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“…economic conditions dire…” US Airways officially dead! “Home Depot has killed us…”: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 29 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Arizona: The University of Arizona issued another warning about mass layoffs saying the new state budget is forcing them to cut $25-million USD in operating costs!  (this is actually less than the $43-million they were warning about earlier this year)

Arkansas:  Employee recruiting firm Cameron Smith & Associates revealed they are prepping for “a surge of phone calls, emails and resumes” as Walmart initiates mass layoffs.   It’s expected that Walmart will layoff 1-thousand people just from its Bentonville HQ!

California: Torrance based grocery store chain Fresh & Easy announced it will shutdown 14 stores! Administrators said “…progress was not enough to bring their performance in line with the rest of the business.” This is on top of the 55 Fresh & Easy stores closed across several states earlier this year.  In Newark, Raley’s grocery store shutting down on Saturday, blaming “…decreasing number of customers and decreasing sales.”  In San Jose, the owners of Palo’s said they’re being forced to close both their restaurants because “…our landlord has chosen not to extend our lease.”   Eliteland based (Beverly Hills) Relativity Media now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  Administrators say 75 people have been let go, but some news reports say as many as 1-hundred people have been laid off!  More proof high-tech is not recession proof; San Francisco based video game maker Kixeye laid off an undisclosed number of employees.

Georgia: Darley Stables at the Aiken Training Track is being shutdown by its oil rich owner from Dubai, who is also the vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates.  Local news reports failed to explain why the elitist oil man is shutting it down by September.

Idaho: In Ketchum, after less than five years Main Street Market grocery store shutting down in August.  The operators blame escalating rent: “The original five-year lease term is ending, and it did not make sense to extend the lease for the required seven-year commitment.”

Illinois: After 40 years Jo-Ann Fabrics shutting down their DeKalb store in November.

Iowa: Tax collector IRS announced they are shutting down their Waterloo Taxpayer Assistance Center on Tower Park Drive, due to more taxpayers using the internet to get help paying taxes.  No word on how many jobs will be lost.

Kansas: After less than one year the new owners of two years old YOLO Grill shutting it down because “…YOLO Grill hasn’t had the volume to support itself…” 

Maine: A 45 years old Arby’s roast beef sandwich shop shutting down in Bangor, 20 jobs lost.  There are now only five Arby’s in Maine.

Michigan: The Wayne Community Center shutting down on Sunday, due to the lack of a new lease with any contracted operator.

Minnesota: Cliffs Natural Resources announced it is shutting down its United Taconite mine, and its pellet operations, 480 jobs lost!  It’s blamed on oversupply and competition.  However, it should be noted that Ohio based Cliffs Natural Resources has just reported a profit for its 2nd quarter. Administrators admit those profits all came from mass layoffs as their sales were down 33%!

New York: What construction industry recovery?  One of the oldest architecture companies in the U.S., WASA Studio, now bankrupt busted.  After 12 years, art gallery Wallspace shutting down in August.  In Lockport, Donna Eick’s Restaurant shutting down, the family will focus on catering only.  In Horseheads, appliance store  Werninck’s shutting down after 42 years: “Home Depot has killed us….Lowe’s has beat us….It is not a secret that independent family businesses are dying.”-Lionel R. “Dick” Werninck, owner

North Carolina: In Research Triangle Park (RTP), news reports say the Massachusetts based drugs maker Parexel is about to layoff the 2-hundred former GlaxoSmithKline employees it hired-on earlier this year!  Apparently this is part of their bigger plan to eliminate 850 jobs!  Philips Lighting shutting down their Philips-Optimum factory in Henderson, 50 jobs lost.  URS shutting down their Elizabeth City factory, 96 jobs lost (possibly due to URS being taken over by AECOM).  California based Avery Dennison shutting down their Lenoir/Greensboro factories by the end of August, 225 jobs lost!  What automotive industry recovery?  Fan belt maker DAYCO shutting down their Fayetteville and Red Springs ops, 135 jobs lost by October!

Pennsylvania:  California based “specialty pharmaceutical” (oxycodone-OxyContin) company Impax Labs shutdown their Pittsburgh ops, 86 jobs lost.  Sears Holdings issued a shutdown WARN for the Brookhaven Kmart, 89 jobs lost by September.   US Airways issued a shutdown WARN for their Corapolis ops, at least 6-hundred jobs lost by the end of August!  News reports also say US Airways shutting down its Moon dispatch center, about 50 jobs lost. It’s due to American Airlines taking over US Airways.  In York, after nine years Amish owned Gish’s Furniture and Amish Heirlooms shutting down as soon as they can get rid of $2-million worth of inventory, no reason for the shutdown given.  Pittsburgh Post-Gazette trying to bribe 120 employees to voluntarily quit (voluntary buyouts)!  Administrators blame “…weak revenue and a difficult advertising climate have created economic conditions dire enough to require thinning the newsroom.” 

South Carolina: What automotive industry recovery? Ohio based Parker Hannifin ’s Engineered Materials Group continues its crash, this time they will shutdown their Beaufort County Racor Division vehicle filter factory, 75 jobs lost by December.  They are consolidating their filter production to fewer factories.

Tennessee: Electronic company TS3 Technology suddenly shutting down this Friday, 81 jobs lost.  Teddy Bear Portraits by Nationwide Studios laying off 69 people.  Paper and packaging company WestRock ending their Tullahoma operations, 50 jobs lost.

Texas: Fort Worth based American Airlines announced it is ending all US Airways operations, thousands of jobs lost!  Fort Worth based oil service company Range Resources reported that despite eliminating 11% of its jobs they still lost $118.6-million during its 2nd quarter 2015!

Virginia: Colorado based canning supply company Ball announced it will shutdown its Bristol factory by the first half of 2016, about 230 jobs lost!  Ball Corporation joins dozens of other companies consolidating their operations in preparation for more economic crashing & burning.

Washington DC: Yet another hardware store going down; Brookland True Value Hardware shutting down, the owner blames a doubling of rent in the past three years.

Wisconsin: After nine years Tulip Restaurant shutting down on Friday.

28 July 2015: “It’s not a good thing, Lord o’mercy!”

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.”

Chupacabra attacking goats in northern Idaho?

29 July 2015 (20:51 UTC-07 Tango 01, 28 July 2015)/07 Mordad 1394/12 Shawwal 1436/14 Gui-Wie (6th month) 4713

In Coeur d’Alene, a goat herder reported that three of his goats were attacked.  Two were alive with stab wounds, the third was found dead with its head almost cut off.

The goats were being used by the city for weed control and were found near a local water well.

Is this a case of chupacabra, or alien dissection, or animal sacrifice, or some idiot running around high on ‘speed’?

Amphetamines, it’s what Islamic State does!

“It’s not a good thing, Lord o’mercy!” Puerto Rico ordered to destroy all schools!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 28 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama: What housing market recovery? Crown Columns and Millwork shutting down, 1-hundred employees being forced to move 182 miles away or become unemployed!   The mayor of Attalla freaked out at the news: “It’s not a good thing, Lord o’mercy! Usually, in the town the size of Attalla, a hundred jobs is a lot of jobs!”-Larry Means

California:  In San Jose, after 33 years Sousa’s Restaurant shutdown, the 73 years old owner sold out to property developers.  The city of Garden Grove shutting down Joe’s Italian Ice by August.  The city owns the land has has sold out to a hotel developer!   Chevron announced it will eliminate 5-hundred jobs in San Ramon! Chevron says it need to cut costs by $1-billion USD!   Cisco Systems revealed they laid off 192 people in San Diego!   The drugs company formerly known as Actavis, now known as Allergan, is prepping to be sold off again this time to Israel’s Teva.  A layoff WARN has been issued for September, 45 jobs lost in Corona.  Highland Hospital Substance Abuse Treatment Center shutting down, taxpayer funded Alameda Health System says ObamaCare makes it not worth it to renew their contract to operate the treatment center.  Utility company Southern California Edison continues to replace U.S. citizens with migrant workers, this time 138 people will become unemployed in September, that’s on top of the 4-hundred laid off since the beginning of the year!  In Carlsbad, Taylor Made Golf shutdown, 64 jobs lost.  Bus contractor First Transit issued layoff WARNs, 198 people across California to be unemployed by the end of August!   ProCourier issued several WARNs saying 115 people will be unemployed by September!  ObamaCare forcing Aramark Healthcare to shutdown their Support Services in Culver City, 53 jobs lost by October.   Tax-sucking military contractor IAP Worldwide Services laying off 67 people in Mountain View.  Is it connected to the company administrators being caught bribing Kuwaiti officials: “IAP Worldwide Services Inc. (IAP), entered into a non-prosecution agreement and agreed to pay a $7.1 million penalty to resolve the government’s investigation into whether the company conspired to bribe Kuwaiti officials in order to secure a government contract. A former vice president of IAP also pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) for his involvement in the bribery scheme.”

Colorado:  Tax-sucking Lockheed Martin eliminating 270 Colorado Springs jobs due to losing a GAO contract!

Idaho: North Dakota’s Industrial Commission fined Alturas Energy $900-thousand for massive wastewater spills that have yet to be cleaned up.  News reports said the Hailey based oil service company’s phone number is no longer in service.  North Dakota’s Department of Mineral Resources also accused Idaho’s Alturas Energy of abandoning oil wells: “I think it’s important, especially with the lower oil price paradigm that we’re in, that we send a message to companies that we mean business.”-Lynn Helms

Kentucky: Green Market Regional Food Co-op shutdown in Glascow: “…there’s just not enough people who are interested in this who are willing to pay the little extra it is to get it here in Glasgow. The people who have the money drive to Nashville or to Louisville and go to Whole Foods.”-Mary Stockler, co-op volunteer

Louisiana: Too Big to Jail Capital One revealed it will shutdown five New Orleans branch offices in October.  In Monroe, after 64 years Simmons Exxon and Hitch Center shutdown.  The founder, Reubin Simmons, lamented “I remember selling it [gasoline] for 26 cents a gallon!”

Massachusetts:  Intel selling off their shuttered Hudson chip factory. Intel shut it down after 2013, killing 7-hundred jobs!

New York: Restaurant Associates issued a shutdown WARN saying 32 people will become unemployed by September due to loss of food service contract with The Brooklyn Museum.  NYC based Quirky finally revealed how many New Yorkers will lose their jobs by August, 111!  Korea based Samsung issued a WARN saying they’ve terminated their NYC based “PX Project Research and Development Team”, 42 jobs lost.  In Staten Island, newspaper Advance Publications is outsourcing 45 jobs in October.  Depalino Restaurant Corporation is shutting down their City Crab and Seafood Company in August, 73 jobs lost.  Too Big to Jail Sterling National Bank laying off 18 employees in October.

Ohio: After two years Crazy Mango Bar and Bistro shutdown.  The restaurant was located in a plaza known as The Greene, which has become a revolving door for dozens of failed restaurants.  University of Akron shutting down their Multicultural Center and UA Press, all 161 employees to be laid off!  That’s apparently on top of the 213 jobs that have yet to be eliminated!

Oregon: California based Chevron is not only killing oil industry jobs but mom & pop burger joints as well!  In Hillsboro Baker’s Burgers shutdown because fuel station operator Cain Petroleum Chevron needs the land.

Pennsylvania: Swimsuit maker to the stars A&H Sportswear shutting down their Upper Nazareth factory by September: “We can no longer afford to responsibly make garments in the Upper Nazareth area.”-Jack Waldman, vp

Puerto Rico: Global strategic and policy advisory firm  Centennial Group advises the U.S. territory to start shutting down its schools, and a group of 34 ‘investor’ hedge funds are now demanding Puerto Rico comply!  The Puerto Rican education system spends only 79%  of what is spent in the 50 states, yet the capitalist hedge funds declared that to be “overspending”!  The evil A-hole ‘investors’ also want the U.S. territory to sell off $4-billion worth of public property!

Texas: California based Chevron announced it will eliminate 950 Lone Star State jobs!

Virginia: Department store Belk shutting down its 20 years old store in Culpeper, 25 jobs lost.

Washington: After 80 years moving company Blue Bird Transfer shutdown.

West Virginia: Century Aluminum shutdown its smelter in Ravenwood, without warning.  Administrators blame competition with Chinese companies.

Wisconsin: Yet another Ace Hardware store shutting down, this time it’s 65 years old Olson’s Ace Hardware in Waukesha.

26 – 27 July 2015: “How I’m going to make 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.”

“We’re going to go down.” U.S. Food Crisis, July 2015: Obama steals your water! Grocery store admits to stealing your Whole Paycheck!

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of July, 2015: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production, spread of disease and extreme weather.

The Greek debt crisis will affect olive oil and wine exports to the United States, which will result in higher prices.

13 states are now suing the Obama regime over the right to access their own water.  The federal Clean Water Act’s Waters of the U.S. rule allows the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prevent farmers and municipalities access to water and goes into effect in August. The 13 states challenging the Obama regime are Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Arizona: In Tucson, after eight years On a Roll Sushi restaurant shutdown. The landlord put the building up for sale and the restaurant owner is sure any new landlord will jack up his rent, so he’s getting out now as his lease is almost up.  Haggen announced an undisclosed number of layoffs at their Grand Canyon State operations, due to “unprecedented” competition.

California:  Torrance based grocery store chain Fresh & Easy announced it will shutdown 14 stores! Administrators said “…progress was not enough to bring their performance in line with the rest of the business.” This is on top of the 55 Fresh & Easy stores closed across several states earlier this year. In Newark, Raley’s grocery store suddenly shutdown, blaming “…decreasing number of customers and decreasing sales.” In San Jose, the owners of Palo’s said they’re being forced to close both their restaurants because “…our landlord has chosen not to extend our lease.”  Albertsons-Safeway issued yet another layoff WARN for Pleasanton, another 14 people being let go in September.   Beverage delivery company DS Services of America issued shutdown WARNs for Los Angeles and Pasadena, 320 jobs lost by the end of September!  After 71 years of “Made with Love & Lard” Oakland’s La Borinquena Mex-icatessen shutdown. The owners also shutdown their La Snackeria operation. They said they need to retire to “catch our breath”.   In Berkeley, after 18 years popular Pyramid Alehouse shutdown. The building is being sold-off and the owners of the Alehouse will focus on ops in Oregon and Washington.  Even the rich and famous are cutting back spending. In Beverly Hills the upscale Hakkasan restaurant shutdown, the owners also admitted that their Las Vegas operation is losing money as well.  In Oakland, after 40 years the owners of Bay Wolf restaurant announced they will shut it down in August. They want to retire, so they’re selling the property.   In Los Angeles, after ten years Sushi Central shutdown due to the greedy landlord selling the property.  In West Hollywood, after 41 years the French Quarter restaurant shutting down ‘officially’ for remodeling, but local news reports say the new owners might actually be tearing the whole thing down for some unknown construction project.  Amy’s Baking Company shutting down. The owners blame the landlord for complaining about “weird odors”.    In Wilmington, State Fish Company shutting down by September, 76 jobs lost.  Washington based Starbucks shutting down two Bay Bread operations in September. The closure of Bay Bread’s South San Francisco and San Fernando bakeries will result in 171 people becoming jobless! In Brentwood, it was discovered by local newsies that Cafe Röckenwagner quietly shutdown.  In Fullerton, after 20 years Steamers Jazz Club & Cafe shutdown. The owner admitted he’s been trying to sell the place for the past four years, apparently he finally sold it to a brewery.  In Oakhurst, popular Grocery Discount Center shutting down in August. It’s blamed on the death of one of the owners. Locals say the business will be missed: “I have watched them feed the poor, pray for the hurting … it’s like a family here …”-Debra Burnett

Haggen began laying off 8-hundred employees and cutting work hours for the rest, after taking over 83 California grocery stores from the recently created Albertsons-Safeway (a total of 146 Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions and Safeway stores across the country were sold to Haggen as part of the Albertsons Safeway merger)! Grocery industry analysts say get ready for more changes from Haggen: “This is the biggest conversion in Southern California or anywhere else in the last 15 to 20 years. It’s going to be evolutionary to go through the transition and correct the pricing and everything else that comes up.”-Burt Flickinger 3rd, Strategic Resource Group

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) has revealed that Washington based grocer Haggen drastically reduced working hours for hundreds of cashiers.  In San Jose, after 33 years Sousa’s Restaurant shutdown, the 73 years old owner sold out to property developers. The city of Garden Grove shutting down Joe’s Italian Ice by August. The city owns the land has has sold out to a hotel developer! In Berkeley, after 40 years Nabolom Collective Bakery shutdown without explanation.

Connecticut: In East Hampton, popular restaurant Governor’s Tavern shutdown due to water problems that an uncoperative landlord won’t fix.   After 32 years the Red Barn Restaurant shutdown, no explanation.  After two years the owner of S&S Sweet Treats shutting down her Torrington ice cream shop in September: “Essentially there is a lack of support for small businesses and a small business simply cannot exist without its community’s support.”-Tina Pesillo

After 15 years The Stone House restaurant shutdown due to “Recently, we lost one of our dearest shareholders. This loss has affected some of us greatly, and between the hardships we suffered and this loss, the opportunity that was presented by the unsolicited offer came at a time when some of us needed to rethink our lives and priorities.”-Dolores and Jim Quinlivan, owners

Stone House Restaurant shutdown after being bought out by the non-profit Rothberg Institute: “We were just going about our day-to-day operations when a realtor said someone was interested in buying this building. We weren’t actively thinking about selling, but this was an opportunity for us to get out before another storm hit and we were left with nothing.”-Peter Hamme, co-owner

Delaware:  Pike Creek Coffee Roasterie announced that “Due to increasing health concerns of the owner, we are scaling back our business…”.  The now bankrupt A&P grocery chain will shutdown two Delaware stores.  Casino Dover Downs revealed it eliminated 48 jobs over the past three months, twice what it originally claimed: “When we cut those table games, it had a domino effect. We ended up not needing food and beverage workers, valet operators and other jobs that provided services during that same time period.”-Denis McGlynn, ceo

Florida: In Miami Beach, the restaurant L’echon Brasserie ended its Hilton Cabana Hotel operation.  After 70 years Fox’s Lounge (aka Fox’s Sharron Inn) shutting down, property speculators are tearing it down to build a hotel.  Restaurant Dockside Dave’s on Gulf Boulevard in Saint Pete Beach shutdown. Reports say the bad economy was making it difficult for the owners to run two restaurants.  Vizen sushi restaurant shutdown. Critics said it was good but too expensive. Moore’s Stonecrab shutdown, reports say a new restaurant will open, a year and a half from now!  In Lake Park, the only Dunkin’ Donuts with waitresses shutting down. The 53 years old uniquely rebelious Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant also served burgers-n-hot dogs and other things the other Dunkin’ Donuts joints don’t serve, but corporate communist weenie heads cracked down and are forcing it to turn into a plane ol’ boring Dunkin’ Donuts shop. In Tallahassee, after 30 years Tally’s Grille shutdown without warning, loyal customers lamented “We just came here for regular breakfast and saw the sign on the door. …don’t know what we’re going to do now!”

Georgia: In Columbus, after 20 years Millie’s International Market shutting down due to the owner’s health problems.  Restaurant Timone’s shutdown: “Unfortunately, we’ve arrived at a tough crossroads, and I’ve decided to close Timone’s.”-Ron Eyester

Idaho: “We dodged a bullet last year. But we’re not going to dodge it this year. We’re going to go down.” so says southeast Idaho economist Ben Eborn who warns that the strong USD and 15 years long drought might finally kill off Idaho’s farmers.   In an unprecedented move, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared more than 90% of Idaho’s 44 counties to be food production disaster areas because of the 15 years long drought! Never has the USDA declared an entire state a disaster area!   Clearwater County declaring a state of emergency as the 15 years long drought has killed off 66.67% of the local wheat crop!  The Idaho Barley Commission is asking other barely production states to unite to fight growing problems with the growing, selling and transportation of the crop.  Idaho is the largest producer of barely in the United States.  Idaho sees growing transportation costs hindering the competitiveness of U.S. barely and wants investments to “ensuring a more competitive transportation infrastructure to move barley and malt more competitively to markets across the country and in neighboring markets in Latin America.”  In eastern Idaho participating farmers (a little more than 20) in the Thresher Artisan Wheat sustainability program reporting good results; 17% more bushels of winter wheat per acre than farms not in the program. 18% less energy used (fertilizer, electricity, fuel). Improved water efficiency by 17% and reduced greenhouse gases by 19%.  General Mills started the program and reports say corporate farmer Simplot will join the program.  In Meridian, after 26 years Miss Tami’s restaurant shutting down. The owner said the economy is forcing them to scale down to a catering/drive thru operation only.  In Ketchum, after less than five years Main Street Market grocery store shutting down in August. The operators blame escalating rent: “The original five-year lease term is ending, and it did not make sense to extend the lease for the required seven-year commitment.”

The state Department of Labor reports that personal farm income fell 18%, and profits crashed 23% from the end of 2014! Economists say expect more crashing & burning: “We’re looking at soft prices for every crop in the state basically, except for beef. Cash receipts will be way, way down this year.”-Garth Taylor, University of Idaho

Illinois:  Decatur based container shipper Trans Coastal Supply blaming GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) corn for forcing it into chapter 11 bankruptcy. Last year massive shipments of GMO corn from the U.S. were rejected by China, costing Trans Coastal Supply big money. They tried to sue the Switzerland based company that made the GMO corn. The 2014 lawsuit alleged that U.S. farmers, who grow corn for China, were sold the GMO corn by Syngenta even though China bans GMO corn.  Farm vehicle maker Deere (formerly known as John Deere) continues to eliminate jobs. This time 160 people in Moline were rendered jobless without warning! It’s being called an “inventory adjustment shutdown”. Administrators say sales continue to crash, and they expect sales to continue to crash for the rest of the year. In Chicago, events organizer Red Frog Events laid off 29 employees. It’s connected to their takeover of D.J. National Food Service.  General Mills shutting down their West Chicago food factory by 2017, at least 5-hundred jobs lost! This will be the 3rd General Mills factory in West Chicago to shutdown! It’s part of their Project Century plan to deal with crashing sales. Unionized employees said “…it’s all about money now.”  Cyrano’s Farm Kitchen has been sold and will shutdown in August, the now former owner saying “I just need to move on.”  In Peoria, “After more than 30 years of creating ‘smiles made from scratch’ for central Illinois, our last day of operation will be July 11.”Apple’s Bakery   In Skokie, after 50 years Jack’s Restaurant shutdown, the property is being sold so the owner can retire.  The Bunge North America grain elevator in Fulton shutting down by the end of the month: “Fulton requires a significant investment in its barge loading equipment to keep it operating effectively. It would not be cost effective to make the upgrade based on market conditions…”-Deb Seidel

Deerfield based food conglomerate Mondelez International announced it will eliminate 6-hundred jobs in Chicago, as part of a new round of $130-million USD in ‘investments’ into “…four state-of-the-art manufacturing lines — ‘Lines of the Future’ — at….Salinas, Mexico.” In other words, automated bakeries.  In Joliet, Glasscock Farm shutdown their corn growing ops. The owner said he had to sell most of the property as a matter economic survival: “…I sold the land at 125 times what my father paid for it back in 1959, and now I have an inheritance to put food on the table.”-Scott Glasscock

Indiana:  In South Bend, pasta restaurant Ciao’s shutting down, the owner doesn’t know what he’s going to do.  In Fort Wayne, after 39 years Abby Brown’s Candy Shoppe shutting down in August, due to the death of one of the co-owners. Dean Foods (aka Dean’s) issued a WARN saying it will shutdown its Rochester factory, 138 jobs lost in October!  58 years old Double 8 grocery chain shutdown its four grocery stores without warning: “…got a phone call at 6:09 telling me there was no need to come to work.”-Janice Anderson, former employee

“…we have Closed All of our Stores today, Thursday, July 23, 2015……Unfortunately, our declining revenues was too much of a challenge to overcome.”-Double 8 statement

Iowa: News reports out of Des Moines report skyrocketing egg prices, and turkey shortages, due to the H5N2 bird flu. Grocery chains Hy-Vee and Fareway report that while turkey prices are steady supply is crashing, forcing them to ration: “We just receive a percentage of what we normally get, then we allocate that out to our stores.”-John Turner, Fareway Stores

The price of eggs in grocery stores have tripled, and at restaurants diners are paying an average of 25 cents more per egg. One restaurant owner said the high price of eggs has jacked up the cost of making pancakes by $1,200 USD, per week: “It’s really starting to get pricey. We hope it will be a short-lived situation.”-David “Stoney” Stone, Waveland Cafe

Kansas: After less than one year the new owners of two years old YOLO Grill shutting it down because “…YOLO Grill hasn’t had the volume to support itself…”  In Manhattan, the country’s oldest Pizza Hut shutdown after 55 years due to crashing sales. The franchise owner lamented “…in 1960….No one here even knew what a pizza was! Imagine that! But I don’t think I would have guessed how big Pizza Hut ….would get either.” 

After 22 years Bella Luna Cafe shutdown. It’s being blamed on a recent death in the family and trying to run three restaurants at one time: “It’s not about money for me. It’s about being happy, and I’m not happy…”– Matteo Taha 

Kentucky: Bankrupt food producer Gourmet Express was sold off, and now their Muhlenberg County factory is shutdown, at least 81 jobs lost.  In Benton, after 40 years the King Brothers grocery store shutdown. Green Market Regional Food Co-op shutdown in Glascow: “…there’s just not enough people who are interested in this who are willing to pay the little extra it is to get it here in Glasgow. The people who have the money drive to Nashville or to Louisville and go to Whole Foods.”-Mary Stockler, co-op volunteer

Maine: A 45 years old Arby’s roast beef sandwich shop shutting down in Bangor, 20 jobs lost. There are now only five Arby’s in Maine. In Bath, after 57 years Gilmore’s Seafood shutdown, the owner forced to sell the property and blames the bad economy: “…it’s not been as good was it was in the late 80′s early 90′s….nowadays, it’s not the same. A two month gig in July and August, and the rest of the year isn’t that great.”-Ben Gilmore

Maryland:  In Gaitherburg, Largent’s restaurant shutdown, the chef blamed “a variety of reasons”.  After seven years restaurant Clementine shutdown. The co-owner said she’s focusing on catering only because it’s not a good time to run a restaurant: “…is the toughest business ever. It’s really, really, really hard. There are just so many moving parts, and we’re working so many hours. And our events schedule has really been picking up. You start to ask yourselves, ‘What’s going to give?’”-Cristin Dadant

Massachusetts: In Wayland, J.J. Mckay’s restaurant and Beyond Beans bakery shutdown.  In Hamilton, after six years Winfrey’s Fudge & Chocolates shutdown “…due to the lack of parking and foot traffic.”  In Somerville, after 46 years Johnny D’s Uptown Restaurant and Music Club shutting down by 2016. The owner wants to ‘repurpose’ the property as a mixed retail-residential building.

Michigan: In Kalamazoo, sandwich shop Panini Express shutting down their City Center drive thru window because it “was hindering opportunities to expanded production for larger groups.”  The Royal Park Hotel’s 11 years old Brookshire restaurant shutdown, because it became “passé”. 

Minnesota: Golden Valley based food producer General Mills revealed Project Century, a plan to shutdown dozens of factories and eliminate 2-thousand 5-hundred jobs! General Mills also runs Project Catalyst, which has eliminated 8-hundred ‘white-collar’ jobs! Just last month General Mills announced a new Project Compass which will eliminate 725 jobs over the next 12 months, and is in edition to the other two projects!  In Saint Paul, after 30 years the 7th Street Tavern shutting down by the end of the month. It’s blamed on crashing sales due to crashing customer traffic at the mini-mall location. Near Hastings, after about 60 years The Point restaurant shutdown. It’s been sold to convenience store/gas station operator SSG, who already owns the surrounding land.

Mississippi:  In Hattiesburg, after 30 years restaurant Cuco’s shutting down in August. The owner blames a 2012 shooting incident which scared off customers, plus increased competition: “The shooting completely destroyed my business…..The other reason is that there’s so many other Mexican restaurants in town….I haven’t made any money on this place in a couple of years….I’ve been putting my retirement money in it, too.”-Ricardo Mussiett

Missouri: Canadian news reports revealed that Kansas City based Kansas City Southern Railway will layoff at least 110 people!  It’s blamed on crashing shipments for the oil and agricultural industries.  Bermuda based Bunge shutting down its cooking oil packaging factory in Bradley by 2016, about 210 jobs lost! Administrators are consolidating operations.  General Mills shutting down their Joplin food factory, 120 jobs lost! It’s part of their Project Century plan to deal with crashing sales.

Montana: The USDA designated 15 counties as disaster areas due to the drought.

Nebraska: Be’ne Pizza and Pasta shutting down after 14 years.   Canadian news reports revealed that Omaha based Union Pacific Railroad will furlough at least 1-thousand employees! Union Pacific is the largest U.S. railroad operator by sales. The Canadian news reports said it wasn’t just Union Pacific but several railroad companies across North America will be eliminating jobs due to crashing sales caused by the oil and agricultural industries: “The whole market is surprised at the rapid plunge….The challenge is trying to align the size of the network in real time with demand that’s shifting in surprising ways.”-Keith Schoonmaker, Morningstar railroad analyst

Nevada: Haggen announced an undisclosed number of layoffs across their Silver State operations, due to “unprecedented” competition.  Grocer Fresh & Easy shutting down three stores in the Las Vegas metro area, by the beginning of August.

New Jersey: Dale and Thomas Popcorn issued a WARN saying they will shutdown their Englewood popcorn factory in August, the remaining 53 jobs lost. 56 employees were laid off a few months ago, the company is moving operations to Indiana.  37 years old Park and Orchard restaurant sold off and will eventually be shutdown by new owner.  Food flavor additive maker Frutarom shutting down their North Bergen operations by August, 50 jobs lost. It’s blamed on the millions of dollars spent taking over British empire United Kingdom company FoodBlenders and Belgian company Taiga International.  The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) issued multiple WARNs saying eight Pathmark grocery stores will shutdown by September, a total of 867 jobs lost!  Montvale based Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) now chapter 11 bankrupt busted (again) and will shutdown at least 25 stores and sell-off at least 120. The Montvale HQ building was put up for sale back in January.

New York:  The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) issued multiple WARNs saying two Pathmark and three Waldbaums grocery stores will shutdown by November, a total of 472 food jobs lost in time for Thanksgiving!  Gold’s Pure Food Products has sold-off its assets in Hempstead Village, 55 people laid off.   After creating 40 jobs in the Rochester area, booze seller Constellation Brands laid off at least 11 people.  In Canandaigua, Wade’s Market Center issued a shutdown WARN for September, 133 grocery jobs lost!  In Brooklyn, after seven years the owner of restaurant Char No 4 announced they will shutdown, but didn’t explain why.  After 13 years the Lit Lounge will shutdown by September, one co-owner blames Millennials who “don’t go out”.  Turns out one grocer in The Big Apple is a Big Liar, but finally admitted to overcharging customers.  Whole Foods Markets had gained the nickname Whole Paycheck because of their outrageous prices (it’s amazing that sheeple NYCers shopped there at all) and the executives in charge revealed that yes indeed they were overcharging  customers.  But don’t give those A-Holes a break, they called the overcharging “mistakes” and would have never admitted to it if it weren’t for the fact they were being investigated by the city’s Department of Consumer Affairs, who called it “the worst case of overcharges that they have ever seen.”  And to top things, those evil Whole Foods Market execs went as far as to imply blame on their employees by saying employees will be retrained in proper pricing of food!  The Department of Consumer Affairs also revealed that 77% of grocery stores in NYC are overcharging customers in some way, but since 2010 NYC has chalked up 8-hundred violations against Whole Foods Market, way more than any other grocery chain.  Yeah right Whole Paycheck-Whole Foods, overcharging customers since 2010 is not the result of “mistakes”.   The Commerce restaurant shutdown due to legal battles with the landlord. Seafood restaurant Barchetta shutdown. The Whiskey Soda Lounge shutdown due to “the fact it never really caught on”.  In Staten Island, after 54 years restaurant supplier Twin Supply blaming the internet for the demise of their last brick-n-mortar store. The owners should know, they began switching to internet sales in 2000: “In 2002 we took our trucks off the road, we sold two buildings and began to concentrate on the web. A lot of major corporations, and major hospitals are our customers.” 

Restaurant Associates issued a shutdown WARN saying 84 people will become unemployed by September due to loss of food service contract with Credit Suisse due to “Building Renovations”.  Restaurant Associates issued a shutdown WARN saying 32 people will become unemployed by September due to loss of food service contract with The Brooklyn Museum. Depalino Restaurant Corporation is shutting down their City Crab and Seafood Company in August, 73 jobs lost.  In Lockport, Donna Eick’s Restaurant shutting down, the family will focus on catering only.  In Manhattan, Bis.Co.Latte shutdown their brick-n-mortar store, blaming greedy property owners jacking up the rent by more than 35%! Their handmade biscotti is still available over the internet.  In Bushwick, the owners of Cain’s Tavern say they have to shutdown due to greedy landlord ( Cayuga Capital Management) jacking up the rent by an amazing 500% (something the landlord denies)! In NYC, after 23 years ‘biker bar’ (some reports call it a honky-tonk bar) Hogs & Heifers shutdown by the greedy landlord who jacked up the rent: “That is just not tenable for a business like Hogs and Heifers. I sell Pabst Blue Ribbon for $3. I still sell beer for $5 or $6. I am not a business that can sell a bottle of beer for $12 and margaritas for $15.”-Michelle Dell, owner

North Carolina: Harris Teeter shutting down their Monroe grocery store before the end of August, administrators calling it a “strategic” decision.

Ohio: Remke Markets announced they will not renew their lease on their Westwood neighborhood grocery store, 63 jobs lost by October. The two Canton Walmarts are ending their 24 hours shopping experience and will close for six hours every night. Overnight cashiers will be looking for new jobs.  On Buckeye Lake, both The Copper Penny and the Sailor Joe’s restaurants shutting down. The owner blames it on crashing water levels in the channels that feed the lake, caused by state administrators who supposedly did it to make repairs to a dam. The owner regrets buying the restaurants just a few years ago: “They didn’t take away just the boating; they’re messing with people’s lives!….80% of our business is boats…”-Jeff Reed

After two years Crazy Mango Bar and Bistro shutdown. The restaurant was located in a plaza known as The Greene, which has become a revolving door for dozens of failed restaurants.  In Cleveland, the owners of Indigo Imp Brewery announced “After months of analysis and discussions, we have decided to close Indigo Imp Brewery. … As many fans have noticed, bottles of Indigo Imp have been difficult to find for the last few months. … We have determined that the personal effort and investment required to sustain and grow the business is increasingly in conflict with our family life and personal goals.”

Oregon: In Hillsboro, Baker’s Burgers shutdown because fuel station operator Cain Petroleum Chevron needs the land.  The USDA designated at least seven counties as disaster areas due to the drought.  State administrators banned fishing of sturgeon, salmon, steelhead and trout due to dozens of mystery deaths.  Researchers suspect the deaths are caused by low oxygen in the water and an explosion of the bacteria columnaris, both caused by the drought.

Pennsylvania: Non-profit Channels Food Rescue shutting down because “it is not a viable, sustainable business model any more”, according to executive director Vicki DiSylvester.  The now bankrupt A&P grocery chain will shutdown eight Pennsylvania stores. A local TV station interviewed people about what they thought, many said they thought the A&P grocery prices were too high. In Berwyn, the Pathmark grocery store is shutting down. In Kennett Square, the Super Fresh grocery store is shutting down.  After 32 years Dunning’s Grill shutdown. Restaurant Isabela shutdown due to family health problems.  In Reading, Giant Food Stores shutting down its Rockland Plaza store in August, 90 jobs lost. Administrators say the crashing economy cannot support all their Reading area stores.  It’s been revealed that at the end of June Mondelez International quietly shutdown their Roosevelt Boulevard and Byberry Road bakery, eliminating 350 jobs overnight! Mondelez International makes iconic products for Nabisco, Standard Brands and Kraft. The massive bakery is now for sale. In Lansdowne, after 85 years the Mar-Win Market grocery store shutdown, 35 jobs lost: “It’s definitely the economy. Everybody’s trying to watch their pennies…..It’s a multitude of everything.”-Kirk Fuessinger, owner

Rhode Island: After 39 years restaurant Rue de L’Espoir up for sale so the owner can retire.  In Woonsocket, J’s Deli shutdown due to lack of employees, despite the fact the owner pays more than minimum wage: “Due to our repeated unsuccessful efforts to hire a full team of quality associates to join us at this location of J’s Deli, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend operations at this location only.”-sign on door

South Carolina: The Myrtle Beach Walmart is ending it’s 24 hours shopping experience and will close for six hours every night. Overnight cashiers will be looking for new work.  In Charleston, after eight years Social Restaurant & Wine Bar being replaced by a restaurant targeting old fogy tourists: “The dynamic of this neighborhood has changed drastically. We’ve lost our late night. We’ve lost the younger crowd that helped keep the lights on. East Bay now has an older demographic that’s more touristy.”-Brad Ball, owner

Tennessee: After 36 years the Stock-Yard restaurant shutdown.  In Hermitage, after 65 years Benson’s Market shutdown: “It’s just time that I got out of the business. It’s a tough business to be in right now.”-Richard Benson

Texas:  In Dallas, World of Beer on SMU Boulevard shutdown. Black-eyed Pea in Preston Center shutdown, employees blame lack of parking for customers. In Arlington, Olenjacks restaurant shutdown. In Deep Ellum, BBQ joint Mama Faye’s shutdown. In Plano, after 117 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Vincent’s Seafood restaurant shutdown. The owner blames steadily declining sales over the past few years.  After 26 years Austin based restaurant chain Z’Tejas now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. The company is in debt by $9.3-million, and even owes the city of Austin more than $17-thousand for utilities! Administrators say they hope to sell-off their Cornbread Ventures, if they can’t then they’re shutting it all down forever! Canadian news reports revealed that Forth Worth based Warren Buffet owned BNSF Railway laid off an undisclosed number of employees, due to crashing sales caused by the oil and agricultural industries. BNSF is the second largest U.S. rail operator by sales.  In the wealthy area known as North Dallas, The Dog Stop hot dog joint shutdown: “My lease is up and the landlords want to tear down this building. I don’t know where I am going to go after this. I put a sign in the window and people are very sad. They love to drive through with their kids. I didn’t know how much they cared until now.”-Yon Kim, owner of 13 years old hot dog eatery

Vermont: In Shelburne, Archie’s Grill shutdown, the owner sold out to Dunkin’ Donuts saying “It’s about me and my family, that’s what’s first.”

Virginia: Colorado based canning supply company Ball announced it will shutdown its Bristol factory by the first half of 2016, about 230 jobs lost! Ball Corporation joins dozens of other companies consolidating their operations in preparation for more economic crashing & burning.

Washington: The USDA designated 18 counties natural disaster areas due to the drought.  Ag experts with Washington State University‘s agricultural program are warning that the extreme dry heat is shriveling the grains of wheat and barely, which will force farmers to sell their crops at a loss.  Penryn Farm U-Pick berry farm shutting down because the evil insurance industry (specifically State Farm) threatened to cancel their home insurance. State Farm has labeled the hobby farm (which doesn’t make enough money to cover the actual costs of growing the berries) a “business” and wants the owners to pay for more costly business insurance. In West Seattle, Eats Market Café being shutdown by Westwood Village Mall management: “The mall management has decided not to renew my lease. This is a huge loss not just for me but for my wonderful staff and for all of you, my favorite customers. We have all become a family over the last 10 years and it truly breaks my heart to have to say goodbye.”-Toby Matasar

Wisconsin: In Superior, after 16 years Joe’s Pagoda restaurant shutdown.  And Too Big to Jail banks forcing Norm’s Beer & Brats to shutdown by refusing to renew the mortgage (debt financing). The owner hopes to find a new location.  Once again food producer ConAgra killing jobs, this time they’re shutting down one of their two Ripon cookie factories, 285 jobs lost by the end of the year! In Greenfield, Doctor Dawg restaurant shutdown.  After nine years the Tulip Restaurant shutdown.

“If we weren’t a food desert before, we certainly are now!” 

Farmers told to “dispose” of crops if hit by floods! Against federal law to sell flooded vegetables! 

Drought turning fresh water poisonous, lake water killing pet dogs! 

U.S. Food Crisis, June 2015: “…there’s not a light at the end of the tunnel anymore.” 

“The whole market is surprised at the rapid plunge…” Union Pacific, BNSF & Ford to kill thousands of jobs! Micron turning Chinese?: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 15 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alaska: Maxine’s Firewood Bistro shutdown, an unnamed employee said the owners were moving to a new location.

California: Florida owned San Mateo based 11 Main internet selling site eliminating about 150 jobs!  11 main was once owned by China’s Alibaba, who sold it to Harris Corporation’s OpenSky last month.  Unnamed 11 Main employees report that the San Mateo HQ is shutting down.  Prior to the Alibaba sale of 11 Main to OpenSky, Alibaba laid off dozens of people at 11 Main as well as U.S. subsidiaries Auctiva and Vendio.  San Diego County has decided to shutdown its child prison known as the Juvenile Ranch Facility in Campo.  The good news is that administrators blame a lack of child prisoners (but really they’re trying to save $700-thousand USD per year in operating costs).  In Napa, Fagiani’s Bar and The Thomas Restaurant shutdown to make room for a New York based property developer’s bigger restaurant.  In Half Moon Bay, after 40 years the Bay Book store shutdown.

Connecticut: After two years the owner of S&S Sweet Treats shutting down her Torrington ice cream shop in September: “Essentially there is a lack of support for small businesses and a small business simply cannot exist without its community’s support.”-Tina Pesillo

Florida: Triangle Service of South Florida apparently lost their trash contract with the Tampa International Airport, they issued a WARN saying 249 jobs will be lost by the end of September!  The Red Cross shutting down their West Bradenton ops and consolidating to Lakewood Ranch.  In Sarasota, for the second time in as many years the Oriental Buffet shutdown for failing health inspections.   Florida has had a spat of restaurant shutdowns due to health code violations.  Vero Beach based Piper Aircraft announced “As a direct result of the slowdown in sales, Piper Aircraft….will require that the current workforce be reduced. While the total number of impacted employees is not yet confirmed, the company expects that the reduction will involve approximately 15 percent to 20 percent of the current workforce.”

Hawaii: After eight years Hank’s Haute Dogs will shutdown in August.

Idaho: Boise based micro chip maker Micron is about to be sold-off.  The potential buyer is China’s Tsinghua Unigroup, which is offering $23-billion for the troubled company.  If Micron agrees the deal must be accepted by the Committee on Foreign Investment.   In Meridian, after 26 years Miss Tami’s restaurant shutting down.  The owner said the economy is forcing them to scale down to a catering/drive thru operation only.  Payette County administrators have a plan to take advantage of neighboring Oregon’s new legalized marijuana; instead of jailing pot heads that cross the border into Idaho they simply fine them.  They save money by not packing their county jail full of weedies, and they’ll make money off the thousands of fines they expect to collect.

Iowa: Interstate Power and Light-Alliant Energy could shutdown five coal fired electricity generating power plants, hundreds of jobs lost!  Iowa’s second largest electricity maker must also spend $7-million in pollution controls on other coal plants, or switching to natural gas. It’s the result of being fined by the U.S. EPA and Department of Justice for violating pollution regulations.

Kansas: Wichita State University shutting down their 35 years old Lake Afton Public Observatory in August, due to lack of funding.  Also, the number of people who look to the stars has crashed by 50% compared to public attendance when it first opened in 1981.

Louisiana: News reports say that presidential hopeful gov’na Bobby Jindal killed 8,442 state classified jobs since he became gov’na in 2008!   That number does not include unclassified positions that were also eliminated.

Maine: After 28 years Videoport shutting down, owner Bill Duggan said “We can’t raise prices anymore, because of competition, so it’s hard to keep up with costs.”

Michigan: What auto industry recovery?  Despite reporting profits Ford is threatening to shutdown its massive factory in Wayne and move production of C-Max trucks and Focus cars to Mexico, 4-thousand jobs could be lost!

Minnesota: South African based Sappi Fine Paper shutting down their Cloquet paper mill for a one week furlough “Due to global market conditions…”.   In 2014 Sappi eliminated 110 U.S. jobs!

Missouri: Canadian news reports revealed that Kansas City based Kansas City Southern Railway will layoff at least 110 people!  Women’s homeless shelter Shalom House shutting down and being sold-off after 47 years.  Administrators blame crashing donations for forcing them to abandon 4-hundred women!

Nebraska: Canadian news reports revealed that Omaha based Union Pacific Railroad will furlough at least 1-thousand employees!  Union Pacific is the largest U.S. railroad operator by sales.  The Canadian news reports said it wasn’t just Union Pacific but several railroad companies across North America will be eliminating jobs due to crashing sales caused by the oil and agricultural industries: “The whole market is surprised at the rapid plunge, especially in coal volumes. The challenge is trying to align the size of the network in real time with demand that’s shifting in surprising ways.”-Keith Schoonmaker, Morningstar railroad analyst

Nevada: In Reno, clothiers Gap and Ann Taylor shutting down in The Summit Mall.  The Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority eliminating 45 jobs as it switches to contractors to do the work, in an attempt to close a $1.8-million shortfall.

New Jersey: God refuses to stop ‘his’ 54 years old Mount Laurel Monastery from shutting down. Monks say it’s due to lack of work, however, local journalists discovered the property has been zoned for residential use and valued at $1.3-million, and church administrators had conducted an audit of assets on the property. Sounds like the false christians are about to sell their souls, I mean property for money.  Food flavor additive maker Frutarom shutting down their North Bergen operations by August, 50 jobs lost.  It’s blamed on the millions of dollars spent taking over British empire United Kingdom company FoodBlenders and Belgian company  Taiga International.  Sears Holdings announced the Vineland Kmart will shutdown in October, 74 jobs lost.  In the land of presidential candidate gov’na Chris Christie, the state Supreme Court revealed it is truly an economically Failed State and gave local governments the go-ahead to eliminate union jobs at will: “….municipalities acted for reasons of economy based on municipal fiscal distress existing at the time, rendering the management choice to use a temporary or permanent layoff solution one that constituted a managerial prerogative not subject to negotiation.”-Jaynee LaVecchia, Supreme Court judge

New York: NYC based drugs pusher Pfizer is shutting down their 50 years old drugs factory in Navi Mumbai/Thane, India. Company administrators revealed they halted drugs production at the factory back in 2013, affecting at least 212 jobs!  Reports reveal that the computer crash at the New York Stock Exchange might have been caused by the mass layoffs made by the new owner of the NYSE.  In 2012 InterContinental Exchange (ICE) took over the NYSE, and some reports say as many as 8-hundred people were laid off, including many techies!  NYC based IBT Media owned Newsweek will end its European hard copy publication just 18 months after it started!  Newsweek’s Europe/Middle East/Africa edition will apparently be edited in NYC instead of London, U.K.: “We felt that this was an important moment to create a more unified editorial platform…”-IBT Media

North Carolina: ObamaCare forcing Winston-Salem based Novant Health to layoff 4-hundred people!  Administrators said Novant Health is “financially healthy and strong today” but that ongoing “declining reimbursements and many other challenges” caused by ObamaCare are forcing them to re-organize.

North Dakota: In Fargo, Metro Drugs shutting down by the end of the month, blaming crashing sales despite the recent oil boom that skyrocketed the population.

Ohio: Yet another Mitt Romney wunderkind Staples store shutting down, this time in Moraine.  It’s preparation for the pending merger of Staples and Office Depot.  Staples will shutdown a total of 225 stores while Office Depot will shutdown 135, by the end of the year!

Texas:  Canadian news reports revealed that Forth Worth based Warren Buffet owned BNSF Railway laid off an undisclosed number of employees, due to crashing sales caused by the oil and agricultural industries.  BNSF is the second largest U.S. rail operator by sales.

Utah: In Logan, the World’s biggest maker of fitness equipment Icon Fitness & Health will layoff 4-hundred people by October!  Administrators blame competition and crashing profits.  Local news reports say local police were called to the factory before the announcement was made, as part of factory production was suddenly shutdown.

Virginia: In Portsmouth, the civil war between the Sheriff and the Courthouse is ramping up.  A few months ago the Sheriff was reprimanded for trying to hoist the U.S. flag on the Courthouse property.  Then the Sheriff was forced to layoff 25 deputies, so he chose those deputies who specifically handle Courthouse security.  The result is long lines of citizens trying to get into the Courthouse to conduct legal business.

Washington: So much for legalized pot!  The city of Seattle has created new licensing laws that will result in dozens of marijuana shops being shutdown!  It sounds likes city administrators aren’t happy with the explosion of new ganja shops since 2013, and neither are the owners of several ganja shops that opened prior to 2013 (guess they can’t handle the competition).  On top of that, King County administrators revealed they’ve shutdown 15 marijuana shops in the past few weeks!

Wisconsin: In Milwaukee, after two years the now bankrupt Blue Jacket restaurant shutting down in ten days, their chef already quit.     In Sturgeon Bay, God refuses to stop ‘his’ United Methodist Church’s addict recovery Kimberly House from shutting down.  It’s blamed on crashing donations, and crashing funding from United Way.  The city of Madison warned of mass layoffs due to a shortfall of $7.9-million: “Unfortunately because of the situation we’re in, it’s really going to be incumbent upon people to focus on what they want to retain in terms of city services and city programs rather than exploring new areas.”-Paul Soglin, mayor

14 July 2015: “I sold the land…to put food on the table.”

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.” 

“I sold the land…to put food on the table.” California company to kill 4,000 jobs! VA to close more hospitals!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 14 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama: Sears Holdings announced the Bel Air Mall Sears Store and Auto Center will shutdown between August and September, more than 100 jobs lost!

Arkansas: Jefferson County going the way of Greece, announcing that they will barley be able to pay their employees for work in July.  County administrators warned that layoffs for ten employees are coming due to crashing tax revenues.  Administrators blame their own dumb-ass department heads for ignoring a hiring freeze ordered two years ago: “Now we are in a tough situation.”-Dutch King, County Judge

California: In Sacramento, after almost 100 years Porter-Sprague Auto Shop shutdown.  The owner’s secret for success is “good vodka.”  In Fullerton, after 20 years Steamers Jazz Club & Cafe shutdown. The owner admitted he’s been trying to sell the place for the past four years, apparently he finally sold it to a brewery. San Diego based semiconductor maker Qualcomm warned of massive layoffs; 4-thousand!  More details will be revealed by the end of the month.  Qualcomm eliminated 1-thousand 4-hundred jobs back in December!  It’s blamed on the crashing computer chip market.  City administrators of Atwater revealed that Sears Holdings will shutdown the Kmart in October.

Colorado: Business owners in Idaho Springs say construction work on Interstate 70 is killing their local economy.  Despite promises to have the road construction done in time for the tourist season, the road work is still ongoing, ever since Autumn 2014.   Local news reports say sales for Idaho Springs shop owners are down 60%!

Georgia: Shaw Industries shutting down their Augusta Evergreen Carpet recycling operations, 70 jobs affected.  Recycling ops are being moved to a new facility.

Idaho: In yet another example of failed state ‘lawmakers’ wasting taxpayer money, The Gem State now owes Syringa Wireless $930-thousand USD!  It’s connected to the controversial and now defunct Idaho Education Network scandal.   Syringa sued the state after being blocked from the IEN contract.  Of course state taxpayer funded lawyers are appealing the case, but wait there’s more!  Education Networks of America and Qwest Communications are demanding at least $6-million for unpaid work they did on the IEN project!  Idaho ‘lawmakers’ have a history of wasting millions of taxpayer funding on attorneys.  The Right to Work you over gov’na Butch Otter refused to comment.

Illinois:  In Chicago, Cyrano’s Farm Kitchen has been sold and will shutdown in August, the now former owner saying “I just need to move on.”  Obama regime stoogie Rahm Emanuel warns that Chicago Public Schools is facing another $60-million in cuts on top of the recently announced 1-thousand 4-hundred layoffs!  He said while 2-hundred schools are reporting student enrollment increases they’re being outpaced by a mass exodus of students at more than 4-hundred other CPS schools!  CPS is short $1-billion in taxpayer funding!  Also in Chicago, for-profit DeVry Education Group shutting down their office in September, 90 jobs lost.  The failing higher education outfit also returned $100-thousand of local taxpayer financing to the city.  After warnings from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union, it’s been revealed that Eastern Illinois University has not renewed contracts for at least 10 faculty members, and 26 contracted faculty members have not been given teaching assignments.  Three faculty members have had their hours cut in half.  In Joliet, Glasscock Farm shutdown their corn growing ops. The owner said he had to sell most of the property as a matter economic survival: “…I sold the land at 125 times what my father paid for it back in 1959, and now I have an inheritance to put food on the table.”-Scott Glasscock

Indiana: Dean Foods (aka Dean’s) issued a WARN saying it will shutdown its Rochester factory, 138 jobs lost in October!

Iowa:  In another example of Failed State-ism, state ‘lawmakers’ want to eliminate prison programs and conduct mass layoffs of prison personnel in order to save money, despite the fact an audit showed at least $1-million is wasted on perks for top prison managers!

Louisiana: In New Orleans, four Freret Street businesses shutdown; Freret Garden Center, Freret Auto Service Center, Jaques Clothing and Full Blossom Chic.

Massachusetts: JCPenney is shutting down their eight years old Natick Mall store in August, 95 jobs lost.

Michigan: Texas based Pier 1 Imports shutting down yet another store, this time in Genoa Township.  It’s part of their plan to eliminate at least 1-hundred stores in three years.

Minnesota: California based clothier Gap and Gap Kids shutting down their stores in the IDS Center.  It’s all part of their plan to shutdown 175 stores.

Missouri: Software company Answers Corporation eliminated 1-hundred jobs last week!  It was revealed by former employees. It’s the result of Answers’ takeover of Michigan tech company ForeSee.

Montana: Stillwater Mining laid off 11 employees.  It’s blamed on crashing prices of platinum and palladium.

New York: In Buffalo, California clothier Gap announced it will shutdown its 39 years old Boulevard Mall store.  Gap stores in Syracuse and Ithaca are also being shutdown.  The city of Tonawanda shutdown the Wheeler Street fire station.  Administrators hope their budget shortfall is temporary.  NYC based CBS Radio (formerly known as Infinity Broadcasting Corporation) eliminated 2-hundred jobs across its U.S. network, and the latest reports say more heads are gonna roll!  Some of the news reports I’ve read say radio personalities who’ve been on air for at least 20 years have been laid off, other reports said some of the stations affected are the top ranked in their market, yet I found no explanation for the mass layoffs.  Another report I read said CBS Radio has no massive debt, but might be prepping itself for sale, or station swap, to a company called Entercom.

North Carolina: Stokes County School Board voted to shutdown their Francisco Elementary School.  It’s blamed on what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome, enrollment is down to 50 students.

Pennsylvania: Consol Energy conducted a new round of layoffs.  The news is so new that it’s unknown how many people got canned this time.  Back in April 190 people lost their jobs!  Consol administrators also said that due to the Supreme Court’s ruling on ObamaCare they will end healthcare benefits for retired employees!  After 15 years the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network shutting down.  Local news reports said the Network didn’t explain why.

South Dakota: Printing company Midstates laid off 55 employees last week, blaming crashing sales.

Texas: Houston based Noble Energy (the company heavily involved in Israel’s Leviathan gas fields, which is the true cause of unrest in the region) announced it will shutdown the Rosetta Resources HQ, 306 jobs affected!   Noble Energy took over Rosetta Resources back in May.   Once California based but Germany owned Fireman’s Fund Insurance shutdown their Dallas office.  Local news reports say at one time their Ross Tower location employed 4-hundred people!  Fireman’s Fund was taken over by Germany’s Allianz in the 1990s. But since the implementation of ObamaCare, Allianz has been carving up and selling off Fireman’s Fund.

Virginia: Norfolk based Freedom Home & Electronics shutting down 11 stores near military bases.  The company targets military personnel.  Administrators blame increasing rents, and decreasing profit margins that cannot be offset by increasing sale volumes.

Washington: Spokane based Ambassadors Group shutting down by the end of 2015.  The travel company has been laying off employees for years now, last year they were down to 170.  Administrators blame it on crashing sales.

Washington DC: The Veterans Affairs announced it will shutdown more VA hospitals due to a lack of $2.5-billion in taxpayer funding.  VA administrators claim they’re forced to use $3-billion in Veterans Choice funding to make up the difference.

Wisconsin:  What construction industry recovery? After 38 years construction company TCI issued a WARN saying they’re done!  39 jobs already eliminated and more to come as the company shuts down in December.

13 July 2015: “prepare for a steady decline”

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.”

Idaho Republicans about to get the Ass Whoopin’ they deserve!

14 July 2015 (00:02 UTC-07 Tango 01)/23 Tir 1394/27 Ramadan 1436/29 Gui-Wie 4713

“…data showed 38 percent of Idahoans now identify as independent, compared to 32 percent who identify as Republican and 16 percent Democrats.”

According to a survey conducted by Idaho Politics Weekly, Idahoans who consider themselves independent of any political party now outnumber the formerly entrenched Right to Work you over Republicans.

Idaho became a Red State back in the early 1980s, and then became a Right to Work state.  If you do the research you’ll see a direct correlation between crashing wages and benefits and the Republican Right to Work you over employment laws.  Back in the 1980s Idahoans were promised by Republicans that going Right to Work would actually create more, and better paying jobs, the opposite happened.

Corporate & Polictical Evil: Right to Work laws have nearly destroyed Idaho’s economy! 

No “fairy tale ending” just an “Irish wake”! Texas college fires employees for revealing the truth? : U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 09 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: Despite obvious signs of a death spiral economy, the administrators of the Elk Grove Teen Center claim they’re shutting down because of a great economy!  News reports say 4-hundred poor teenagers take advantage of the program, but the administrators are now claiming they can’t justifiably stay open because those poor teenagers are no longer considered poor!? However, administrators also admitted that many of the poor teenagers that come to them for help are not part of the Elk Grove School District and therefore cannot be officially counted in their program!  After 31 years Video Journeys in Silver Lake shutdown:”…Video Journeys will not be getting a fairy-tale ending. The vibe in the place these days is akin to an Irish wake.”-The Hollywood Reporter

Florida: DS Services of America shutting down their Flowery Branch call center, an undisclosed number of people will be laid off as the company consolidates operations.  Local news reports said some employees knew back in April that they would lose their jobs, while others said it was a surprise.  After 70 years Fox’s Lounge (aka Fox’s Sharron Inn) shutting down, property speculators are tearing it down to build a hotel.

Georgia: In Valdosta, the Community Depot thrift store shutting down by the end of the month, blaming lack of community support (yeah, nobody has any money).

Hawaii: ObamaCare forcing the taxpayer funded Leahi Hospital and the taxpayer funded Maluhia Hospital to layoff 64 employees. Administrators said these layoffs, coupled with reducing the number of people seeking medical help, are their last resort in an attempt to prevent an all-out shutdown of the hospitals caused by drastic funding cuts: “We hope that the impacts for current patients will not be severe because we do hope that we will accomplish this by reducing new admissions.”-Linda Rosen, Hawaii Health Systems

Idaho: Liberty Publishers Service and Orbital Publishing have been banned from doing business in The Gem State.  The reason is that they are not ‘publishing’ companies but are debt collectors acting like magazine publishers!  They’ve operated under various names: Allied Publishers Services, Associated Publishers Network, Associated Publishers Services, Magazine Billing Network, Publishers Billing Association, Publishers Billing Exchange, Publishers Distribution Services, Publishers Periodical Services, Publishers Service Exchange and United Publishers Services.

Illinois: The Bunge North America grain elevator in Fulton shutting down by the end of the month: “Fulton requires a significant investment in its barge loading equipment to keep it operating effectively. It would not be cost effective to make the upgrade based on market conditions…”-Deb Seidel

Iowa: Berry Plastics continues its downward spiral, this time they’re shutting down their Iowa Falls factory, selling it to food producer Cargill.

New Jersey: 37 years old Park and Orchard restaurant sold off and will eventually be shutdown by new owner.

New York: Sterling National Bank issued layoff WARNs for at least 59 employees who will become jobless in October.  The Commerce restaurant shutdown due to legal battles with the landlord. Seafood restaurant Barchetta shutdown. The Whiskey Soda Lounge shutdown due to “the fact it never really caught on”.  Reports say Gameloft will shutdown their NYC office, 1-hundred jobs lost!  Company administrators refused to confirm, but did not deny the rumor.  In the Bronx, God refuses to stop ConEd from shutting down ‘his’ Greater Love Deliverance Center.  The pastor says that from May to June their utility bill went from $507.15 to $10,321.89!

North Carolina:  The Roanoke Rapids Staples store shutting down in August, it’s just par for the course with the Mitt Romney wunderkind : “As customers shift online, we are taking aggressive action to right-size our retail footprint.”  

Ohio: Texas based industrial pump maker National Oilwell Varco shutting down its Springfield ops, 150 jobs lost!  After 22 years the Duck Creek Antique Mall shutting down in August, 10 jobs lost and more than 1-hundred dealers affected, the owner blames the greedy landlord: “I felt the lease was too high. I love the land, but I’m not willing to put my own personal finances on the line.”-Ginger Dawson

Tennessee: In Hermitage, after 65 years Benson’s Market shutting down: “It’s just time that I got out of the business. It’s a tough business to be in right now.”-Richard Benson

Texas: Kilgore College contracting out their entire maintenance department, employees forced to retire early or be laid off, at least 40 jobs affected. Is it because maintenance employees went to state officials reporting that college administrators deliberately ordered violations of environmental laws?  Willacy County Judge Aurelio Guerra is warning of layoffs, position eliminations and benefit cuts due to the loss of $2.7-million in revenue caused by the shutdown of the county prison (which was caused by a prison uprising due to evil conditions).  The evil county is now relying on revenue loss insurance payments for money.  Hastings shutting down their College Station store, 30 jobs lost “due to store operating profit being less than required by management”.

Vermont: In Shelburne, Archie’s Grill shutdown, the owner sold out to Dunkin’ Donuts saying “It’s about me and my family, that’s what’s first.”

Virginia: Bristol based Alpha Coal (Alpha Natural Resources) revealed they are being sold-off and announced that in preparation 292 people will be laid off at coal mines in Kentucky and Virginia!  What construction industry recovery? In Shirlington, after 50 years ABC Distributors is shutting down their lumber yard by the end of summer: “It’s been a struggle, to be honest with you, in the last seven years to stay in business.”-Bernard Lynch

Washington: Joint Base Lewis McChord about to lose another 1,250 military personnel!  Since 2012, the Department of Defense has laid off 4,721 personnel from Joint Base Lewis McChord!  In West Seattle, Eats Market Café being shutdown by Westwood Village Mall management: “The mall management has decided not to renew my lease. This is a huge loss not just for me but for my wonderful staff and for all of you, my favorite customers. We have all become a family over the last 10 years and it truly breaks my heart to have to say goodbye.”-Toby Matasar

08 July 2015: “It’s out of our hands. We don’t call the shots.”

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.”

“…we lost money every single month….Short of winning the lottery, we just can no longer afford to stay open.” More massive ObamaCare cuts! : U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 04 – 07 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: In Modesto, God refused to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 32 years old Grace Lutheran School.  ‘Christian’ administrators admitted they were in so much debt that the current student enrollment couldn’t cover the church mortgage payments!  Los Angeles based American Apparel announced an undisclosed number of stores will be shutdown, and hundreds of employees laid off!  Administrators say they have to cut $30-million USD in costs, and they’re facing lawsuits from former executives. Costa Mesa based bankrupt busted home decor chain store Anna’s Linens announced all 2-hundred stores across the U.S. will shutdown!  In West Hollywood, after 41 years the French Quarter restaurant shutting down ‘officially’ for remodeling, but local news reports say the new owners might actually be tearing the whole thing down for some unknown construction project.

Connecticut: Major ObamaCare insurance provider Aetna has just announced $1-billion in cuts (jobs) between now and 2018! As I warned in earlier posts about insurance companies cornering the ObamaCare market by merging, it’s all connected to Aetna’s takeover of rival ObamaCare insurance provider Humana. Potentially thousands of jobs will be cut, and insurance rates will go up!  After 15 years The Stone House restaurant shutdown due to “Recently, we lost one of our dearest shareholders. This loss has affected some of us greatly, and between the hardships we suffered and this loss, the opportunity that was presented by the unsolicited offer came at a time when some of us needed to rethink our lives and priorities.”-Dolores and Jim Quinlivan, owners

Delaware: In Dover, after 14 years Bell, Book & Candle shutdown: “Like a lot of stores, we were hit by the financial downturn from 2007 to 2009 and never really recovered. Last year, we lost money every single month and that trend has continued this year. Short of winning the lottery, we just can no longer afford to stay open.”-Ivo Dominguez, co-owner

Georgia: In Columbus, after 20 years Millie’s International Market shutting down due to the owner’s health problems.

Idaho: The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis revealed that the net personal income for Idahoans in the 1st quarter of 2015 dropped by $500-million!  In Idaho the state ‘lawmakers’ have realized what idiots they are, especially after years of giving away hundreds of millions of tax dollars to lure foreign companies to Idaho, only to have most of them back out or fail, so now they’ve authorized the Department of Labor, and the Workforce Development Council, to offer a new “micro-grant” to train Idahoans for jobs within The Gem State.  However, the “community based teams” doing the training must be able to 100% match the funding, so good luck.    The Idaho Statesman has revealed that ObamaCare is actually raising healthcare prices in The Gem State through insurance and hospital mergers, which the healthcare system administrators claim is the only way they can survive the ObamaCare reimbursement cuts: “Size matters, and the objective of many hospitals and hospital systems is to get sufficiently big in a given geographic area so that you have leverage over the insurance company, because if you’re big enough, the insurance company needs your facilities in their network, because if they don’t have your facilities in their network, they can’t sell their product to the employers in town or the individuals in town.”– Paul Levy, a former hospital CEO

Illinois:  Taxpayer funded community action agencies and non-profit charities across the sorry-ass state began laying off 1-thousand 5-hundred employees due to drastic funding cuts! ‘Elected lawmakers’ basically said if you’re poor then go die!  What automotive industry recovery? Heavy vehicle maker Caterpillar continues to eliminate jobs due to crashing sales, this time a total of 45 employees are being laid off at their Pontiac factory.  In Peoria, “After more than 30 years of creating ‘smiles made from scratch’ for central Illinois, our last day of operation will be July 11.”Apple’s Bakery

Kansas: In Hiawatha, the Thriftway grocery store shutting down in the next three weeks.  Administrators blaming “competition is a big factor….We have had declining sales…”, at least 38 jobs lost. 

Kentucky: ObamaCare forced Nurses Registry and Home Health into chapter 11 bankruptcy.  Administrators say they are owed $1-million in Medicaid payments, about 65% of its average monthly revenue! 2-hundred jobs threatened, and 1,350 home healthcare patients affected!

Maine: After 22 years, the Biddeford Free Clinic shutting down in September, the operators say ever since ObamaCare went into effect the number of uninsured patients they see has crashed (they treat only uninsured people).   In Bath, after 57 years Gilmore’s Seafood shutdown, the owner forced to sell the property and blames the bad economy: “…it’s not been as good was it was in the late 80’s early 90’s….nowadays, it’s not the same. A two month gig in July and August, and the rest of the year isn’t that great.”-Ben Gilmore

Michigan: In Dearborn Heights, after 40 years Ken Baron’s Florist shutdown.

Missouri: Administrators with Mercy Springfield Communities directly blame ObamaCare for causing them to lose $30-million, thus forcing them to kill 127 healthcare jobs!  Administrators say the ObamaCare reimbursement cuts actually outpace the increase in their patient volume, meaning they’re doing more work for less money: “Continued implementation of cuts in the Affordable Care Act, cuts in Medicare reimbursement, a switch to value-based payments, and lack of Medicaid expansion in Missouri are among many reasons that the Springfield Communities will see at least $30 million less revenue in the coming year, despite taking care of more patients.”– Alan Scarrow, president

Montana: In Butte, God refuses to stop the shutdown of two churches; Trinity United Methodist Church and Mountain View United Methodist Church.  It’s blamed on the Rapture, I mean “severely dwindling congregations.”

New Mexico: In Santa Teresa, the state Public Education Commission shutdown the Health Sciences Academy after only one year of operations.  State administrators claim the school was being operated fraudulently.

New York: In Utica, ObamaCare forced Bosch Healthcare Systems to issue a shutdown WARN, at least 23 jobs lost in September. ObamaCare also forcing Fresenius Medical Care-Brooklyn Kidney Center to shutdown their Park Slope dialysis center, affecting 65 employees and 150 Medicaid and Medicare patients!  The dumb Medicare and Medicaid recipients are oblivious to the fact that ObamaCare is causing all these healthcare shutdowns. Also in Brooklyn, ObamaCare forcing medical supplies company GeriMedix to issue a shutdown WARN, 52 jobs lost in September.  In Canandaigua, Wade’s Market Center issued a shutdown WARN for September, 133 grocery jobs lost!   In Long Island, the state Department of Labor eliminating 2,540 jobs as the Nassau Coliseum shuts down!  Supposedly a new contractor is taking over and conducting massive remodeling work.  It’s unknown how many Coliseum employees will be hired back, renovations aren’t expected to be finished until December 2016.  After creating 40 jobs in the Rochester area, booze seller Constellation Brands laid off at least 11 people.  In NYC, clothier The Donna Karan Company issued a shutdown WARN for their corporate offices and their West 40th Street store, 133 jobs lost by January 2016!  Administrators say the bad economy is forcing them to “reorganize”.  In North Syracuse, hotel Ramada Syracuse issued a shutdown WARN for September, blaming the bad economy, 81 jobs lost.

North Carolina: The state Board of Education shutdown the Carrboro PACE Academy due to “persistent patterns of noncompliance, low academic performance, and potential financial issues.”

Ohio: In Lorain, the Erieview Motel shutdown, leaving dozens of long term residents homeless. City administrators ordered the motel torn down due to multiple health and safety code violations, and are so arrogant they said they were doing the residents a favor!  However, residents say the city council is not providing them with new living options!  Many of the residents are people who can’t meet traditional qualifications for renting apartments.

Pennsylvania: What automotive industry recovery?  In Somerset, tire retreading company McCarthy Tire Service shutting down, 38 jobs lost in August. Point Park University laid off 32 employees “in response to changing demands in the higher education market”, meaning crashing student enrollment (what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome, DSS).  In Reading, Giant Food Stores shutting down its Rockland Plaza store in August, 90 jobs lost.  Administrators say the crashing economy cannot support all their Reading area stores.  Clothing store Gap shutting down in the Wyoming Valley Mall, as part of plans to eliminate 175 stores across the U.S.

Rhode Island: After 39 years restaurant Rue de L’Espoir up for sale so the owner can retire.

South Carolina: After 94 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Morris Sokol Furniture Company shutdown.

Washington: Redmond based Microsoft has sold part of its bing mapping service to Uber, expect mass layoffs.   From July 2014 to June 2015 Microsoft eliminated at least 18-thousand jobs!  In Seattle, Cinema Books shutdown after 31 years of business.  The owner blames major construction across the street for blocking customer access: “I don’t have the financial resources to hold over many months of having a declining customer base.”-Stephanie Ogle

03 July 2015: “…as if the faucet had been turned off.”

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.”

“We never thought we’d see this day” “It’s a necessary evil.” Obama’s homie town kills 1,400 jobs in 1 day! Corporate America layoffs hit 5 years high!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 01 July 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Arizona: After two years the non-profit Tucson Reptile Rescue warns it will shutdown due to crashing donations and crashing adoptions of rescued pets.

California: Monterey based CTB/McGraw-Hill laid off at least 33 Ryan Ranch HQ employees, due to selling off ‘key assets’ to Minnesota’s  Data Recognition Corporation.  In Oakland, after 40 years the owners of Bay Wolf restaurant announced they will shut it down in August.  They want to retire, so they’re selling the property.  In Berkeley, after 40 years the newspaper Poetry Flash warns it will shutdown at the end of the year due to a 27% increase in rent.

Connecticut: In East Hampton, popular restaurant Governor’s Tavern shutdown due to water problems that an uncoperative landlord won’t fix.

Florida: In Miami Beach, the restaurant L’echon Brasserie ended its Hilton Cabana Hotel operation.

Idaho: In another sign of a failed state Republicans have successfully forced all state taxpayers to fund their $2-million USD GOP only Primary: “It’s a small, basically private election, and the Republican leaders in Idaho have succeeded in getting the taxpayer to fund that private election.”-Dave Finkelnburg, Bannock County Democrats, interviewed by KIFI

Illinois: “Homie don’t play that!” Obama stooge Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Public Schools announced 1-thousand 4-hundred job cuts after being forced to make a $634-million  ObamaCare retirement fund payment!  The highly edumacated idjiot golutes borrowed the money to make the retirement fund payment, but says it’s coming outta the hides of 1-thousand 4-hundred employees who will now become unemployed!  The Chicago Teachers Union directly blames the Obama regime appointed school board: “This is a handpicked school board. It’s an appointed school board. The responsibility for this goes to the person who runs the school board, which is the mayor. These are the financial policies this mayor has pursued over the course of the years, where they’ve consistently left revenue on the table.”-Jesse Sharkey, vice president

But wait, there’s more! Chicago based employment analyst Challenger, Gray & Christmas says publicly announced layoffs hit a five years high in June 2015, up 43% from June 2014!  At least 45-thousand jobs were announced dead on arrival in June!  And then there’s Eastern Illinois University which says they must kill jobs due to a 28% crash in enrollment since 2007.  The Connect Transit Transportation (formerly known as Bloomington-Normal Public Transit System) laid off employees, union members protested saying “Connect Transit….has become very toxic, hostile, and harassing” as well as “The problems are not changing; they’re getting worse.” 

Indiana: Missouri based Silgan Plastics (aka Silgan Containers, aka Silgan Holdings) laying off at least 70 people from its Ligonier factory, in August.  The company has been eliminating jobs across the United States since at least 2013.

Kansas: In Hutchinson, the New Beginnings Overflow Emergency Lodging (Noel Lodge) shutdown due to loss of federal taxpayer funding (called a federal grant).  In Topeka, Books and More shutting down by the middle of July.

Michigan: Yet again, Farmington Public Schools increased their layoffs, this time by 51, bringing the total to at least 231 for the 2015-16 school year!  In Kalamazoo, sandwich shop Panini Express shutting down their City Center drive thru window because it “was hindering opportunities to expanded production for larger groups.”  After 95 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recession) the Wayne County Library system died.  Cities within Wayne County will have to run their own libraries.

MInnesota: In Duluth, the Department of Human Services shutting down the heroine addict treatment center Lake Superior Treatment Center in September, supposedly for code violations.

Nevada: In Las Vegas, the Book & Stage sportsbook and music venue shutting down by the middle of July.

New Hampshire: The Derry Fire Station 4 shutdown due to lack of money.  The city administrators also eliminated four vacant positions and cut hours for firefighters and police: “We never thought we’d see this day, but it’s actually going to happen.”-Michael Gagnon, Fire Chief

New Jersey: God refuses to stop ‘his’ Holy Family School in Lakewood, and ‘his’ Saint Denis School in Manasquan, from shutting down.  It’s blamed on what I call DSS.

New Mexico: In Las Cruces, atheists and homosexual marriage are being blamed for the shutdown of the First Baptist Church’s daycare center.  God’s church administrators said they don’t want the government forcing them to hire “homosexuals and atheists”, but you have to blame the money grubbing false christians for violating the 1st Amendment and taking government taxpayer money to run their daycare: “When the government gives you money, they have the right to tell you how to run certain aspects of your organization. We understand that. It’s not one particular group…it’s the fact they get to dictate to us, across the board, how to run our organization or different organization or ministries.”-David Burrows, church leader just now waking up to the fact that they must “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s…..” (Matthew 22:21)

New York: In Yonkers, Consumer Reports laid off 17 employees, in connection with ending publication of its magazine.  It should be noted that the current president of Consumer Reports used to work for the Ford Foundation.  Union reps say the company’s administrators and lawyers are violating the union contracts.

North Carolina: The state Department of Commerce reports that at least 3-thousand 5-hundred people lost their jobs in the first half of 2015!  Youngsville based Xerium Technologies announced it is shutting down its Quebec, Canada, machined cloth factory.  The U.S. company is moving operations to socialist Europe saying employee costs there are half what they are in Canada!  News reports say the Vernon Park Mall is now almost empty after a year of store shutdowns: “There was a lot more stores but now there’s nothing here.”-Jermica Mumford, mall rat

Oklahoma: Employment analysts with Region Track warn that another 11-thousand oil industry jobs will be eliminated in The Sooner State!  So far Oklahoma has lost 5-thousand 4-hundred petroleum industry jobs!  The East Side Elementary School in Okmulgee shutting down due to a one third drop in enrollment and a $1-million shortfall: “To save that kind of money, you have to do something drastic and that’s what this is. It’s a necessary evil.”-Tod Williams, school superintendent

Pennsylvania: Connellsville Area School Board jacked up property taxes, took out a $5-million loan (tax anticipation note) from PNC Bank and killed 11 jobs.  News reports say Drexel University laid off “several dozens” of employees due to what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome.  It’s been revealed that last week Mondelez International quietly shutdown their Roosevelt Boulevard and Byberry Road bakery, eliminating 350 jobs overnight!  Mondelez International makes iconic products for Nabisco, Standard Brands and Kraft.  The massive bakery is now for sale.  In Lansdowne, after 85 years the Mar-Win Market grocery store shutdown, 35 jobs lost: “It’s definitely the economy. Everybody’s trying to watch their pennies…..It’s a multitude of everything.”-Kirk Fuessinger, owner

South Carolina: What construction market recovery?  Engineering company Fluor revealed it recently eliminated 15 jobs in Greenville.

Tennessee: After 36 years the Stock-Yard restaurant shutdown.

Washington: Redmond based Microsoft announced yet more layoffs.  1-thousand 2-hundred jobs culled as Micrsoft sells its advertising service (bing ads) to AOL! More job losses are expected as Microsoft plans to sell more divisions.  From July 2014 to June 2015 Microsoft eliminated at least 18-thousand jobs!

Wisconsin: The state Department of Workforce Development reports that WARNs issued in the first six months of 2015 have exceeded the number of WARNs issued for all of 2014!  It’s no thanks to the Right to Work you over Scott Walker state government slashing & burning another 6,685 jobs (in 2014 they killed 6,186 and in 2012 they killed 6,511)!  Add that to the private sector job culling already announced and The Badger State will lose more than 13-thousand jobs in 2015!

30 June 2015: Restaurant owner chooses Greece over United States!  

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.”