Tag Archives: idaho

World War 3, Asian Front: U.S. taxes pay for Russian weapons! China, India & Pakistan preps to take over Afghanistan!

19 May 2013/09 Rajab 1434/29 Ordibehest 1391/10 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

In Logar Province, a U.S. NATO C-130 transport made a hard landing.  ISAF gave no more information.   Mujahideen claim they’ve destroyed three armored vehicles in a battle against “invader troops”.

In Ghazni Province, Moqor District, Mujahideen attacked police checkpoints, killing at least six local cops, and wounding four others.    Mujahideen also claim that five “invaders” were killed when their dismount patrol stepped on a landmine, in the capital city of Ghazni.

In Sar-e Pol Province, reports that a car bomb exploded in the governor’s compound.  No details on casualties.

In Maidan Wardak province, Syed Abad District, Mujahideen claim to have destroyed 14 supply vehicles and killed 26 people, as well as wounded 10 others.  They say it’s the single worst day for the U.S./NATO invaders so far this year.

The Afghan government has decided to buy five Ukrainian built Antonov An-74 military transport aircraft.  There was no details as to where the money to buy them was coming from.

According to reports from India, China is pushing India and Pakistan to settle their disputes and join China in taking over Afghanistan after the supposed 2014 U.S./NATO pullout.

In Kandahar Province, Canada has sent 15 soldiers to investigate more than 375 shipping containers that never made it back to Canada!  The containers full of military spare parts were left in Kandahar (after Canadian forces pulled out of that area), because they were not considered “seaworthy”.  Some critics say the containers were left because the Canadian government could not afford to pay the cost of shipping them back to Canada.

18 May 2013/08 Rajab 1434/28 Ordibehest 1391/09 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

In Kunduz Province, Kunduz city, reports that U.S. led Afghan forces conducted a home invasion, kidnapping two people after ransacking their house.

In Farah Province, Bakwa District, an Afghan National Army vehicle ran over a landmine, killing four soldiers.  In Khak-e-Safid District, the district police chief was assassinated by gunman on a motorcycle.

In Khost Province, an explosion killed one border cop, wounded three other cops, and wounded six civilians.

In Paktika Province, Yahya Khel District, one person was killed and four wounded after they drove over a landmine.

In Boise, Idaho U.S.A., 20 members of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 949th Transportation Detachment said goodbye as they deployed to Afghanistan.

It was reported that Afghanistan’s Amu Darya basin oil fields will begin commercial production in about two months.  The China National Petroleum Corporation controls that area.

17 May 2013/07 Rajab 1434/27 Ordibehest 1391/08 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

In Kandahar Province, two explosions killed at least nine people, and wounded 70 others.   The first explosion was caused by a suicide car bomber, the second was a remote detonated bomb inside a car.   Other reports say it was two motorcycle bombs and one car bomb.  One report says the target was the family of President Hamid Karzai.

Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport plans to deliver 12 Mil Mi-17 helicopters to Afghanistan by the end of 2013.  The $367.5 million USD deal was actually paid for by the U.S. Department of Defense, with an option to buy another $600 million worth of Russian helicopters!

Russia is considering returning troops to patrol the Tajik-Afghan border.  Russia ceased border patrols there in 2009, but officials say illegal drug trafficking and violence has increased since then.  They blame the United States for not securing Afghanistan.

According to Indian news media reports, the government of India is considering sending troops to Afghanistan: “It is in India’s interest to enhance security and defense cooperation with Afghanistan.”-unnamed officials with Indian External Affairs Ministry

700 Canucks are preparing for Operation Attention, supposedly the final Canadian deployment to Afghanistan.  They begin deploying over the next six weeks.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 13 March 2013. More school cuts! Surprise layoffs!

INL welcome sign

INL welcome sign

The Idaho National Laboratory laid off 101 people in eastern Idaho, that’s after 114 employees voluntarily quit and 60 positions were eliminated!  More layoffs are planned: “We will be watching the budget situation closely in the coming months and hope to have a clearer picture of any additional actions that will be necessary.”-Mark Holubar, INL human resources

In Kentucky, Murray-Calloway County Hospital laid off 28 employees.  Hospital officials blame Obama/Romney Care and a huge decrease in customers ($7.5 million USD decrease)!

The Decatur Public School Board, in Illinois, warned that teachers could be laid off by Spring Break.  School officials blame lack of state funding and unpaid debts.

In California, the Twin Rivers Unified School Board notified 101 employees of layoffs!  They have to save $9.1 million!  Southern Humboldt Unified School District said they need to layoff at least 14 people.  School officials blame the state government: “This is happening at every school district in California. Think about how many people that is, having to scramble, having to figure out who we’re going to lay off, who we’re going to notice, and how many families that affects.”-Blake Lehman

Also in California, the 1st Hunan Chef Wong Restaurant closed down in Pleasanton.  Restaurant owners blame the landlord: “…Due to a dispute with the landlord, the 1st Hunan Chef Wong Restaurant will be permanently closed…”  In Los Angeles, Pull My Daisy clothing store closed down, the owner saying she needs to “try new things” In San Diego, Continental Maritime laid off 185 people!  They’re blaming federal government spending cuts.

Without warning, Entertainment in Troy, Michigan, laid off 400 more employees, without severance!  This only a couple of days after they went bankrupt and laid off 267 people!   Herb David Guitar Studio shut down after 50 years of business.

In Calhoun, Tennessee, the paper mill closed down. The new owners said demand for newsprint has crashed.  150 people out-o-work!

Language learning software maker, Rosetta Stone, laid off about 70 people in their Harrisonburg, Virginia office.  The Virginia ABC liquor store closed down in Rosslyn.  State officials said the store will not renew its lease.

In Indiana, postage meter service provider, Pitney Bowes, announced they are laying off 137 people in May!   Music Factory Direct closed its retail store in South Bend.  They switched to internet sales.

Archer & Greiner law firm laid off 14 attorneys and 27 staff at offices in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The Pace Outlet store closed down in Teaneck, New Jersey, after only one year of operations.

In Portland, Maine, the Oriental Table restaurant shut down.  The restaurant owner blames the landlord.

Archer Uniform store in Minnesota shut down.  The owner blames the Mayo Clinic Health System for changing to color coded uniforms.

In New Lisbon, Wisconsin, Grocery Depot closed down.  Despite it being the only grocery store in New Lisbon, owners say there just wasn’t enough customers.  U-Bake closed down in Onalaska.  Owners closed stores earlier in the year as part of a consolidation plan, but it looks like even that failed: “Simply put, sales are not what we anticipated when we consolidated stores.  Our expenses have been increasing and financially, we can no longer support the business.”-Kris Nandory

 

WorldWar 3, U.S. False Flag Front: U.S. military quietly takes over from the President?

17 May 2013 (13:05 UTC-07 Tango)/07 Rajab 1434/27 Ordibehest 1391/08 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

“…Federal military commanders have the authority….where prior authorization by the President is impossible and duly constituted local authorities are unable….to quell…civil disturbances….”DoD Instruction Number 3025.21, February 27, 2013

Back in February 2013, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) issued a new “instruction”, which allows the military to take action on U.S. territory without presidential authorization!

State National Guard units on federal active status (mobilization) will be forced to take part.  Those on state active duty, or weekend warrior status, are supposedly exempt, although the “instruction” says National Guard units can “…be ordered into Federal service…”

The “instruction” also states that the DoD will begin training up local law enforcement agencies (including MOUT).  Also, the “instruction” allows federales to take over locally when “…local authorities….decline to provide adequate protection for Federal property…” (is that why the Sheriffs of southeastern Idaho recently went to the public begging for money to buy AFVs?  63% of Idaho land is owned by the federal government).

The take over by the military involves U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Special Operations Command (SOC).  The involvement of SOC should frighten people, after all the Afghans have been pointing out that most atrocities in their country are being committed by U.S. SOC units.  The ‘Syrian’ insurgents that summarily execute Syrians on video, and even video record themselves decapitating and eating human hearts, got training by CIA/SOC personnel (those insurgents admit they were trained by U.S. personnel).

The “instruction” allows for “…pre-positioning of Federal military forces for CDO [Civil Disturbance Operations]…”  But how can you preposition forces before a civil disturbance happens?  CDO will include SOC units.

The military now has the power to deputize volunteers.  Military aircraft will be used to transport civilian law enforcement.  Native American tribal law enforcement agencies will be involved.   Intell shall be processed through the El Paso Intelligence Center.

And who has authority regarding this “instruction”?  If the President of the U.S. is not available to make such authorization, then “The Secretary of Defense is the approval authority for requests for direct assistance in support of civilian law enforcement agencies…”

 

 

 

World War 3, U.S. False Flag Front: Idaho Sheriffs demanding Armored Fighting Vehicles!

17 May 2013 (11:17 UTC-07 Tango)/07 Rajab 1434/27 Ordibehest 1391/08 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

Local southeast Idaho news media reporting that the Sheriff of sparsely populated Bear Lake County is begging residents to fork up the bucks to buy an expensive BearCat Armored Fighting Vehicle, supposedly to fight the growing violent crime in the county.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 data, there were only 6001 people residing in Bear Lake County.    According to FBI Uniform Crime Reports data, from 2001 to 2008 there was a total of 312 crimes reported in Bear Lake County, only 15 were considered violent!

In fact, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is reporting that their 2012 UCR data shows a continued drop in violent crime across the United States, so what is this Sheriff from Bear Lake County, Idaho, talking about?

But wait, there’s more!

North of Bear Lake County is another bigger county, and the Sheriff is demanding a BearCat AFV for his deputies as well!

Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Nielsen is making the same claim; violent crime has climbed so high that “This has been, as I refer to it, the year from hell. We have been involved in three officer-involved shootings in the last year.”

For most metropolitan areas of the United States, three officer involved shootings is a good year!

Because of the three officer involved shootings, Nielsen wants to get a tank on wheels to protect his deputies.  That’s strange because it was his officers that were doing the shooting!!!  Do they plan on more shootings and they’re afraid people might start shooting back?

The BearCat AFV is claimed to be able to withstand a .50 caliber (12.7 mm) bullet.  To date there have been no officer involved shootings where the suspect was using an expensive and big .50 caliber gun!!!

The BearCat can carry 12 Boston Strong false flagger take your rights away from you paramilitary cops.  Some local law enforcement agencies in Idaho don’t even have that many cops!!!

The 2010 Census Bureau data for Bannock County, Idaho, shows a population of 83691.  From 2008 through 2009 there were about 11000 ‘crimes’ (including false calls to 911).  The overwhelming majority of those crimes were not violent crimes!  So why does the Bannock County Sheriff really want a tank on wheels?   (he already has an older one, but it lacks a heater and it gets cold in there in winter)

But wait, there’s more!

Next door, in Power County, Jim Jeffries the Sheriff said “Anything that can happen anywhere else will eventually happen in our hometowns, and in our counties. If you are going to have a team, it’s important to train that team to do the tactical things that they need to do.”

Sounds to me like Idaho Sheriffs are prepping for a little Boston Strong police stateism in the sparsely populated Gem State.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 data, there were only 7766 people residing in Power County, Idaho.   Unfortunately Power County does have more crime than Bear Lake County.  According to FBI Uniform Crime Reports data, from 1999 to 2008 there was a total of 1257 crimes reported.  But only 83 were considered violent!

But wait, there’s more!

In toto, all six southeastern Idaho county Sheriffs are begging the underemployed residents to fork up the bucks to buy the AFVs.  And that’s even after they get grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and use money legally stolen from people who were arrested for drug related crimes.  (how expensive are these damned Lenco BearCats? About $260000 for one)

Capitalist Commodity Markets to blame for Pocatello’s Hoku Polysilicon near abandonment!

08 May 2013 (09:49 UTC-07 Tango)/27 Jumada t-Tania 1434/18 Ordibehest 1391/29 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

The massive, and expensive (to local tax payers), Hoku Materials polysilicon factory sits idle and unfinished in Pocatello, Idaho.

Red Neck right wingers like to point the finger at President Obama, saying ‘I told you so’ concerning ‘clean energy’ projects, but the reason for the demise of many solar power companies is actually the capitalist commodity market system and government interference.

Polysilicon prices have crashed and burned since construction started on the 50 American football fields long factory.  It just isn’t worth it to produce the stuff used in solar power panels.  In 2008 polysilicon was worth $400 per kilogram, it’s now crashed to a paltry $20.50!

Hoku Materials ghost town factory, Pocatello, Idaho. 50 football fields long at a cost of at least $400 million.

Hoku Materials ghost town factory, Pocatello, Idaho. 50 football fields long at a cost of at least $400 million.

The ‘experts’ got everything wrong.  They thought the high petroleum prices would drive societies into the arms of clean energy companies, but the problem is that so many clean energy companies started production that soon there was a glut of polysilicon on the market, even before the construction of Pocatello Hoku plant was close to being finished.

Then add to that the trade wars between China, the U.S. and European Union.  Eventually, the Obama administration jacked up tariffs so high on Chinese polysilicon companies that it wasn’t worth it to do business in the U.S.  By then Hoku Corporation (the parent of Hoku Materials) had become Chinese owned, due to financial problems (including Hoku Materials not being able to pay its construction contractor, JH Kelly, or pay its Idaho utility bills, so many times that both threatened to seize the property).

By the middle of 2012 the unfinished $400 million USD Pocatello polysilicon factory was moth balled, staffing reduced to just 30 people, with rumors of liquidation in bankruptcy court.  By the end of 2012, the Chinese company that bought into Hoku (Tianwei) was getting blasted in the Chinese media for buying a pig in a poke.  According to former Hoku Corporation CEO, Scott Paul, Tianwei invested “….more than $129 million of its own capital in Hoku, and they have provided for another $244 million in debt financing from banks in China.”

Now back to the ‘experts’.  In February 2013, ‘experts’ predicted that polysilicon prices had bottomed out.  They were wrong!  Prices had hit $21 per kilogram, and polysilicon producers said there was no reason to produce anymore until the price went up over $25.

In March 2013, British media reported that prices had crashed 50% compared to the same time last year.

In April 2013, another report said that polysilicon prices could continue to crash because of the anti-free market tariffs imposed by the major players; China, South Korea, European Union and United States.  And, the ‘experts’ again said prices had bottomed out.  The average price at the end of April 2013 was $20.50.

So where does that leave Hoku Corporation’s Hoku Materials factory in Pocatello?  Optimistic officials with the Bannock Development Corporation (a County level organization that worked hard to bring Hoku to Pocatello, including huge local tax breaks) think that anytime now Hoku will start production: “It’s a wait and see thing, depending on the market……Basically, [Hoku Corp.] needs to fire up the plant when it’s ready to go.”-John Regetz, Bannock Development

Sounds like the local development folks aren’t communicating with Hoku.  The latest statement from the company indicates that bankruptcy and liquidation is the only option being considered: “….exploration of potential restructuring at Hoku Materials and Hoku Corporation is ongoing, with no formal update at this time.”-Hoku Corporation statement

“Restructuring” is code for bankruptcy/liquidation.  So no Mister Regetz, it sounds like Hoku is not planning to “fire up the plant”.

Green/clean energy just doesn’t make big enough profits for the crony capitalist system.  Another case in point is the recent announcement by BP (British Petroleum) that it will abandon it’s wind power operations near Idaho Falls, Idaho, as well as its wind and solar projects across the United States.

Also, don’t forget the artificial reduction in demand created by all those government tariffs.

The answer is that clean energy projects need to be run like a non-profit co-op, but the problem is that crony capitalists don’t like that and will do everything they can to prevent that from happening (’cause contrary to their propaganda, they do not like competition, especially if it’s from a non-profit).

More on the demise of Hoku Materials:

Hoku deregisters with SEC

Hoku downward spiral

Hoku restructuring

Hoku to be finished off

U.S. tariffs nail in the coffin for Hoku

Good & bad news for Hoku

Hoku better get its rear in gear

Hoku beggars China

Hoku going under

Hoku begs

More trouble for Hoku

Hoku starts operations(?)

Hoku ended before it starts

Investigation puts the brakes on Hoku

Hoku ongoing delays

Hoku turning to China

A History Lesson in Economic Decline: Pocatello’s Old Fred Meyer & Albertsons on Yellowstone Ave, did not close down in the 1990s

26 April 2013 (15:46 UTC-07 Tango)/15 Jumada t-Tania 1434/06 Ordibehest 1391/17 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

Our local southeast Idaho news media has done a piss-poor job of keeping historical records of the area, and many newbies to the area have false ideas about when things happened.

I’ve read some postings that say the Old Fred Meyer and the Albertsons grocery store, both on Yellowstone Avenue in Pocatello, Idaho, closed down in the 1990s.  Not true.

Those stores were located on what’s called Alameda Plaza.  Alameda Plaza is one of several prime examples of the decline of the local economy, which is still in decline, despite the new WinCo being built there.

The economic decline can be traced to Simplot moving its corporate HQ from Pocatello to Boise in 1998-99, and the city of Pocatello and county of Bannock refusing to go along with Union Pacific’s plan to make Pocatello the Pacific Northwest depot for their rail operations.  Then came the 2001 demise of Astaris-FMC’s mining operations killing at least 3-hundred jobs (which I remember well because employees were calling into a local radio news show trying to leak news of the closing, but the radio announcer actually chastised the callers for spreading such rumors, then a few months later no more FMC!), Ballard Medical moving its factory to Mexico, ON Semiconductor taking over AMI.  All these things, and more, took place between 1999 and 2007.

FMC site, west of Pocatello and Chubbuck, south of Fort Hall Reservation

FMC site, in Power County, west of Pocatello and Chubbuck, south of Fort Hall Reservation

Former location of J.R. Simplot Corporate HQ, Chubbuck, Idaho

Former location of J.R. Simplot Corporate HQ, Pocatello, Idaho. Just across the street from the Chubbuck Pine Ridge Mall.

Ex Simplot HQ awnings adding charecter to the otherwisedrab Pocatello City Hall

Ex Simplot HQ awnings adding character to the otherwise drab Pocatello City Hall

Back to Alameda Plaza. There were other stores in the plaza like Little Caesar’s pizza, a Chinese food buffet and a movie theater.

The Alameda Plaza Triplex opened in the 1970s.  In 1995 it was bought by the same guy that owns the Carmike theaters in the Chubbuck, Pine Ridge Mall area (until 1995 he had only the one cinema, Carmike Cinema 7, near the Pine Ridge Mall, and it wasn’t part of the mall property although the mall got a lot of complaints from people who thought it was).  The Alameda Plaza Triplex was closed around 2005 when the owner built the new Pineridge 10 Cinemas on the north end of the mall property. The Triplex was then used as a church until about 2012, then torn down to make room for the new WinCo.

The banks are still there (actually only the Wells Fargo is on Alameda Plaza proper, the Key Bank is a separate property).

Alameda Plaza in Pocatello, and the Pine Ridge Mall in Chubbuck, were both owned by Price Development Corporation (aka J. Price).  I worked the property management side for J. Price from 2001 to 2003.  During 2003, J. Price sold the properties to GGP (General Growth Properties).  Those properties included the Grand Teton Mall in Idaho Falls, and the Boise Town Square in Boise.  I worked for GGP until 2005.

By 2000 Fred Meyer had moved out of the Alameda Plaza location into the old Pocatello Mall location (I remember we used to rent out the empty old Fred Meyer building to boat and RV shows), but the Alameda Plaza Alberstons was still in operation, along with Little Caeser’s and the Triplex theater.

Those of us working in property management could see first hand evidence of a crashing economy.  In 1998, the Chubbuck Pine Ridge Mall was packed all the time (it’s amazing how many people called it the Pocatello Mall, and how many people still think it’s in Pocatello)!  That big mall parking lot was almost full every Friday and Saturday.

When I started working for J. Price, in 2001, the ‘traffic’ at the mall was so busy mall management had to hire extra part time workers during summer, mainly high school-ers and college students, just to keep the parking lot and mall interior clean.

By 2002 customer traffic had dropped off, enough that they cut back on summer hires.  By 2003 mall management stopped hiring extra summer time help, there was no need because customer traffic was down by more than half.

Anchor store Macy’s and ZCMI left.  ZCMI occupied the two story anchor, and they had a full two story operation, not like the new pathetic Herbergers.   ZCMI was replaced by May, which was quickly turned into a Dillards.  They were true two story operations, but didn’t last long.

pine ridge mall

Fading Pine Ridge Mall, Chubbuck, Idaho.  This two story anchor store is the new home to Herbergers, but they’re running only a single story operation.

The now vacant Macy's anchor at the Pine Ridge Mall, in Chubbuck. This is also the spot where I found the inert bomb.

The now vacant Macy’s anchor at the Pine Ridge Mall, in Chubbuck. This is also the spot where I found the inert bomb.

A little diversion here; during 2002 Pine Ridge Mall got a phone call saying there was a bomb in the mall.  I spotted a large garbage bag near the south entrance to Macy’s, a Chubbuck cop said it matched the description in the bomb call.  We evacuated the mall. Most of the tenants and customers thought we were bullshitting them, until they saw the cops swarming in.  Later that evening it was determined that the bomb was inert (no explosives).  A couple weeks later arrests were made.  The bomb scare was a False Flag by some would be bank robbers, who chickened out on robbing the bank.  One of them got drunk at a party and spilled the beans, and was turned in by some of the party goers.  You know, the city of Chubbuck and Pocatello didn’t get ‘locked down’ and the only federales to get involved were the FBI, and they kept a low profile.  And we didn’t have any gottdamned paramilitary cops shoving their M4s in our faces like in Boston Strong Massachusetts!

We don’t mess around out here, example: In March 2013 a mentally unstable man tried to take hostages at the Chubbuck Petco.  A Bannock County Sheriff’s deputy ended that real fast with a single gunshot to his neck, and he had the help of the Petco employees:  “….Once Mr. Wilson had left the store with the hostage, this worker had the presence of mind, despite what was going on, to shut the front doors and lock them so they couldn’t get back in……We’re just grateful that a lot of good common sense was used here.”-Randy Severe, Chubbuck Police Chief

You hear that Boston Strong Massachusetts? “Commen sense”, not paranoid police state-ism!

Back to the economy.  At one point the vacant Macy’s was rented out to local operation Party Palace (which was against GGP’s policy of not renting out to local operations, but GGP was getting desperate), but they moved on as well.  The KB Toys store was closed almost without notice (having become the victim of Mitt Romney and his vulture capitalist buddies).

old kb toys pine ridge mall

Former location of KB Toys, Pine Ridge Mall, Chubbuck, Idaho

Over at the Alameda Plaza, we knew that once Fred Meyer moved into their new location across the street, the other tenants would be leaving as well.  J. Price and GGP had tried to attract many retailers to the Pine Ridge Mall, and Alameda Plaza, but the potential tenants ran their own economic surveys of the area and almost all concluded it wasn’t worth it to set up shop in Pocatello or Chubbuck.

pocatello fred meyer

Fred Meyer moved into the former Pocatello Mall location between 2001-2002

Still vacant JJ North's buffet, after all these years. Pine Ridge Mall, Chubbuck, Idaho.

Still vacant JJ North’s buffet, for at least ten years now. Pine Ridge Mall, Chubbuck, Idaho.

The new Fred Meyer location included a Golden Corral, Gottschalks and Honk’s.  The Golden Corral was too much competition for the crappy JJ North’s buffet at the south end of the Pine Ridge Mall property, and they went bust (along with the JJ North’s on the Grand Teton Mall property).

Back at the new Fred Meyer plaza, the Gottschalks didn’t last long as the California based company went bust.  Great Harvest bread store closed down their operation, and Idaho based Honk’s went bankrupt in January 2013.  The Pocatello Honk’s closed without notice, and what I find interesting is that the Boise news media reported that Honk’s was not closing any of their stores!

gottschalks pocatello

The vacant (for several years now) Gottschalks, in Pocatello, Idaho

Once filled with the smells of Great Harvest Bread Co, in the Pocatello Fred Meyer building complex.

Once filled with the smells of Great Harvest Bread Co, in the Pocatello Fred Meyer building complex.

Honk's $1.00 Store in Pocatello, Idaho. Vacated on 03 January 2013.

Honk’s $1.00 Store in Pocatello, Idaho. Vacated on 03 January 2013.

Also, there was a Smith’s grocery store across the street from the new Fred Meyer location.  Smith’s was closed as the new Fred Meyer had groceries (the old one did not), and both Fred Meyer and Smith’s are owned by the same company.

About the same time the Chubbuck Walmart expanded to a ‘super’ Walmart with groceries.

Months ago the portrait studio quietly vacated this Chubbuck, Idaho, Walmart.

Months ago the portrait studio quietly vacated this Chubbuck, Idaho, Walmart.

In 2004 GGP contracted out our jobs.  The contractor offered no benefits and cut my pay by $1.00 per hour, and also wanted me to become the official Night Shift Supervisor!  90% of the former J. Price employees were there because they needed the medical benefits, so GGP really screwed them over!  In 2006 I took a job with Idaho State University Stores, as a warehouse assistant.

In 2009 GGP went bankrupt.  Alameda Plaza was turned over to The Howard Hughes Corporation (a subsidiary of GGP).  In 2012 the City of Pocatello split Alameda Plaza into five zones.

Pocatello, Idaho, WinCo number 5. Getting ready to shut down in the Foothill Plaza.

After years wishing for a bigger WinCo in Pocatello, they finally made the move by taking over the old Fred Meyer Alameda Plaza location.  WinCo number 117 is at least three times bigger than the original WinCo number five, and twice as big as the old Fred Meyer building.

Abandonded Alberstons next door to the new WinCo-117.

Abandoned Alberstons next door to the new WinCo-117, in the Alameda Plaza.

The last Albertsons in Pocatello. Will Cerberus shut it down?

The last Albertsons in Pocatello. Will Cerberus shut it down?

As far as the Alameda Plaza Albertsons goes, they held on until about 2005 (they did not close down in the 1990s as some on the internet say).  Since 2006, Albertsons has been passed around to several new owners (despite the website making it look like it’s still owned by the Albertsons family):  A Minnesota based company called Supervalue, an affiliate of evil Cerberus Capital Management called AB Acquisition, and CVS.  Finally in January 2013 evil Cerberus Capital Management became sole owner (I wouldn’t be surprised if they liquidate).

sears chubbuck

The dying Sears at the Pine Ridge Mall in Chubbuck.

Over at the Pine Ridge Mall in Chubbuck, Sears is getting ready to close down.  Sears was originally located in the old Pocatello Mall.  In 1999 it was the last store to leave the Pocatello Mall, moving into the Pine Ridge Mall (if I remember correctly, the Pine Ridge Mall opened in 1982).

Vacant bedroom/bathroom section.

....no more women's and children's clothing.

No more women’s, men’s or children’s clothing.

My whole point is that to anyone just moving into the area, what you are witnessing is an economic decline, not growth.  Some newbies must be coming from areas of the country where the economy is worse, because they think things are good here.

The boom time was in the 1990s.  Everything started going down hill in 1999.  Even with a new Fred Meyer, expanded Walmart and now new WinCo the area’s net job ‘growth’ is zero, at the very most!

State economists were saying things were looking up, but that’s because they compare it from month to month or year to year.  If you look at what’s happened in Bannock County from the 1990s ’til now, it is economic decline.

Now the state economists are worried, because data shows that people are leaving the Gem State because they can’t find decent paying jobs.  At least 2-thousand 6-hundred people have left since December 2012.  A state economist, based in Pocatello, said he is concerned because it indicates no economic recovery for Idaho.

By the way, Idaho is a Right to Work You Over state.  I wonder if that’s part of the problem, or that Idaho taxes businesses for what are normally considered write-offs and deductions (called Personal Property Tax, which is in the process of being repealed, but local governments are threatening to raise local property taxes if it’s repealed, which’ll just drive off even more people)?

By the way, the dumb city of Pocatello almost lost Fred Meyer altogether.  Fred Meyer was gonna be charged all kinds of fees by the city to move into the abandoned Pocatello Mall location.  Fred Meyer countered by threatening to pull stakes and leave Pocatello, like so many other businesses.  The city backed off.

WHAT ECONOMIC RECOVERY? POCATELLO’S HOKU PULLS STOCKS FROM NASDAQ, DE-REGISTERS WITH SEC.

World War 3, Economic Front: 1400 people leave the Gem State in March!

20 April 2013 (23:42 UTC-07 Tango 19 April 2013)/09 Jumada t-Tania 1434/31 Farvardin 1391/11 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

According to the U.S. state of Idaho’s Department of Labor (IDoL), 1400 people moved out of the Gem State in March.  This is an indication of the frustration Idahoans have with finding a job in the Right to Work You Over state.

“Another 1,400 people left Idaho’s labor force in March, the largest one-month exodus since the heart of the recession three years ago and the third straight monthly decline. Over 2,600 people have dropped out of Idaho’s labor force since December 2012….erasing any gains made since January 2012…..”-IDoL statement

A state economist based in Pocatello, said he was concerned that because so many people have officially dropped out of the workforce that what was happening is they are actually leaving the state.  He said that would indicate no economic recovery for Idaho.

It’s strange because officials with state Labor Department insist that companies doing business in Idaho keep complaining that they’re having a hard time finding employees.   Maybe what they mean is they can’t find people willing to work for little pay and no health benefits?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the geographically large state of Idaho has a population of only a million and a half people.  Compare that to the city of Los Angeles, California, which has a population of nearly 4 million!

According to the IDoL, the number of employed people in Idaho is currently 724500 (seasonally adjusted data).

So you can see that having 2600 people leave the state since December 2012 has a significant impact on Idaho.

World War 3, Gun Control/U.S. Civil War: Connecticut gun maker looking for new home. Idaho wants you, PTR!

11 April 2013 (10:53 UTC-07 Tango)/30 Jumada l-Ula 1434/22 Farvardin 1391/02 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

The Connecticut based gun maker, PTR (which makes Heckler & Koch clones), is looking for a new home, now that the so called Constitution State has passed new anti-gun laws.

“….On Thursday April 4th 2013, upon reading the full text of Bill 1160, our worst fears were confirmed. What emerged was a bill fraught with ambiguous definitions, insufficient considerations for the trade, conflicting mandates, and disastrous consequences for the fundamental rights of the people of CT……..It should be a shock to us all that such landmark legislation could be written in one week, and seen by no one (including the rank-and-file legislators) prior to its emergency certification. Having been present in the deliberations in both legislative chambers, it was clear that a majority of our legislators had not even read the bill……With a heavy heart but a clear mind, we have been forced to decide that our business can no longer survive in Connecticut – the former Constitution state…….We are making a call to all involved in our industry to leave this state, close your doors and show our politicians the true consequences of their hasty and uninformed actions. We encourage those in our industry to abandon this state as its leaders have abandoned the proud heritage that forged our freedom…….over the coming weeks the company will be actively considering offers from states that are friendly to the industry.”

Come to Idaho, PTR!  In 2010 the state passed the Idaho Firearms Freedom Act, aka; made in Idaho gun law.

I posted about it back in 2011.  The law supposedly gives breaks to gun makers who move to Idaho.   Several western states have passed their own Firearms Freedom Acts.

World War 3, Economic Front: List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 21 February 2013. More health care layoffs! More video game makers make cuts! No more Rold Gold? More cuts to education! California still getting hit!

Texas based Advanced Living Technologies bankrupt. The non-profit nursing facility operator is in big debt.  Also, Dell computers announced undisclosed number of layoffs at their Round Rock, Texas, HQ.  An unnamed employee told local media at least 90 people were let go.

In Vermont, Grace Cottage Hospital to layoff 15 employees. Hospital officials blame the Obama/Romney Care cuts in Medicaid/Medicare payments.

Knott County, Kentucky, says they have to layoff 10 to 12 employees. County officials are blaming the Spotsplex, which is costing taxpayers $400000 USD per year.

In Florida, government contractor Predator Systems being closed down by new owners Curtiss-Wright.  20 people already laid off, another 25 will be let go by the end of the year.

In Louisiana, Libbey Glass laying off 200 people!   The company decided to end production of specific glassware, and move other production to Ohio and Mexico.

Video game maker, EA, announced an undisclosed amount of layoffs, to affect operations in California, Canada and “smaller locations”.

Another video gamer maker, IGN, also announced an undisclosed amount of layoffs.

Denmark based Vestas laid off at least 100 people working at their Colorado factories. The wind turbine maker blamed it on changes to federal tax codes.

BioFuel Energy laying off 40 people at its ethanol plant in Minnesota.  They actually stopped ethanol production at that specific plant in September 2012, but hope to re-start by the end of the year.

Grocery store, Giant Eagle, cut 75 jobs, mainly at their Pennsylvania HQ.  The privately held company is trying to reduce operating costs.  And after 35 years, Sneaky Pete’s closed in Ardmore.  The owner said the signs of the economic times indicated it was time to retire.

General Electric announced they are planning even more layoffs, and the sale of what’s left of their share of NBCUniversal.

In Canton, Ohio, Frito-Lay laid of 12 employees, and cut the hours for 15 other employees, at their Rold Gold Pretzel factory.  Reports say pretzel sales are crashing.

In Michigan, 840 people were told to get ready to look for new jobs! The Journal Register, which publishes newspapers in ten states, is about to be sold off on 17 April (to evil 21st CMH Acquisition). In Plymouth, Isabelle’s Copper Pot shut down.

In New York, Spotlight Newspapers ended two county editions. The publisher blamed increasing small business regulations.  And bus company Canal Escort no longer exists after a strike by employees.  Nearly 100 people out-o-work!  Company officials claim they lost their Department of Education contract because of the strike. One official was rather rude to the former employees: “This union thinks they can tell me what to do? They can go f-ck themselves!”-Joseph Fazzia

Grayslake Elementary District 46, in Illinois, to layoff 17 employees.  Officials say the district is short $2.2 million!

In California, Oroville City Elementary School District laying off six people. Blames declining enrollment and funding. In Westlake Village, Safeguard Properties closing its office and laying off 82 employees. Safeguard is also laying off 168 employees in San Bernardino. The company blames the layoffs on their takeover of some Bank of America operations. In Paso Robles the Wilson’s restaurant closed down. It first opened in 1948, and the owners want to retire.   And the Hollywood Park Casino might be closing in Inglewood (pending a decision by state officials).  600 employees affected!  In Nevada City, the Trolley Junction Restaurant closed down, 20 employees let go.

Indiana’s Cequent Performance Products factory, in Goshen, moving to Mexico. 350 employees affected!

In Oregon, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department laid off 66 people.  Reports say its because of contract disputes.  And all five Old Farmhouse restaurants closed down. The owner blames himself for trying to expand his operation too fast on too little money.

Wholesale Sports closed stores in Spokane, Washington, and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.  75 people out-o-work.  Blame it on California based real estate investment company Alamo Group.

In Virginia, Reston shoe store, Footsteps, closed down. The owner blamed it one the high rent.  He said if could find a more affordable location he will go back in business. And the Hoppy Dog gourmet food store in Richmond closed.  The owners said they wanted to pursue other interests.

Mexican-Italian restaurant, Chisme, closed down in Valley Junction, Iowa.  The owner simply said “everything happens for a reason.” And Planned Parenthood said they were closing two Iowa clinics, no reason given.

In Tennessee, the Archiver’s scrapbook store out-o-business. Reports say it was the last scrapbook store in Memphis.

Hilton is closing their Paradise Landing indoor waterpark in Wisconsin.  Hilton officials say they want something more upscale, but haven’t come up with anything so far.

World War 3, Economic Front: Idaho Sears closing down, without official notice? Kmart closing in South Carolina!

08 April 2013 (17:27 UTC-07 Tango 06)/27 Jumada l-Ula 1434/19 Farvardin 1391/28 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711

Click pics to make bigger

The Chubbuck, Idaho, Sears used to be located in the old vanished Pocatello Mall.  It was the last store remaining in the Pocatello, Idaho, location before moving into the Pine Ridge Mall, in Chubbuck.  The Pocatello Mall was torn down and replaced with the ‘new’ Fred Meyer plaza (for some reason a lot of people confuse the struggling Westwood Mall with the old Pocatello Mall).

In South Carolina, the second and remaining Kmart in Greenville will close down in May. 74 people will lose their jobs. It was revealed only because South Carolina requires a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (apparently Idaho does not).  The closing of the two Greenville Kmarts will affect at least 140 employees.

The Calumet City Sears, in Illinois, will close by June. 164 employees affected!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Guam:  Sears Hometown Store.

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

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost!!!).

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).  No official announcement, but it’s painfully obvious the Chubbuck Sears going’ down.

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).  Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost), Calumet Sears (164 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), Gaylord Kmart (48 jobs lost).

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart, Bemidji 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), Hendersonville Kmart (58 jobs lost).

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

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

New York: Depew Kmart (68 jobs lost).

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

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

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

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost), Shippensburg Kmart (46 jobs lost).

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

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

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

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost),  Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost), Fairfax Kmart (no word on how many jobs lost).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Florida: West Oaks Mall

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

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

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

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

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center