Category Archives: Idaho

Business/Economics, Idaho

Like beer? Get ready for skyrocketing prices as Mother Earth kills off malt barley crops in three U.S. states! Corn harvest not as big as expected? Get ready for $40 bread, spuds & steaks?

30 September 2014 (09:32 UTC-07 Tango)/05 Dhu l-Hijja 1435/08 Mehr 1393/07 Gui-You (9th month) 4712

“There is no panic yet. Everybody has been telling us not to panic. There is carry-over from last year’s malt supply. Our prices are stable until January, but beer prices are going up.”-Tim Mohr,  Angry Hank’s Brewery in Billings, Montana

Bad news for beer drinkers, it’s being reported that the malt barely crops in Idaho, Montana and North Dakota have been nearly destroyed by unusually cool and wet summer weather (what global warming?).

Anheuser-Busch and MillerCoors are dependent on those crops.  A report out of Montana said the crops sprouted too soon.  When the barely sprouts is crucial as it has to have enough sugar at harvest time to be used to make beer.   It also must be harvested before it germinates, and the abnormal rain caused most barely crops to germinate before harvest.

What this means is U.S. beer brewers must import their barely from other countries for the 2015 brewing season, which means it’s going to cost beer drinkers more money.

But it’s not just barely that’s going down in flames.  Hay, wheat and potato crops took a big hit as well, which means grocery prices are going up in 2015.

According to the University of Idaho, Idaho farmers lost at least $220-million worth of hay, barely, wheat and potato crops this year, due to excessive rain!

At the beginning of September the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) declared Twin Falls and Jerome, in Idaho, disaster areas.   This allows farmers to borrow money from the government to get them through next season, due to not having any crops to sell.   (it’s just another way to keep family farms in debt)

Last week, harvest results were being reported and it wasn’t good.  According to the USDA wheat prices are already inching up, as the spring harvest totals were below the five year average.

This is the beginning of the corn harvest and so far only 42% is mature.  The past five year average is 54% mature.   On top of that only 7% has been harvested, the five year average for the beginning of harvest is 15%.

The price of beef cows continues to go up.  And while the price of live cows goes up, the number of slaughtered cows goes down, ensuring the price you pay in the grocery store will skyrocket.  Another factor that will drive up beef prices are the failed hay crops in states like Idaho (which is a big cattle ranching state).

Late blight kills Idaho’s 2014 potato crops?

GMO CROPS INTENDED TO CREATE STARVATION IN THE U.S. & CANADA?

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings 18 – 19 July 2014: “The market has continued its downward spiral.” Restaurants refuse to pay employees? Company promises job security then lays off employees and cuts hours! Proof of the Rapture as Christian students continue to disappear?

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

What housing market recovery?  The U.S. Commerce Department reports a 9.3% drop in new U.S. home construction in the month of June.  When broken down by region, the southern states led the country with a 29.6% drop!  This is significant because the southern region makes up 40% of U.S. home construction!

Midwest: 28.1% drop

Northeast: 14.1% drop

West: 2.6% drop

California: In San Francisco, after almost 60 years Villa Romana restaurant shutdown.  The owners want to retire, and their two adult children say the economy doesn’t make it worthwhile for them to give up their current careers to continue the family business.  In Sacramento, Lowe’s owned OSH (Orchard Supply Hardware) on Arden Way shutdown.  OSH was once owned by Sears Holdings, but was sold to Lowe’s last year.

Florida: What housing market recovery?  In Fort Lauderdale, It’s been revealed that a 14 year veteran of the ‘American’ football team known as Miami Dolphins, is losing his home to a Too Big to Jail bank foreclosure.  That bank is known as the Bank of New York.  Bank officials say the football veteran stopped paying his mortgage last year.  Records show he had trouble paying his mortgage back in 2009 as well.

Idaho: What housing market recovery?  In Naples, it was revealed that Washington based Alta Forest Products (whose main product is fencing for homes) laid off at least 25 employees the week prior.  Hours for other mill employees were reduced.  Salesman Jeff Cook kinda blamed the housing market saying “We’ve lost a lot of sawmills and building products companies since 2007.”  However, it’s probably due to the May 2014 merger of TMI Forest Products and Welco Lumber, which created Alta Forest Products.  What’s (not) funny is company officials promised that job security was the goal of the merger: “This agreement will help secure employment to the local communities and strengthen the regional economy built on the growing lumber industry.”-company statement

Illinois: In Murphysboro, after 37 years God refuses to stop the shutdown of  Murphysboro Christian Academy.  Officials with the privately funded school say Christian students are disappearing (raptured?).   What automotive industry recovery?  In Freeport, Titan Tire laid off 36 people at its factory.  These layoffs have been going on for awhile; 26 in April 2014, 66 in August 2013.  Company officials blame crashing sales to mining companies and food growers: “The market has continued its downward spiral. Our ticket orders for tires in the ag and industrial market are down. They’re just not in demand.”-Dale Sandell, president

Louisiana: Netherlands based Chicago Bridge & Iron announced it is shutting down its Addis pipe factory in September, saying “For economic reasons we have decided to close the entire CB&I Addis Shop.”  126 jobs lost!

Maryland: In Frederick, Texas based Dickey’s Barbecue Pit shutdown without notice, and without paying its employees!  Company officials simply said “It was not meeting our standards”, but local circuit court officials revealed that the restaurant failed to get a required business license.   Most former employees claim they are still owed about $600 USD.  In Hagerstown, after more than 40 years custom bicycle shop Hub City Cycles shutdown.  The owner said he  was forced to close, but he will do his best to spend the next 40 years making the World a better place.

Michigan: In East Lansing the largest teachers union in the state, Michigan Education Association, revealed that half of its members actually made less money in 2013.  Incompetent union officials admit they don’t know why.  Yet while half of their members made less money, somehow the amount of assets held by the Michigan Education Association actually went up!   In Hudsonville, God refuses to stop the shutdown of Freedom Christian Schools (aka Freedom Baptist Schools).  The shutdown was a surprise as school officials even extended the contracts of teachers before the announcement.  The school’s website has been removed.  School officials blame raptured students (apparently because this problem of disappearing students is affecting both taxpayer and privately funded schools all over the U.S., as I keep pointing out) saying this school year’s  enrollment is worse than last year’s.     At one point the privately funded school had 375 students, but since 2010 they’ve lost at least 65 students.  (privately funded schools are more affected by student loss than are taxpayer funded schools)

Mississippi: Obama Care forcing Singing River Health System to shutdown two of their Medworks clinics in August, one in Gautier and one in D’Iberville.  Back in March, hospital officials revealed that even with the new Obama Care that $88-million in medical services will not be paid for!  Officials say Obama Care is not solving the problem of people who can’t pay for medical care: “The amount of uncompensated care that we generate every year is growing every year, and it is the largest it has ever been! This is a very difficult time in the industry.”-Kevin Holland, CEO

New Jersey: What housing industry recovery?  In Bayonne, an undisclosed number of Muralo Paint employees losing their jobs.  Company officials sold off most of their assets to another company called California Products.  Officials with California Products say only “several individual” Muralo employees will be kept on.

Ohio: The Lorain County Community Action Agency warned it will eliminate 25 Head Start assistant teachers.  It’s a little confusing as officials claim the layoffs will actually increase teacher to student interaction.  In Toledo, Mexico owned Bimbo Bakeries announced they’re shutting down their Jason Street store just in time for Xmas, 34 jobs lost.

Pennsylvania: In Harrisburg, Zia’s at Red Door shutdown.  The owner blames jacked up rent and the fact that the idiot A-hole city officials jacked up the cost of parking at the restaurant: “Parking definitely has a lot to do with it. We lost a lot of customers. A lot of customers won’t come down because of it.”-Rocco Rama

Washington: What housing market recovery?  In Shelton, it was revealed that Alta Forest Products laid off employees and reduced working hours (see Idaho for reason).

West Virginia: After 30 years North Central Big Brothers/Sisters shutdown, it’s blamed on the bad economy: “Due to several cuts in our organization’s funding, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Central West Virginia offices will be closing. Several streams of funding received in past years were not received this year, making our continued operations unfeasible. It is with deep sadness that we close our doors.” 

17 July 2014: “…that train is headed for the cliff!” 

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 shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security…That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings 15 – 16 July 2014: “It is extremely scary!” Idaho makes top ten Housing Implosion list! Thousands of job cuts right before Xmas! Christian prudery gone wild kills jobs! More gun makers killing jobs! Obamacare killing mom & pops!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

United States Air Force (USAF) announced it will kill 3459 jobs over the next five years, however they admitted the majority of job kills will take place over the next 12 months!

What housing market recovery?  RealtyTrac’s top ten list says the Kansas City area (in both Missouri and Kansas) has 305 abandoned homes!

Alabama: Maxwell AFB announced it will kill 31 military jobs, which will affect an unknown number of sillyvilian (civilian) jobs as well, most will happen in time for Xmas!   RealtyTrac’s top ten list says Birmingham-Hoover ties second place (percentage wise) with abandoned homes, 37%!  In numbers that’s 428 abandoned homes!

California: San Ramon based oil giant Chevron announced it is killing 225 jobs in Scotland.  Those jobs include U.S. contractors.  Chevron officials say it’s part of their plan to reduce “redundancies”.   Diesel, A Bookstore shutdown its Malibu Country Mart store.  Company officials blame slow sales and “steep rent” saying “We’ve talked…about reducing rent….but at the end of the day, you’re tied into the lease…”  In Santa Maria, after 35 years Electronic Parts Supermart shutdown.  The 75 years old owner said it was time to see the World.  Tech company Intuit announced it will layoff 82 people at three job sites in September.  In Ballico, Sierra-Cascade Nursery announced it is shutting down (supposedly temporarily) in September, 544 jobs lost!

Colorado: Peterson Air Force Base (AFB) announced it will kill 275 military jobs, which will affect an unknown number of sillyvilian jobs as well, most will happen just in time for Xmas!  What housing market recovery?  Michigan based Lamar Construction stopped three apartment building projects in the  Centennial State, 180 jobs lost!  On top of that, four other apartment projects are threatened.  As I reported in past Job Losses reports, Lamar Construction shutdown without notice.

Florida: Hurlburt Field announced it will kill 22 USAF jobs, which will affect an unknown number of sillyvilian jobs as well, most will happen in time for Xmas!  RealtyTrac’s top ten list says at the end of the 2nd quarter, the Palm Bay area had 2041 abandoned homes!

Hawaii: Hickam AFB announced it will kill 238 military jobs, which will affect an unknown number of sillyvilian jobs as well, most just in time for Xmas!

Idaho: In Nampa, Macy’s Clearance Center shutdown, eight jobs lost.  Local news reports indicated that the lease on the property was still in effect.  RealtyTrac’s top ten list says at the end of the 2nd quarter the Boise-Nampa area had 765 properties in foreclosure, and 237 homes abandoned!

Illinois: Scott AFB announced it will kill 292 military jobs, which will affect an unknown number of sillyvilian jobs as well, most will happen  in time for Xmas!  Insurance industry created Obama Care forced Chiro One Wellness Centers into bankruptcy auction. Its remaining assets are up for sale. News reports said the health center blamed it on “a sharp drop in reimbursements for chiropractic services.”  In Chicago, the Taste of Chicago fair now dead.  Yearly attendance has crashed since 2007, and this year the show was cancelled on the last day!   Interestingly, Obama regime city officials claim the food fair was finally making a profit, despite declining attendance.  The Too Big to Jail Northern Trust Bank killing 200 jobs!  The international elitist bank targets “wealthy” customers, and said they needed to cut costs.  This is a true sign of a crashing global economy, when an elitist international bank says it has to cut costs!

Kansas: What housing market recovery?  RealtyTrac says Wichita leads the U.S. (percentage wise) with abandoned homes, 49%!  In numbers that’s 146 homes!

Kentucky: In Madisonville, Kmart announced they’re shutting down in October, 39 jobs lost.

Louisiana: Barksdale AFB announced it will kill 167 military jobs, which will affect an unknown number of sillyvilian jobs as well, most will happen in time for Xmas!

Massachusetts: Waltham based military taxsucker Raytheon admitted it killed an undisclosed number of jobs.  Local news reports say “anonymous” employees reported 300 people become unemployed!  The job cuts are blamed on the bad economy and the Department of Defense delaying the approval of new contracts (which in turn is because of the bad economy).  RealtyTrac’s top ten list says at the end of the 2nd quarter Worcester had 394 abandoned homes!

Michigan:  What housing market recovery?  The Failed State Detroit Land Bank attempting to dump homes in the Boston-Edison area.  Those homes have been labeled “disasters” by local news media.  At least 12 large, dilapidated and trashed homes will be auctioned off in August.   In Failed State Detroit, the Comet Bar threatened with being forced to shutdown by a desperate baseball team.  Apparently the popular local bar might be in the way of the new stadium for the Detroit Red Wings.  Despite reporting a 54% increase in profits Rockford based shoe maker-seller, Wolverine Worldwide, announced it is shutting down all 140 stores (the majority are known as Stride Rite) across the U.S., by 2015!  Apparently they don’t think their good times are gonna last saying they must adapt to “a fundamental shift in consumer shopping behavior”.

Missouri: RealtyTrac says Saint Louis ranks 34% with abandoned homes! In numbers, Saint Louis has 847 abandoned homes!

New Hampshire: Germany based SIG Sauer laid off at least 100 employees from its gun factories in Exeter and Newington! It’s blamed on crashing gun sales.

New York: In NYC, after seven years New Amsterdam Market shutdown.  The owner of the popular market place said nobody was willing to continue debt financing the operation (which is actually how retail America works, not by actual sales).  In Centerport, popular wedding venue Thatched Cottage shutdown.  It went bankrupt back in January, the owner says they’ve never recovered from Tropical Storm Irene and Superstorm Sandy.  In Wyandanch, Obama Care forcing Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center to shutdown in October, 64 healthcare jobs lost.  RealtyTrac’s top ten list says at the end of the 2nd quarter, Syracuse ranked with 33% abandoned homes!

Nevada: RealtyTrac’s top ten list says at the end of the 2nd quarter the Las Vegas area had 1670 abandoned homes!

North Carolina: Who said tech jobs are recession proof?  California based CoreLogic announced it is shutting down their Charlotte ops, 49 jobs lost in October.

Ohio: Wright Patterson AFB announced it will kill 372 military jobs, which will affect an unknown number of sillyvilian jobs as well, most just in time for Xmas!  In Massillon, Food4Less grocery store shutdown without notice!  It was shutdown right in the middle of the afternoon while customers were shopping, about 15:00 hours according to local news reports.  It’s the 3rd grocery store in the past six months to shutdown in the city of Massillon.  Local news reports indicate that the owner of all three grocery stores had lost a major legal battle.  One lawsuit claims the owner has yet to pay for store supplies she received as far back as 2011!  Hundreds of jobs lost due to a incompetent or possibly deceitful store owner (kinda like a metaphor for those who’re running the United States)!

Oregon: What housing market recovery? RealtyTrac says the Portland area ties second place (percentage wise) with abandoned homes, 37%!  In numbers, the Portland area has 804 abandoned homes!  In Eugene, after 35 years Keystone Cafe shutdown, 17 jobs lost.  The owners blame increasing costs of operation, including higher insurance rates caused by Obama Care, for forcing them to “regretfully retire”.   In Forest Grove, controversial Dream Girls Espresso shutdown.  Apparently the female employees wore bikinis and would flash their boobs at customers.  Even though they were wearing pasties on their nipples, one man (who for some reason liked to go there and buy coffee and take pics with his cell phone) was outraged and complained so much to the landlord that the lease was not renewed.  This sounds like a clear case of ‘christian/religious’ prudery gone wild and resulting in job destruction: “He has basically stalked the stand since we’ve been open and has made several attempts at sending my landlord pictures to the point where it’s affecting their livelihood!”-Leah Sizemore, store owner

South Carolina: Joint Base Charleston announced it will kill 19 USAF  jobs, which will affect an unknown number of sillyvilian jobs as well, most will happen in time for Xmas!  In Walterboro, after 12 years the local Arby’s restaurant shutdown without notice.  Local news reports say the restaurant has two signs posted on the building, one saying “Now Hiring!” and the other saying “Sorry we’re close.” (yep, they actually forgot to put the ‘d’ on the end of “close”).  Local news reports said no restaurant official would talk to them to explain why the restaurant shutdown.

Texas: Joint Base San Antonio announced it will kill 429 USAF jobs, which will affect an unknown number of sillyvilian jobs as well, most just in time for Xmas!  In Austin, tech company National Instruments offshoring 100 U.S. jobs over the next 18 months!  Those jobs will go to Malaysia and Hungary, company officials now admit that “90 percent of our current production” is done in those countries.  In Houston, after less than nine months Trenza restaurant shutdown.  In Dallas-Fort Worth, the Texas Education Agency threatens to shutdown the Prime Prep Academy.  The school, founded by a former Dallas Cowboys star, is accused of failing to comply with state laws.

Utah: Hill AFB announced it will kill 27 military jobs, which will affect an unknown number of sillyvilian jobs as well, most will happen in time for Xmas!  California based Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo announced it is shutting down its Castle Dale office in October.

Virginia: Langley AFB announced it will kill 742 military jobs, which will affect an unknown number of sillyvilian jobs as well, most just in time for Xmas: “It is extremely scary! You have a family to provide for, and come December one, we could be homeless and jobless. It affects all military families. Nobody knows who is going to get cut or who’s going to be able to stay in.”-‘Trina’ taxsucking Langley air force wife and mother of eight (aka super-‘welfare’ mom)

Washington: Who said tech jobs were recession proof? Yet more warnings from Redmond based Microsoft about looming mass layoffs.  This time Bloomberg gave a hint at what could be coming: “The restructuring — which may be unveiled as soon as this week — may end up being the biggest in Microsoft history, topping the 5,800 jobs cut in 2009...” 

Washington DC: Joint Force National Capital Region, the USAF announced it will kill 522 military jobs, which will affect an unknown number of sillyvilian jobs as well, most just in time for Xmas!  The USAF also said it will kill 734 AFHQ jobs, most will happen in time for Xmas!

11 – 14 July 2014: “…sales…declined, utilities increased…it wasn’t financially feasible…” 

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.  It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security…That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

Idaho, U.S.

World War 3: “This is where armor fights!” Idaho National Guard returns to Cold War era ‘Total Force’ warfare training! First female combat mechanic! Pure Armor ecstasy!

12 September 2014 (23:59 UTC-07 Tango 11 September 2014)/16 Dhu l-Qa’da 1435/20 Shahrivar 1393/19 Gui-You 4712

“…we’re re-energizing that thing that we knew, and applying the new systems that are available to us. It continues what we’ve established over the last 10 years in Afghanistan and Iraq; it’s an opportunity for us to combine forces and re-engage the heavy fight….”-Colonel Brad Christopher, 116th Cav Brigade Combat Team Idaho National Guard

After a decade of training for low intensity conflicts (like the questionable occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan) the Idaho and Oregon National Guards just concluded new Total Force warfare training, similar to what we trained for during the Cold War and in the 1990s.

Back in the day, we trained hard for massive force on force warfare with the ultimate ground force wargame being held at Fort Irwin National Training Center (NTC) in California.  But that all went away with the occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq.  (remember, not one Afghan or Iraqi was involved in the 9-11 attacks on the U.S., the alleged attackers were Saudi, Egyptian, Lebanese or from the UAE)

Apparently the growing tensions with Russia is pushing the U.S. Army to return to Cold War training, even though the Obama regime continues to deny that we’re returning to a Cold War mentality.

“Being at the Orchard Training Center allows leaders to get their tanks, their Bradleys and their crews and Soldiers with live-fire and tactical maneuver and practice those skills, so when and if it becomes time to use them, they are already trained, proficient and confident.”-Lieutenant Colonel Brian Dean,  3-116th Cav Battalion Oregon National Guard

Orchard Training Area (OTA), south of Boise, was recently the scene of massive armor and artillery (I assume  Pocatello’s 1-148th Arti was there, for a couple of years I was a 13F with that unit) wargames not seen since the late 1990s.  Units from the U.S. Army’s Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, as well as Army Reserve and the Idaho and Oregon National Guards went head to head in the eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC, pronounced ‘ecstasy’) operation.

As a former 19K with B Co 2-116th Armored Cav (as it was known then), as well as a former 19E with California’s D Co 1-185th Armor (I was also a 12F with CSC 1-185th Armor before that, and somewhere in between I was an IsoDock crew chief on C-130s with 463rd MAC at Dyess AFB),  I can tell you that being on the line during tank gunnery is XCTC.

Click the pics to make bigger (unfortunately some of the photos were taken with crappy 110 camera with fixed focus lens and are fuzzy)

A couple of sergeants from Oregon accuratly describe what it’s like training at the OTA: “This environment and these big guns going off just adds to the chaos.  We eat a lot of dirt out here, a lot of dirt!”-Staff Sergeant Brian Allender

“It’s an adrenaline rush when you’ve got tanks and Bradleys and armor meshing out here in the middle of nowhere. It’s a lot of fun! The training value out here is invaluable. This is where armor fights!”– Staff Sergeant David Wahlstrom

Of note, a woman has become the first female M1A2 SEP mechanic in the Oregon National Guard.  Specialist Samantha Brumley also took part in the recent XCTC wargames, but never thought she’d be a first: “I wanted to be a nurse. I actually wanted to be a medic when I got in, but that didn’t happen….I like getting hands-on. I like getting dirty…I never thought I would join the National Guard and be a tank mechanic. I certainly never thought I’d be the first woman.” 

TRILATERAL COMMISSION PLAN IN MOTION: JAPAN TO JOIN U.S. & U.K. IN CREATING JOINT MILITARY FORCE! PREPARATIONS FOR TOTAL WORLD WAR?

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings 01 July 2014: NASCAR killing jobs in favor of computers! More Obamacare killing hospitals, “30 minutes is a long time when you’re dying!”!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced it will shutdown 82 distribution centers beginning in January 2015, thousands of jobs lost!

The USPS Gateway Station (aka CSMPC) in Pocatello, Idaho, survived past shutdown threats but made the 2015 Phase 2 shutdown list, 50+ jobs lost.

It was leaked by insiders that National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) killed 20 jobs.  NASCAR officials refused to admit to the layoffs, but did admit they want to “modernize the company’s operations with technology”.   In other words, replace humans with computers.

The troubled Family Dollar store chain announced it will shutdown 30 stores in North Carolina and South Carolina, hundreds of jobs lost!  It’s part of the company’s plans to shutdown 370 stores across the U.S.!

Generation mPower nuclear power project has killed 100 jobs across several east coast states (at one point officials said 211 people would become unemployed)!  Generation mPower is a joint nuclear power project by Bechtel and Babcock & Wilcox.  In 2011 they got some state funding, but since then have been relying on private funding, which dried up at the end of 2013.  Efforts to sell a majority stake in the nuke op failed in February.    Bechtel and Babcock & Wilcox said they need a minimum $15-million per year to keep the project running.

Arkansas: Washington Regional Medical Center laid off 27 healthcare workers, directly blaming Obama Care.  Hospital officials blame the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act for causing the hospital a loss of $8.75-million USD!

California: In Universal City, reports that movie studio DreamWorks killed as many as 50 jobs, with no warning.  In Palmdale, maker of hydraulic and fuel systems Crissair announced they’re shutting down in September, 170 jobs lost!  It’s part of their consolidations after their takeover of Canyon Engineering last year.

Colorado: Another crappy Old Navy clothing store shutting down, 75 jobs lost.  A Pueblo Jack in the Box restaurant shutdown, 50 jobs lost.  A sign said it was being replaced with a new “concept”.

Idaho: In Pocatello, the USPS Gateway Processing Center made the shutdown list for 2015, about 50 jobs lost.

Florida: In Miramar, marketing company Red Ventures shutting down in September, 255 jobs lost!  The company is consolidating ops into South Carolina.

Massachusetts:  In Foxborogh, after six years Tastings Wine Bar & Bistro now chapter 7 bankrupt and deceased.  The owners blame the suck ass economy: “The combination of a weak economy, high and persistent unemployment, and high staff turnover has led us to this difficult decision.” 

New Hampshire: Franklin Pierce University eliminated 12 positions. Earlier this year the university eliminated academic programs.

New York: In Rochester, Nick Tahou Hots restaurant shutdown.

North Carolina: In Durham,  Datrose Industries shutting down its Technical Response call center, 167 jobs lost!  They lost a major contract.  In Belhaven, Vidant Pungo Hospital shutdown without notice: “Closing this hospital means everybody takes another 30 minutes to get emergency help. 30 minutes is a long time when you’re dying!”-Adam O’Neal, mayor

Hospital officials point out they are building a new 24 hours clinic (which is more cost effective under Obama Care), and they also pointed out that city officials failed to take part in negotiations: “The Town’s recent accusations only serve to disguise the fact that it has failed to fulfill its obligations as outlined by the mediation agreement…… the lack of response made it apparent that the Town knew that it did not have a plan to take over hospital operations…….The mediation agreement clearly stated that the Town of Belhaven was required to work with Pantego Creek, LLC, for use of the hospital property. To our knowledge, the Town never contacted Pantego Creek prior to June 11.”

Texas: In Dallas (Oak Lawn), after 22 years Good Eats shutdown.  The owners blame the greedy property owner saying “our landlord has refused to renew our lease”.  In Austin, the Pour House Pub shutdown.  The property is being demolished for a big retail development.

Virginia:  Buchanan County Public School Board shutting down Russell Prater Elementary School.  It’s blamed on $2.1-million in debt.

28 – 30 June 2014: Massive auto parts store shutdown, despite massive taxpayer funding! 

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.

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security…That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings 24 – 25 June 2014: “We did everything right! ….gave 110%…..no one had our backs!” No more Elizabeth Arden? More proof of massive housing market crash! Obama regime kills Montana deputies? Environmentalists kill lumber jobs in Washington! No more Art Institute?

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama: What housing market recovery?  The Associated General Contractors & Builders reports that 900 construction jobs ceased to exist between May and June!  From May 2013 to May 2014 the state lost 1400 construction jobs!  In Birmingham, Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo NA announced they’re shutting down their commercial real estate loan origination office in July, 468 jobs lost!

Arizona: In Yuma, after 24 years Barenholtz Fine Furniture shutdown.  The owner sold the building and is moving back to Missouri.

California: In Stockton, France based contracted food service and facility management company Sodexo announced more layoffs, this time 73 people will become unemployed in August.  In Oakland, Sears announced they’re shutting down their repair center in August, 75 jobs lost.  In Orange, Obama Care forced Children’s Hospital of Orange County to kill 61 healthcare jobs, with only a couple days notice.   In Chino, biomedical laboratory instruments maker Beckman Coulter shutting down in December, 63 jobs lost.   What automotive industry recovery?  In Carson, U.S. Auto Parts Network announced they’re shutting down their distribution center in August, 78 jobs lost.  San Diego based computer chip maker Entropic Communications laying off 150 employees across the U.S., by September!

Connecticut: In Stamford, legal drugs pusher and maker of evil Oxycontin (which eastern Idaho pharmacists, and law enforcers, have publicly stated turns into morphine in your body) Purdue Pharma laid off 59 people.  Another 41 employees being let go across the U.S.

Georgia: After 27 years upscale snooty elitist Vinings Club restaurant shutdown.  The shutdown was revealed by one of the 871 exclusive members.  40 jobs lost, it’s being blamed on financial reasons which forced the sale of the restaurant.

Idaho: In Pocatello, After less than three months Timberline Home Furnishings-3G Used Car Sales is already busted! The location used to be the Ashley Furniture Liquidation store, which went away in March.

Illinois: In Oak Park, the Mac Specialist store shutdown.   The owners have been struggling ever since an investor backed out in 2013.  In Lake County, legal drugs pusher Abbott Labs laid off an undisclosed number of employees.  The lying company officials said it was necessary to “reduce costs”, but then they turned around and reported the ‘cost cutting’ action was costing them an additional $194-million USD in “charges”.  On top of that, they announced they are buying a Russian company for as much as $495-million in cash plus $136 million in debt!  And on top of that, they bought a Chilean pharmaceutical company for $2.9-billion plus $430-million of debt!  Now we see the real reason they need to “reduce costs”.

Massachusetts: In Leominster, HealthAlliance Hospital revealed that its recently announced Obama Care job cuts will affect 160 healthcare workers!

Michigan: What housing market recovery?  Washtenaw County announced 259 properties to be bundled into 75 tax auctions!  Compare that to 2013 when 186 properties were bundled for auction!

Missouri: In Kansas City,  Barton Nelson died.  The family owned printing company was only 53 years old.  The family owners left this angry message on their phone service; “…being forced to close its doors by our lenders.”

Montana: Powell County laying off two deputies, leaving an area the size of Delaware with only the Sheriff and two deputies!   County officials blame the Obama regime, because promised funding through the Secure Rural Schools Act never came through!

Nevada: Enterprise based Allegiant Air halting all but two flights to Hawaii.  The move will affect airports in Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.  Airline officials called it a “seasonal hiatus”.

New Mexico: In Albuquerque, two shopping centers up for auction; Four Hills Village Shopping Center and Riverside Plaza.  The commercial properties were foreclosed, despite having paying tenants.  Does it have something to do with the Albuquerque metropolitan area losing 2700 jobs from May 2013 to May 2014?!

New York: First Avon, now Elizabeth Arden.  The cosmetics maker announced massive layoffs, but refused to give exact numbers.  Arden is also shutting down their Puerto Rico ops, and canceling some perfume contracts.  Just like Avon, Arden is dealing with crashing sales.  In Queensbury, Tribune Media Services laid off about ten employees.  Last month they laid off 25 employees. The Hempstead School District killed 59 education jobs, in a secret vote.  The teachers union went to local news media to report that 47 teachers, 10 teacher assistants and two administrators had received layoff notices.  In May school officials declared many teaching positions were going to be “excessed”, which basically means there’s not enough money to cover them all.  Sterling National Bank announced they are killing 23 jobs statewide in September.  In Orangeburg, DHS Systems announced they are shutting down in September, 30 jobs lost.  The company specializes in portable hospitals.

North Carolina: What housing market recovery?  In Charlotte, Too Big to Jail Bank of America laid off 540 mortgage workers!

Ohio: God can’t stop all powerful Obama Care from killing 131 jobs with non-profit Christian health system, TriHealth (a partnership with Bethesda and Good Samaritan).  The SeniorLink Program was also killed.  Under Obama Care the program is considered too expensive.  What housing market recovery?  A realtor association in Columbus reporting an 11.3% drop in home sales from May 2013 to May 2014.  On top of that eight counties reported their April sales  dropped by 12.5%.  And this is with a reduction in the number of homes available!

Pennsylvania: British empire U.S. taxsucker BAE Systems killing more U.S. jobs, this time 35 people let go in Jessup.  The Sanatoga Kmart shutting down in August, ironically the store was advertising to hire new employees!  According to local news reports it was the property owner that shutdown the store, not Sears Holdings.  However, an unnamed store employee explained the building was owned by Sears Holdings, but the land was not.  The land owner refused to renew the lease.   Pittsburgh based Education Management Corporation (EDMC) laid off 80 HQ employees, and more are expected.  The for profit higher education system (half owned by Goldman-Sachs) operates in the U.S. and Canada through  Argosy University, The Art Institutes (200 employees laid off earlier this year!), Brown Mackie College and South University.  EMDC has been losing money for the past three years due to disappearing students (enrollment dropped almost 10% just from last year).  EMDC is also facing U.S. federal charges for paying recruiters based on student headcount, which is a violation of U.S. education laws.

Tennessee: The Crittenden Regional Hospital remains shutdown.  The official reason is reconstruction after a fire caused massive water damage by the hospital’s anti-fire sprinkler system.  However, it’s also been revealed the hospital is $23-million in debt, and Obama Care just might not make it worth rebuilding.

Texas: In Austin, Massachusetts based life sciences company Thermo Fisher Scientific laid off 115 people!  The work is being transfered to the state of California and the country of Lithuania.

Vermont: In Rutland, after 42 years the Book King shutting down in July.

Virginia: Dance costume maker Wolff Fording & Company killed 47 jobs.  Is that a big deal?  Consider this; there are now only five employees left in the factory that once employed 120!  It turns out the company was sold off earlier in June.  The new controlling owner is a California based vulture capitalist called Vert Capital.  The new owners admitted they didn’t expect to layoff so many people, but the costume maker was in deep trouble that was “not foreseeable at the time of purchase”.   Former employees are pissed: “We’re hurting!  We did everything right!  We showed up, worked hard, gave 110% and then we were kicked out on our butts with the feeling that no one had our backs!”-Shannon McCallister

Washington: British empire Canada based Interfor shutting down a sawmill in Beaver, and a planer in Forks.  90 jobs lost.  Company officials blame it on the bad economy, exacerbated by nut job environmentalist who managed to get a court order blocking the supply of wood!

West Virginia: In Wyoming County, the largest coal mine run by Cliffs Natural Resources shutting down in August, 450 jobs lost!  It’s blamed on crashing coal prices.  However, company officials said “If something happens in the next 60 days we won’t have to take this action.”  County officials are praying that “something happens”, Commissioner Silas Mullins said “We’re going to lose a great deal of money….” which could affect county jobs and cause a death spiral for the local economy.

Wisconsin: In Sheboygan, newly formed geo-imaging company Quantum Spatial laying off 68 employees in August.   Local news media report that company officials refused to explain why.

22 – 23 June 2014: “Our stores never recovered…”

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.

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security…That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings 10 – 11 June 2014: “We haven’t made a profit since 1989!” No more Long John Silver’s? Too Big to Jail Banks kill off trucking company! More education cuts! God abandons Boston Strong Jews? God abandons churches as Christians disappear?

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama:  Hoover City Schools laid off nine employees.  School officials bemoaned the facts that student population is growing, but due to the bad economy “….our property tax receipts have declined or stayed flat.”  School officials stated that local taxes began declining suddenly in 2009-10 (isn’t that when the ‘recession’ officially ended?).   Funding has fallen so much that they’ve cut the upcoming school year’s budget by 50%!  And it doesn’t help that Obama Care has drastically increased the costs of employee benefits.

Arizona: University of Phoenix (Apollo Education Group) laid off less than 50 employees.  Company officials say it’s part of their restructuring.

California: More bad news for the Orange County Register newspaper.  The new owners are requesting as many as 100 employees voluntarily quit (by accepting a buyout bribe), or face outright layoffs.  In San Jose, Motorola announced 45 employees will become unemployed in August.  In San Francisco, British empire and U.S. taxsucking military contractor BAE revealed to state officials that it had killed 194 jobs back on 13 May 2014!  WARN notices are supposed to be filed before the layoffs, but BAE filed their mandatory notice a month late.  In Beverly Hills medical systems management company, Forward Business Solutions, laid off 61 employees without notce.  In Lake Forest, dairy flavorings provider Kerry Flavor Systems shutting down in September, 85 jobs lost.  It might be connected to Kerry’s takeover of Wynnstar Flavors.

Connecticut: In Westport, after 59 years Max’s Art supply store shutdown.  The owner revealed the U.S. economy has been in the shitter for the past three decades: “We haven’t made a profit since 1989!”-Shirley Mellor

Florida: In Sarasota, upscale golf themed Sam Snead’s American Grill shutting down.  Employees were given two weeks notice, but were also “ordered” not to talk to the news media.

Idaho: In Twin Falls, after 47 years the Twin 12 Cinema movie theater shutdown.

Illinois: In Galesburg, the Long John Silver’s fast fish food joint shutdown without notice, 10 jobs lost.  Employees were officially notified the same morning that the restaurant was shutdown.  The franchise owner, Nellis Management, said the store was losing money big time.   Nellis Management also said sales at their other 31 Long John Silver’s (across four states) began crashing in 2013, and they plan on shutting more stores down as a result.

Kansas:  In Wichita, Canada based Bombardier shutdown LearJet-85 production, 200 jobs lost!  The employees were given less than a weeks notice.  Production was also killed in Mexico.

Kentucky: The Courier-Journal newspaper laid off seven employees, including the managing editor.  It’s blamed on declining revenue, and efforts to switch to digital.

Massachusetts: In Norwood, That Which Cannot Be Named refused to stop the shutdown of the Jewish elementary school Kehillah Schechter Academy.  It’s blamed on disappearing Jewish students (it also doesn’t help that the school is millions of dollars in debt).

Nevada: Canada based Veris Gold now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  Despite the price of gold, mining company officials say they are unable to get enough operating capital (Too Big to Jail Bank loans) due to their massive debt load.

New Jersey:  Trucking company New Century Transportation now chapter 7 bankrupt busted and shutting down.  Company officials say they were killed off by the Too Big to Jail Banks, who refused to continue providing operating capital (daily operating loans).  Company officials claim they even tried to sell off parts of the company to raise cash, but nobody is interested in buying.

New York:  Healthcare contractor IPRO laying off 114 employees in August! It’s blamed on the loss of a contract.   Wilson Central School District laid off two employees.  Once again the New York City Housing Authority made threats of shutting down 57 Community Centers!  Since at least 2011 NYCHA has made alternating massive layoff threats, then suddenly canceling those threats.  This is a sure sign of cooked books and political games being played with wasted tax dollars.  In Whitehall, Family Dollar store shutting down in July, 10 jobs lost.  It’s one of 370 Family Dollar stores to be shutdown in 2014.  The shutdown list has not been made public.  In East Syracuse, maker of parts for anything like golf carts to fork lifts Nidec Advanced Motors and Drives announced they will layoff between 34 and 189 employees in September!  In Brooklyn, prepared meals provider Blue Apron laying off 82 people in September.  Company officials announced they’re moving to New Jersey.

Ohio:  In Anderson Township, the Kmart announced it will shutdown in September, 71 jobs lost.

Pennsylvania: Medical device maker Medline Industries is shutting down and moving to New York.  40 jobs lost by October.  In Bridgeville, God refused to stop the closing of Holy Child Catholic School, as well as the Saint Ignatius and Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Barnabas churches.  Church officials blame it on disappearing Christians!

06 – 09 June 2014: “the effort just wasn’t bringing a return” 

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.

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security…..That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

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

Global Food Crisis: Late blight kills Idaho’s 2014 potato crops? Confirmed in Bannock County! Blame Mexico or Global Cooling?

19 August 2014 (01:53 UTC-07 Tango)/22 Shawwal 1435/28 Mordad 1393/24 Ren-Shen 4712

“…..just the beginning. The opportunity for this thing to be explosive in its spread is definitely there.”-Phil Nolte, University of Idaho

A few days ago it was reported by local news media that potato late blight was devastating crops in Bingham County, I can tell you it’s here in Bannock County, and it started back in July.

Farm field on the west side of Chubbuck. About 4 weeks ago these spuds were full and green.

Farm field on the west side of Chubbuck. About 4 weeks ago this spud field was full and green.

Don’t blame the drought, since the end of July eastern Idaho has been hit with abnormal rain, so much that University of Idaho pathologists warned the unseasonable heavy rain is causing late blight (Phytophthora infestans).  Late blight was confirmed in Blackfoot farm fields on 11-12 August 2014, in Bingham County.

I can tell you that the farm field on the west side of Chubbuck (Bannock County) was showing signs of disease before the heavy rains started, back at the beginning of July.   It’s an irrigated farm, and several types of crops are rotated every year.   The farmer stopped irrigating by the time the rains hit.

Check out the devastation. Back in July the potato plants were more than 2 feet tall, now they're dead! Late blight killed off the large fields in only a few weeks time.

Check out the devastation. Back in July the potato plants were more than 2 feet tall, now they’re dead! The only plants growing now are the tumble weeds! Late blight killed off the large fields in only a few weeks time.

Apparently it only takes the late blight fungus about five days to begin spreading spores (the spores travel by air).

A late blight is blamed for the infamous Irish Potato Famine, and it made its way to North America in the late 1800s.  But ever since the 1990s new strains of late blight evolved in Mexico, and are making their way north.  The new strains are considered more lethal than the old Irish Potato Famine version.   It attacks tomatoes as well.

University of Idaho ag officials stated that spraying fungicides should kill the blight, however they admitted many farmers are short on cash and can’t afford the chemicals.  A farmer from Aberdeen (Bingham County) stated that he hoped his anti-early blight spray would suffice for preventing late blight, due to cost concerns.   After all, potatoes haven’t really been a money making crop for Idaho farmers (despite the propaganda spouted in the metropolitan areas of the United States).

It’s not just potatoes, Idaho hay/alfalfa growers are facing fungus problems due to the unseasonal heavy rains.  By the end of the first week of August, Jefferson and Bingham counties reported record rain fall totals.

Hay farmers had already shipped off their first cuts, but University of Idaho officials reported that the second cut (now stacked in bales) is in jeopardy of mold contamination due to being soaked: “…..there was enough rain on uncovered stacks that it probably went through the first bale. We could have more hay fires and a bunch of ruined hay. Monitor your stacks.”-Glenn Shewmaker

A Blackfoot hay farmer reported that his hay stacks had already turned black with mold: “It’s the ugliest hay I’ve ever been a part of!”-Dewey Stander, lost 404 hectares (1-thousand acres) of cut hay

Up ’till now the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had been making optimistic reports regarding agricultural crop production in Idaho.

But there’s more climate change threats coming for Idaho farmers.  Climatologist Cliff Harris says he and his colleges agree that Idaho could see a colder than normal Autumn (our temps have actually been unusually cool for August).  He even warns that there could be hard freezes in September, meaning less food for you city folks to eat.

Business/Economics, Idaho

More Economic Decline: Only 3 years after opening, Chubbuck’s Allstate call center already killing jobs!

15 August 2014 (03:25 UTC-07 Tango)/18 Shawwal 1435/24 Mordad 1393/20 Ren-Shen 4712

In October 2010 insurance company Allstate, the mayor of Chubbuck (Steve England) and the governor of Idaho (Butch Otter) announced at a public ground breaking ceremony the creation of a call center that was promised to eventually employ 500 people.

The Allstate call center was built in The Crossings plaza adjacent to the Pine Ridge Mall, and became operational at the end of 2011, but nowhere near 500 jobs were created.

By the end of 2012, there were about 250 employees at the Chubbuck Allstate call center, making Allstate the largest employer in the city.  Many of the positions are part time only.  Allstate claims they spent more than $22-million USD on the project, but I know they got a lot of incentives from the state (taxpayers.  Allstate called it “nine months of negotiations”).

The $22-million+ Allstate call center in Chubbuck, Idaho, already shedding jobs after barely 3 years of operations.

The $22-million+ Allstate call center in Chubbuck, Idaho, already shedding jobs after barely 3 years of operations.

In 2013 Allstate added Roadside Services to the Chubbuck call center (at the expense of Allstate jobs in other states).  Local news reports said the move would create an additional 225 jobs, thereby keeping the promise of nearly 500 jobs made back in 2010.   Well, that didn’t last long.

Right after the groundbreaking ceremonies in 2010. The property is known as The Crossings, with Home Depot being the only occupant until Allstate came along.

On 13 August 2014, it was revealed that Allstate is shutting down their Chubbuck call center’s Roadside Services.  Those jobs will be shipped off to other call centers (including a new call center in Draper, Utah), or the Chubbuck Roadside Services employees can hope to be transfered to the original Chubbuck Customer Contact Center.

Allstate officials told local news media that this does not mean Allstate is leaving Chubbuck after only three years of operations, but guess what folks, Allstate has already done that in other parts of the country.  In fact, Allstate has been shutting down call centers (some only recently opened) across the country for the past two years!  (as I’ve pointed out in many of my Job Losses & Store Closings reports)

Allstate is playing the same game other call center operators are playing: They come to town and build new call centers using taxpayer funded incentives (basically no cost to the call center operators), they employ a couple hundred people for a few years, then, when the tax incentives expire they pull stakes and move on to the next sucker who’s willing (desperate for jobs) to waste their taxdollars on them.

Don’t be surprised if they eventually shutdown the entire Chubbuck Allstate call center.

East Idaho television news didn’t tell the story clearly

500 ALLSTATE JOBS?

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings 04 – 05 June 2014: “I don’t know if we can overcome this” Mormon security company in big trouble! Is Vivint connected to the NSA? More proof working hard gets you laid off! Yes Virginia, more healthcare cuts!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Radio Shack CEO Joseph Magnacca stated to shareholders “I don’t know if we can overcome this impasse…”, implying that the economy is so bad they might need to shutdown even more stores.  He also ignored questions about bankruptcy.

California: What housing market recovery and who said internet businesses are killing brick-n-mortar operations?  In San Francisco, internet based real estate search site Trulia laid off 85 employees.  Apparently four executives got demoted as well.  Company officials said they are trying to eliminate redundant jobs.  What automotive industry recovery?   Car dealer California Superstores announced they’re shutting down three locations across the Golden State, 203 jobs lost by August!  In San Diego, Midway Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram announced they’re shutting down in August, 96 jobs lost.   In Thousand Oaks, legal drugs pusher Amgen announced more job losses, this time 59 in August.   In Sunnyvale, semiconductor maker Supertex announced plans to layoff 19 people in August.  In Davis, the Davis Healthcare Center shutdown after a fire caused massive damage, 142 jobs lost!  In Long Beach, Bags Inc laying off 60 employees in August.  In Concord, Too Big to Jail Bank of America continues to kill jobs, this time seven people will become unemployed in August.  In Bonsall, San Luis Rey Downs Golf Course shutting down by August, 47 jobs lost.  In Santa Anna, newspaper publisher Freedom Communications announced the bad economy is forcing them to consolidate several newspapers, which will mean 100 people being laid off!  The city of La Puente laid off the city clerk and the entire code enforcement division!  Code enforcement will be contracted with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Florida: In Fort Myers, after only six years the trendy Elephant Bar Restaurant shutdown.  Company officials blamed lack of customers on the bad economy.

Hawaii: The Hilo Medical Center warned of Obama Care layoffs.  The state run hospital says increased cost of operations plus decreased funding due to Obama Care is pushing them into the red by $48-million USD!  In Maui, after 47 years Buzz’s Wharf restaurant shutdown.  The owner blamed the bad economy.

Idaho:  In Twin Falls, after only two years of production at the World’s largest yogurt factory Chobani laid off an undisclosed number of employees.  Officials say the layoffs are because production quotas were reached (in other words the former employees did their jobs well)!  But wait, more layoffs could be in the planning!  Chobani officials told local news media that the factory was still using hundreds more employees than they really need.  The new factory was designed for 400 employees, but state employment officials estimate there are between 500 and 1-thousand people working the successful operation.

Illinois:  In Springfield, AT&T shutting down a call center, 200 jobs lost!

Kansas: In Pittsburg, book, music and video store Hastings announced they’re shutting down in July, 35 jobs lost.

Kentucky: In Lexington, taxsucker Lockheed Martin revealed they’ve laid off 110 people back in May!   But wait, doesn’t that violate the tax deal they made with the state?  In 2013 Lockheed Martin got $10.8-million in tax incentives in exchange for employing 391 people at least until 2015!   In Princeton, Pennyroyal Center laid off 15 employees and could be closing its mental health clinic.

Massachusetts: In Wellesley, after ten years women’s boutique Essentia shutdown.

Michigan: In Saginaw, after 34 years Mr. Van’s Shoe Repair shutdown.  The Flint Community Schools announced 250 job cuts for the upcoming school year!

Missouri: In Saint Louis, food processor ConAgra killing 130 jobs!  It’s blamed on its takeover of Ralcorp.

Nebraska: In Omaha, food processor ConAgra killing 100 jobs! It’s blamed on its takeover of Ralcorp.  Company officials claim that in the long run they’ll create more jobs.

New Jersey: GE Healthcare Life Sciences warned of hundreds of layoffs by 2015: “GE Healthcare can confirm that in the Spring of 2015, the GE Healthcare Life Sciences business will begin to consolidate some of its northeastern operations into a greater Boston-area site. As a result of this consolidation, GE Healthcare Life Sciences will begin to transition away from Princeton and Piscataway, New Jersey, and some roles may be affected, although it is too early in the process to say how many.”-Benjamin Fox, GE spokesman

New York: Pet Supplies Plus announced their statewide operations will shut down by the end of the month, 86 jobs lost.  The pet supply franchise has been sold off.   In Flushing, Professional Billing Associates announced they will shut down in September, 38 jobs lost.

North Dakota: What oil boom?  In Fargo, after 34 years Happy Joe’s Pizza and Ice Cream shutdown.  The owner blamed health problems and the bad economy saying his business was no longer “cutting it”.

Ohio: In Youngstown, Mitt Romney connected Toys R Us shutting down their 23 years old distribution center.  At least 70 jobs lost.  In Toledo, Community Development Institute-Head Start killing 280 jobs in July! The 2014-15 Head Start contract went to another contractor.

Pennsylvania:  Pittsburgh Post-Gazette laid off 136 people!  After 59 years car/home custom audio/video company HiFi House shutdown without notice.

Tennessee: In Nashville, Brazil based aircraft maker/servicer Embraer laid off 83 employees.  They blamed declining business on the bad economy.

Texas: In Houston, one of three upscale Brio Tuscan Grille restaurants shutdown without notice.  The Saint Genevieve bar was shutdown without notice.  They’re reports that many eateries are being shutdown for property re-development.

Virginia: In Stauton, after 77 years Jimmy Anderson’s Food Mart shutdown.  In South Boston, Comcast cable shutting down their service center by the end of the month.

Washington: In Seattle, Eagle Marine Services announced they will layoff 94 employees in July.  No reason was given.  Student travel company Ambassadors Group laying off at least 40 employees.  It’s blamed on crashing revenues from its People to People Student Ambassadors Program.  The company is also selling off its HQ building in Spokane.  Utah based and privately held Mormon home security company, Vivint, shutting down their Liberty Lake call center by the end of the month.  It’s estimated that hundreds of people will lose their jobs, but local news reports said Vivint officials refused to say why they’re shutting down, or exactly how many people will become unemployed.  It should be noted that Vivint is facing sanctions by 11 states, as well as a class action lawsuit, for fraudulent and deceptive practices!  Apparently the company’s current president used to work for Mitt Romney.  It should also be noted that Utah is the base camp for the federal government’s domestic data spying operations!  Is there a connection between the ‘home security’  company and the NSA?

Wisconsin: In Little Chute, wireless company Airadigm Communications laid off 55 employees.  In La Crosse, the Mayo Clinic  announced it will kill 51 medical transcription jobs in September.  In Milwaukee, train maker Talgo shutdown and moved its last two passenger trains out of state.  Company officials blame state officials.  The Milwaukee YMCA now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

01 – 03 June 2014:  1-thousand people secretly laid off in Ohio

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.

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security…..That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013