Category Archives: Business/Economics

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 09-10 May 2013. Prison labor causes law abiding workers to loose their jobs?

Greeting card company, American Greetings, revealed in its annual report that it laid off 2100 people in the past 12 months!  The report subtly mentions “headcount reductions”.   The company also credited the layoffs for its $47 million USD 4th quarter profits.

What housing market recovery?  In Alabama, real estate company J&E Land now bankrupt.  One owner of the company said they’ve been destroyed by Romney style vulture capitalists.

In Washington DC, the little known National Aquarium will close down in September.   The privately owned aquarium is housed in the basement of the U.S. Commerce building, which will undergo renovations.

In Monticello, Indiana, the Woodlawn Elementary School was closed after 63 years of operations!  It’s blamed on declining student enrollment.

The Easton Area School Board, in Pennsylvania, said they need to layoff between 29 and 53 employees, and raise local taxes.  Employees were also laid off in 2010 and 2012.   Frontier Communications continues to layoff employees.  29 employees in Back Mountain out-o-work.  The company has been laying off employees since the beginning of 2012.  In Castle Shannon, the McGinnis Market shut down after 33 years in business.  The owner said the bad economy made him realize he should quit while ahead: “I have no debt, I own my farm, my equipment, my store. I started talking to myself, and said ‘why are you working?’ I made the decision then and there.”-John McGinnis

Digital media company, Say Media, laid off 40 employees, in order to be more profitable.

The New York Post wants employees to voluntarily quit.  The newspaper is offering buyouts to try and remove at least 10% of its employees, as part of its 2014 budget.

The Daily News laid off 15 reporters.  It’s being blamed on ‘restructuring’.

In Orlando, Florida, Comcast cable laying off 260 employees through summer!

In California, another solar power company going down.  SoloPower selling off equipment and letting go about 130 employees in San Jose, and North Portland, Oregon!

Denmark based Vestas Wind Systems continues to layoff employees in Colorado.  Globally the company has laid off 582 employees so far this year, and company officials say another 1196 will be let go by the end of the year!  Last year they laid of hundreds of employees.

Like your tomatoes? NatureSweet laid off 65 employees, mainly managers, at their Willcox, Arizona, tomato farms.  NatureSweet picked up about 400 prison workers when they took over operations from EuroFresh.  However, NatureSweet officials say they are planning on reducing prison labor as well.

State officials in Missouri warned of massive layoffs for the Motor Vehicle Division.  It depends on next year’s budget.

In Falls Church, Virginia, Anthony’s Restaurant closed after 40 years of operations.  It’s blamed on a property developer.  In West End Alexandria, two Giant grocery stores shut down.  Company officials said they were not happy with “…the operating performance of the stores.”

Marie’s Flower Shop closed in Brewer, Maine.  The owner blamed bad luck with locations: “I have had four different locations due to buildings being torn down and a fire at one point. It’s been a struggle….”-Marie Patterson

In New Hampshire, it was announced the Portsmouth Kmart would close in August.  At least 30 employees screwed.

Jewelry and gift shop, Firefly, closed in Boston, Massachusetts.  The owner blamed it on the property owner who jacked up the rent.

In Minnesota, 79 people losing their jobs with Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings.  The company is reducing operations with its subsidiary ViroMed Laboratories, in Minnitonka.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shut down.

Business/Economics, International, Technology, U.S.

Corporate Martial Law: Hewlett Packard & NEC announce data spying & storage deal!

22 July 2013 (12:26 UTC-07 Tango)/14 Ramadan 1434/31 Tir 1391/15 Ji-Wie (6th month) 4711

Japan’s computer giant, NEC, announced a data storage deal with Hewlett Packard (HP).  Initial reports say they will develop small servers that can analyze and store large amounts of data.

Officials with NEC admit they and HP are trying to jump on the government/corporate domestic spy, I mean data collection business, being referred to as the promising field of “big data analysis”.

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 08 May 2013. U.S. education going down the toilet! No more Applebees in Chicago!

In New York, CA Technologies laying off 1200 employees!  Company officials said the layoffs were needed “…to rebalance its resources to better align with its business priorities.”

Another company involved with domestic spying, VMware, laying off 800 employees!  The company is connected to EMC.

In Pennsylvania, Honeywell Processes Solutions shutting down its York factory.  160 people unemployed!  Company officials say it’s necessary to stay competitive.  Helping people lose weight not paying off for Skinny Nutritional.  They’re now bankrupt.  Company officials are blaming a Too Big to Jail financier for failing to come through on a major loan.

In New Jersey, more than 200 people out-o-work with the Camden City Public Schools!  They’ve also ended their lunch aide program.  Since March, the school system is under direct control of the state government.  School employees said the state gave no explanation for the layoffs.

In Louisiana, Delgato Community College laid off 115 employees and cut 15 programs!  The college laid off people back in February.  School officials said they were short $8 million USD, after state officials forced the college to pay $10 million into state retirement funds (similar to what the U.S. Congress has done with the Postal Service).

The Tucson Unified School District laying off 187 people in Arizona!  School officials say they’re short $17 million, caused by declining enrollment and reduced funding!

What automotive industry recovery? In Illinois, Bridgestone laid off 23 people at their Bloomington-Normal factory.  Officials with the tire maker blamed crashing sales of off road tires.  Also, Applebees said it is closing eight restaurants in Chicago!  The company is bankrupt!

The Centerville, Ohio, Talegators sports bar shut down.  It’s being replaced with a crappy McDonald’s ‘restaurant’.

In Wisconsin, after 80 years of business the River Bend Shoe Center closed.  The owners blamed internet competition.  And the Yonkers store in the Rapids Mall shut down.  45 people laid off.  Box maker RockTenn closed its Milwaukee factory.  69 people out-o-work.

Office Depot announced it would close down in South County, Missouri.

In North Dakota, local news media reminded everyone that the Jamestown Kmart will close, despite the oil boom.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shut down.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Economic Recovery for Pocatello? Where’s everybody gone to?

22 July 2013 (23:07 UTC-07 Tango 21 July 2013)/14 Ramadan 1434/31 Tir 1391/15 Ji-Wie (6th month) 4711

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Back before gas prices went over three bucks per gallon, the main drag through Pocatello and Chubbuck, Idaho, Yellowstone Avenue (aka State Highway 91) was a busy place even on Sundays.  But in the past few years traffic has dramatically declined on both Saturday and Sunday.

The intersection of Yellowstone and Alameda, in Pocatello, is usually the busiest section during the week.  Last month one of my daughters (graduated Pocatello High School) paid a visit from Boise and was shocked at the reduction of even the work day traffic on Yellowstone.

This Sunday, 21 July 2013, was the most ghost townish I’d ever seen Pocatello and Chubbuck.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Economic recovery for Pocatello? Some things aren’t as they appear!

20 July 2013 (17:48 UTC-07 Tango)/12 Ramadan 1434/29 Tir 1391/13 Ji-Wie (6th month) 4711
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Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 07 May 2013. More Obama Care layoffs! Domestic spy companies layoff thousands of people!

Massachusetts based electronic data collection and storage (domestic spying) company EMC will layoff 1004 people around the World!  EMC will not renew their leases on 100 U.S. spy center locations.  It involves EMC’s info storage, security and intelligence operations.  In 2012, EMC laid off 1163 employees!  EMC has been laying off employees since 2010.  The electronic spy company has almost 60000 employees worldwide.  The layoffs are due to ongoing changes in how the company spies on the public: “For the last couple years, as EMC has been transforming our business, we have had ongoing rebalancing efforts. This most recent one, which was disclosed on Jan. 29, 2013, is relatively consistent with these actions to rebalance and reorganize our workforce to best align with the opportunities ahead.”-Lesley Ogrodnick, EMC

In Tennessee, vacuum maker Oreck now bankrupt. Company officials blame the bad economy saying sales are so bad that they “simply cannot generate cash fast enough to cover expenses”. The company is now for sale, with offers from the Oreck family and Royal Appliance Manufacturing.

New York based Colby Electronics laid off 42 people and closed its Savannah, Georgia, warehouse.  Company officials blamed “the prevailing economic headwinds” for crashing sales.   And the Muscogee County School District considering shutting down several schools.  District officials say they need to cut $40 million USD from the upcoming school year’s budget!

Hypocrisy in Alabama, the Cleburne County Board of Education approved an undisclosed number of layoffs for non-tenured and support personnel.  At the same time they announced that they hired nine teachers and administrators!

The University of Wyoming cut 54 faculty and staff positions.  It’s blamed on reduced state funding.

Indiana based drug maker, Eli Lilly, announced drastic cuts.  At least 1624 people losing their jobs!  The company blames it on expiring patents on their drugs.

In New York, U.K. based Bunzl shut down their Hicksville distribution center.  30 people laid off.  The company is consolidating operations into New Jersey.  And the Saint James Mercy Hospital cut 50 positions.  It’s blamed on the bad economy and the Affordable Health Care Act (Obama/Romney Care): “SJMH is continuing to experience significant declines in patient volumes, patient days and revenues, as well as reduced state and federal reimbursement and we cannot continue to support our current operation under these conditions.”-Mary LaRowe, Saint James Mercy Health System

In New Mexico, the Gila Regional Medical Center converted 70 full time jobs to part time only.  The hospital has also stopped the $40 million expansion project, postponed a new health information software system and will shut down its Home Health Services in Luna County as well as Home Health’s D&E wavier and Helping Hands programs in Grant County!  Hospital officials blame it on the increase in uninsured customers who can’t pay and the Affordable Health Care Act (Obama/Romney Care) which drastically reduces Medicare and Medicaid payments.

In Kentucky, Kentucky Spirit Health Plan laying off all its 145 employees!  The company focused on providing Medicare covered care for children.  Company officials say the drastic cuts to Medicare funding by the Affordable Health Care Act (Obama/Romney Care) forced them to shut down because the new Medicare payments don’t cover the basic costs of operations!  And Eddie Montgomery’s Steakhouse closed without warning in Harrodsburg.  The country music singer/owner simply said “Unfortunately, we had to close the steakhouse.”

In Arizona, another solar power victim of Obama, First Solar, laying off 150 employees!  In 2012 they laid off 2000 employees!

T’Licious cafe shut down in Delaware. The owner blamed it on national chain restaurants moving into the area.

In Chicago area, Illinois, U.S. Cellular shutting down more than a dozen stores and laying off 128 people!  Blame Sprint-Nextel.

In New Jersey, the new owners of the Morristown Headquarters 10 cineplex is shutting the movie theater down.  Bow Tie Cinemas recently bought out the Clearview theater chain, but decided the Morristown theater wasn’t worth keeping open.

After 25 years, the Finnicum’s Furniture store shut down in Sidney, Montana.   After a 17 years expansion, the family owners have been forced to give up their Montana and North Dakota stores.  Their Poplar, Montana, store burned down.  Their Williston, North Dakota, store was sold two years ago (despite, or because of the oil boom).  The Sidney store was sold after they lost their warehouse.  The only store they have open now is their very first store in Culbertson, Montana.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shut down.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3, Economic Front: Mass Sears & Kmart closings! Kmart sells expired baby formula & meds! Proof that Lampert is evil!

17 July 2013 (16:43 UTC-07 Tango)/09 Ramadan 1434/26 Tir 1391/10 Ji-Wie (6th month) 4711

In Maine, the Sears in Presque Isle closing down by October.  The manager of the store and Sears Holdings argued over how many people will lose their jobs.  The corporate office says only 58 people work there, but the upset manager said 80 people are currently employed!  The owner of a Fort Kent Sears Hometown store confirmed that 80 people are working at the Presque Isle Sears.  According to local news media reports, there was no prior warning given to the store manager about the closing.

A Sears in Gautier, Mississippi, to close in October.  The shopping mall where the Sears is located, is being redeveloped into an open air mall, Walmart will be the primary tenant.

In Canada, the owner of a Sears Hometown store is leading a class action lawsuit against Sears Canada and Sears Holdings.  The lawsuit is for $100 million CAD, and alleges that Sears is ripping off the operators of Sears Hometown stores: “…Sears is making substantial profits from each and every Hometown store….We are tired of disappointing our customers because we lack the resources to serve them properly. We are tired of facing the public without a smile, because we know there is no paycheck at the end of the week. We are tired of being fed scraps for the benefit of a U.S. hedge fund billionaire!”-Jim Kay

According to Bloomberg Businessweek, Sears chairman Eddie Lampert is using a fake name online, to argue with Sears employees about his policies.  The article suggests that Lampert is purposely destroying Sears, as evidenced by his instigation of internal fighting: “He left critical comments on other people’s posts, according to more than 20 former employees; he even got into arguments with store associates.”-Mina Kimes

In Kentucky, after 30 years of business the Sears in the Fayette Mall, in Lexington, to close by the end of 2013.  The store space was sold to the mall owners, CBL & Associates.  114 people will be out-o-work by Xmas & the Gregorian new year!

The South Park Mall Sears to shut down by October in Moline, Illinois.  Also, dozens of Sears employees in Chicago went on strike for predictable work hours and better pay: “Right now, we’re on survival mode. It’s not enough for basic necessities.”-Judith Luna

The Kmart on Hendersonville Road in South Ashville, North Carolina, will close down by November.  The lease was not renewed, but it might be the property owners fault.  Pulliam Properties was the one who did not renew the lease.  The retail property developer says he has purposely allowed store fronts to become vacant on his property on Hendersonville Road, because he has big plans for a new shopping center.

And in Pennsylvania, another property developer is to blame for the closing of a Kmart in Bethlehem Township.  AKAL Associates bought out the lease in a power grab: “We went after the lease because we wanted to control the space.”-James Balliet, listing agent representing property owners

Also in Pennsylvania, the Kmart in the Mark Plaza shopping center in Edwardsville is suing the property owner for at least $10 million USD.  The Kmart opened shop in 1974, and the lease stated the property owner would be responsible for storm drainage, the plaza has been flooded at least four times since then.  Kmart is now the only store left in the plaza, all the others left mainly because of repeated flood damage.  Attorneys for Kmart claim they’ve discovered the property owners never conducted surveys evaluating the possibility of floods, and never attempted to improve the property after each flood.

Kmart has settled with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs over charges that the store was selling expired baby formula and non-prescription medications: “Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs today announced a settlement with Kmart in which the retail giant will pay $302,500, donate $25,000 worth of infant formula to charity, pay for continued unannounced state inspections, and implement meaningful remedial measures to inspect its merchandise, after 19 Kmart stores in New Jersey were found to have sold or offered for sale expired infant formula and non-prescription medications.”-Division of Consumer Affairs

In Australia, Kmart is the first retailer to agree to publicize the addresses of its suppliers: “…it will be possible for independent groups to visit factory sites and verify wages and conditions for workers. We look forward to visiting Kmart’s website very soon and being able to download this information. Oxfam has spent nearly two decades investigating the global clothing industry, and our research shows that very low wages, long hours of overtime and unsafe workplaces are the norm. We call on other Australian retailers to follow Kmart’s lead….”-Oxfam Australia

Here’s the updated list of U.S. Sears/Kmart store closings since the end of 2011:

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

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

California:   El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (at least 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost), Torrance Kmart,  Fairfield Kmart (63 jobs lost).

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

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

Guam:  Sears Hometown Store.

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway closed in February 2013 (69 jobs lost),  Pensacola Kmart on East 9 Mile Road will close in May (73 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost), Bonita Springs Kmart (67 jobs lost), Mount Dora Kmart (100 jobs lost), Lake Mary Kmart.

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost!!!),  Kauai Sears (41 jobs lost),  Iwilei-Honolulu Kmart for lease (no confirmation of store closing).

Vacant bedroom/bathroom section.

One corner of the half vacant Chubbuck, Idaho, Sears. No official closing announcement was made.

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).  No official announcement, but it’s painfully obvious the Chubbuck Sears going’ down. Or, maybe it’s preps for Shop within a Shop, or one of those domestic spy data storage centers?

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Sears (49 jobs lost).

Illinois:  Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost), Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost), Calumet Sears (164 jobs lost), two Sears stores in Grand Crossing area of Chicago (247 jobs lost!), Mount Vernon Sears (68 jobs lost), recently revealed Moline Sears (at least 60 jobs lost). 58 Chicago area stores up for lease or sale.  By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state.  The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

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

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

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), recently revealed Lexington Sears (114 jobs lost!).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost), recently revealed Presque Isle Sears (80 jobs lost).

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

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, Flint Kmart (46 jobs lost), Gaylord Kmart (48 jobs lost).

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart, Bemidji Kmart,  GGP owned Sears Auto Center in the Apache Mall closed (10 jobs lost).

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line, recently revealed Gautier Sears (71 jobs lost).

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line, High Ridge Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials,  Portsmouth Kmart (30 jobs lost).

North Carolina: High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost),  West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (58 jobs lost), recently revealed South Ashville Kmart on Hendersonville Road.

North Dakota: Jamestown Kmart (45 jobs lost).

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

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

New York: Depew (Lancaster?) Kmart (68 jobs lost).

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

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned, GGP wants a $2 million sales tax rebate, claiming it’s needed to offset capital investments needed to bring the space up to the standards for potential new tenants).

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

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost), Shippensburg Kmart (46 jobs lost), Moon Kmart (143 jobs lost), recently revealed Bethlehem Township Kmart (62 jobs lost).

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, Columbia Kmart on St Andrews Road (66 jobs lost), Irmo Kmart (no info on how many jobs lost),  both Greenville Kmarts (140 jobs lost between the two).

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

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

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost),  Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost), Fairfax Kmart (no word on how many jobs lost), Christiansburg Sears (59 jobs lost), Norfolk Kmart on East Little Creek Road (77 jobs lost), Manassas Kmart (71 jobs lost).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Florida: West Oaks Mall

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

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

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center (will be closed, see above)

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

Minnesota: Apache Mall  (see update above, GGP will close Sears store by 2014)

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 06 May 2013. More job cuts for Christians!

New York based Ledgemont Capital investment bank bankrupt.  Assets will be sold to repay creditors.  Obviously people will lose their jobs.

Christian Lourdes University, in Ohio, laid of eight administrators.  Salaries have also been reduced.  The Catholic school blamed it on declining enrollment.

In Michigan, Boyne City Board of Education wants to privatize janitor operations.  13 jobs affected.  Watch Hill Home Interiors closed in Birmingham.  The antique store owners said “The store itself is closing due to economic factors and other things. It’s sad, but it’s kind of just the way it goes these days.”-Julie Suspanich

The Christian New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, laid off 12 managers.  Hospital officials said they need to “…ensure that our financial future remains strong.”  And in Hopkinton, after 25 years Vintage Books shut down.  The owner said the economy is so bad that for the past four years she couldn’t cover operating costs: “In this economy, the business of selling books has become very difficult. Now, people are buying eBooks or reading them on their iPads. They don’t browse anymore.”-Nancy Haines

After 98 years in business, Sledge Hardware in Alabama shut down.  Anne Sledge Bailey, the owner, said “It’s time to cut back a little.”   She also blamed suppliers ending their policy of extending credit to mom & pop operations.  Crossroads Music Hall and Barrel House both shut down in Huntsville, on the same day.  The owners of the Barrel House blamed the bad economy.  The Music Hall is moving to a new location.

Despite the oil boom in North Dakota, the bird store Birds Out On A Limb, in Bismarck, closed for good.  The owner blamed it on the bad economy made worse by competition from national pet stores: “It’s been hard for us.”-Kathy Benesh

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shut down.

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 04-05 May 2013. More cuts for Christians! Where are all the students going? Obama/Romney Care claims more health care jobs!

Caterpillar laying off 300+ people at their Decatur, Illinois, operations!  Apparently this is on top of the 460 job cuts announced in April!  The heavy equipment maker is blaming it on crashing sales to mining companies, who’re shutting down operations worldwide.  In Wheaton, the Stork’s Cradle baby and heirloom gift store shut down.  The owners said they need more “balance” in their lives.

In Elmira, New York, Arnot Health has laid off 22 employees at Saint Joseph’s Hospital.  They shut down a surgical unit.  And 22 people laid off by MVP Health Care.  The company has been laying off employees since January 2012.  Is it because of Obama/Romney Care?  Here’s what the company said: “The health care marketplace is changing rapidly, and MVP must constantly adapt….”

In Kentucky, Hospice of the Bluegrass got rid of 16 jobs.  They blame it on cuts to Medicare and Medicaid no thanks to Obama/Romney Care (Affordable Health Care).

Blood management systems provider Haemonetics, shutting down operations in Braintree, Massachusetts, and moving its disposable products operations to Tijuana, Mexico.  320 jobs lost!  In Wayland, the Christian (Lutheran) Little Dove Early Childhood Center shut down.  Blamed on declining enrollment.

In New Jersey, after 47 years the nonsectarian private McAuley School shut down.  Most of their students were ‘special needs’ children.  Like other private and public schools, it’s being blamed on crashing enrollment.  It begs the question; where are all the students going?  (it should be noted that some school staff accused an administrator of verbally abusing students)

In Connecticut, Carrie Welton’s bar and restaurant closed down.  The owner said it was because he was tired of the business and wants more time with his family.  However, it was revealed that he owed the borough of Naugatuck property taxes all the way back to 2007.

After 54 years, the Bible & Book Center (that’s a redundant title because Bible means book) closed down in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.   The owner blames competition from national stores and the internet.

Kansas based Perceptive Software is laying off at least 40 people across the country.  It’s blamed on the company’s take over of seven competitors since 2011.

In Washington DC, CQ Rollcall laid off at least five people, along with buying out five employees who had contracts.  The political news source, which reports on the goings on in Washington DC, says it’s part of their plan to move from print to digital/internet media.

The owners of The Guy’s Shop and Thelma’s, in Wisconsin, retired and shut down their stores.  In Madison, after 51 years Dorn Hardware shut down.  The owner blames competition from national stores and the bad economy: “We’ve been looking at dong this for at least three years. It’s all about sales and expenses. Sales are too low and expenses are too high.”-Tom Dorn

In Georgia, New York based International Flavors & Fragrances is shutting down their factory in Augusta.  54 employees affected.  Company officials say it’s part of their plan to make the company more efficient by consolidating operations.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shut down.

Business/Economics, Technology, U.S.

Martial Law U.S.A.: Bilderberg directly involved with NSA domestic spy operation!

11 July 2013 (14:38 UTC-07 Tango)/03 Ramadan 1434/20 Tir 1391/04 Ji-Wie (6th month) 4711

Thanks to Edward Snowden’s release of NSA documents to The Guardian, it’s been revealed that Microsoft was directly involved with helping to create the domestic spy operation in the United States.

Bill Gates is the co-founder and current chairman of Microsoft.  He is also a documented Bilderberg attendee.  He and his wife are also behind a global vaccination program, especially for polio, but recently it was revealed that a former Gates Foundation official is behind a new vaccine for norovirus.

Specifically Microsoft helped the federal government break the encryption of individuals’ chat room discussions through Microsoft’s own Outlook portal.  But wait, there’s more!  Read The Guardian article to find out.