Tag Archives: food

Business/Economics

No more Cheerios, Yoplait or Progresso? “This is part of a bigger plan.” ObamaCare kills more hospitals! “Life is too short!” No more Sizzler?: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 25 June 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: Mission Viejo based restaurant chain Sizzler blindsided by its Australian operator, who said it is shutting down its restaurants in the Down Under!  The Aussie Sizzler franchise is owned by Collins Foods who stated “We no longer consider Sizzler to be a strategic growth prospect in Australia and therefore we will not be investing further capital.”   The city administrators of Covina are crediting their elimination of nine City Hall jobs for helping them to create a “precariously balanced” budget.  Because of ObamaCare, Palomar Health announced yet another hospital shutdown, this time Pomerado Hospital in Poway, hundreds of jobs lost and hundreds of patients affected!  Administrators have previously blamed ObamaCare for causing their hospitals to lose tens of millions of dollars.  It’s been revealed that Ireland based drugs makers Allergan and Actavis eliminated at least 1,577 jobs in the city of Irvine, since January!  It’s the result of Allergan taking over Actavis (Actavis is now officially called Allergan).  But wait there’s more!  Allergan is now trying to takeover Los Angeles based Kythera, and admitted jobs would be culled there as well.  Irvine based Local.com is now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, blaming it on a sudden crash in web traffic.  In Sonora, Bertelli’s Pharmacy shutdown. The family owners of the 53 years old pharmacy chain have been consolidating their operations with Rite Aid.

Florida: In Saint Pete Beach, after 30 years Nancy Markoe Fine American Crafts Gallery shutting down as soon as the inventory is sold.  The 71 years old owner said “There are so many things I want to do and it’s time.”  

Iowa: Williamsburg based Kinze Manufacturing has become the latest farm equipment maker to go down.  Months after cutting work hours to 30 hours per week (in-line with avoiding ObamaCare mandated benefits, but of course they didn’t say that) administrators announced they must eliminate 215 jobs across the U.S.!  Employees say administrators gave them no warning (which is typical and I’m still amazed how many sheeple workers in the U.S. are shocked that their employers can kill their jobs without warning).  As with other farm equipment makers, it’s blamed on crashing sales: “Despite our efforts, the current demand does not support our present staffing level.”-Kinze Manufacturing news release

Massachusetts:  Back in January, drugs maker CRO Praxel predicted big sales in 2015, but guess what?  CRO Praxel now eliminating 850 jobs!  Administrators are now “restructuring” due to the expected big sales actually “normalizing to some extent” (Orwellian code for declining sales).

Michigan: In Ottawa County, ObamaCare, along with massive state taxpayer funding cuts, forcing Community Mental Health to layoff 30 people without warning: “…a $2 million cut, and so there’s been 20 to 30 employees that have been laid off and services that aren’t being provided.”-Al Vanderberg, county commissioner

Minnesota: Like your Cheerios, Yoplait and Progresso?  Minneapolis based food maker General Mills just announced yet another mass layoff, 725 jobs eliminated globally!  Administrators still blame crashing sales, and say “restructuring” will continue into 2017 (showing you how little faith in any “recovery” General Mills has).  The restructuring is known as Project Catalyst and in the past 12+ months has resulted in the shutdown of two dough factories, and with todays job culling announcement, elimination of at least 2,125 food producing jobs!

Mississippi: Piccadilly Cafeteria in Edgewater Mall shutdown.  The manager of the mall would only say “This is part of a bigger plan.”

Missouri: God refused to stop ‘his’ Chesterfield based Mercy Health from eliminating 474 jobs across their multi-state hospital system!  I guess ObamaCare showed them (Missouri is nicknamed The Show Me State)!  Mercy administrators directly blame ObamaCare: “…Mercy faces increasing challenges to our reimbursement structure as we adjust to reductions mandated by the Affordable Care Act and other budget cuts, as well as the lack of Medicaid expansion in most of our states.”

Montana: The state prison system eliminating 16 jobs due to lack of money.  The gov’na’s budget director said the “public won’t really notice a difference” because it turns out they were vacant positions anyway.  Does that means taxpayer money was supposedly being set aside for 16 vacant jobs, that now don’t exist?

New Hampshire: The city of Derry laid off eight fire fighters and then shutdown the Hampshire Road Fire Station, due to lack of money.

New Jersey: In Vineland, the Amish Market shutting down in July.  No reason has been given, but apparently their sales weren’t good enough to justify keeping to their ten years lease.  Neighboring businesses say they will lose customer traffic after the Amish Market shuts down.

New York:  NYC based Verizon (formerly Bell Atlantic) is now the owner of AOL, expect massive layoffs.   NYC based drugs maker Brystol Myers Squib announced a restructuring plan that will be completed by 2018.  The plan is to consolidate research work into fewer locations, the move will affect at least 7-hundred employees in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Washington!   Swizterland based drugs maker Novartis issued a WARN announcing a 5th round of layoffs at their Suffern factory, taking place by September.  The Novartis Suffern factory is shutting down in early 2016.  I think it’s part of the 2014 deal between Novartis and British empire based GlaxoSmithKline (Novartis took over GSK’s drugs ops and GSK took over Novartis’ vaccine ops).  Food service company Sodexo issued yet another shutdown WARN, this time they lost their contract with Colgate University, 99 jobs lost by July.  In Rochester, iconic Eastman Kodak has been killing jobs slowly for the past couple of years, about one or two per month.   Now they’ve canceled their contract with Johnson Controls, 32 Johnson Controls jobs lost by September.  In Pearl River, the owners of the 63 years old Ringer’s Furniture shutting it down in September to begin their ‘christian’ ministry.

North Carolina: In Raleigh, after five years Natty Green’s Pub & Brewing shutting down by August because of its greedy landlord.  Apparently the landlord suddenly backed out of a recent lease agreement and jacked up the rent so high that the pub owners can’t pay!  The pub owners say on their last day of operations all sales will go to the employees.  In Durham, Gregoria’s Cuban Steakhouse being shutdown and replaced.  The charity March of Dimes shutting down their Fayetteville and Wilmington operations.  Local administrators said the announcement was a “surprise” and that March of Dimes is now restructuring to focus on parts of the U.S. that have the greatest donations potetial.  In other words they’re following the money.  It also suggests that people in the Fayetteville-Wilmington areas will no longer have access to March of Dimes services: “So really, I guess March of Dimes is not going to have any presence in southeastern North Carolina any more.”-Vance Townsend, local board of directors

Ohio: What automotive industry recovery?  Akron based tire maker Goodyear announced it is shutting down its British empire United Kingdom tire factory, 330 jobs lost!  By the way the British spell tire T-Y-R-E, just one of many examples that U.S. English is not the same as British English.  After 101 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) That Which Cannot be Named refused to stop the shutdown of the Greater Cleveland Hadassah.   It’s blamed on big investor scam artists, and those silly Jews being money grubbers: “The change began four years ago due to a lot of cutbacks Hadassah was forced to make because they were a victim of the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme.”-Arlene Weider, chapter president

Pennsylvania: Big Heart Pet Brands has a new owner (Smucker) who has decided to shutdown their Pittsburgh factory by April 2016, at least 225 jobs lost!  After 89 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) The Red Rose restaurant shutdown: “Life is too short! We only have so many good years left and by the grace of God, we think we have enough resources to retire and what we want to do is just enjoy whatever years with have left with each other and our family.”-Nick Flouras

South Carolina: Lake City shutdown their jail due to lack of money, but at the same time they said they will hire more cops.

Texas: In Austin, music venue Holy Mountain shutting down in October, by the greedy landlord.  Holy Mountain owners blame a 45% increase in rent coupled with taxes, insurance and fees the operation of the music venue is now finically impossible.

Virginia: Printpack is shutting down their 34 years old label factory in Fredericksburg blaming crashing sales, 150 jobs lost!

Washington: What construction industry recovery?  Simpson Lumber Company shutdown their Shelton mill, 275 jobs lost!

Wisconsin: Aglio Ristorante in Janesville shutdown.  It sounds like the property owner kicked them out in favor of another business.

24 June 2015: “There are no more presents under the Christmas tree!” 

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

Fighting over food ramps up in Illinois! “There are no more presents under the Christmas tree!” Idaho faces up to the music of Disappearing Students! Kansas & Missouri admit to failed economic warfare, at taxpayer expense!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 24 June 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California:  The Los Angeles Unified School District approved plans to eliminate 774 jobs despite an increase in funding and a 10% pay raise for employees!  Administrators blame what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome, but critics say the new budget, with its pay raises and mass layoffs, doesn’t make sense. It was also revealed that LAUSD has to pay more into their employee retirement plans (ObamaCare anybody?). The LAUSD superintendent commented that “There are no more presents under the Christmas tree!” Local news reports say the superintendent implied he would be stepping down within the next six months.  The East Contra Costa Fire District is now shelling out $15,000 to settle claims by former firefighters who say they were unfairly laid off.  Apparently the district failed to comply with union contracts that said they must negotiate with employees before laying them off.  So much for saving taxpayer money.  In Chula Vista, a judge shutdown the Eyecandy Showgirls strip joint.  The employees have been accused of illegal lap dances and drug use.

Idaho:  Idaho State University (ISU, my alma mater) is finally facing up to the fact they’ve been losing students (what I call DSS) for years, and now they’re cutting programs.  Some courses, like German and French, will no longer be offered as a BA degree, just a piddly certificate (in fact many other courses will now get you just a certificate).  The administrators voted to eliminate their BS in Theater, Bachelors in University Studies,  MS in Physical Education Pedagogy, Graduate Certificate in Gerontological Studies and Bachelor of Music in Music/Business.  ISU will also shutdown their Environmental Science and Policy Research Institute, Center for Environmental Sensing, Geospatial Research Facility, Musculoskeletal Research Institute , Permian Research Institute and International Center for Bayesian Methods (by Fall 2020).  This means mass layoffs, but administrators didn’t mention it.  ISU is so proud of their austerity that they went on local TV news to brag about it: “…ISU also received a commendation from our regional accreditor, The Northwest Commissioner On College and Universities, for the process we undertook, that we can be a model for other states.”-Selena Grace, Associate Vice President for Institution Effectiveness, KPVI interview

Illinois: Another food bank going down, this time in Cahokia, and this time it’s purely political.  Christina Walker, director of the Cahokia Community Basket, says they’re being shutdown because they opposed the election of the current mayor, but admitted “I’ve not been given a reason. I spoke with Curtis McCall yesterday in his office personally and asked why am I being put on administrative leave and the purpose of us vacating the building and he told me ‘Due to future litigation I cannot comment at this time.'”  The food bank feeds 1-thousand 2-hundred people every month.  Local news reports say representatives of other food banks told them that somebody was making threatening phone calls to them, implying they were with the Cahokia Community Basket.  News reports indicate the Rock Island Public Library plans to shutdown satellite libraries after dropping their association with Friends of the Library, and yet claiming there is a “surplus of money”.

Kansas: Can you say Double Dumb-Asses?  State ‘lawmakers’ admitted there is an economic war between Kansas and Missouri.  Commerce Secretary Pat George announced the warring parties are about to make peace because, he admitted, all the taxpayer funded incentives to steal businesses/jobs away from each other had no positive impact on their respective economies!     In Wichita, after 90 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Rieger Medical Supply shutdown.  The owner blamed the internet and “massive government regulations”, but the final straw was when her husband died: “A family business doesn’t do well without a family.”-Karin Rieger

Louisiana: Baker School District administrators revealed they’ve already laid off employees for the upcoming school year, but refuse to say how many will become unemployed, which will include teachers with tenure.  They’re short $1.2-million.

Massachusetts: Reports say Marshfield Public Schools’ plan to eliminate jobs has been softened by the retirement of 25 teachers.

Michigan: In Escabana, the new owners of New Page Mill laid off 19 employees, in an effort to become more efficient.  Utica Community Schools laying off 34 teachers due to loss of students and federal taxpayer funded grants.  News reports say the district lost 1-thousand 3-hundred students in the past ten years.  Farmington Public Schools just increased their layoff list by 24 more employees.  At this point at least 180 people are being laid off before the beginning of the 2015-16 school year: “It’s not as though we have a hidden pot of money.”-George Gurrola, vice president

Minnesota: After less than one year beer seller Four Firkins shutdown.  The owner blames competition and new anti-beer laws.

Missouri: After only two years the Edwardsville Robust Wine Bar shutdown.  The owners said they have plans to expand but their Edwardsville location was actually preventing that.

Nebraska: Too Big to Jail TD Ameritrade laid off less than 30 people, mainly in Omaha.

New Jersey: A law firm that specializes in protecting evil creditors in bankruptcy and foreclosure cases, Zucker, Goldberg & Ackerman, says it’s not profitable anymore and is shutting down.  The WARN report said 289 people to become jobless before the end of August!

New York: In Latham, after 24 years Book Barn shutdown. The owner said it’s not because of lack of sales, in fact he’s making profits, instead he says his greedy landlord is kicking him out by jacking up the rent to a point that is not doable!   In NYC, after several layoffs Spanier Building Maintenance issued a shutdown WARN for September.  Master Lock announced it will shutdown its 85 years old Rochester SentrySafe factory in 2016.  The company is joining the mass exodus from New York and moving production elsewhere, 350 jobs lost beginning in January! Administrators directly blame the suck-ass U.S. economy: “This decision has been made to help us remain competitive in the marketplace by eliminating excess capacity in our domestic supply chain. We are optimizing our operational footprint by consolidating locations and adding meaningful scale to other existing facilities.”

Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh based Education Management Corporation announced it will eliminate another 3-hundred jobs across the U.S. in “ongoing efforts to offer students a great learning experience while keeping education affordable”.  Back in May, Education Management corporation shutdown all 15 of its Art Institute campuses.  What automotive & housing markets recovery?  Michigan based maker of automotive and building glass, Guardian Industries, issued a WARN saying they’re shutting down their Jefferson Hills factory, 114 jobs lost by the beginning of August!  It was revealed that back in November the company made a shutdown deal with the employees’ union, and it might be connected to the costs of failing to meet environmental regulations, including a $25-thousand fine.

Texas: In San Antonio, Arcade Midtown Kitchen shutdown so the owner could pursue other interests.

Washington: Assisted living center Emeritus Senior Living laid off 10 HQ employees.

22 – 23 June 2015: ObamaCare wreaks havoc on the insurance industry!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

International

Global Food Crisis: Major insurance company says prepare for World War F!

24 June 2015 (12:35 UTC-07 Tango 01)/03 Tir 1394/07 Ramadan 1436/09 Ren-Wu (5th month) 4713

F = Food

“Food security has a major influence on national and international politics. A globalised world and food system means that it is a system particularly vulnerable to governments and businesses succumbing to panic, hoarding foods or limiting exports. In the past, non-governmental/ intergovernmental organisations have measured and managed the risks faced by vulnerable populations. Now, insurance is well placed to play a large role in progress and in enhancing food production, processing and trading systems – by providing effective risk management advice and expertise, as well as risk transfer.”-Feast or Famine: Business and Insurance Implications of Food Safety and Security

Milan, Italy, is hosting the Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life expo until October.  One organization attending is the iconic British empire Lloyd’s of London who recently issued a dire warning, titled Feast or Famine: Business and Insurance Implications of Food Safety and Security.

Lloyd’s analyst warn of skyrocketing food prices and crashing economies caused by population booms, lack of water and other resources, and the threat of a new form of terrorism that targets food supplies.  The result, they say, will be food riots around the World.

As an insurance company Lloyd’s is concerned with the growing risk of providing agricultural insurance, yet is so arrogant about their service that they think insurance is “vital to increasing agricultural production”.

Another danger that Lloyd’s is pushing as the answer to all our prayers is the creation of more and more GMO crops!  (surprisingly there are a vast number of sheeple who still don’t know what GMO is)

Lloyd’s is pushing the idea of forcing everybody involved in the food supply chain to have insurance.  But how does Lloyd’s propose replacing damaged or destroyed or lost food stuffs?  With money?  If there ain’t no food it doesn’t matter how much money you have.

Idaho wheat unfit for human consumption?!

When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, “Come.” I looked, and behold, a Black Horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; but do not damage the oil and the wine.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 22 – 23 June 2015: Insurance company dumps Idaho as ObamaCare wreaks havoc on the insurance industry!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Isn’t it ironic that the healthcare reform written by the insurance industry (Affordable Care Act aka ObamaCare) is actually destroying insurance companies?  Read on to find out why I ask such a question.

Arizona: Five Coco’s Bakery Restaurants shutdown; one in Sun City and four in Phoenix!  Coco’s was sold to a competitor.  In Scottsdale, the Bamboo Club shutdown as well as Frasher’s Steakhouse and Lounge (it’s supposedly moving to Phoenix).  In Arcadia, the Milagro Grill shutdown.

California: The Employment Development Department now publishing WARNs bi-monthly, instead of daily.  Santa Clara based computer chip maker Intel officially confirmed massive layoffs across several states.  An internal Intel memo read “Yes, we are implementing headcount reductions” in Arizona and Oregon, but did not give numbers.  The mass layoffs are blamed on crashing computer sales.  In San Diego, after 36 years the owners of popular Lunch Bag Deli say their landlord is forcing them to shutdown.  They say they got a 26 day eviction notice with no explanation.  An employee of the  real estate company that manages the property would only say, to local news media, that the lease was up and they didn’t want to renew.  In Escondido, Palomar Health reports that ObamaCare is causing their Palomar Medical Center to lose $20-million USD per year! As a result they’re considering shutting it down (despite a previous announcement that the 56 acre hospital was going to be doubled in size!), forcing the 8-thousand patients who use the hospital to travel at least 12 miles for healthcare: “The right thing to do and the right decision at the right time is to make the recommendation to the board of directors they should close the downtown campus.”-Bob Hemker, CEO

Colorado: Englewood mining company Midway Gold now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

Connecticut: Bloomfield based global health insurance company Cigna is fighting off attempts by Indiana based Anthem.  Recently Anthem tried to buyout Cigna for $53.8-billion.  If a takeover is successful you can bet they’ll be massive layoffs in an attempt to eliminate all the redundant jobs as a result.  A recent Nightly Business Report stated that the result of insurance company mergers will be higher premiums for individuals.  What was that about ObamaCare reducing the costs of healthcare?

Florida: After three years of operations, Jacksonville based non-profit crowdfunding venue One Spark laid off all but three employees.  Administrators blame it on a lack of “focus”.  In Rivera Beach, wholesaler Garden of Life issued a WARN for September, 28 people will be laid off.  In Clearwater, the Burger King on US19 and Sunset Point Road shutdown for failing health inspections.  In Tampa, the Tampa Tap Room shutdown for 30 health code violations.  The Paradise Biryani Pointe shutdown for 41 health code violations.

Hawaii: After 49 years the owner of two iconic restaurants is shutting them down due to health problems.  The restaurant Kenny’s will shutdown by 05 July, and Kenny’s Express will shutdown 04 July.

Idaho: In Boise, after 32 years the owners of women’s clothier Barbara Barbara announced they’re shutting down at the end of July, health problems convinced them it was time to retire.  The Department of Labor finally published a WARN issued by Assurant insurance company, submitted back on the 15th.  ObamaCare forcing Assurant to eliminate 65 health insurance jobs in Boise by August.  If you’ve been following my updates New York City based Assurant recently announced it is getting out of the health insurance business because, as CEO Alan Colberg said, Obama Care isn’t slashing & burning health care funding big enough or fast enough: “The health and employee benefits business segments possess differentiated capabilities in their respective markets, but we do not believe they can meet our return targets at the pace we require.”

Illinois:  What automotive industry recovery? Heavy vehicle maker Caterpillar laid off another 50 people at their East Peoria factory, on top of the recent 120! It’s blamed on the crashing mining industry.  H&S Care Center shutting down over the next couple of weeks.  News reports say the nursing home has a number of code violations, and was recently fined $12,500 after a patient went on a stabbing rampage in April (you see, you don’t need a gun to be violent).

Iowa: After years of arguing between Scott County and the owner of  Lake Canyada Mobile Home Park, the county is forcing the park to shutdown by cutting off the watersupply!   At first it was to shutdown by the end of the month, but there are so many tenants with nowhere to go that the shutdown date has been pushed back to the end of July.  County administrators claim the water-sewer system for the mobile home park must be upgraded, but the park owner doesn’t want to pay for it.

Kentucky: State Health Department is shutting down three Women’s Infant & Children offices, 12 jobs lost.  Administrators blame lack of taxpayer funding and lack of people signing up for the measly $40 per month in food assistance.   Louisville based health insurance company Humana is considering a takeover bid by Connecticut based Aetna.   If the deal is accepted then the 12-thousand Humana employees, and the more than 47-thousand employees with Aetna, will be threatened.   A recent Nightly Business Report stated that the result of insurance company mergers will be higher premiums for individuals. What was that about ObamaCare reducing the costs of healthcare?  Texas based oil pipeline company TMK Ipsco issued a mass layoff WARN saying at least 150 Wilder steel mill employees will be laid off in July!  That’s on top of the 115 laid off this month!

Louisiana: Texas based oil holdings company Exterran issued a shutdown WARN for its Broussard oil equipment factory, 60 jobs lost between August and December.

Nevada: Colorado based & bankrupt Midway Gold shutdown their Pan Mine ops, blaming lack of money.  Administrators refused to say how many jobs lost.

New Jersey: Salem County administrators went back on their word and will indeed eliminate jobs.  A ‘letter to the editor’ revealed at least one person laid off already, and an undisclosed number going into next year.

New York: Volunteers of America Upstate New York announced they’re shutting down 11 thrift stores, apparently to focus on its services for low income families, but the fact their thrift stores lost more than $1-million last year is a better reason.  In NYC, God refuses to stop the layoff of 83 employees of Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home Boys Town operations across The Big Apple.  The WARN says the layoffs will take place in September and blames the bad economy.  Also in The Big Apple, New York Life Insurance Company issued a WARN saying they are moving between October and March (they didn’t say where to) and at least 17 people will become unemployed.  And the city of New York has become the second U.S. city (after San Francisco) to shutdown school during the Asian Lunar New Year.  Administrators say it proves they’re respectful of other ethic groups, but it’s really about saving a lot of money by shutting down schools for a week.

North Carolina: Madison County School District forced to shutdown their Laurel Elementary school.  It’s blamed on what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome.   AB Tech announced it will shutdown the Haynes building and the Technology Commercialization Center on its Enka campus. News reports say AB Tech is prepping the Enka campus for sale.  It’s blamed on the loss of $2-million in county taxpayer funding.  It’s been revealed that for-profit managed county owned Yadkin Valley Community Hospital shutdown, 150 jobs lost at the end of May!  News reports blame disputes between the greedy for-profit managers and the county over the lease.

Ohio:   Cincinnati based Too Big to Jail Fifth Third Bancorp (Fifth Third Bank: The Curious Bank) will shutdown/sell-off 130 offices and other properties!  Administrators say they need to save $60-million per year.  After five years non-profit Boneyfiddle Arts Center shutdown, due to lack of funding: “It is really sad and painful for us, because we worked so hard to accomplish what we had.  When we realized we could not meet our strategic goals we knew it was the logical choice.”-Jamie Benedict

Pennsylvania: In Garfield, after five years restaurant Salt of the Earth to shutdown in August.  The owners are going to focus on their other business, architecture.

Tennessee: The McNairy County Board of Education eliminating 20 jobs; 15 current employees and five vacant teacher jobs.

Texas: The city of Brownsville shutdown its public swimming pools to all but those attending children’s swimming lessons.  City administrators were not able to hire enough lifeguards, not for a lack of money but for a lack of qualified applicants.

Washington: In Puget Sound, Boeing laid off another 153 employees!

West Virginia: After 32 years Blatt’s Greenhouse, in Lavalette, shutdown.

Wisconsin: The Wisconsin State Journal laid off four people and eliminated at least three vacant positions.

19 – 21 June 2015: “…our journey is coming to an end…” “…leadership does not care….”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

International

MERS: Paranoia in Thailand?

21 June 2015 (04:54 UTC-07 Tango 01)/31 Kordad 1394/04 Ramadan 1436/06 Ren-Wu (5th month) 4713

Confirmed number of MERS cases in Republic of Korea (RoK) now at 169.  All are connected to hospitals or ambulance services, the latest victims are healthcare workers.  Deaths now at 25.  Almost every person that died was old and had other health problems.

RoK health administrators claim 43 people have recovered.  The number of people under healthcare quarantine has dropped to 5-thousand 7-hundred.

Thailand’s Public Health Ministry reports that the 75 years old man infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome is from Oman.  They also say at least 176 people have been exposed to MERS.  94 people are under ‘observation’ while healthcare enforcers are searching for another 72 possible victims.

Thailand is using the excuse of MERS to increase security along its border with Malaysia.  Thermal screening of people crossing the checkpoints at Sadao, Padang Besar and Nathawi is underway.  Healthcare enforcement personnel say they are focusing on travelers coming back from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and South Korea.

Thailand hit! Men get sick without coming into contact with MERS victims!

U.S. soldier found dead in Korea

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 19 – 21 June 2015: “…our journey is coming to an end…” Clothing exec calls employment The Hunger Games! “This culture will exacerbate the uncertainty…leadership does not care….”

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Louisiana/Texas based oil exploration company Saratoga Resources now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.   While they blamed oil prices, they also admitted they were dealing with challenges in their field operations.

Arizona: The Ritz Carlton Phoenix hotel is shutting down, 2-hundred jobs lost by July!  The hotel was sold to a competitor.

Arkansas: In Cabot, after 45 years the owner of Ann’s Beauty Shop is shutting it down in July.

California: What housing market recovery?  In Palo Alto, a start up company that makes ‘smart’ smoke detectors and night lights for homes, Leeo, laid off more than 30% of their employees due to lack of sales.  An inside unnamed source reported to VentureBeat that “Sales were definitely pretty terrible, and on top of that, there was just not any real direction or vision from the senior leadership. No one ever knew what the next product was going to be.” In San Diego, after 19 years the Great News Cookware Store and Cooking School shutting down by July.  After 23 years Golden Rugs Gallery shutting down their Miramar Road store.  In Walnut Creek, a 21 years old Barnes & Noble book store shutting down in January 2016. Administrators said they could not agree on a new lease agreement with the property owner.  In Oakland, the Swap-o-Rama DIY clothing swap shop shutdown.  In San Francisco, Pier 1 Imports shutdown their SoMa location. It’s part of the Texas based company’s plan to shutdown 1-hundred stores this year!  In Turlock, the owner of Ann’s Fish and Chips reports that the greedy landlord has forced her to go elsewhere, due to jacking up the rent.  The restaurant must shutdown by the 4th of July.  After 34 years newspaper and magazine printer Paradise Post Printing shutdown, at least 41 jobs lost: “Our commercial print business has eroded to the point that it is no longer sustainable to stay in business.”-Bruce Meissner, general manager

Florida: In Fort Walton Beach, after 40 years Mama Rosa’s Pizza shutdown and for sale despite the owners claim that business is good.  The owners said they’re moving to Georgia.  In Orlando, award winning Wolfie’s Pizzamia shutting down next month. The landlord signed a new lease with a gourmet dessert restaurant.  In Largo, Thai Basil Westbay restaurant shutdown, yet again, by health inspectors.  News reports say the restaurant has been accused of recurring problems with roaches, rodents, ants and improper food temperatures.  What housing market recovery?  In Melbourne, after two years home loan serving company Wingspan Portfolio Advisors shutting down, 150 people jobless by the end of the month!  Reports say that in 2013 the mortgage company had 4-hundred employees!

Illinois: The township of Blue Mound shutdown its police department, the Macon County Sheriff’s department will handle law enforcement.  ObamaCare forcing hospital operator Porter Health to eliminate 70 administrative/IT jobs. In a complicated way administrators blamed the new electronic medical records system pushed by ObamaCare.   99 jobs lost as the North Mayfair Kmart being shutdown to make room for a seafood store.   The owner of Eric’s Restaurant gave up and shutdown after he lost his booze license: “He is closed and is thinking about keeping it closed and moving to a different location because he’s completely worn out.”-Hal Jennings, attorney

Iowa: In Mason City, after 30 years the Bonanza steak restaurant shutdown.  The property owner swears another restaurant is moving in.  The owners of Görtz Haus Gallery shutting down in August.  It’s blamed on a $5,000 USD fine for refusing to host a homosexual wedding.

Louisiana: Oil spill claims centers, set up after the 2010 BP (British Petroleum) oil blowout, have shutdown.  The Pine Prairie Correctional Center shutting down in July.  Greedy state ‘lawmakers’ turned it over to evil for-profit concentration camp operator GEO.  The mayor of Pine Prairie, who said the deal seems to have been done in secret, is totally pissed-off: “We were averaging from $5,000 to $5,500 a month from the facility, which is around $60,000 dollars a year, so we’re going to lose that!”-Terry Savat

Maryland: Teen pregnancy prevention op Teens Have Choices shutdown due to lack of funding caused by declining teen pregnancies.

Massachusetts: Blaming what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome, Gordon College warned of impending layoffs.  As of last month only 475 freshman students made the required deposits for the upcoming semester.

Minnesota: Duluth Parks and Recreation Commission warned they are being forced to shutdown the Lake Superior Zoo.  Administrators say the zoo must be brought up to current standards, which will cost at least $40-million, but administrator Jim Filby Williams said “We simply don’t have the money.”

Montana: In Helena, a kitchen fire has permanently shutdown Louie’s Casa Diego restaurant.  The owner says the cost to repair the damage is too high, especially after his insurance provider claimed they never got any of his premium payments: “I’ve put in a lot of money and I’m strapped now. So I can’t get no farther.”-Luis Lopez

Nebraska: H5N2 causing mass layoffs at Michael Foods Egg Products. The food factory is shutting down and more than 1-hundred people will be “temporarily” unemployed! The Knolls golf, tennis and swimming Country Club & Restaurant shutting down in November.  Locals claim a lot of people use the facility, but the owners say otherwise.  Membership crashed to only 70 at the beginning of the year.

New Jersey:  The Route 33 Foodtown grocery store shutting down.  Local news reports say company administrators refused to explain, but a local grocery store analyst said there was too much competition.  In Long Branch, after 85 years pizza joint Tony’s Tomato Pies shutdown.  The owner said they never recovered after Hurricane Sandy: “Basically, times have changed after 85 years….after Sandy a lot of businesses got hit hard.”-Gina Chiafullo

New York: What housing market recovery? NYC based start up company Quirky gave up on its ‘smart’ home products company Wink and put it up for sale.  After clothier J.Crew laid off 175 people, there are news reports that the arrogant executive that issued the layoff notices then went out and bragged about it, calling it the Hunger Games!  Supposedly he has been fired.  NYC based Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia on the verge of being sold-off.  The new owner will be Sequential Brands, which will make money by licensing the use of the name Martha Stewart to other companies, meaning there’s no need for the original Martha Stewart employees.  NYC based NBCUniversal eliminated as many as 30 jobs with their E and Esquire networks.  Hartwick College eliminated more than 20 jobs, without warning.  Administrators also suddenly changed their 2015-16 school year budget.  Apparently those who were laid off are forbidden to talk about it: “This culture will exacerbate the uncertainty and negative feelings following the layoff. They will feel that leadership does not care….”-Theodore Peters, professor

North Carolina: In Raleigh, after 20 years the Cat Banjo boutique shutting down, the owner is focusing on her animal rights foundation.  Sears Holdings shutting down their Greenville Kmart in September, 75 jobs lost.  In Washington, after 24 years The Moss House bed & breakfast shutdown.  It has been sold to a buyer that will make it their private residence.  In Elkin, Heaven’s Scent Restaurant shutting down, the owners would only say that “…our journey is coming to an end…”.  They will continue catering, but only until the end of the year.

Ohio: After 17 years Medina Steak & Seafood shutdown.  The owner blames competition.

Pennsylvania: Stonebridge Bank now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and for sale.  Lancaster based chocolate maker Hershey Company (Hershey’s) announced it will eliminate at least 3-hundred jobs by the end of 2015!  Administrators would not give details, but implied they don’t see any economic recovery taking place: “Removing cost and complexity from our business will make us more flexible to quickly react to changing consumer and competitive marketplace trends.”-John Bilbrey, CEO

Tennessee: Shelby County Schools laid off 5-hundred people!  490 teachers and 30 administrators: “We are a district with declining enrollment and budget issues. Every year we’re having to make tough decisions, and we try to keep as many of those decisions away from the classroom as possible.”-Sheila Redick

Texas: In Austin, Freddie’s Place restaurant being shutdown, the property was sold to another restaurant.  The franchise owner of the Palestine Sears Hometown quit and shut it down, saying he can make more money as an assistant manager at a nearby Dollar General!

Virginia: Thrive Healthcare shutdown blaming debts.  In Chester, after 27 years the Weekend Brewer shutdown, the owners retired.

Wisconsin: Milwaukee County warns that it must contract out its Mental Health Complex blaming ObamaCare for causing “Uncontrollable expenses significantly influence the cost of doing business as a county…”.  585 jobs could be lost!  Assurant announced that 1-thousand 2-hundred people in Milwaukee will become unemployed!  The layoffs start in August and will continue into 2016. It’s the result of Assurant’s earlier announcement that it is getting out of the health insurance business, and as I wrote in an earlier post administrators directly blame ObamaCare.  Racine Unified School District halting public use of their classroom decorations and resources facility, in order to save taxpayer money.

17 – 18 June 2015: “I…couldn’t take it anymore.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Opinion

Proof Human societies on Earth are the creators of Hell

“What is Hell?”

“A place without peace that never gets better.”-Thai Buddism, Hell Temple proverb

For most Earthlings, their respective societies on Earth are the “place without peace that never gets better”.

International

U.S. corporate exec arrested for trafficking illegal drug in Japan! Proof the U.S. is the land of druggies!

19 June 2015 (07:11 UTC-07 Tango 01)/29 Kordad 1394/02 Ramadan 1436/04 Ren-Wu (5th month) 4713

In Japan Oxycodone is illegal, declared as a highly addictive narcotic.  A female U.S. citizen, and a senior executive with Toyota, is now in jail because she had Oxycodone (aka Roxicodone, OxyContin, Oxecta, OxyIR, Endone, Oxynorm) sent into Japan from the U.S. state of Michigan.

But wait, it was not a case of not understanding Japanese law, because the package was marked “necklaces”!   It should also be noted that Japanese customs inspectors seemed to be on the look-out for the package, implying that this was not the first time the U.S. executive has done this.

The female executive worked for anti-gun Pepsi and job destroying General Motors prior to joining Toyota.  Toyota administrators have publicly apologized for the scandal.

Oxycodone is also illegal in Singapore.

In United Kingdom possession of Oxycodone without a prescription, is a crime.

U.S.

Federal court OKs war-crimes lawsuits against Bush Administration!

18 June 2015 (10:16 UTC-07 Tango 01)/28 Kordad 1394/01 Ramadan 1436/03 Ren-Wu (5th month) 4713

“If there is one guiding principle to our nation it is the rule of law…..it sanctifies individual liberty regardless of wealth, faith, or color….detaining individuals as if they were terrorists, in the most restrictive conditions of confinement available, simply because these individuals were, or appeared to be, Arab or Muslim exceeds those limits.

Holding individuals in solitary confinement twenty‐three hours a day with regular strip searches because their perceived faith or race….violated the detainees’ constitutional rights.

…we simply cannot conclude at this stage that concern for the safety of our nation justified the violation of the constitutional rights on which this nation was built.“– 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

A federal appeals court has ruled that the former Bush regime can indeed be sued for war-crimes related to actions taken after 11 September 2001.

Eight men have been trying to sue the Bushies after being held for months in prisons, without being accused of anything and without trial, and claiming they were beaten and denied sleep (sleep depravation is a legally recognized form of torture, despite what Dick Chenney thinks).

One man was arrested by the FBI, apparently for using a video camera in Queens, New York!   The Center for Constitutional Rights stated “The men were slammed….and told, ‘Welcome to America.’”

The Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, as well as the Passaic County Jail in Paterson, New Jersey, are now subject to war-crimes lawsuits as well.

“Orders came from officials at the highest levels of government. Now we have the chance to ensure that they are held accountable and not treated as if they are above the law.”-Rachel Meeropol,  Center for Constitutional Rights.

Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, U.S. generals and even Obama facing investigation and War Crimes trials by International Criminal Courts 

Bush Jr & Blair found Guilty of War Crimes by International Court!

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 17 – 18 June 2015: “I…couldn’t take it anymore.” Christie kills at least 300 teaching jobs! More proof of coming housing market crash! Massive layoffs despite massive tax breaks!

What housing market recovery? “The supply of existing homes for sale is incredibly short, and while builders are starting to construct more homes than they did a year ago, they are still producing well below normal volumes….. 

…..More than 60 percent of builders surveyed in May reported that the overall supply of developed lots…..was low to very low, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). That is the highest percentage since the builders began asking the question back in 1997.”-NBR, Why aren’t more homes being built?

Four Too Big to Jail mortgage stealers are having their home loan ops restricted by the  Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.  This because JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, Santander, HSBC, US Bank and EverBank failed to comply with a 2011 consent order in which they promised they would stop their fraudulent robo-home foreclosure practices.

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

God refuses to stop ObamaCare from forcing ‘his’ multi-state non-profit Mercy Health System to eliminate at least 350 jobs!  The layoffs will take place in the states of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas: “Mercy faces increasing challenges to our reimbursement structure as we adjust to reductions mandated by the Affordable Care Act and other budget cuts, as well as the lack of Medicaid expansion in most of our states.”-official statement

Alaska: What automotive & construction industry recovery?  Johnson’s Tire Service now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  It’s blamed on a lawsuit filed by a construction contractor.

California:  In San Francisco, Starbucks announced it is shutting down its recently acquired La Boulange bakery operations, which includes 23 stores!   Starbucks also announced it will shutdown its San Francisco Evolution Fresh juice store.

Connecticut: ObamaCare forcing Yale-New Haven Health System to shutdown their East Haven and Branford clinics, through taxpayer funding cuts. 31 jobs lost.  ObamaCare forcing Hartford HealthCare to eliminate 355 full-time jobs, along with part-time jobs, at two of its hospitals; Backus and Windham.  Hartford laid off 350 healthcare workers in 2014: “Despite our best efforts to reduce costs and increase revenues this year, Hartford HealthCare faces additional Medicaid cuts, bringing our total Medicaid payment reductions from the State of Connecticut to more than $100-million over five years. The magnitude of these cuts makes our model unsustainable going forward.”-Jeffrey Flaks

Florida: After 40 years, Wet n Wild Orlando amusement park shutting down by the end of 2016.  It’s being replaced with a ‘volcano park’.

Idaho: The Boise Co-Op grocery store shutdown after 30 people tested positive for salmonella after eating food from the store’s delicatessen.  Cash strapped School District 93 taxpayers voted down the latest school bond, again!  The bond issue was put to voters a second time after it was voted down the first time.  On top of that district administrators called for a recount this time, the recount actually resulted in more votes against the bond issue!   You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip!

Illinois:  For the first time since 1970, Oak Brook based McDonald’s will shutdown more U.S. restaurants than it plans to open.  Fast food administrators refused to go into details.  What housing market recovery?  Riverwoods based credit card company Discover announced it is getting out of the home loan business, 460 jobs lost!  Their mortgage business is being transfered to AmeriSave Mortgage in August.  In Jacksonville, after 40 years the maker of trusses for building construction, ALCO White, shutting down in July.  What automotive industry recovery?  Heavy vehicle maker Caterpillar laid off another 120 people, this time at their East Peoria factory! It’s blamed on the crashing mining industry.

Indiana: Proof the economy is only getting worse; Lafayette Transitional Housing Center shutting down their meal service.  Operators say they are “overcrowded” and have decided to focus their service only on providing a place to live for people who’re homeless.  Operators say they are working to find a charity who can take over their meal service.  Over the past few years Lafayette Transitional Housing Center has become the largest food provider in a 16-county region!

Iowa: In Valley Junction, after 32 years Elinor’s Wood’n Wares shutdown.  God refuses to stop ObamaCare from shutting down ‘his’ Quakerdale residential treatment programs.  Administrators say since ObamaCare went into effect referrals have crashed and state funding has dried up.  In Cedar Rapids, Smuggler’s Warf Big Bam Boo Bar shutdown.  The owner blames crashing business for causing him to lose his booze license and for preventing him from paying rent, plus health problems: “I am 60 years old, got some health issues, and couldn’t take it anymore.”-Al Zindrick

Kansas: In Topeka, after more than 40 years the owners of Grover’s Smokehouse announced they must shutdown in July, due to the landlord kicking them out.  It sounds like the property has been sold to some evil property developers.

Maine:  God refuses to stop ObamaCare from pushing ‘his’ Parkview Adventist Medical Center into chapter 11 bankruptcy.  They plan to merge with Mid Coast Health Services, 180 jobs affected!

Maryland:  After more than 40 years The Gazette newspaper shutdown.  US Foods shutting down its Anne Arundel County distribution warehouse, 350 jobs lost!  Because of the bad economy US Foods is consolidating ops “serving the Washington DC metropolitan area”.

Massachusetts: In New Bedford, the Horatio A. Kempton Elementary School being shutdown.  Administrators are hoping that by shutting down a school they won’t have to eliminate jobs.  In Springfield, non-profit New England Farm Workers Council laid off 40 people due to loss of state taxpayer funding.

Minnesota: Retailer Target eliminated an additional 190 jobs at their Minneapolis HQ!  It’s all part of their bigger plan to eliminate thousands of U.S. jobs this year.

New Hampshire: Tri-County Community Action Program shutting down five of its eight walk-in offices.  The program helps people pay for home heating.

New Jersey: British empire based United Kingdom drugs maker GlaxoSmithKline issued a WARN saying 350 people at its Parsippany operations will be laid off!  The Paterson School District eliminating 3-hundred teachers in an effort to eliminate $20-million in costs!  The teacher’s union blames gov’na Chris Christie: “I don’t see anybody overwhelming the governor’s veto.  I don’t know why they’re afraid of him?”-Peter Tirri, Paterson Teacher’s Union

New York:  In NYC, the publisher of Rolling Stone, Us Weekly and Men’s Journal, Wenner Media, laid off an undisclosed number of employees.  Also, reports from union reps say the Wall Street Journal laid off less than 30 people.   In Canandaigua, news reports say Wade’s Market Center will shutdown, 133 grocery jobs lost! The property was sold-off without warning. Local residents say they will now have to drive 20 miles to shop for food.  Earthlink issued a shutdown WARN for their Amherst call center, 65 jobs lost by the end of the year.

Ohio: Rumors have been confirmed, Haverhill Chemicals in Franklin Furnace shutting down within 60 days, 175 jobs lost!  Company administrators claim that despite three years and millions of dollars spent to improve the factory it is still not economically sustainable.  In Coshocton, the Cheez-Kake Bake Shop shutdown.  The owner is selling his assets and moving to Florida.

Oregon: More revelations about California based computer chip maker Intel, and the massive job destruction about to hit The Beaver State; the county of Washington gave Intel a record setting $2-billion in tax breaks!  But wait there’s more!  None of those  tax breaks were connected to creating jobs!  All that was required was that Intel keep the vague promise of maintaining economic security.  News reports say there are 18-thousand Intel workers in Washington County, and Intel plans on cutting $300-million in operating costs, which will include cutting jobs.  Analysts are reporting that Intel is already pushing employees to voluntarily quit.  After 43 years the Grande Ronde Child Center shutting down.  It’s blamed on the loss of a contract with Greater Oregon Behavioral Health.  State mental health administrators blame ObamaCare: “The services currently being offered by GRCC are not in line with the direction health care reform is going.”-Henry O’Keefe,  Greater Oregon Behavioral Health

Pennsylvania: In Lower Township, the Mount Hill Tavern shutdown and up for sale.  The owners implied it was too much work for what they got in return.  Pittsburgh Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts laid off 18 people.

Rhode Island: Cash strapped Coventry taxpayers have spoken, and voted not to increase taxes to prevent the collapse of the financially broke Coventry Fire District.   You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip!

Texas:  School bus contractor Gold Star will shutdown in Manor, eliminating 69 jobs.  The Manor Independent School District realized it’s actually cheaper to run their own school bus system.   Gary Shelton, the owner of the Sack & Save grocery store on Interstate 35E, says “We stuck it out as long as we could, but there’s not a light at the end of the tunnel anymore.” Sack & Save will shutdown on 27 June, due to the landlord owner selling property to the University of North Texas for $6.25-million (almost three times the appraised value!).

Vermont: Cash strapped Concord taxpayers voted to shutdown their  high school.   High school students will now travel to other districts.   You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip!

Virginia: Tax-sucker Northrop Grumman laid off 51 state employees.  The military contractor was hired to take over the multi-billion-dollar Virginia Information Technologies Agency.  Not all state employees elected to transfer to Northrop Grumman.  Florida based Home Shopping Network shutting down their Roanoke County operations and moving it to Tennessee.  The county will lose 350 jobs by April 2016!

Washington: In Seattle, after 39 years restaurant Charlie’s shutting down by this weekend.  The owners have been trying to sell it since 2010.  What was that about ObamaCare increasing access to healthcare?  In Castle Rock, Peace Health shutting down their clinic by the end of September.  1-thousand 6-hundred primary and pediatric care patients affected!  Customers are being told they will have to travel to Longview for services.

Washington DC: The U.S. Army/Defense Manpower Data Center revealed that in the past 12 months 26,425 Regular Army personnel have been laid off, and another 2-thousand jobs will be eliminated by September!

West Virginia: What housing market recovery?  The new owners of the 120 years old (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Duncan Box & Lumber gave up and are shutting it down.

Wisconsin: Kodiak Jack’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant bankrupt busted and being evicted!

15 – 16 June 2015: “insurmountable financial challenges”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”