SEX & DRUGS = THE AMERICAN WAY!

U.S. food crisis, January 2018: “IT’S TIME TO ADAPT OR DIE”

ObamaCare ACA death spiral, January 2018:“INADEQUATE MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATES”