Tag Archives: canada

International, U.S.

Norovirus update 24 March 2013: Nora Virus? A huge unnecessary health care cost in the United States! Unnecessary and costly use of ambulances in United Kingdom! Connection to IBS & nutcracker esophagus?

In Oregon U.S.A., at least 15 people got sick, and one man died, after a state forestry committee meeting.  Lab tests have confirmed norovirus, but investigators have yet to find the source.  Unfortunately the local media is already blaming the food, or employees, at the restaurant, even though there have been many cases this season that did not involve food and has inspectors stumped. So far only the people attending the forestry meeting got sick, no other customers are sick, none of the employees are sick, which suggests it’s not the restaurant.  The restaurant owner is upset: “I prayed to God that we didn’t do anything bad. We’re so diligent about food safety.”-Maggie Pike

The U.S. CDC says the norovirus (first appearing in 1968) is now the number one cause of stomach problems in children.  It’s now blamed for most cases of gastroenteritis. Norovirus has become the leading cause because treatments for the other causes have greatly reduced their occurrence, there is no vaccine or treatment for norvirus. Between 2009-10 one million U.S. kids were sick with it, and it’s estimated that the virus is costing families and insurance companies $273 million per year.  When you realize that there is no treatment for the norovirus itself, and most people are well within 48 hours,  you’ll begin to realize that most of the health care costs associated with norovirus are unnecessary, as long as people drink enough fluids. The main reason for people being hospitalized is dehydration.

The Rhode Island (U.S.A.) Department of Health confirmed an outbreak at Brown University (is that a joke by god or what? Brown…norovirus).   Officials say it’s the first time in ten years. At least 49 students are sick.

In Sacramento County, California U.S.A., a restaurant is being investigated for a stomach bug outbreak back in February.  It’s based on the number of complaints county officials got at the end of February.  The restaurant had just passed its health inspection before the complaints.

In the world of bicycle racing, in South Africa both Topeak-Ergon teams ended their runs (pun) in the Cape Epic race. Some reasons included crashes, but other team members developed gastrointestinal infections.

In the world of Baseball, Roy Halliday, pitcher for Philadelphia Phillies, says he lost ten pounds in two days after getting sick with vomiting bug.  And the Texas Ranges are dealing with a player that keeps getting sick.  Derek Holland is recovering from a recent bout with stomach bug.  Holland was sick with stomach bug last year as well.  Humans do not build resistance to norovirus.

A United Kingdom doctor, Martin Scurr, responded to a question from a woman who began having trouble swallowing after two bouts of stomach bug infections. He said her nutcracker esophagus might be connected to “a type of post-infection irritable bowel syndrome.”

The Queen of England made her first public appearance after getting sick.  It was for the 150th anniversary of London’s “Tube” subway system.

In Whitehaven U.K., the North Cumbria University NHS Hospitals Trust had to move patients from the West Cumberland Hospital, 75 miles away to the Northumbrian hospital, because of ongoing infections.  There are so many sick people in the hospital, that new patients have to be transferred.

In Norwich, England U.K., an academic teaching hospital imposed visitor restrictions. The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital reported increased cases.  Also, in London the Lewisham Hospital relaxed visitor restrictions, however there were warnings that restrictions could be re-imposed because of the ongoing infections.

In Eastbourne, East Sussex U.K., the Eastbourne District General Hospital restricted visitation to three wards because of an outbreak.

In Lancashire U.K., the Lindum Hotel closed down for a second time, just five days after re-opening from another norovirus caused shutdown.  This time the hotel management decided to close after three guests became sick, saying they didn’t want to take any chances.

Also in U.K., Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust is closed to new patients because an outbreak has filled all their beds with sick people (and not just sick in the head).  And, an ambulance service is asking people sick with stomach bug not to call.  The service is reporting a 16% increase in calls, mostly for people with vomiting bug.  Ambulance operators are asking people to call only in “real emergencies”.

In the Central American country of Belize, the Ministry of Health is reporting increased cases of norovirus, commonly and incorrectly being called stomach flu.  The Ministry of Health is for some reason calling it Nora Virus.

In Saskatchewan, Canada, visitor restrictions were lifted at Saint Paul’s Hospital.

In Wellington, New Zealand, reports that an outbreak at the Karori Normal School is spreading.  The school’s principal says the outbreak at the school is the result of infections already present in the community.  New Zealand is also dealing with outbreaks of cryptosporidium, and people are being told to stay out of swimming pools if they are sick.

 

Fukushima

2 years later, 22-thousand tons of tsunami debris about to hit North America, follwed by radiation contamination!

15 March 2013/03 Jumada l-Ula 1434/25 Esfand 1391/04 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

Japan’s Environment Ministry says the main part of the mass of tsunami debris, from the 11 March 2011 earthquake caused tsunamis, will begin hitting the Pacific coast of North America by April.

Using computer models they predict about 220000 tons of debris could come ashore. Japan has already paid Canada and the United States $6 million USD to help clean it up.

Following behind the tsunami debris could be radioactive debris from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear melt downs.

Researchers from Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology are following radioactive contamination of the Pacific Ocean.  They say the water near the GE designed reactors is still showing 100 becquerels per liter of cesium 137, far higher than Japanese safe limits.

They added that in the 12 months following June 2011 (when they started tracking it) that 16.1 trillion becquerels of cesium 137 was poured into the Pacific Ocean!  The main ocean current is bringing that contamination towards North America.

The University researchers also concluded that most of the contaminated water is coming from underground sources, not from rainwater runoff as first claimed by Tokyo Electric (TEPCo), the operator of Fukushima Daiichi.  TEPCo officials now agree that the contaminated water is not from rain runoff, and admit they have yet to find the source.

For two years now, radioactive contamination has been pouring into the Pacific Ocean!

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Best Buy, Kohl’s, Lowe’s! Hurricane Sandy taketh and giveth! Target has the money to launch invasion of Canada! Gun sales right on target, because of anti-gun efforts?

01 March 2013/18 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/11 Esfand 1391

Best Buy reported a measly 0.9% increase in 4th Quarter sales in the United States. Best Buy calls it the end of their Fiscal Year 2013, I guess they’re living in the future. There is no standardized Fiscal Year (FY), so it can get confusing for us regular folks.

Even with a measly increase in sales, overall domestic revenue fell by 0.3%, and company officials admit that it’s because they shut down 49 stores!

Best Buy saw their international sales drop by 6.6%, yet managed to see a 2% increase in international revenue!  Officials credit Europeans for that.  The big drop in sales took place in Canada and China.

Best Buy says their domestic profits were unchanged from the year before, and international profits fell 2% from their FY 2012.  Company officials warned to expect a rough 1st Quarter (for their FY 2014).

Kohl’s department store reporting disappointing results. For the 4th Quarter profits fell 17% (but in dollar terms they still made hundreds of millions).   Company officials say sales were up for the year, but their discounted pricing and clearance sales cut into expected profits.  Like Best Buy, Kohl’s is cautious about sales for Gregorian calendar year 2013.

The 5th largest cable TV provider, Cablevision, reported higher 4th Quarter results, but that was because they won a lawsuit, not because of sales.  When you throw out the gains from the lawsuit, Cablevision had a net loss of $83 million USD.

Cablevision officials blame their down sales/revenue on hurricane Sandy. They say they lost 11000 customers because of power outages (this is on top of the 28000 customers they lost for other reasons).

Publix, “…the largest and fastest-growing employee-owned supermarket chain in the United States.”,  reported an overall 1.9% increase in sales for 2012.  It would have been higher if it weren’t for the fact that their FY 2012 had one more week than FY 2011.  Publix is a privately owned company so unless you work for them don’t expect to buy any of their stocks.

Home improvement store, Lowe’s, reported their end of year results: “Lowe’s fiscal year ends on the Friday nearest the end of January; therefore, fourth quarter and fiscal year 2011 included an extra week compared to 2012.” (like I said, it gets a little confusing for us regular folks)

Lowe’s saw an end of year drop in overall sales of 5%.  But they had a measly 0.6% increase in sales for the year, and they credit hurricane Sandy for that!

But wait, it gets confusing: Lowe’s says comparable, consolidated, same store sales were up for the 4th Quarter, by 1.9%, and up by 1.4% for the year.  Then they add that comparable, consolidated, same store sales for “the U.S. business” were up 1.5%.  Lowe’s bosses are happy: “We delivered solid results in the fourth quarter…”-Robert A. Niblock, chairman, president and CEO

Hello Lowe’s, your overall 4th Quarter sales still fell by 5%: “….decreased 5.0 percent to $11.0 billion from $11.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011.”

Lowe’s managed to buy back $4.35 billion of their own stocks, and pay stockholders $704 million in 2012!

Target, second to Walmart, reported an increase in end of year holiday sales, by 6.8%!  For the whole year Target experienced a 2.7% increase in sales from 2011. Company officials credit this to an extra week in their FY (isn’t that interesting, while some companies blame the extra week for weaker results, Target gives it credit for stronger results), and the opening (not closing) of new stores!

Target paid its stockholders dividends, and is invading Canada this year!

Sturm, Ruger & Company, the maker of the famous Mini-14 and 10/22 rifles, reported huge increases in 2012; 50% increase in sales and 77% increase in revenue! Company officials credit this to new gun models (not to the anti-gun efforts in Washington DC).

In March 2013, the company will pay stockholders a dividend close to 40% of the company’s income.  For 2012, Ruger paid stockholders $111.5 million!

 

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 17 – 19 February 2013. Mujahideen getting better at hitting government forces! Even more tax money pledged to Afghanistan! New Zealand gets out in 2013! Tough anti-gun laws in Canada fail to stop Afghan from being assassinated!

19 February 2013/08 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/01 Esfand 1391

A United Nations report suggests the Mujahideen are getting more accurate in their attacks.  The Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict report shows a decrease in civilian casualties, by 12% from 2011 to 2012.  The UN blames most of the civilian deaths on Mujahideen, but while civilian deaths are declining, attacks against Afghan government personnel are skyrocketing.  The UN says for last year Mujahideen attacks against government employees ramped up by 700%!!!

USMC General John Allen will retire and refuses NATO command job in Europe.  Rumors say his decision is the result of investigations into his associations with women other than his wife.  He says it’s because of family health issues.

The Australian Defence Minister, Stephen Smith, pledged $100 million AUD (Aussie Dollar) more in grants to Afghanistan!  This is on top of a previous pledge of $300 million!

18 February 2013/07 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/30 Bahman 1391

In Daikundi Province, local government officials say there was heavy fighting between Afghan government forces and Mujahideen, in the Kajran district.  The fighting was spill over from neighboring Helmand Province, where Mujahideen attacked several check points.  There are reports of deaths and woundings on both sides.

New Zealand officials announced that most Kiwis will be pulled out of Afghanistan by April 2013.  About 23 Kiwis will stay behind for “peacekeeping” duties.

Norway announced it will give more of its taxpayers’ money to Afghanistan.  The Norwegian government is going to give the Central Asian country another $131 million USD, on top of previous pledges!

17 February 2013/06 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/29 Bahman 1391

In Kandahar Province, Mujahideen ambushed government de-mining operations.  One vehicle was set on fire, while another was captured.  The vehicles are designed to remove landmines, but could also be use to plant them.  Also, Mujahideen claim they planted landmines in expectation of a U.S. led NATO convoy in the Kala Shamir region. They say at least three armored vehicles hit the landmines and two or three medivac copters were called in.

In Helmand Province, Mujahideen say they repelled another NATO/ISAF/ANA heliborne operation in Kajaki district’s Mazar Karez area. They say the battle lasted three to four hours. Also, in the Nari Manda area of Nad Ali district, three ANA troops were killed, two wounded, when their dismount patrol crossed over a landmine.

In Herat Province, reports of fighting between Mujahideen and fighters near the border with Turkmenistan. At least three people killed.

The new U.S. governor of Afghanistan, USMC General Joseph Dunford, said he has ordered NATO to obey President Hamid Karzai’s orders, that is no U.S./NATO airstrikes shall be called in by Afghan government personnel.

After damning reports by the United Nations, and then confirmation by an Afghan government investigation, President Karzai has ordered that all prisoner interrogations be recorded.  Investigations revealed at least 14 types of torture being used in prisons and jails.

Despite Canada’s tough gun laws (tougher than the United States) a 19 years old Afghan-Canadian boxer was shot dead at a Toronto nightclub.  He was the second shooting victim in Toronto that week.  Suspects have been arrested, and they are both of East Asian descent.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Sears Canada disapoints with lower than expected profits!

27 February 2013/16 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/09 Esfand 1391

More proof the main streamers were lying about the “increased” holiday sales. Today, Sears CAnada reported that their 2012 4th Quarter (which ended for Sears CA on 02 February 2013) holiday profits were down 5% from 4th Q 2011 (which ended on 28 January 2012).  Notice that 4th Q 2012 had 14 weeks compared to 4th Q 2011 which had 13 weeks.  Same store sales were down 3.8%.

Despite the fact that 4th Q 2012 had one more week in it Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) was $62.4 million CAD (CAnadian Dollar). Now realize that the EBITDA for the 13 week 4th Q 2011 was $101.8 million.  That a $39.4 million drop in 2012!

It turns out that Sears CA claimed profits mainly because of voluntary buyouts of “post-retirement benefits” and the sale of a joint venture, it had nothing to do with selling products on their store shelves.

For the whole year Sears CA had a 6.9% drop in revenue, most of that because of same store sales declinations. Calvin McDonald, President and Chief Executive Officer, said most of the lack of sales were in their premiere brands like Crafstman, and other hardware, electronics and even appliances. Amazingly Sears CA had increased sales in clothing!

In the United States, Sears Holdings is expected to make public their 2012 results on 28 February 2013.

 

International, U.S.

Norovirus update, 05 February 2013: No one knows why it happens! 200% increase! Blame no paid sick leave! Hospital not the place to be!

05 February 2013

In Manteca, California, the Saint Jude Care Center was given the OK by health officials, after a nearly two week long norovirus outbreak.   County health officials said restrictions are still in effect in other care centers throughout the county: “We always have outbreaks in the county every year. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we get reports this week or next month. It will be ongoing……It can happen anytime, but mostly in the winter. There’s no real explanation as to why.”-Ginger Wick, San Joaquin County Public Health Department

In Ontario, Canada, the Northumberland Hills Hospital has lifted visitation restrictions, now that they believe a recent norovirus outbreak is finished.

Officials with Barnes-Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis, Missouri, reporting a spike in stomach bug cases. They are seeing at least 15 new patients everyday.  Missouri media reporting that other hospitals have not given status reports on norovirus cases, as there is no regulation requiring them to do so.

For several weeks now schools in Arkansas are getting hit hard, with hundreds of students staying home sick every week.  Some schools have been forced to close.

Health officials in Maryland are warning that February and March are the peak months for norovirus infections in their state.  However they do not track cases, so there are no official numbers to report.

The vomiting bug continues to hammer Merry Olde England. Another hospital had to shut down several wards.  Maidstone Hospital in Kent is restricting visitors because of another outbreak.

04 February 2013

Again, in Merry Olde England, the Queen’s own hospital has been hit with vomiting bug. The Bristol Royal Infirmary has restricted visitation due to an outbreak.  It is one of four Bristol hospitals dealing with outbreaks.

03 February 2013

The new Medical Rescue Team South Authority in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, issued a warning: “Trending appears to show we are headed towards a 200% increase of symptoms similar to the norovirus for the first month of this year compared to last year.”-Jesse Siefert, paramedic

Health officials in Minnesota continue to warn that the new Sydney 2012 norovirus has arrived in the North Star State.

Reports out of Arkansas that people are going to work sick, because they do not have paid sick time, and can’t afford to miss work.

02 February 2013

Reports saying beds are filling up at the health center for Princeton University, New Jersey.

01 February 2013

Depending on which report you read, between 10 and 50 cases of norovirus were linked to a Concord, California, deli. The food shop was temporarily shut down after it catered an event where people started getting sick.  Local health officials blamed it on the employees.

Health officials in Missouri confirming the new norovirus has arrived: “We’ve had four confirmed norovirus outbreaks in varies health care settings around the county, and then we’ve had three of four other outbreaks in health care facilities where the signs and symptoms have been consistent with the norovirus, but from a laboratory standpoint we were not able to prove that.”-Richard Knaup, Saint Louis County Health Department

Ohio doctors say they’re preparing for increases in norovirus cases.  They say that since the first cases of norovirus were documented (back in 1968) that the trend has been as influenza cases slack off norovirus cases pick up.

Did you know the first norovirus case occurred in 1968 in Norwalk, Ohio. This is why it is sometimes called the Norwalk virus. However, the 1968 outbreak was not confirmed until 1972, when researchers were finally able to identify the cause. Ever since then, year after year, there are more and more cases, and stronger and stronger versions of the virus.

Check my previous postings about norovirus.

Business/Economics, International

What Economic Recovery? Sears & Best Buy taking out more than one thousand jobs in Canada! Blame Right Sizing!

Canucks might have thought things were getting better, since Target announced plans to open 135 stores across the Great White North, but here comes Sears and Best Buy to shoot down that hope.

Sears Canada announced they will destroy 700 jobs this year! Company officials say they have to “right size” their struggling operations.

Best Buy announced plans to destroy 900 jobs!  It’s part of the same plan that’s destroying Best Buy jobs in Yankee Land; they are transitioning to much smaller stores and internet operations.

Total Sears Canada and Best Buy jobs to be destroyed this year is 1,600!

International, U.S.

World War 3: Scotland, Canada & Spain uniting against the British Empire? Latin America tells the Red Coats to get out of Falklands! Tells the Yankees to get out of Puerto Rico! The age of Separatism Summits is here!

“There are the underlying emotional arguments for independence, then there are the more rational economic ones. What we are seeing is that they are coming together.”-Alfred Bosch, Spanish politician

On 29 January 2013, First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, and Quebec’s Premier, Pauline Marios, issued a joint statement after holding what some sources have called a separatism summit:  “Both leaders also talked about the political situation in their respective jurisdictions and agreed that their destinies are a matter for the people of Scotland and Quebec to decide.”

The Canadian province of Quebec narrowly lost it’s independence bid in the recent elections.  And election officials in the United Kingdom told the Scots that they had to change the wording on an upcoming 2014 independence referendum.

Interviewed after the separatism summit was over, Premeir Marios said not only is the push for Scottish independence moving forward, but Quebecois will never give up: “I think the most important thing is the determination of the First Minister and his team to arrive at the support of the population on this issue. I think that is very clear, he will put all his team and all his determination to obtain this goal. I think that is as similar as we made in the past and we will do in the future.”

In a warmer climate, the people of Catalonia, Spain, are pushing for independence as well. The people of Catalonia will also be voting for independence in 2014. The Spanish government is calling it unconstitutional.

On 28 January 2013, the latest summit meeting of CELAC ended.  One of the results of that meeting was a unanimous resolution demanding the British Empire get out of the Malvinas (Falkland Islands).  This as Cuba’s President, Raúl Castro Ruz, assumed presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

CELAC is also aiming to end U.S. as well as U.K. colonialism: “With the dissipation of United States siren songs at the 2009 Summit in Trinidad & Tobago, Latin America and the Caribbean excelled in their unity and independence when they reclaimed the Malvinas as Argentine and demanded an end to the blockade and exclusion of Cuba, an event that the Cuban people will always remember with profound gratitude.”-Raúl Castro Ruz (read his full speech here)

And let’s not forget the U.S. controlled Puerto Rico.  The new President of CELAC said: “Our community will not be complete without Puerto Rico, a truly Latin American and Caribbean sister nation submitted to colonial domination.”-Raúl Castro Ruz

Last year even the United Nations Decolonization Committee (UNDC) demanded independence for Puerto Rico: “The Special Committee on Decolonization today called on the United States to expedite a process that would allow Puerto Ricans to fully exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and independence, requesting the General Assembly to consider the question of Puerto Rico comprehensively in all its aspects.”-18 June 2012, UNDC statement

Where was the main stream U.S. media on that one?

International, U.S.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Check my previous postings about norovirus.

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? New Mexico Kmart down! Sears invading Canada?

16 January 2013, a Kmart on El Paseo Road, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, will close in April. The store had been in operation for about 40 years.  At least 58 people will lose their jobs.

Since the beginning of 2013, the official reason for closing down Sears and Kmart stores is that they’re “under performing”.

There are reports out of Canada, saying that while Sears is closing down in the U.S., it’s taking over Zeller stores: “The U.S.-based retailer is expanding into Canada and setting up shop in many of the spaces previously occupied by Zellers.”-The Western Star, a New Foundland/Labrador based media source

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

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

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

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

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

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

Guam:  Sears Hometown Store.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Florida: West Oaks Mall

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

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

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center

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

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center