Category Archives: U.S.

Idaho, International, U.S.

Pacific Ring of Fire activity strikes Idaho? Volcanoes just destroyed all human attempts to stop climate change! Get ready for Cascadia!

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26JAN2018 (13:09 UTC-07 Tango 06) 06 Bahman 1396/09 Jumada l-Ula 1439/10 Xin-Chou (12th month) 4715

“We remain on red alert… …gearing up for three months…”-Romina Marasigan, government disaster agency worker

For awhile now I’ve been suspecting that the ongoing earthquakes in southeastern Idaho could be the result of secretive fracking operations by the petroleum industry.  But this time it might be due to a sudden increase in activity around the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Here’s the rundown:

During the second week of January 2018, Mount Mayon in Philippines begins small eruptions and lava flows, then on 23JAN2018 it begins large eruptions. 25JAN2018, massive lava flows begin, eruptions continue.  Now at least 81-thousand people forced to evacuate, and told eruptions could last three months! 

18JAN2018: Big Waves, Flooding Batter Oregon And Washington Coasts

23JAN2018, in Japan, northwest of Tokyo, a volcano (Mount Kusatsu-Shirane) suddenly erupts. Cell phone video shows the eruption occurred in a new area not associated with the volcano, on the slopes of a ski resort.  One soldier killed while taking part in ski training, 11 people injured.

23JAN2018, magnitude 7.9 quake strikes off the southern coast of Alaska. 

25JAN2018, magnitude 5.8 quake strikes off the coast of northern California. 

25JAN2018, the Soda Springs area of the inland state of Idaho hit with numerous 3 and 4 magnitude quakes (again).  

One volcano can destroy all human attempts at curbing human caused air pollution, so stop trying to waste your taxpayer funding on trying to stop climate change.  But volcanoes cause Ice Ages, not global warming, so mister-almost-was-president-of-the-U.S.-if-he-hadn’t-of-given-in-to-George-Bush-Jr-threats Al Gore, it looks like Mother Earth is taking care of ‘global warming’!

livescience: Research Shows Volcanic CO2 Levels Are Staggering

Oregon Field Guide warns of massive earthquake-tsunami Cascadia Event:

https://youtu.be/-n6FxBNNOC4

“Idaho’s participation helped raise awareness that the residual effects of an earthquake and tsunami along the coast would be felt in Idaho. That includes the possible need to accommodate tens of thousands of evacuees and displaced persons who were directly impacted.”–Federal Emergency Management Agency, June 2017

By the way, FEMA designates inland Idaho as the refugee destination for the expected massive Cascadia Event, which new computer models suggest will wipe out half of Oregon and Washington.  Idaho’s population will suddenly explode by “tens of thousands” of people (maybe that’s why our exalted, and secretive, leaders keep talking about a huge future boost in population?)!  But wait, if Yellowstone goes off then we all get wiped out!

Statesman Journal, 25JAN2018: Oregon unprepared for major disaster

“IT SHOOK MY ENTIRE HOUSE!” EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY AS MORE MINOR QUAKES HIT IDAHO!

FRACKING QUAKE SWARM HITS EAST IDAHO?

patch.com: Risk Of Cascadia Quake Elevated

washington.edu: 50 simulations of the ‘Really Big One’ show how a 9.0 Cascadia earthquake could play out

JAPAN FOOD CRISIS: WHAT GLOBAL WARMING?

GLOBAL WARMING ON EARTH STARTED 20-THOUSAND YEARS AGO!

YELLOWSTONE SUPER VOLCANO MORE MASSIVE THAN FIRST THOUGHT!

Seattle Times:  Nearly 6,000 emergency, military personnel conduct biggest ever ‘Cascadia Rising’ exercise

PACIFIC RING OF FIRE: JAPAN HIT WITH RECORD NUMBER OF QUAKES IN 2012 (NOT COUNTING 2011), ALREADY BIG START TO 2013!

WHY IS FEMA RUNNING EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PSA SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE 1989 LOMA PRIETA QUAKE?  Blame the Cascadia Subduction Zone.

GLOBAL WARMING, ICE AGE? U.S. STUDY SAYS ICE AGE CAUSED BY PARTICULATE MATTER. JAPAN STUDY SHOWS WARMING STARTS INSIDE THE EARTH. TROPICAL VIETNAM HITS 25 FAHRENHEIT!!!

Idaho, U.S.

“it’s time to adapt or die”: U.S. Food Crisis, January 2018

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

Eater: Why Restaurants Can’t Always Fire Chefs Accused of Sexual Misconduct

Arkansas: Food Giant shutting down its grocery store in Osceola, when the inventory is gone, local news media was not able to get an explanation from corporate.

Arizona: In Tucson, after only two years restaurant Stray Dogs shutdown with only hours notice to employees, it was quietly sold-off.   In Chandler, after eight years El Palacio Mexican Restaurant and Cantina shutdown: “…eight years of my life trying to make the restaurant profitable using all the means at my disposal…..has never translated into enough new customers to support us.”-facebook video post

California: As many as 90% of students in the Twin Rivers Unified School District are living in poverty, now the federal government charging three school workers of stealing taxpayer funded USDA food meant for those poor students!   Cities in the leftist liberal fascist Golden State have been passing anti-homeless people laws under the guise of fighting the Hep A outbreak.  The laws ban people from publicly sharing food!  In El Cajon 12 people were ticketed by cops for feeding homeless people!  Evil Albertsons owned Safeway shutdown its grocery store in West Sacramento, on West Capitol Avenue, due to lack of profits. In Bakersfield, after five years Flame Burger forced to shutdown “Due to an unresolvable dispute with our landlord….”   California Dairies shutting down its 92 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) old Los Banos operations, 63 jobs gone by March.  It’s blamed on “…reduced milk volumes [statewide], combined with the high cost of operating our Los Banos facility..”  In Ridgecrest, after ten years restaurant Grape Leaf shutdown.  In La Quinta, after only two years Jule’s Market shutdown, local news media say it’s the third grocery store in La Quinta to shutdown since 2014. The owner of Jule’s Market says sales just aren’t high enough to cover skyrocketing rent and utilities.  Dr. Bob’s Donut Cafe (aka Dr. Bob’s Donuts & DoYos) suddenly shutdown its Roseville location and canceled plans to build a bigger store in Folsom. It might be because the vegan hemp (weaker cousin of marijuana) bakery was mightily expensive, some social media comments saying two DoYos were $10, another comment said “DO NOT EXPECT TOO MUCH FLAVOR IF YOU ARE NOT VEGAN”.  Dr. Bob’s website seems to still be functioning, so maybe you can still buy their special baking mixes online.  In Orinda, after 31 years the Village Inn Cafe shutdown, one of the co-owners saying “I’m tired.”  Los Angeles based Eclipse Berry Farms-Rosalyn Farms-Harvest Moon Strawberry Farms now chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to more than $50-million USD of debt.  Los Angeles based Pabst Brewing suddenly eliminated 70 positions “…in order to reduce complexity, cut costs, simplify priorities, and reallocate resources…” San Diego based Green Flash Brewing halting sales in as many as 32 U.S. states, and suddenly laid off 33 people saying “The market is nothing like it was 2 years ago, 5 years ago, 15 years ago….it remains to be seen whether we can survive as an independent brewery.”  TGI Friday’s issued a shutdown WARN for its Oxnard location, 41 jobs gone by the end of March.  Tyson Foods issued a layoff  WARN for its chicken plucking ops in San Diego, 79 jobs gone mid-March. In Orange, King’s Fish House shutting down in March, 80 jobs gone supposedly temporarily.

Colorado:  In Canon City, after 45 years Hilltop Market shutdown, the owners said “We have decided that it’s time to adapt or die” so they’re converting to a ‘wild game’ meat processing operation.  In Colorado Springs, after less than three years Texas based Taco Bueno suddenly shutdown all five restaurants! They were the only Taco Buenos in the state, local news media say restaurant managers/employees got no warning or explanation.  Taco Bueno’s Lone Star State administrators would only say the shutdowns are part of a plan “to focus on strategic growth”.  Also in Colorado Springs, after 42 years Sunbird Mountain Grill & Tavern shutting down in February, the owners sense things aren’t going to get any better saying “We want to end on a high note”.  In Fort Collins, after 39 years Bisetti’s Ristorante shutdown, so the owners can retire.  Greenwood Village based Red Robin Gourmet Burgers eliminating more than 6-hundred table busser jobs in states that jacked-up the minimum wage!

Georgia: Atlanta based Coca-Cola shutting down bottling/distribution centers in United Kingdom, 288 limey jobs gone by 2019!  Coca Cola eliminating 53 jobs in Atlanta, as part of its plan to abandon warehouse ops and go with ‘just in time delivery’ (drop lot distribution).  In Ansley Park, Metrotainment Cafes shutdown its Cowtippers Steaks & Spirits restaurant and is selling the property, saying “…with the changing climate of the city, we are going to close the restaurant and turn our attention to our other successful concepts…”  Coweta Board of Environmental Health restaurant inspection results. 

Hawaii: After 48 years Agnes’ Portuguese Bake Shop, in Kailua, shutdown.

Idaho:  ‘Christian’ Gem State lawmakers supporting a bill that will expand the use of taxpayer funded prisoners in the agriculture industry!  According to Financial Condition of Idaho Agriculture federal taxpayer subsidies to Idaho farmers fell by 44% in 2017. Yeah that’s right, farmers are the biggest recipients of government ‘welfare’ in the U.S. of A., plus they use taxpayer supported legal and illegal immigrant workers, and now prisoners!  I complain a lot about immigrant workers (only because it’s become so hard for U.S. working class citizens to find stable work), but I also know from first hand observation in California strawberry fields (Santa Maria), and Arizona potato fields (Yuma), that migrants workers are also screwed-over.  A study by Blue Review reveals that migrant farm workers in southwestern Idaho have a hard time getting food for their families, despite the high value of some of the crops they harvest. It also reveals Idaho’s true population growth (as I’ve been saying in other articles) is coming from migrant farm workers, U.S. citizens are actually leaving the state!  Welcome to globalization; the Idaho Dairymen’s Association upset that milk prices are down, yet happy that hay prices are down was well, due to a global excess supply of both.  In American Falls, rumors that ConAgra spin-off Lamb Weston is hiring, however, some employees told me that what’s really happening is that Lamb Weston is outsourcing the overnight shift!

Illinois:  Restaurant owners now joining customers in accusing Arlington Heights based restaurant.com of fraud.  The Better Business Bureau (BBB) gave the website an F grade.  After seven years Barn & Company barbecue shutting down the day after the Super Bowl, it’s being replaced by a nasty meatless eatery.   In Percy, after 35 years Pioneer’s Cabin shutting down, the building up for sale.  The owners claim they’ll open a new restaurant when they find a suitable location. In Urbana, after 20 years restaurant Milo’s shutting down by the end of February, because the landlord found a new tenant willing to pay higher rent.   Flying Machine Coffee shutting down its four years old Urbana location in March.  In the same building, Pizza M restaurant being forced to move. The owners of Pizza M and Flying Machine Coffee blame it on the landlord who’s bringing in tenants that can pay more rent: “Rent more than doubled since we’ve been here.”-Matt Kitzmiller, Pizza M owner

“After four years of being part of a growing downtown Urbana, it turns out I had less bargaining chips than I thought I did. It’s a shame, but we are just no longer welcome…”-Josh Lucas, Flying Machine Coffee owner on facebook

“I was charging obscenely below-market rents for the first two years. Then, yes, rent technically doubled.”-Matt Cho, landlord

Indiana: Coca Cola eliminating 15 jobs in Terre Haute, as part of its plan to abandon warehouse ops and go with ‘just in time delivery’ (drop lot distribution).  The former owner of the now dead Rails Craft Brew & Eatery chain under arrest for fraud and corruption. One of the accusations is that he was writing bad checks from one restaurant to cover bills (including employee paychecks) at another restaurant.  In Indianapolis, after less than a year Broken Beaker Distillery shutdown.

Debbie and Harry (get it? Debbie Harry) Zombie, pic by Doug Tobin

Iowa: Orchestrate Hospitality shutting down its experimental Zombie Burger &  Shake Lab in downtown Iowa City, admitting “…we may have overbuilt the market.”  Also, college students kept kidnapping the zombie mascots.

Kansas: In Wichita, Jack’s Coffee Shop has been shutdown due to a string of bad luck, first losing their chef, then a gas leak, now the owner is waiting for inspectors to give the O-K to re-open, saying if it doesn’t happen soon she’ll have to shutdown permanently due to lack of cash.

Louisiana: Slinky’s shutting down in February due to the greedy landlord, the bar owner exclaiming “I need a job!”

Maryland: In Baltimore, after 14 years Ryan’s Daughter Irish Pub & Restaurant shutdown, the owners saying business has been “a little bit slow”. After 52 years Goldman’s Kosher Bakery shutdown, supposedly because the owners are tired of their 24 hours commitment.  In Pikesville, Pastries Plus and Suburban House Restaurant both shutdown.  Goldman’s Kosher Bakery and Pastries Plus operations were sold to a competing bakery, no reason was given for the sudden shutdown of Suburban House Restaurant.  In Bethesda, Pi Pizzeria on Wisconsin Avenue shutting down in February.  Also in Bethesda, after 15 months Tapa Bar shutdown, and after seven years, Yamas Mediterranean Grill shutdown blaming it on street repairs to Rugby Avenue which blocked customers.

Massachusetts:  Canton based Dunkin’ Donuts eliminating 40 corporate jobs and shutting down 40 vacant positions, claiming its the only way the company can grow.  In Arlington, after only one year Bistro Duet shutdown due to “the rising cost of the restaurant business”.

Michigan: Traverse City based Bagger Dave’s suddenly shutdown an additional five restaurants.  News reports say Bagger Dave’s has been shutting down restaurants since 2015.  In Detroit, after spending big bucks renovating the building Antietam restaurant shutting down in March and being sold-off.  Seventh Day Adventist founded Kellogg issued a layoff WARN for its RTEC (Ready-To-Eat Cereal) Plant, 14 jobs lost as part of its plan “…to simplify and streamline operations in our North American cereal network.” 

Minnesota: In Roseville, after 19 years Maverick’s Real Roast Beef suddenly shutdown, no explanation on the facebook page. In Wadena, after 18 years Cyber Cafe shutdown.  It was revealed that only subsidies (funding) from the local community, and government, kept it in operation, sales alone are not enough to cover operating cost. The owner also revealed competition from ever advancing social media technology played a major role in killing them off.

Missouri: In Saint Louis, after 15 years Wasabi shutdown, the owners claim it’s because they outgrew the space and will reopen when the find a bigger location.

New York: In Manhattan-NYC, after 33 years Coogan’s shutdown due to a massive $40-thousand USD per month increase in rent by the ‘christian’ owners of the property (New York Presbyterian Hospital)! In Rochester, Nathan’s Soup & Salad shutdown its retail operation, to focus on wholesale to restaurants, colleges and hospitals.  Restaurant Associates lost their food service contract with ABC-Disney, 50 jobs gone by February.  Coca Cola issued a shutdown WARN for its Maspeth bottling ops (Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages), 115 jobs gone by the end of April!  In Fayetteville, 106 years old (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Hullar’s Restaurant suddenly shutdown, employees were told the day before.  Unnamed employees told local news media that sales have been down.  In Bowmansville, Water Lily Cafe forced to shutdown by the greedy landlord, the owners say they’re looking for another location.

North Carolina: In Durham, Scratch Bakery shutting down in February, due to many changes in the city and the owner’s life.  Food service contractor Compass Group USA laying off five people on April Fool’s Day.

Ohio:  Popeye’s suddenly shutdown its Newark chicken joint, falsely blaming it on a bad location, nevermind that it was behind on state tax payments (state tax records show the license to operate was suspended).   Ted’s Montana Grill shutting down its 15 years old Columbus’ Arena District location.  Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant suddenly shutdown its Franklin Park Mall location, 35 jobs gone due to not being able to renew the lease.   In Columbus, after ten years Three Dog Bakery shutdown because the greedy landlord jacked-up the rent: “There was a major increase that unfortunately, I’m not going to be able to sustain. It’s over 10%. I feel like I started here at a really good time ten years ago and helped grow the community. I know with big development also landlords are allowed to charge more and get bigger name companies that can pay more rent. Unfortunately, it’s happening in this neighborhood and it’s happened to me…”-Susan Gates

Oklahoma: In Oklahoma City, Kaiser’s Grateful Bean Cafe shutdown due to the city’s $131-million USD public transportation project, which has killed 80% of the restaurant’s business.  Coca Cola shutting down its bottling ops in Okmulgee, and reducing operations in Oklahoma City, 246 jobs gone!   The January wheat crop conditions reported as 79% Poor to Very Poor.   

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

Oregon: This happen every decade, some farmer trying to make money off ostriches.  Central Oregon Ostrich is the latest victim, I mean member of the ‘sustainable’ meat industry involving the long necked flightless birds (this ostrich farming thing has been ongoing since the 1970s, and just like the bird, has failed to take off).  In Klamath Falls, after only four months restaurant Apatite shutdown, blaming lack of sales!   In Portland, after 55 years not one but two Original Taco House restaurants shutdown without warning to anybody.  It was revealed that the family owners had been trying to quietly sell the restaurants, without success, so they just gave up: “Blindsided, completely blindsided. I had no idea that it was going to be closing, and now I don’t have a job, so it’s not a good way to ring in the new year!”-Faith Chaffee, employee

Pennsylvania: In New Castle, Twenty Six Bar & Grill suddenly shutdown, the owner blaming a growing imbalance of family versus business.   Houlihan’s shutdown its 37 years old Station Square location, saying it’s no longer profitable.  Grocer Giant Eagle shutting down its Old William Penn Highway location by February, 50 jobs lost due to the fact there is a larger Giant Eagle just two miles away.  In Erie, popular Summer House Cafe shutdown.  France based food service contractor Sodexo continues killing U.S. jobs, this time 450 jobs gone due to losing a contract with UPMC Pinnacle Health System!   Eat’n Park Hospitality Group shutting down its 12 years old Six Penn Kitchen restaurant in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, by February, blaming “ever-growing competition”.  View Lancaster County’s restaurant inspection results.

South Carolina: In Aiken, “always full full full” The Little Bake Shoppe suddenly shutdown so the owners “can focus more on family and other responsibilities.”  And in the exact same neighborhood, Buckwheat’s Bar-B-Que and Catering also suddenly shutdown.

Tennessee: Schweinehaus-Stanley Bar-B-Que now chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to massive debts.  View Knox County Health Department’s restaurant inspection results.

Texas: In San Antonio a popular restaurant, Pollos Asados Los Nortenos, was shutdown by ass-hole health inspectors who said the smoke from the grill was polluting the air, even after the restaurant owner spent $250-thousand USD to upgrade the grill to be in compliance with state laws! 50 jobs gone due to the ass-holes TCEQ and the Attorney General’s Office.  Central Texas ‘restaurant report card’ reveals restaurants continually failing health inspections.

Utah: In Lehi, after 47 years iconic Porter’s Place steak joint shutdown because the city is not willing to spend $30-thousand USD to repair corroded sewer lines (the restaurant was leasing the building)!

Vermont: Panera Bread shutdown its six years old store on Church Street in Burlington, with only a couple days warning. Apparently the landlord found another business that’s willing to pay more rent.  Also, Bruegger’s Bagels shutdown its decades old Church Street location, maybe due to the company being taken-over by JAB Holding Company.

Virginia: Walmart Neighborhood Markets shutdown its Roanoke location, Walmart claims it ‘absorbed’ the 75 employees into other Walmart stores (nevermind that Walmart is killing thousands of jobs by April).  In Williamsburg, after 25 years the Pepperidge Farm store shutdown, supposedly because the company has gotten more efficient at mass production of baked goods. In Richmond, 7 Hills Brewing shutdown its restaurant in Shockoe Slip, possibly due to rent problems. In Newport News, after less than two years Jim’s Local Market suddenly shutdown due to lack of profit making sales.   Henrico restaurant report.

Washington:  In Gig Harbor, after only two years Kroger shutdown its ‘experimental’ Main & Vine store two weeks after Xmas, claiming all the employees were ‘offered’ jobs at other Kroger stores.  Kroger didn’t announce the shutdown until the day after Xmas!  The Tattered Apron Bakery shutdown both its South Hill and Puyallup locations due to too many debts, the owners warning future eatery operators saying “We grew too fast. We did everything that a new business shouldn’t do. We had so many irons in the fire. … We thought that was great….”

Washington DC:  ‘Celebrity chef’ owned Marcus National Harbor restaurant failed in its MGM National Harbor casino location, MGM says it will replace will another restaurant.  After two decades Cafe Ole shutdown because the property is being redeveloped.   After two years restaurant Drift on 7th shutdown.   After only a few months Bold Bite Market shutdown!

Wisconsin: Lake County Foods issued a shutdown WARN for its Oconomowoc ops, 91 jobs gone in March.  British empire Canada based Saputo Cheese shutting down its factory in Fond du Lac, 120 jobs gone by June!  In Madison, after 41 years Ella’s Deli (with a full size merry-go-round) shutting down, unless a miracle buyer shows up: “It’s a business that’s very competitive these days, you have to be full steam ahead and we’ve been at it for a long time. It’s time for someone else to pick up the ball.”-Ken Balkin, current co-owner

Wisconsin State Farmer: Tidal wave of sewage reveals disconnect between press, farmers

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

U.S. Food Crisis, December 2017: “WE GAVE IT A SHOT, IT JUST DIDN’T WORK.” “WE’RE LITERALLY WORKING FOR NOTHING.”

U.S.

“She was basically stalked by the church…”: U.S. Christian Rapture, December 2017

Incomplete (tip-o-the iceberg) list of U.S. Christian shutdowns, layoffs and Rapture oddities for the Gregorian (western christian calendar) month of December 2017.

Alabama: The pastor of the Gardendale First Baptist Church was robbed in the church parking lot.

California: God powerless to stop ‘his’ Adventist Loma Linda University Medical Center from shutting down, 94 jobs gone by the end of February 2018.  Vandals beheaded the Fatima statues in the yard of Saint Bede’s Catholic Church in Hayward.

Connecticut: God powerless to stop ‘his’ Knights of Columbus from shutting down their printing operations in New Haven, 36 ‘christian’ jobs lost to outsourcing.

Illinois:  Vandals destroyed a 160 years old stained glass window at the Holy Family Parish.  Police say the vandals had to get onto the roof to do the dastardly deed.  At the Christian Faith Center in Wilmington, two teenage boys were investigating a noise when the boy with the rifle tripped and fell, accidentally shooting and killing the other boy.  Reverend James Csaszar killed himself by jumping off a Chicago hotel, while being investigated for possible sex crimes and theft of church money.

Indiana: God powerless to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ Saint Vincent de Paul thrift store in South Bend, as part of an new alliance with competitor Goodwill.  Local news media reported that in the 1990s thrift stores raked in huge profits, but in the past ten years thrift store sales have crashed.  The South Bend Saint Vincent and Goodwill joined forces to deal with crashing sales.  You know you’re in a depression when people can’t even afford to go shopping at a second hand store.  New Life Community Church of Truth was burgled of cash, food and Xmas donations.  Interestingly police say another nearby church was broken into, but nothing was stolen.  The taxpayer funded New Palestine High School got in trouble after allowing the Realife Church to promote itself with a huge banner on the football stadium.

Massachusetts: A child is accused of intentionally setting fire to the First Congregational Church in Saugus, which caused an electric power outage in the area.

Michigan:   God powerless to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 68 years old Ladywood High School in Livonia, due to a 60% crash in enrollments since 2005 (it’s The Rapture eyes tells ya).

New York:  God powerless to stop ‘his’ Lutheran Augustana Center for Extended Care & Rehabilitation-Langone Health from issuing a shutdown WARN, 286 nursing home jobs gone by June 2018!  More proof that money is more powerful than ‘god’; in NYC, a Greek Orthodox Church destroyed during 9-11 was being replaced with the Saint Nicholas National Shrine, that is until construction was halted due to lack of money after costs of construction soared to $78-million USD ($28-million more than what was estimated in September)!  Funding for the project was coming from the Greek taxpayers, the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church.  On Xmas day a 70 years old woman was run-over and killed while walking to the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, in North Patchogue.

Ohio: In Lebanon, ‘god’ caused the Bethel AME Church to catch  fire, destroying everything inside, including donations for Xmas and food pantry ops. In response the local community, and some big box stores, donated even more food and Xmas stuff to the small church. Grace Cathedral-Winston Broadcasting Network accused by Beck Energy of stealing $3.6-million USD by intentionally defaulting on a massive loan from the oil company.  The loan was used to pay-off the huge church mortgage, and the loan itself was supposed to be paid-off by February 2016, Beck Energy says not one dime was received.    Grace Cathedral is also being accused by Illinois’s Cook County of stealing an old Illinois woman’s life savings of $340-thousand USD: “She was basically stalked by the church to give money. The literature talks about how you’ll go to heaven if you give this money.”-Dawn Lawkowski-Keller, Cook County Public Guardian

Oregon: God powerless to stop the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office from arresting a Springfield Christian School teacher for having sex with one of her students “on a regular basis.”   The sex crime Revelation was made after the teacher’s husband caught her and the 15 years old in bed together, an email was then posted with pics of the two in the act.

Pennsylvania:  A new sexist-ethnicist church is being created, called the Church for Black Men.  The Church of the Advocate is housing an illegal immigrant family from Mexico, to prevent them from being deported.  Yet again, the abandoned Ascension of Our Lord Church caught fire. It was put out by taxpayer funded fire fighters, local news media say the vacant church has been set on fire before and is used by drug addicts and homeless people.  Historic Jones Tabernacle African Methodist Episcopal Church was burgled of furniture and stained glass windows, and also suffered $10-thousand USD in damage.

Rhode Island:  New Life Worship Center in Smithfield was set on fire intentionally, but police have few clues and are asking for help.

Tennessee: ‘Food insecurity’ so bad that the First United Methodist Church, in Oak Ridge, is expanding its monthly free cooked meal program to twice monthly in the new year.

Utah:  Law students at Mormon LDS Brigham Young University have joined the fight against debt collectors. It’s estimated that 70-thousand debt collections cases are filed every year in the Mormon dominated state! The BYU law students are working with a Salt Lake City based attorney to provide debtor’s legal defense free of charge.  Also in Salt Lake City, the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS (just the biggest and most powerful of several ‘mormon’ religions) made a half-a-million U.S. dollars just since December 1st through its new donation vending machines located by the Mormon church at Temple Square (proof institutionalized religion is about your money, not your ‘soul’, and if your money is your soul then you are truly lost).

Virginia: In Williamsburg, after 27 years Bassett’s Christmas Shop shutdown, no reason given.  Terry Wayne Millender and Brenda Millender were convicted by a federal jury of swiping from their Victorious Life Church congregation $2-million USD.  The now former church leaders promised their followers that the money was being used for loans to poor people in Africa.

Washington DC:  The Washington Times reports that U.S. named  British empire created ‘Islamic State’ (DAIISH) are “promising to torch the National Episcopal Cathedral in Washington, to burn the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Temple….in San Diego…”

Wyoming: Suicide is so prevalent that the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming pledged $100-thousand USD to fight it, mainly because the state government cut taxpayer funding for such programs, despite Wyoming leading the nation in per capita suicides!

U.S. Christian Rapture, November 2017: “FIX IT, JESUS, FIX IT!”

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

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

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

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

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

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

U.S.

“We gave it a shot, it just didn’t work.” “We’re literally working for nothing.”: U.S. Food Crisis, December 2017

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of December, 2017: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production, spread of disease and extreme weather.

The Star Beacon: Weather has affected agriculture nationwide

St. Louis Public Radio: Missouri Department of Agriculture places restrictions on Monsanto

Reuters: “Minnesota became the latest U.S. state on Tuesday to restrict controversial weed killers made by Monsanto…”

Pine Bluff Commercial: “Arkansas has recently experienced higher wildfire frequency with November setting a record for the most fires in that month since November of 1989.” 

KPCC: Farm hands worked in Ventura County despite Thomas Fire

Daily Mail: California’s avocado crops worth millions of dollars are being destroyed…by wildfires

Associated Press: Some Texas farm-related woes linger months after Harvey

Insurance Journal: Uncertainty Hangs Over Florida Citrus Growers After Irma’s Damage

Michigan State University Extension: Global genetically modified crop acres increase

Arkansas: Little Rock based chain Dixie Cafe-Delta Cafe shutting down all 17 restaurants across three states, saying “We have seen declining sales combined with increasing costs that has made this difficult decision necessary.”

Arizona: In Scottsdale, Papago Brewing revealed on Facebook that the property it was located on was being demolished.  Turns out Papago Brewing outsourced their beer making operations anyway.  In Tucson, after 30 years Las Margaritas shutdown the day before Xmas, due to the owner selling off the property because the city is planning a road project that will impact the property.

California:  P.F.Changs suddenly shutdown its Burbank location, 74 jobs gone without warning one week before Xmas.  Switzerland based Nestlé issued a layoff WARN, 55 people in Oakland jobless by February 2018.  After 71 years the San Jose Tofu Company shutdown, the owners saying “The wear and tear started to catch up with us. It started to get to the point where our health is a lot more important than making as much money as possible.”  Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo reporting crashing donations, leaving Second Harvest with an $8-million USD budget shortfall for 2018!  In Studio City, after 70 years ‘classy’ Du Par’s shutdown, being replaced with a cosmetics store.  After 75 years iconic Twoheys Restaurant shutting down in Alhambra, by the end of January 2018, because the greedy landlords want more in rent money.  In Sunnyvale, after 35 years ‘private table’ Lion & Compass shutdown. In San Diego, Evolution Hospitality issued a layoff WARN, 41 jobs gone in February 2018.  Tyson Foods eliminating 40 jobs in February 2018.  Also in San Diego, after 25 years popular Rebecca’s Coffee House shutdown by the greedy landlords after they found a new tenant able to pay much more in rent: “I thought with all these years being in business, I wish there would have been some consideration on the rent, but no, they gave me a 15-day window to decide. This has become a lot more than a space to sell stuff. It’s my life and I’m losing my life!”-Rebecca Zearing

Colorado:  It’s been revealed that the state Department of Public Health and Environment has been dragging its feet on investigating an unnamed dairy farm for polluting the Big Thompson River.  State inspectors discovered two wastewater ponds leaking into the river back in November 2015.  A cease and desist order was issued back in March 2017.  State inspectors explained to local news media that the investigation is taking so long because they’re trying “…to developing an accurate and comprehensive case.”  In Fairfield, after 45 years Swanson’s Fish Market shutdown when the owner suddenly died just days after putting it up for sale.

Connecticut: In West Hartford, NoRA Cupcake Company announced on Facebook it will shutdown its Blue Back Square location after Xmas. Turns out the cupcake seller had planned on being in operation for only four months at that location, but lasted two years. NoRA Cupcake Company is being replaced by a tenant who was able to pay for a longer term lease.  Also in West Hartford, after 16 years Angelo’s shutdown, there are rumors that it will re-open under new ownership sometime in 2018.

Florida: In Orlando, after 52 years Rossi’s Pizza and Pasta shutdown, local news reports said the restaurant had been struggling ever since 2008.

Idaho:  25% of The Gem State’s ‘elected lawmakers’ are directly involved in the agriculture industry, according to Food Producers of Idaho.  Black Bear Diner, Chubbuck, IdahoWithout warning Black Bear Diner-Joby Management shutdown its less than two years old Chubbuck restaurant, telling local news media that if it wasn’t shutdown immediately they wouldn’t be able to issue final pay to the employees, as many as 57 jobs (depending on the local news source) suddenly gone one week before Xmas, a now pissed-off former employee Nathan Barney said “They called us in for a meeting at 8:30 this morning and told us they were closing the restaurant. They gave us unemployment papers and said Merry Christmas.”  Local news media speculated that there are too many restaurants in the area, including several other Joby Management owned restaurants. You can thank local politicians who’ve been enticing national chain restaurants to move into the area for several years now.

Illinois:  Martin’s IGA issue a shutdown WARN for its Effingham store, 275 jobs gone by January 2018 due to being sold-off!  In Northbrook, France based food service contractor Sodexo lost its contract with Allstate, 73 jobs gone by the end of January 2018.  Aspen Foods issued a shutdown WARN for its poultry slaughterhouse in Chicago, 199 jobs gone in February 2018!  After only one year WonFun and 2Fun Bar suddenly shutdown with no reason given, local news reports say the owners have a history of suddenly shutdown food/bar ops without notice.  After 13 years vegan Green Zebra shutdown and for sale. Also in Chicago, after 27 years Pegasus Restaurant shutdown.  Grace restaurant shutdown when all the employees walked out without warning, apparently in response to a failed attempt by the chefs to buy the restaurant from the current owner.  After five years Francesca’s Restaurant Group suddenly began shutting down all five Glazed and Infused donut shops the day after Xmas!  Local news reports say employees got no warning or severance. Francesca’s Restaurant Group also shutdown its restaurant Davanti Enotca in River North.   In West Dundee, Francesca’s Restaurant Group shutdown its 17 years old Campagna restaurant, without warning.  Local news media say city leaders were pissed about the shutdown because they had been working for several months with Francesca’s Restaurant Group on plans to expand the eatery!  The owner of Francesca’s Restaurant Group would only say that he is focusing on other ‘brands’.

Indiana: In Indianapolis, after five years B’s Po Boy announced on Facebook it will shutdown a couple of days before Xmas, blaming the cold Winter weather for lack of sales. Also in Indianapolis, after 138 years (surviving numerous recessions ans The Great Depression) Old Point Tavern sold-off to a chain restaurant owner so the the tavern owners could retire.  In Winfield, after 96 years John’s Tavern shutdown two days before Xmas, the property was sold to a hospital operator.  In West Lafayette, after three years grocery store Fresh City Market announced it will shutdown, shocked city officials claim they’ll do anything to stop it from happening.

Iowa: Link Snacks issued a WARN, 36 employees unemployed by February 2018.  In Cedar Rapids, after 32 years Sub City suddenly shutdown, the owner blamed it on crashing sales caused by major local employer Verizon conducting mass layoffs, but the final straw was when the historic building the sandwich shop was located in was sold-off to a greedy property developer who going to tear it down.  In Des Moines, after three years restaurant Streetcar 209 shutdown the week before Xmas.   In Sioux City, vandals destroyed the Wild Hill Honey bee farm, killing 500-thousand bees: “They knocked over every single hive, killing all the bees. They wiped us out completely. They broke into our shed, they took all our equipment out and threw it out in the snow, smashed what they could. Doesn’t look like anything was stolen, everything was just vandalized or destroyed.”- Justin Engelhardt

The state Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship began a taxpayer funded three years program to subsidize the increased use of ‘cover crops’ and improve water quality: “There is no other incentive like this in the entire country, so we’re really happy that the state of Iowa is breaking ground on this new incentive.”-Aaron Lehman, Iowa Farmers Union

Kansas:  In Oakland Park, after 50 years John’s Space Age Donuts shutdown right before Xmas, after a failed attempt to sell it.  In Wichita, after 13 years Monterrey Mexican Grill shutdown.

Maryland: In Baltimore, after 13 years Metropolitan Coffeehouse & Wine Bar shutdown, saying on Facebook the “last few years have been difficult for our business, our city and our neighborhood.”  After eight years Firehouse Coffee shutdown.  After 40 years Goldman’s Kosher Bakery shutdown: “It’s a lot of work. My parents did it until they were 80, and we don’t want to do that….”-Leah Cohn, co-owner

After 40 years L’Academie de Cuisine shutdown without warning one week before Xmas: “Graduation was today. Doors are closing. Locks have been changed.”-unnamed former employee to local news media

Massachusetts:  Farmers Supply shutdown its Bernardston location after Xmas, the family owners explaining to loyal customers “Consolidation is what we’re doing to better ourselves, to be stronger. It’s tough out there.”  In Boston, after 25 years Maurizio’s Ristorante Italiano shutdown on Xmas Eve.  In Hadley, Zaskey Christmas Tree Farm reported that $9-hundred USD worth of Xmas trees were stolen over a two weeks period.

Michigan: In Paw Paw, Spiech Farms now chapter 11 bankrupt busted due to two bad harvests in a row, causing a $4-million USD crash in sales from 2016 through 2017.   Ric’s Food Center shutting down its 23 years old Hemlock location, local news media reported it was the only ‘hometown’ grocery store in Hemlock.

Minnesota: In Duluth, after a little more than a year ‘top-performing’ Northern Waters Restaurant shutdown, so the owners can focus on their more successful Smokehaus op.  For the first time in 32 years Summit Brewing suddenly laid off about ten people blaming skyrocketing competition within the ‘craft’ beer industry. Summit Brewing also canceled plans to expand operations into six other states.  One of the first restaurants in the Mall of America shutting down, after 25 years Tucci Benucch shutting down by February 2018.  Also in the Mall of America the Magic Pan Crepe Stand shutting down.  Tucci Benucch and Magic Pan Crepe Stand are both owned by Illinois based Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises.  Inver Grove Heights agricultural co-op CHS suddenly shutdown nasty-ass soy operations in Iowa, Kansas and Minnesota, more than 2-hundred jobs gone! 

Mississippi: Kroger shutting down its 30 years old Clarksdale grocery store, 1-hundred jobs gone with no reason given!

Missouri: Williams Sonoma shutting down its Country Club Plaza location in Kansas City, in January 2018, no reason given.  In Raytown, after 53 years Fun House Pizza & Pub shutdown after Xmas.  King Cash Saver shutdown its Mount Vernon grocery store saying that despite a decent volume of sales it’s not enough to keep up with the cost of the city supplied utilities, which is as much as 40% higher than other areas of the state (city officials swore to local news media that their utility rate was “competitive”).

Nebraska: In Lincoln, after ten years Bread&Cup shutdown, the disappointed owner saying “We gave it a shot, it just didn’t work.”  Nasty-ass soy protein (used in your frozen ‘meat’ foods and ‘real beef’ fast food burgers) maker CHS suddenly shutdown and is selling off its soy factory in South Sioux City, 65 jobs gone before Xmas.

New Mexico: After 20 years non-profit food pantry provider Santa Fe Community Farm shutdown its 2 hectare (five acre) farm, no reason given, but local news media speculated it’s related to the death of the non-profit’s founder.

New York: Innside New York NoMad shutting down its Food and Beverage Department and outsourcing 46 jobs by March 2018.  Mark’s Pizzeria shutdown two locations, one in Liverpool the other in Cicero, because they were “not profitable”, then announced dozens more Mark’s Pizzeria restaurants across The Empire State will shutdown due to the new state mandated minimum wage which affects any restaurant chain with 30 or more locations!  In Buffalo, after six years Ashker’s Juice Bar & Bistro announced on Facebook it is shutting down two locations, on Elmwood and on Main Street, apparently due to “changes” made to the streets.  In NYC, after five years Guy’s American Kitchen and Bar shutdown due to lack of sales after the worst restaurant review ever by The New York Times.  In Bowmansville, after 20 years ristorante Linguine’s shutdown, apparently because of the landlord because the owners stated on Facebook that they’re looking “newer and more modern location”.  In Massena, after 68 years the Village Inn shutdown, the owners saying “Restaurants are for the young.”, but adding that “It takes a village to keep a restaurant afloat.”

North Carolina: In Greensboro, The Traveled Farmer restaurant shutdown two days before Xmas, supposedly being replaced by a catering company.  Also in Greensboro, WP Kitchen + Bar shutdown because the landlord got a better offer for the property from another business.  In Chapel Hill, after 34 years Kitchenworks  shutdown its brick-n-mortar location, but will continue online.   Krispy Kreme Doughnuts laid off 90 HQ employees as part of a ‘global’ plan to move operations away from Winston-Salem.  The frustrated mayor said Krispy Kreme Doughnuts promised to keep its HQ in Winston-Salem.

North Dakota: British empire Canada based SunOpta shutting down its ‘organic’ food roasting ops in Wahpeton, 35 jobs gone by July 2018 due to consolidation operations.

Ohio: Cincinnati based food giant Kroger recalled six months worth of Comfort’s fluoridated bottled water for babies because of a fungal infestation. Talaromyces penicillium originated in southeast Asia and can be lethal. The bottled water was sold at Food 4 Less, Jay C, Jay C Food Plus, Kroger, Kroger Marketplace, Owen’s, Payless Super Market and Ruler.  In Hamilton, after three decades the Chinese Lantern shutdown.  In Columbus, upscale restaurant De Novo on the Park shutting down by the end of January 2018.  Fortune Chinese suddenly shutdown one of its two Columbus restaurants.  Also in Columbus, Udipi Cafe suddenly shutdown.  In Cleveland, iconic Massimo da Milano shutdown after 27 years, to be replaced by something called a ‘restaurant incubator’.

Oklahoma: In Lawton, after more than 75 years Johnson’s Bakery announced on Facebook that it will shutdown on Xmas Eve.

Oregon: In Portland, after three years Muscadine shutdown, the owner said she’s tired of making fried chicken.

Pennsylvania: In State College, both 85 years old All-American Rathskeller and 30 years old Spats Cafe shutdown due to the leases not being renewed, local news reports indicate the property is under new ownership.  In Wayne, after 50 years Landis Cafe shutdown so the owner can retire.  In Edwardsville, after 60 years Konefal’s Restaurant Catering shutting down in February 2018, so the third generation owners can retire.   After 199 years of producing food, and surviving numerous recessions and The Great Depression, the Stewart family farm could be shutdown because of a multi-state electricity power line project!  In Philadelphia, just short of six years and Industry Bar shutdown, on Facebook slyly blaming a “rapidly changing neighborhood”.  Restaurant supplier D&W Fine Pack issued a shutdown WARN for its Harfield operations, 180 jobs gone by March 2018!

South Carolina: Greer BBQ shutdown after 30 years, due to the owners’ ongoing health problems.

Tennessee: In Memphis, after 58 years iconic The Peanut Shoppe shutdown, the owners blamed increased costs, decreased sales and their age.  In Knoxville, after 76 years the last of the iconic Kay’s Ice Cream restaurants shutdown, local news media say at one time there were 158 Kay’s Ice Cream joints!  The owner of the last Kay’s reported that “Sales have been dropping for three years in a row. We’re literally working for nothing.”

Texas:  Coastal Cookies shutdown its 38 years old store in the Sunset Mall, the upset manager told local news media that the owners refused to give a reason for the shutdown.  In Austin, after 45 years Buck Moore Feed & Pet Supply shutting down by February 2018, the father and son owners say the amount of work they put into it isn’t worth it anymore.  After less than a year hand made pasta joint La Dolda shutdown, the owner blaming it on Texans’ lack of appreciation for real pasta.   After ten years Austin’s Flying Saucer Draught Emporium shutdown, the owner blames ‘elected’ lawmakers saying “The landscape of the restaurant industry is changing rapidly across the nation, and unfortunately, the Texas beer industry was introduced to topsy-turvy legislation…” 

Vermont: MyWebGrocer suddenly laid off 18 people, claiming its part of the company’s plan to expand.

Virginia: In Alexandria, after 15 years FireFlies shutdown on Xmas Eve, being replaced by a local competing restaurant.  In Hampton, decades old wine shop and deli La Bodega shutdown, due to crashing sales caused by the shutdown of a nearby taxpayer funded military base in 2011.  In Galax, after five years Scoots restaurant suddenly shutdown due to the owners wanting to suddenly retire.  In Richmond, after more than 26 years ristorante Amici shutdown a week before Xmas due to the owner selling the building: “There are too many restaurants and not enough people.”-Carlo Gaione

Washington: In Yakima County, an employee of a dairy farm was caught auctioning-off his employer’s cows as his own, according to records the employee almost got away with $30-thousand USD in false cow auctions, taking place since 2014!  In Seattle, Mama Stortini’s Restaurant & Bar in the Northgate Mall shutdown due to a norovirus outbreak, at least 15 customers sickened, county inspectors also discovered that 14 employees were sick.  Also in Seattle, after 47 years Bakeman’s Restaurant shutdown three days before Xmas, the owner swore to local news media that it’s because he wants to retire: “Business is still great! It’s actually the best it’s been in years.”-Jason Wang

Washington DC: Federal taxpayers forced to continue funding the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.   

Wisconsin: Wisconsin Ag Statistics Service issues a final crop report for 2017.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

U.S. Food Crisis, November 2017: “SORRY FOLKS THE END HAS COME FOR THE PIG.”

U.S.

“It’s not just a one-year blip…declines continue to get bigger…”: U.S. government shenanigans, December 2017

Incomplete (i-e ‘Tip of the Iceberg’) list of U.S. Federal/State/Local Government self-destruct announcements for December 2017:

New York Magazine: How Wealthy People Use the Government to Enrich Themselves

Washington Post: How to score big at government auctions

NPR: States Say They Need Federal Government’s Help To Secure Midterm Elections

Associated Press: Global Cooling Requires More Government Money

According to CNBC there are only 13 U.S. cities where you can actually survive on government mandated minimum wage, barely.

Arizona: In Tucson, after 30 years Las Margaritas shutdown the day before Xmas, due to the owner selling off the property because the city is planning a road project that will impact the property.

California: The Los Angeles Times reports that Santa can’t fix these problems with California’s state government.  Taxpayers in Redwood City will be paying for a new home for the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) as city leaders will let the religious organization use a new city funded building complex, as part of some plan to create ‘green spaces’ in the city.

Colorado:  It’s been revealed that state legislators have forgotten a very important part of the taxpayer funded budget for 2018, according to the gov’na there’s not one cent from General Funds allocated for the most obvious of infrustructures; roads and bridges! 

Connecticut: The city of New London has criminally charged its first victim of its new expanded blight laws, for having a huge bamboo grove on his property.   Despite cash strapped voters rejecting three previous city budgets due to jacked-up taxes, the city of Morris is submitting a fourth budget which again includes tax increases, to be voted on in January 2018.

Florida:  Now former congresswoman Democrat Corrine Brown to spend five years in federal prison for helping to raise more than $800-thousand USD for a bogus charity that she used as her personal account.  Manatee County warning that within three years 5-hundred of its employees will be retiring, creating a burden on the county’s retirement funds. Mmmmm, what happened to those retirement funds? County officials are also launching a scare campaign telling local taxpayers they can’t find enough potential employees to replace those who are retiring.

Georgia:  Cash strapped voters in the city of Roswell are so upset with their city’s secretive budget process that city leaders promise to hold two classes openly explaining the budget, in 2018.

Idaho:    In the town of Heyburn two candidates tied in the November elections, by state law a coin toss was held to decide the outcome, however, the loser of the coin toss demanded a hand recount of the votes and low-and-behold that candidate had actually won the election by one vote!  Turns out the one ballot that decided the election was marked so lightly that the machine, which did the original count, couldn’t read it.     The gov’na of The Gem State Butch Otter, released emails criticizing his appointment to fill vacant spots in the state House.  The emails from taxpayers claim the process used by the gov’na violates state law and Idaho Republican Party rules.  Gov’na Otter said he made the appointments to meet the statutory deadline of December 30.

Illinois: State lottery computer services company GTECH-Northstar Lottery Group eliminating 61 jobs in January 2018, due to loss of contract.   A tow truck driver for the city of Chicago sentenced to nine years in prison for offering to illegally release impounded vehicles in exchange for bribes, his wife got 24 months probation for her role in the scam.   Evil government identification computer systems designer France owned-U.S. taxpayer funded MorphoTrust USA (OT-Morpho) issued a shutdown WARN for its Springfield location, 74 jobs gone in February 2018.  Once again, Illinois set another record for the most residents fleeing any U.S. state; 33-thousand-7-hundred people fled for their economic lives from July 2016 to July 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau!  Analysts say it’s only getting worse: “It’s not just a one-year blip. And the declines continue to get bigger from one year to the next.”-William Frey, Brookings Institution

Iowa: DuPont Pioneer suddenly laid off an undisclosed number of employees, as a result of the DuPont-Dow Chemical merger.  Local news media reminded taxpayers that state leaders gave DuPont a $17-million USD as an incentive to maintain 2-thousand-6-hundred jobs in the state.  Taxpayers are now burdened by state and local government debts totaling $15.9-billion USD!   And that’s considered among the lowest debt levels (versus GDP) of any U.S. state!   The state Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship began a taxpayer funded three years program to subsidize the increased use of ‘cover crops’ and improve water quality: “There is no other incentive like this in the entire country, so we’re really happy that the state of Iowa is breaking ground on this new incentive.”-Aaron Lehman, Iowa Farmers Union

Michigan:  Vice News reports Detroit’s housing crisis is the work of its own government.  The city of Flint is once again in ‘hot water’ due to accusations of failing to comply with a settlement which required the city to replace contaminated water lines within three years. 

Minnesota: Without warning McNally Smith College of Music shutdown one week before Xmas, due to massive Disappearing Students Syndrome.  State education administrators say they’ll help the 4-hundred affected students, meaning taxpayers are being stuck with dealing with the non-profit’s shutdown.  MinnPost reminding you of The 5 most important local government stories of 2017 that you probably already forgot.

Mississippi: The city of Meridian is challenging Lauderdale County’s 9-1-1 service charges, in one case there is evidence of multiple billings for a single ambulance call.

Missouri: King Cash Saver shutdown its Mount Vernon grocery store saying that despite a decent volume of sales it’s not enough to keep up with the cost of the city supplied utilities, which is as much as 40% higher than other areas of the state (city officials swore to local news media that their utility rate was “competitive”).   Despite violent crime for the entire U.S. being at a 30 years low, Kansas City experienced an explosion of violence in 2017 making it one of the most murderous cities.  One report says at least 207 people were killed.  

Montana: Orwellian sounding national mentoring program Big Brothers Big Sisters warning of shutdown in Helena due to state taxpayer funding cuts and dwindling donations.  Federal taxpayer funding has already been cut.   The state government says the 2018 budget is smaller due to crashing tax revenues.

New York:  Mark’s Pizzeria announced the shutdown of dozens of restaurants across The Empire State, due to the new state mandated minimum wage which affects any restaurant chain with 30 or more locations!   ReEnergy wood-chip fired power plant in Lyonsdale shutting down due to the expiration of its contract with New York State Energy and Research Development Authority.  More proof that relying on federal tax money will doom local governments to failure; the city of Newburgh warning that as many as 70 firefighters could become unemployed in 2018 due to the expiration of a federal grant.  A New York Times investigation revealed that the NYC subway project is now The Most Expensive Mile of Subway Track on Earth.  Investigators found multiple reasons for taxpayer screwing cost overruns as far back as 2010, yet only now are they being revealed.  Some of those cost overruns are unexplained, like two hundred more employees than were supposed to officially be on the payroll who were being paid outrageous wages: “Nobody knew what those people were doing, if they were doing anything. All we knew is they were each being paid about $1,000 every day.”-Michael Horodniceanu, formerly with Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Ohio: Licking County Transit Operation eliminating 48 jobs in January 2018, due to the cancellation of a contract.

Pennsylvania:  After 199 years of producing food, and surviving numerous recessions and The Great Depression, the Stewart family farm could be shutdown because of a multi-state electricity power line project!

Texas:  A federal judge is allowing the city of Houston to begin its new anti-homeless police state-ism law.  The city created the law in April, which was challenged by the ACLU.  The federal judge threw out the ACLU’s temporary restraining order against the city.  Yeah, fight homelessness not by creating good paying jobs, but by criminalizing homelessness.  After ten years Austin’s Flying Saucer Draught Emporium shutdown, the owner blames ‘elected’ lawmakers saying “The landscape of the restaurant industry is changing rapidly across the nation, and unfortunately, the Texas beer industry was introduced to topsy-turvy legislation…” 

Washington DC: The Chicago Tribune reports Trump administration rescinding fracking rules on government land.  The Wall Street Journal discovered that about 40% of comments about Net Neutrality posted on the Federal Communications Commission’s website, as well as comments posted on other government websites, were fake!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Government Shenanigans, November 2017:“THE PEOPLE…WILL NEVER, NEVER FIND A BETTER JOB…”

ObamaCare ACA Death Spiral, December 2017:“THE REALITY OF OUR INDUSTRY’S ECONOMICS: FLAT OR DECLINING GOVERNMENT REIMBURSEMENT RATES COUPLED WITH RISING COSTS.”

Dumbing Down the U.S. of A., December 2017:“GRADUATION WAS TODAY. DOORS ARE CLOSING. LOCKS HAVE BEEN CHANGED.”

U.S.

“the reality of our industry’s economics: flat or declining government reimbursement rates coupled with rising costs.”: ObamaCare ACA death spiral, December 2017

Incomplete list of healthcare related layoffs and shutdowns, announced in December 2017:

Israel based drugs pusher Teva Pharmaceuticals confirmed leaked reports that 14-thousand of its employees, including thousands in the U.S., are about to be laid off.  Investors loved the news and drove up Teva stock prices.

More proof ‘Mericans are druggies; opioid related hospital deaths quadrupled from 1993 to 2014: “Mortality among opioid-driven hospitalizations increased from 0.43 percent before 2000 to 2.02 percent in 2014, an average increase of 0.12 percentage points per year relative to the mortality of hospitalizations due to other drugs—which was unchanged.”

California: Medical device maker AMF Support Surfaces issued a shutdown WARN for its Riverside ops, 72 jobs gone by September 2018.  PharMerica forced to shutdown operations across The Golden State, more than 2-hundred jobs gone the day before Xmas due to PharMerica being taken over by KKR and Walgreens!  God powerless to stop ‘his’ Loma Linda University Medical Center from shutting down, 94 jobs gone by the end of February 2018.  Boston Scientific issued a mass layoff WARN for its Valencia operations, 289 jobs gone by the end of February 2018!  Strategic Medical Ventures eliminated 110 jobs right after Xmas!  Delta Dental laying off 51 people in Rancho Cordova, by the end of January 2018, no reason given according to local news media. More layoffs with Molina Healthcare, this time 60 people in Long Beach suddenly let go.  Newark based drugs pusher Depomed eliminating 328 jobs as it outsources pain killer meds production to a Massachusetts based drugs pusher, as well as move its HQ to another state in 2018!  The city of Los Angeles investigating Avanir Pharmaceuticals for possible violations of federal and state drugs marketing laws. In San Diego, Dart NeuroScience shutting down, 265 jobs gone by February 2018!  It turns out that Dart NeuroScience was being funded by the owner, who could no longer afford to do so.  Scripps Health warned of massive layoffs in 2018, saying “We’ve got to shift our organizational structures around to be able to deal with the new world of health care delivery, find ways of lowering our costs significantly. If we don’t, we will not be able to compete.”  After only three years the Coarsegold and Prather Medical Clinics suddenly shutdown for economic reasons, a pissed-off patient said “I was so shocked, saddened, but mostly mad, when I heard the news of the closure of Coarsegold Medical Clinic Monday morning. I was told by a staff member that they received their ‘closure’ letters Monday morning when they got to work. The sudden closure provides patients with a very short number of days to find a new provider, and what happens to our medical records? Two clinic closures a year apart will force more retired folks to have to move away or put way too many of us onto an already heavily trafficked Highway 41. We sure didn’t move all the way up here 20 years ago to be in this situation. This community deserves better medical facilities than we have now. We used to have an 24 hour urgent care center, we used to have a decent medical clinic.”

Connecticut: Towne Park at Yale-New Haven Hospital issued a mass layoff WARN, 195 jobs gone by the end of February 2018!

Florida:  Family Preservation Services eliminating 249 jobs statewide by February 2018! 

Idaho: Your Health Idaho reports a 10% drop in ObamaCare-ACA enrollments for 2018, compared to 2017, despite an extended sign-up timeline and federal taxpayer subsidies.  In eastern Idaho, 15 doctors are taking a chance and building their own clinics in two locations, accusing the current healthcare system of failing the local population.   Healthcare is still so bad in Idaho prisons that one prisoner had to almost kill himself to get treatment for a flesh eating infection. He’s still alive but his leg was amputated. 

Illinois: Meda Pharmaceuticals issued a shutdown WARN for its operations in Decatur, 80 jobs gone by June 2018 due to consolidations.  South Shore Hospital slashed pay by 10% for the majority of workers, and warned of massive layoffs due to $6-million USD in unpaid Medicaid bills going back to the implementation of ObamaCare-ACA!  Xanitos/AMITA Medical Hospital eliminating 133 jobs by March 2018, due to loss of contracts!  Cigna HealthSpring eliminating 75 Chicago jobs in January 2018.

Iowa: Easterseals laid off 31 people in Des Moines. Healthcare manager Telligen laid off 28 people in West Des Moines.

Massachusetts: The state of RomneyCare is now admitting that by pushing everybody onto healthcare insurance it’s actually costing people more money, not less!  In response to this revelation the exalted lawmakers are pushing a bill that would require drug sellers to tell customers that it would be cheaper to pay with cash than with insurance!   Kindred Living shutting down its Needham nursing home location by March 2018, affecting hundreds of patients and hundreds of employees according to local  news media!

Minnesota: Non-profit, taxpayer owned Winona Health suddenly laid off 17 people, and shutdown 25 vacant positions, and will not fill future vacancies created by retirements.

Missouri: Kindred Healthcare shutting down its Kansas City hospital, 115 jobs gone in January 2018!

Montana: Due to crashing state tax revenues the state Department of Health canceled contracts with four non-profits which help disabled people, affecting 2-thousand-7-hundred Montanans.

New Jersey:  Virtua suddenly laid off 50 people, saying “The healthcare industry is in the midst of significant transformation, both regionally and across the country. Uncertainty resulting from ongoing changes will continue to have a significant impact on health care institutions.”  Fidelity Care eliminating 147 jobs in February 2018! The Medicines Company eliminating 18 jobs in February 2018.

New York: Maimonides Medical Center eliminating 2-hundred jobs due to “the reality of our industry’s economics: flat or declining government reimbursement rates coupled with rising costs.”  Care Connect Insurance issued a shutdown WARN for East Hills, at least 42 jobs gone starting in January 2018.  God powerless to stop ‘his’ Lutheran Augustana Center for Extended Care & Rehabilitation-Langone Health from issuing a shutdown WARN, 286 nursing home jobs gone by June 2018!  Drugs maker Pfizer issued a shutdown WARN for its Rouses Point operation.

Oklahoma: The state Department of Health suddenly laid off 37 people, plus an additional 161 jobs being eliminated by March 2018, claiming the taxpayer funded jobs are redundant!

Oregon: Non-profit FamilyCare Health issued a WARN saying 322 employees will become unemployed by the end of January 2018, blaming lack of payments by Oregon Health Plan-Medicaid!

Pennsylvania: Middletown Community Health Center shutting down in February 2018. The Puerto Rico based owner of nursing home Village of Laurel Run now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, undisclosed number of employees suddenly laid off,  some employees haven’t been paid for weeks, more than $2-million USD in rent hasn’t been paid!  Six months of unanticipated revenue losses are being blamed on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements being put on hold.

South Carolina: Drugs pusher Merck shutting down its Charlotte location, at least 50 jobs gone by June 2018.

Texas:  East Houston Regional Medical Center shutdown due to damage by Hurricane Harvey.  Dallas based Tenet Healthcare eliminating 1-thousand-3-hundred jobs across several states, in 2018! Tenet reported it lost $366-million USD in its 3rd quarter of 2017.  Aperion Biologics now chapter 7 bankrupt dead.

Washington: Bio-tech drugs pusher PhaseRX bankrupt busted only 19 months after its $18.5-million USD Initial Public Offering.   The bankruptcy is blamed on massive debt financing (like issuing stocks?).

ObamaCare (ACA) death spiral November 2017: “SEVERAL SYSTEM AND CONTROL FAILURES”

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“Graduation was today. Doors are closing. Locks have been changed.”: Dumbing Down U.S.A., December 2017

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

There’s been a lot of focus on graduation rates for schools across the U.S.  This focus seems to be missing a major point, are high school students meeting graduation requirements? My experience, and my children’s experience, is that too many teenagers are ‘graduated’ even though they can barely read, write or do math (some students are kept from graduating, they is called Super Seniors)!  Instead of focusing on graduation rates taxpayer funded public education needs to focus on getting children ready for adulthood (something it was supposed to do from the beginning of the creation of public education), regardless of how long it takes.   The major concern for high schools is that some states’ current funding regulations actually halt funding for senior students who fail to graduate.  Maybe it’s time we create a new level of schooling, the Super Senior High School.

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

Incomplete (i-e Tip-o-the-Iceberg) list of publicly announced education related layoffs, shutdowns and education crimes, December 2017:

California:  Oak Grove School District appointed a committee to decide how many elementary schools will be shutdown in 2018.  It’s blamed on government mandated benefit increases for employees, and crashing taxpayer funding caused by the loss of 1-thousand-8-hundred students since the end of the 1990s.  A report out of San Francisco revealed that religiously motivated organizations are portraying themselves as representatives of taxpayer funded school districts and tricking taxpayers into attending hours long rallies in which the only way to get out of the rally is to sign a pledge to support the creation of religion based-taxpayer funded charter schools!  Blame immigration?  A lawsuit revealed that The Golden State’s education system’s “reading scores stagnated this year. Fewer than half of students meet its English standards.”

Idaho: The state Board of Education now claims that the statewide teacher exodus is costing taxpayers $6.8-million USD!   IdahoEdNews revealed that a taxpayer funded program to trick high school students into going to college is a dismal failure: “That’s a lot of money for something where we’ve not seen outcomes improve….”-state level Representative Wendy Horman, Idaho Falls

Illinois: La Salle-Peru Township High School District 120 spending 42-thousand+ tax dollars buying a nursing home with the intent of tearing it down for use as a parking lot, one board member said it could be a learning experience for students.   School District 65 began work to replace plumbing contaminated with led (lead) at 13 schools within the district.   School District 308 began eliminating jobs one week before Xmas, due to being $11-million USD in the hole.  Administrators expect to be in financial dire straits until at least 2023!  A former special education teacher (and mother of five kids) was sentenced to ten years in prison for sexually assaulting a student at North Boone High School.  Student loan debt collector Alltran Education shutting down operations in Woodridge, 129 jobs gone by the end of January 2018!

Kansas: Shawnee Mission School District violated at least four of the state’s special-education laws, according to a state investigation report released on 22DEC2017.

Kentucky: The Speed Art Museum (J.B. Speed Memorial) conducted a second round of layoffs (the first round happened just five months after the museum opened) due to shutting down its souvenir shop.  The Courier Journal reports that as a result of The Great Recession the funding disparity between the state’s richest and poorest school districts is as bad as The Great Depression.   Melissa Goins of the state funded Family Resource Center blamed it on one simple fact “We’re a poor state.”

Louisiana: State education officials want to shutdown three charter schools in New Orleans due to lack of academic performance. 

Maine: According to the fifth annual Education Indicators for Maine report the number of poor students in the state increased 10% over the past ten years.   The report also warned that more and more students are failing to become proficient in math and reading exacerbating the state’s “workforce shortage and a skills gap that has reached crisis levels and can no longer be ignored.”

Maryland: The U.S. Department of Education is again investigating the University of Maryland for sex crimes, for a third time this year! Washington County Board of Education member Mike Guessford promised to repay more than $1-thousand-7-hundred USD after being found guilty of ethics violations.  University of Baltimore began furloughing (temporary layoffs without pay) 4-hundred employees one week before Xmas, due to a 15% crash in student enrollments (what I call DSS)!  University administrators claim they’re suffering with a pay cut of as much as 15%, but local news media revealed the pay cut for administrators was voluntary. The university is $4.2-million USD in the hole.   After 40 years L’Academie de Cuisine shutdown without warning one week before Xmas: “Graduation was today. Doors are closing. Locks have been changed.”-unnamed former employee to local news media

Massachusetts: Non-profit Western New England University is asking employees to voluntarily quit (buyouts), not because of problems with student enrollments but because administrators ‘invested’ $90-million USD to “further fortify our University”.

Michigan: God powerless to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 68 years old Ladywood High School in Livonia, due to a 60% crash in enrollments since 2005 (it’s The Rapture eyes tells ya).

Minnesota: Without warning McNally Smith College of Music shutdown one week before Xmas, due to massive Disappearing Students Syndrome.  State education administrators say they’ll help the 4-hundred affected students, meaning taxpayers are being stuck with dealing with the non-profit’s shutdown.

Missouri: Saint Louis Community College began laying off 95 employees one week before Xmas, after a buyout attempt failed to get enough people to voluntarily quit.  According to local news reports, buyouts are still being offered on top of the layoffs.  For-profit Vatterot College shutdown its Saint Joseph campus explaining “When there’s not interest within the community, or need in the community, then we will just teach out a program.”

Nevada: Clark County School District‘s 2018-19 budget will result in the killing of 539 currently filled and vacant jobs!  Also, 240 employees were reassigned new jobs in alignment with low student enrollments.

New Mexico: After four years Taos International School had its charter revoked for the next 12 months, signaling a possible total school shutdown.

New York: NYC Department of Education shutting down 14 schools in 2018! StudentsFirstNY blamed the liberal-lefty-mayor saying “Mayor de Blasio’s expensive school turnaround model has failed miserably.”  After 38 years the pro-Israeli Drisha Institute for Jewish Education is abandoning its location in NYC’s Upper West Side as part of “redeployment” operations, meaning they’re trying to save money by shifting pro-Israeli programs onto NYC synagogues.

Ohio: Who needs litature when you’ve got coffee?  In Mentor, Half Price Books shutting down to, possibly, be replaced by a drive through café.

Oklahoma: The state Department of Education finally revealed that 24-thousand-625 sixth-through 12th-graders were suspended during the 2016-17 school year!  70% of the suspended students were boys. 

Oregon: God powerless to stop the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office from arresting a Springfield Christian School teacher for having sex with one of her students “on a regular basis.”   The sex crime Revelation was made after the teacher’s husband caught her and the 15 years old in bed together, an email was then posted with pics of the two in the act.  Taxpayers in Oregon City voted to build a new $20-million USD police/court building right on the location where a now active school sits, Marylhurst School has to vacate by June 2019.   An editorial in an Oregon newspaper claims that “The rate at which students in Oregon schools are being bullied, harassed or targeted by other troubling or aggressive behavior appears to be skyrocketing.”  The writer not only blames the Trump regime, but the previous Obama regime as well.

Pennsylvania: McGuffey School District dealing with a federal lawsuit accusing three teachers of intimidating a special needs student, supposedly it was recorded on a cell phone.   Scranton School District could lay off 89 people by the end of the school year, because even with grant money the district is still $19-million USD in the hole.  Quakertown Community School District shutting down its Tohikon Valley Elementary School at the end of the 2017-18 school year.  Local news media report it’s the third school in the district to be shutdown since 2011.  Former employees blame the school shutdowns on poor planning by taxpayer funded administrators: “This happened because of a lack of preventative maintenance.  We don’t have a true preventative maintenance program and without it they go quick.”-Vic Bartholomew, former school janitor

Texas:  Dallas Independent School District wants to shutdown four schools in 2018, officially due to low academic performance.  Texas Education Agency (TEA) suddenly canceled a contract with Georgia-based SPEDx, which was meant to find out why the TEA sucks when it comes to educating ‘special needs’ students.  The contract was already being questioned by taxpayers because it was awarded without any bidding by other companies, and most educators had never heard of SPEDx.

Utah: Despite the fact that 30% of Utahans voluntarily attend marriage classes the state Marriage Commission is demanding a new law be created to force all people who want to get married to pay for a premarital education course.  It’s suggested that to help offset the cost of the course that a $20 discount be applied to the Marriage License.  Law students at Brigham Young University have joined the fight against debt collectors. It’s estimated that 70-thousand debt collections cases are filed every year in the Mormon dominated state! The BYU law students are working with a Salt Lake City based attorney to provide debtor’s legal defense free of charge. 

Virginia: U.S. Department of Education investigating Lake Braddock Secondary School for reports of sex crimes committed by a coach, who suddenly retired.

Washington DC:  The federal Department of Education (DoE) reneged on its promise to forgive student loan debt for students who were tricked into attending the now dead Corinthian Colleges, which operated schools with various names across the country.  DoE officials claim they’ll come up with a more fair way to deal with the estimated $550-million USD in outstanding federal student loans.

Wisconsin:  “I wish we could vote, because we’re the ones actually in the education system that they’re fighting to have control over!”–Marisa Rodriguez, senior at Saint Joan Antida High School

Dumbing Down November 2017: “CLOSING WAS THE ONLY OPTION.”

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“sorry folks the end has come for the pig.”: U.S. Food Crisis, November 2017

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of November, 2017: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production, spread of disease and extreme weather.

A new study says rain spreads diseases to crops: “While the importance of rain for providing water and nutrients to plant life is well-understood, it also contributes to the dispersal of microscopic pathogen particles.”-American Physical Society’s Division of Fluid Dynamics

Alabama:  Piggly Wiggly shutting down its grocery store in Cullman, about 30 jobs gone by Xmas due to the undisclosed “decision of the owners.”

Arizona: In Scottsdale, after only six months El Panzon y Frida shutdown without warning or explanation, an unnamed employee revealed the shutdown plan to local news media!  Apparently The Grand Canyon state is experiencing a locust infestation: “I’ve never seen anything like this. At first, there were a few. And then you realize day after day there’s more of them.”-Dianna Isaacson, who says her plants looks like a bunch of skeletons

California:In Sacramento, after 50 years bar Distillery was sold-off and suddenly shutdown.  Outback Steakhouse suddenly shutdown its restaurant in Goleta, blaming the landlord for jacking up the rent (this location was not on the February Outback shutdown list).  Cal Pacific Specialty Foods suddenly shutdown its operations in Moss Landing, 323 jobs gone right before Thanksgiving!  Dole issued a shutdown WARN for its operations in Watsonville, 140 jobs gone by mid-January 2018!  Tyson laying off 70 people in San Diego, in January 2018.  Specialty Commodities (owned by food giant Archer Daniels Midland) issued a shutdown WARN for its Stockton location, 63 jobs gone in January 2018.  In Paramount, Latitude 45 Catering shutting down, 33 jobs gone right after Xmas.  Fruit tree grower L.E. Cooke issued a shutdown WARN for its Visalia ops, 278 jobs gone by mid-January 2018!  Restaurant operator Saddle Ranch Universal issued a mass layoff WARN, 124 people in Universal City jobless by January 2018!

Colorado:  After 20 years internet based Door to Door Organics food delivery service shutdown without warning, vaguely blaming “recent events in our industry”.

Florida:In Orlando, expensive ‘farm-to-table’ Nova Scratch Kitchen suddenly shutdown due to lack of sales.  Hurricane Irma reduced the citrus crop by as much as 70%, which is significant when you realize that The Sunshine State can supply up to 49% of the citrus for the entire United States!

Idaho: After 28 years in Chubbuck, it was revealed that restaurant Taquiera La Costa suddenly shutdown because the immigrant owner failed to become a legal resident/citizen and had to move back to Mexico.  He swears he’ll be back when his ‘paperwork’ is approved.  In Pocatello, after eight years locally run restaurant Efresh-The Gathering Place suddenly shutdown, the owner blaming the sudden escalation in corporate big-box restaurants: “There were so many restaurants that came into town really quickly and people decided to go there and just being a local little business, we felt that hit.”-Emily Fisher, interviewed by KIFI

Illinois:  In Chicago, after 11 years, and recently reporting $19-million USD in sales, popular steak joint Primehouse shutting down in December, apparently due to the landlord James Hotel.  After 52 years Chicago Brauhaus shutting down in December.  In Bellevue, bbq joint Righteous Pig shutdown, the Facebook post simply said “sorry folks the end has come for the pig.”  In Champaign, after two years Brixx Wood Fired Pizza shutting down, 30 jobs gone in December because “We don’t have the volume of customers that we needed to stay viable.”   Farmers blaming stunted corn and soybean crops on the Enbridge Southern Access Extension oil pipeline. 

Indiana:  Police owned Cops & Doughnuts suddenly shutdown their one year old South Bend location, the day before Thanksgiving, an unnamed manager blamed lack of sales. In Hebron, after more than 50 years Patz’s Market finally shutdown following years of online reviews that said it looked deserted.  Aunt Millie’s Bakeries announced it will shutdown its Fort Wayne bakery, 91 jobs gone between now and April 2018 due to “excess capacity and costs” (which is code for too much inventory and not enough sales).   Also in Fort Wayne, after only one year restaurant The Golden shutdown.  In Lafayette, after 50 years Pizza King in the Jefferson Square Shopping Center shutdown, the owner says despite being busy after school hours “… it’s a lot cheaper just to shut it down.”

Iowa:  In Sioux City, after 99 years Coney Island shutting down by the end of the year due to a failed attempt to sell the popular hot dog joint.  After 75 years The Supervisors Club (supposedly an elite club for John Deere employees) shutting down due to lack of members (probably because of all the Deere layoffs).  ICON Ag & Turf issued a layoff WARN, 83 people in Ireton jobless by January 2018.  Mike Naig, state Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, reported “Dry weather, particularly in southern Iowa, stressed crops and did negatively impact yields in some areas.”

Kansas: In Wichita, after five years Ernie Biggs Chicago Style Dueling Piano Bar shutdown.  In Topeka, after 31 years Pepe & Chela’s shutdown because of “an opportunity” the owner couldn’t pass up.  In Manhattan, after a recent name change The Hut shutdown: “… the volume just hasn’t been what it should be.”-Bud Cox, co-owner

Michigan: In Bay City, after 14 years Sweet Boutique & Chocolate Lounge shutdown, the owner credits getting an Idaho Spud Bar from the Idaho Candy Company for giving him the idea to open his shop, however, he says with the way things are “now is the time” to shutdown.  In Farmington, after 50 years Dan’s Giant Submarine Sandwiches shutdown so the surviving co-owner can retire.

Minnesota: In Saint Paul, restaurant Como Dockside announced on Facebook that it is forced to shutdown the day before Thanksgiving.  Duluth Homebrew Supply announced on Facebook its sudden shutdown, they couldn’t renew the lease which is $2,690 USD per month.

Montana: Flathead Lake Brewing shutting down its Woods Bay taproom and brewing facility after Xmas, so the owners can focus on their Bigfork location. In Valier, after 29 years restaurant The Lighthouse shutdown.  India hitting Montana pea farmers with a 50% import tax!

Nebraska: In Omaha, Willy Theisen’s Paragon Dundee shutdown saying “We just didn’t get the traction we needed.”

New Jersey: In New Brunswick, after 30 years Old Bay Restaurant shutdown.  Sales were so bad that Kimchi Smoke II suddenly shutdown its five months old Montclair location, despite the lease being in effect for at least two more years!

New York: Hannaford announced it is shutting down its grocery store in Massena, 62 jobs gone by July 2018 due to lack of profits.  In Buffalo, after 68 years wholesaler Willowbrook Farms suddenly shutdown, 22 jobs gone because the family owners don’t want to continue the business.   Green Planet Grocery shutting down its three years old Cicero store once most of the inventory is gone. Bohemia based Vitamin World is now dead, shutting down 124 stores and selling off the remaining 210, at least 1-thousand-478 jobs gone! In Schenectady, after 11 years Cella Bistro shutdown due to health problems with the family owners.  Terrafina issued a shutdown WARN for its snack factory in Bronx-NYC, 109 jobs gone by February 2018!  Restaurant Associates lost its contract with Barclays Executive Dining Room, 37 jobs gone right after Xmas.  In NYC, restaurant Giovanni Rana Pastificio & Cucina shutting down, 98 jobs gone by the end of February 2018.  Tops Markets issued a shutdown WARN for its grocery store in Wappingers Falls, 83 jobs gone by February 2018.  State agricultural commissioner Richard Ball warning of an Asian insect that could destroy crops: “If left unchecked, the spotted lanternfly can wreak havoc on some of our state’s largest and economically important crops…..  including grapes, apples, hops and forest products.”

Ohio: Fusian shutting down its restaurant near Ohio State University, as part of a plan for growing the chain.  In Hamilton, Alexander’s Market & Deli shutdown because the owner doesn’t have the time for it.  In Sandusky, after 42 years Kreimes Cardinal Grocery shutdown because of the family owners’ health problems.  France based food service contractor Sodexo issued a WARN, 30 people in Cleveland jobless right after Xmas.

Pennsylvania: In Dallas, after 17 years Olde House Cafe shutdown after the property was sold to Misericordia University.  In West Nantmeal, Wyebrook Farm shutting down its restaurant after Xmas.  In Craley, after 86 years Barry’s Country Food Market shutdown the day before Thanksgiving, the frustrated family owners told customers “times have gotten too tough.”  In Washington, after more than 50 years restaurant Peppino’s shutdown, the property is for sale.

South Dakota: Corn, soybeans and grain sorghum harvests are expected to go down by 5%.

Tennessee: Spaghetti Warehouse suddenly shutdown its restaurant in Memphis.  It’s still going on, tobacco crops failing and again state inspectors blame contractors for improper herbicide spraying.  One tobacco farmer says he lost more than $400-thousand USD as a result. 

Texas: Irving based Dairy Queen franchise owner Vasari chapter 11 bankrupt busted and shutting down at least 23 of its 70 Dairy Queens in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma, blaming oil industry layoffs and destruction caused by hurricanes.  Grocery giant Kroger suddenly canceled its contract with a  warehouse operator in Keller, 690 jobs gone a week after Thanksgiving! Kroger is now contracting with Penske Logistics for its warehouse operations.  In Dallas, restaurant Sambuca shutting down its McKinney Avenue location because for years the landlord refused to fix ongoing problems with the building, even after being sued.  In Longview, after four years Bootlegger Grill shutdown without warning after failed attempt to sell it: “The problem is there is an oversaturation of restaurants in the Longview market. Nobody wanted to purchase a restaurant.”-Chris Cline, owner

Texas fruit growers are worried about this year’s warmer than average winter forecast: “The trees are not able to set leaf buds or flower buds normally and that can lead to problems. It can also lead to little or no fruit sap.”– Steve Huebner, peach and plum famer

Virginia: In Altavista, after many decades Vista Food Market shutting down, 23 jobs gone in December.  Blaming the “natural business cycle” Not Your Average Joe’s shutdown its 11 years old Lansdowne restaurant. Farm Fresh shutting down its store on Arthur Way, in Newport News, right after Xmas due to lack of profits.  Firefighting themed Halligan Bar & Grill shutdown two of three locations without warning, one had been open for only 90 days, and the other had already been closed officially for remodeling but not anymore!  For some reason the co-owners suddenly decided to retire!

Washington: Seattle based Amazon shutting down its Amazon Fresh grocery service in at least nine U.S. states!

West Virginia: FoodFair shutting down its 13 years old store in Huntington, 30 jobs gone because “Unfortunately, the market conditions have deteriorated…”

Wisconsin: In Milwaukee, after more than 20 years restaurant La Fuente shutdown without warning.  British empire Canada based Saputo shutting down its cheese factory in Fond du Lac, 126 jobs gone by May 2018!  University of Wisconsin says carbon emissions actually increase when crops are grown for ethanol production.  Colder than average temperatures are preventing crops from necessary drying, some farmers reporting that the ground is already freezing which could prevent them from harvesting.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

U.S. Food Crisis, October 2017: “SHOCKINGLY CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE”

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“The people…will never, never find a better job…”: U.S. government shenanigans, November 2017

Incomplete (i-e ‘Tip of the Iceberg’) list of U.S. Federal/State/Local Government self-destruct announcements for November 2017:

Alligations of sexcrimes by your ‘elected’ officials not only revealed a now no longer secret federal taxpayer funded hush fund (Congress paid $17 million in settlements. Here’s why we know so little about that money), but even State’s have their own state taxpayer funded sexcrimes hush funds (“State governments’ practice of spending taxpayer funds to settle sexual harassment lawsuits against legislators and staff has created an uproar…”)!

Alabama: A U.S. Army Reserve officer from The Heart of Dixie spending four years in prison, and forced to pay-up $4.4-million USD, for selling Chinese made caps and backpacks to U.S. Army Recruiting Command which requires such items to be made in the United States. According to the court documents, the officer got three federal government contracts worth $6.2-million for the recruiting items, which he falsely claimed were made in the United States.

Alaska:  According to the Rain Coast Data/Southeast Conference, state government jobs declined by 720 from 2014 to 2017.

California:  “We have rapists in this building. We have molesters among us. There are perpetrators, enforcers and enablers in this building, and … a lot of us know who they are. We find out through that whisper network. People do talk, they just don’t come forward.”-Christine Pelosi, California Democratic Party Women’s Caucus, talking about The Golden State’s government system

California’s electricity rates are still 50% higher that the national average, despite claims that mandating renewable energy sources would bring costs down.  This as the state Public Utilities Commission predicted that Southern California Gas Company will fail to meet customers’ needs this Winter.

Colorado:  State agencies warning people getting healthcare assistance for their children from a federally funded program to prepare to get nothing, because the federal government halted funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Connecticut: According to U.S. Government Spending, state government tax spending has outpaced the state’s gross domestic product (GDP), since the 1990s!

Florida:  Federal taxpayers giving The Sunshine State at least $615-million USD to help recover from Hurricane Irma. Local news media pointed out that there is currently no plan on how to distribute the money and predicted most of the money won’t get to those who need it.

Georgia:  The gov’na announced that taxpayers are being forced to pay an additional $35-million (on top of the $58-million) USD for a massive cyber security/cybercrimes unit campus in Augusta.

Idaho: Recently appointed (not elected) state-level senator from Idaho Falls, Tonny Potts, was revealed to have gone chapter 7 bankrupt busted back in March. Potts was appointed to his senator job by Right to Work (you over) gov’na Butch Otter in October.  Current state level representative Ryan Kerby got a slap-on-the-wrist for committing a criminal act while he was superintendent for School District 372 (aka New Plymouth School District).  According to the Professional Standards Commission’s review, Kerby “willfully or deliberately” submitted a falsified teacher qualification report.  Kerby can challenge the slap-on-the-wrist letter of reprimand.     More court proven cases of voter fraud as a man who lost his ‘right’ to vote (due to being on criminal probation) somehow voted in this month’s elections.  Ada County elections employees warning that the three years old Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck Program doesn’t work, for a simple reason: “We learned the hard way that there are many people who share names and birth dates across the country.”-Phil McGrane, Ada County chief deputy clerk

Idaho Statesman: Idaho is sharing your private voter data (even though it promised not to)

Illinois: Cook County’s new budget calls for the elimination of 321 jobs due to a failed tax on soda-pop, starting in December: “The people should really wonder what kind of government we are when we are laying off this many people at this time of year. The people losing their jobs will never, never find a better job than the one they’ve lost.”-Larry Suffredin, county commissioner

Louisiana: The state’s First Circuit Court of Appeal ruled that the gov’na cannot issue an executive order protecting homosexuals working for state government from discrimination, harassment and firing based on their sexual thing.

Michigan:  Local taxpayers in the Evart area are pissed about Switzerland based Nestlé’s request to increase its use of local water to 794-million liters (210-million U.S. gallons) yearly.  The water is then sold as bottled water under various Nestlé brands at huge profits.

Mississippi: The state administered SNAP (commonly called food stamps) is under federal investigation for submitting fake food stamp claims.

Missouri: The current federal tax bill might save state taxpayers  $1-billion USD by affecting something called ‘rolling conformity’ of standard deductions at the state level.  State tax collection officials refused to comment to local news media as to what the state government would do to make up the difference.

Montana: The Treasure State could lose $30-million USD in federal taxpayer funding if the current federal tax plan becomes law.  The loss would come from changes to ObamaCare-ACA and mining royalty payments.  To offset the possible loss Montana politicians are thinking about jacking-up state taxes.

New Jersey: A taxpayer funded Bergen County animal shelter had a Catholic bishop bless the animals, and is now facing a lawsuit over 1st Amendment violation.

New York:  Voters in The Empire State overwhelmingly voted against a Constitutional Convention.  Such a thing could end the United States as we know it.  British empire United Kingdom owned, U.S. taxpayer funded, Luxfer Magtech halting its manufacture of U.S. Department of Defense Meal Ready to Eat ‘flameless’ ration heater at its factory in Riverhead, 60 jobs gone by February 2018 due to production being moved to other factories.

North Carolina:  After several years of ‘mistakes’ the state is now accused of owing federal Medicaid $41-million USD due to overpayments.   It’s been revealed that the Office of State Human Resources does not keep records of government employees disciplined for sexual crimes.  The state Department of Health and Human Services took-over mental health provider Cardinal Innovations for giving former executives millions of dollars in taxpayer funded severance.

Ohio:  An audit revealed that over the past ten years $3.4-million USD in payments to the state government never made it into government accounts, because of criminal taxpayer funded government employees: “Time and again rogue employees have successfully robbed governments because they were entrusted with total, unchecked control over fiscal operations. It’s time for more administrators to take up shields and involve themselves in the defense of their financial resources.”-David Yost, state auditor

Oklahoma: State taxpayers have been paying for politicians to buy promotional items like key chains, stress balls and T-shirts, up to $58-million USD worth every year!  It’s called ‘swag’ by insiders and gov’na Mary Fallin issued an executive order banning it.

Pennsylvania: Evil for-profit prison operator The Geo Group laid off 51 people at the Coleman Hall prison.

Puerto Rico:  The island territory, which provides relatively little in national tax revenues, wants $94-billion USD in national taxpayer funding to deal with the unprecedented damage caused by Hurricane Maria. Hell, even the States are struggling to pay for things with both state and federal taxpayer funding, so where is all this extra natural disaster recovery funding coming from?

Tennessee:  Developers working for Japan’s Toyota and Mazda want taxpayers to fork-over an additional $72-million USD to complete the Memphis Regional Megasite, which has already cost $144-million in state taxpayer funding!  Toyota and Mazda claim they’ll hire 4-thousand people once the Megasite is finished!  At what point does state taxpayer funding outweigh tax revenues created by jobs in an industry that no longer provides steady long-term employment?

Texas:  State Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) spending at least 60-thousand tax dollars to get rid of an estimated several hundred sewer rats at their Austin HQ.  The Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) questions the payment because state agencies are supposed to go through the TFC with any building maintenance problems, which the HHSC did not.  Veteran Texas cops began operation Government Crime Stoppers, aimed at politicians!  Whistleblowers can get up to $10-thousand USD for ratting-out politicians who commit crimes: “We’re looking for corrupt government officials, which has been a problem throughout the state. ….Twenty-five years ago I was hoping for something like this.”-James ‘Perry’ Huckaba

Utah: A state resident was sentenced to two years in federal prison after he was caught stealing $3.4-million USD in U.S. Army equipment at Dugway Proving Grounds.  The stolen medical equipment and vision devices ended up with U.S. wholesalers and retailers.   Youth suicide in the Mormon dominated state approaching record levels, four times faster than the national average according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The CDC study also indicated that the three official anti-suicide programs in Utah are not working.

Washington: King County Superior Court ruled that Seattle’s left-wing-liberal income tax solely on wealthy people is illegal: “The city knowingly violated several laws in imposing this tax.”-Brian T. Hodges, attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation

It should be noted that the tax system in Washington is considered the most repressive in the United States for poor people, meaning poor people pay a higher percentage of tax than rich people.

Washington DC: The federal government admitted that a U.S. citizen is being detained in Iraq by the U.S. Department of Defense, without legal recourse!

West Virginia: China Energy is making a 20 years $84-billion USD investment into petroleum operations within the state, and state and federal (Team Trump) government leaders refuse to give any details about it, or how it came to be.  The state Division of Corrections shutdown a 34 years old prisoner work-release center supposedly due to fire code violations.  Kanawha County Magistrate Jack Pauley pled guilty to charges of making court decisions that resulted in two men dying!  Judge Pauley told the court he made the decisions in haste in an effort to expedite court cases.  His punishment could be a slap-on-the-wrist 45 day suspension!

Wisconsin:  After spending years driving away good paying jobs, Right to Work (you over) Scott Walker now wants taxpayers to spend $7-million USD to bring good paying jobs back! 

Governing.com: Sexual Harassment Investigations Are Kept Secret in Wisconsin, and That’s How Lawmakers Want It.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Government Shenanigans, October 2017: “WHO’S PROFITING…?”

ObamaCare ACA Death Spiral, November 2017: “SEVERAL SYSTEM AND CONTROL FAILURES”

Dumbing Down the U.S. of A., November 2017: “CLOSING WAS THE ONLY OPTION.”

Idaho, U.S.

“It shook my entire house!” Explosions in the sky as more minor quakes hit Idaho!

01 DEC 2017 (01:55 UTC-07 Tango 06) 10 Azar 1396/12 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1439/14 Ren-Zi 4715

On 30 NOV 2017, just before 13 hours after midnight (that’s just before 1pm for those of you who insist on using a 12 hours clock to track the 24 hours in a day) the area around Soda Springs, Idaho, was hit by yet another 3 magnitude earthquake.

Ever since September southeast Idaho has been hit with low magnitude quake ‘swarms’, possibly due to petroleum exploration.

But in the south central part of the state, in the Twin Falls area, people have been reporting unexplained sounds of explosions, or “booms”.  Many say it sounds like the booms are coming from the sky, but one woman saw a smoke cloud rising from across the Snake River: “It shook my entire house! It freaked me out. …..It looked like it came off the ground and was slowly dissipating and rising. It was yellowish or maybe even greenish.”– Sara Bloss, as quoted by Twin Falls Times-News

The National Weather Service said there were no big cloud-to-cloud lightning strikes. Idaho Department of Transportation swore they had no road construction projects in the area.  The U.S. Air Force at Mountain Home refused to comment about a ‘secret bombing range’.  Interestingly, according to local news media these Skyquakes happen at the same time every year.

Apparently nobody in the Twin Falls area speculated that it could be petroleum exploration.  Perhaps it’s because a professor from Boise State University claimed there were no seismic registrations.  In mid-November a lawsuit in Oklahoma revealed that a former university professor was being bullied not to make a connection between increased quakes and petroleum exploration/fracking: “Researchers have linked the spike in the number of earthquakes in parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and other states to the underground disposal of wastewater from oil and gas production. Holland said he was reprimanded for helping publish a peer-reviewed journal article on how to cope with such earthquakes.”-Associated Press

For November, Oklahoma continued to be plagued by fracking quakes: Yukon earthquakes linked to fracking well

Numerous small earthquakes recorded in northern Oklahoma

“researchers are certain the quakes are a result of fracking practices of the oil and gas industry”

Two earthquakes rattle Oklahoma town

Earthquake swarm leaves Oklahoma residents unsettled

To get an idea just how many quakes The Gem State of Idaho experiences on a daily basis, visit Earthquaketrack.com.  According to the website, Idaho has experienced 919 earthquakes in the past 12 months!

WestVirginiaPublicBroadcasting: How the U.S. Government Hid Fracking’s Risks to Drinking Water