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Business/Economics, Idaho

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

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

Business/Economics

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

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

Opinion

Proof Human societies on Earth are the creators of Hell

“What is Hell?”

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

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

U.S.

Federal court OKs war-crimes lawsuits against Bush Administration!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Business/Economics

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

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

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

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

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15 – 16 June 2015: “insurmountable financial challenges”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

International, Opinion

False Flag: Palestine government falls apart!

17 June 2015 (02:02 UTC-07 Tango 01)/27 Kordad 1394/29 Sha’ban 1436/02 Ren-Wu (5th month) 4713

“Within 24 hours the Palestinian government will resign.”-Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine

Abbas claims the Palestinian government is breaking up because Palestinians in the open-air prison known as Gaza Strip refuse to recognize the Fatah political organization.

Fatah dominates the Palestinian government, and has some control over the open-air prison known as West Bank.  The majority of Palestinians in Gaza Strip, and a growing number of Palestinians in West Bank, will only recognize the political organization known as Hamas.

But don’t blame Hamas, they’re opposed to the dissolution of the Palestinian government: “Hamas rejects any one-sided change in the government without the agreement of all parties. No one told us anything about any decision to change and no one consulted with us about any change in the unity government. Fatah acted on its own in all regards.”-Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesman

By dissolving the Palestinian government Abbas opens the door for Hamas to take over in West Bank, which is exactly what the warmongering Zionist in Israel want, because they can then justify to their own people an all out war on all Palestinians, which will be easy to justify because opinion pools show many Israelis want total war to finish off the Palestinians so they can finally create their greater Israel.

Washington cops adopt Israeli tactics; kill man for throwing rock!

14 YEARS OLD PALESTINIAN GIRL HAS MORE ‘BALLS’ THAN MOST ‘MEN’!

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 15 – 16 June 2015: “insurmountable financial challenges” Americans flee Puerto Rico! No more M16s or M4s? More ‘synergies’ destroying California!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

American Family Association is urging ‘christians’ to close out their Wells Fargo bank accounts, to protest the banks public support of homosexuals.  Really?  I can think of a much better reason to dump that bank, like it’s one of the Too Big to Jail banks that caused our economic meltdown and is part of the ongoing robo-home foreclosure nightmare!

Arkansas: Pulaski Technical College blaming what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome for forcing them to shutdown their west Little Rock (wLR) campus.   In Fall 2014 they had a total of 510 students on the wLR, but for Spring 2015 only 362 students attended classes on the wLR campus!

Arizona: PetSmart warned of impending layoffs at its Phoenix HQ.  At least 15% of employees will be laid off over the next few weeks.  It’s directly related to PetSmart being sold to vulture capitalist BC Partners, back in March.

California:  Remember when I reported back in May that the term synergies now meant layoffs?  Apparently main stream news sources in California took hold of that concept (Another O.C. merger reminds us that ‘synergies’ means layoffs – but it didn’t always).  The latest article out of The Golden State reports that Orange County will see massive layoffs due to “synergies”.  They include expected layoffs from the mergers of companies like drugs makers Allergan & Actavis, computer chip makers Broadcom & Avago, and what housing market recovery? The latest merger between home builders Standard Pacific & The Relyan Group.   The new CEO of tax-sucker Aerojet Rocketdyne confirmed that 250 jobs will be eliminated at their Rancho Cordova HQ, and another 250 across the U.S., over the next four years!  Great Harvest Bread shutting down its 11 years old Folsom store by the end of the month, no explanation.  News reports say it’s the last Great Harvest Bread store in the Sacramento area.  In San Francisco, after six years Wexler’s upscale BBQ restaurant shutting down and being sold-off.  The owner said the timing is right to get out and spend more time with his family.  And San Francisco based clothing retailer GAP announced it will eliminate 250 HQ jobs, plus shutdown 175 stores across the United States (140 by the end of 2015)!  The 250 job cuts apply only to GAP’s HQ and does not count the layoffs caused by the store shutdowns.  Company administrators said the slashing & burning is necessary to save the GAP, but then ironically admitted the store shutdowns would cause them to lose $300-million USD in sales!   Riverside County warns that 114 people could become jobless under the budget for the upcoming fiscal year!  47 county prosecutors and 51 animal control personnel could be let go.  In Arcata, after 17 years Rookery Books shutdown, the owner blamed “Amazon”.

Connecticut: The maker of the M16 and M4, 179 years old West Hartford based Colt Defense, now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  Administrators blame crashing sales on the Obama regime’s Department of Defense.    Newtown school administrators announced they want to shutdown the Hawley Elementary School, due to what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome. Pissed-off taxpayers then demanded to know why $50-million in donated money is being spent on rebuilding the infamous Sandy Hook Elementary School if there aren’t enough students! Some parents even said they did not want their children attending the new Sandy Hook school.

Florida: In Fort Lauderdale, wholesale company Commonwealth-Altadis issued a shutdown WARN saying 150 people will become jobless by the end of the year!  In Miami, after only six months Ted’s restaurant will shutdown by the end of the month.

Hawaii: The state run ObamaCare Hawaii Health Connector laid off 25 people. It’s because state administrators are shifting from running their own ObamaCare website to the federal government’s insurance exchange website.

Illinois: In Peoria, after more than 50 years Strode Music shutdown.  The owners blame crashing sales, they even had to stop renting out instruments two years ago.

Indiana: Bloomingfoods Co-op is eliminating an undisclosed number of jobs (so far 18 people laid off, but reports say more layoffs are in the works), blaming a 20% crash in sales on “competition”.   But is the real reason because employees tried to unionize?  What automotive industry recovery?  Gear drive/power transmissions maker Oerlikon Fairfield laid off 50 people at their Lafayette factory.  Administrators blamed the bad economy.

Kentucky: After eight years the owner of My Old Kentucky Homebrew announced he’s shutting it down in July.

Maryland: The first medical research school in the United States, John Hopkins University, announced they must eliminate jobs due to crashing federal taxpayer funding, and increased costs artificially created by new federal regulations.  At this point 109 jobs being eliminated or “reorganized”!  However, unnamed employees say they’ve been warned that 10% of the 20-thousand employees will eventually be laid off!

Massachusetts: 51 years old Marian Court College shutdown due to “insurmountable financial challenges…..given declining enrollment numbers”.

Michigan: Battle Creek Public Schools eliminating 23 jobs. The district is lacking $2.1-million.  East Grand Rapids Board of Education laying off four people, cutting pay and moving some teachers to part time. The district is so short on funding that parents have started donation drives for the schools.  Ypsilanti Community Schools laid off 18 teachers, blaming it on a $2.2-million drop in state level taxpayer funding caused by a 7.8% drop in enrollment (they lost 325 students from last year)!  It must be pointed out that state funding was actually increased by $163 per student, but what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome is so massive in Michigan that the increase in per student state funding cannot make up for the losses! The Grand River Coffee Café in East Lansing shutdown.  Troy based Olga’s Kitchen now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  However “The future is bright for Olga’s Kitchen. The 28 restaurants are now profitable and growing in profitably.”  News reports basically said the chain restaurant didn’t want to pay its debts.  Gee, if bankruptcy was only that easy for us individuals.

New Jersey: Brick Township School District eliminated 24 bus driver jobs.  The transportation manager blamed the school board for being a bunch of control freaks!  Administrators warned that by not laying off more bus drivers they are going to have to cut jobs elsewhere.     Their original plan was to eliminate 31 bus drivers, but they caught heat from the union.   Newark, the biggest city in the state, eliminated 155 school district employees, and the teachers union says that doesn’t include the teachers who are next on the chopping block!

New York: The Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System announced it is shutting down its Brooklyn unit in July.  VA administrators said that with the drastic budget cuts for next fiscal year the only way to continue funding programs is to halt inpatient care.  In NYC, 15 years old Lucky announced it will stop publishing hardcopy version of their magazine and focus on virtual (internet) issues only. At least 14 unlucky Lucky employees have been laid off.

Oregon: In Hillsboro, after 80 years the Hank’s Thriftway grocery store shutting down, after a surprise announcement: “Starting Monday June 15th, we will be open short hours 10am to 7pm to liquidate the inventory. During this time we will be offering a 25% discount on all items other than lottery, money orders and postage stamps. All sales will be final and we will not be able to accept checks.”

Pennsylvania: God refuses to stop the shutdown of three of ‘his’ churches; Incarnation of Our Lord Church, Our Mother of Sorrows and Holy Saviour Church.  Church administrators said all are in desperate need of repair work that the congregations (members) cannot afford to pay for.

Puerto Rico: A mass exodus is taking place in the U.S. Territory, the Pew Research Center says there are more Puerto Ricans living in Florida than in Puerto Rico.  From 2010 to 2013 there was a net exodus of 48-thousand people, purely for economic reasons: “We’re in unprecedented territory because this is, in recent memory, the biggest out-migration that Puerto Rico has experienced!”-Mark Lopez, Pew Resaerch Center

Texas:  58 Head Start employees being laid off across Refugio, Goliad and Bee counties.

12 – 14 June 2015:  “I want off the roller coaster of uncertainty.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 12 – 14 June 2015: “I want off the roller coaster of uncertainty.” “…there’s no reason to stay in New York anymore.” Proof there is no automotive industry recovery! Another insurance company admits ObamaCare is a failure!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Energy industry recruiting firm Swift Worldwide Resources says the oil industry killed off 150-thousand jobs by the end of May!  And this despite reports that demand for energy will increase by 35%, just in Asia.

California: In Burbank, Disney-ABC canceled plans to replace 35 IT workers with foreigners.  This comes after hundreds of former Disney IT workers in Florida revealed they were forced to train their foreign replacements!

Colorado: After 50 years Hadley’s Canon Western Wear announced they’re shutting down as soon as the inventory is sold off.  The owners blame the un-recovered economy and competition: “The economy is a big deal! All the box stores are moving in. People are shopping online and we are not going to have mom-and-pop stores anymore!”-Mike Hadley, co-owner

Connecticut: In Ridgefield, clothing store Suburban Underground shutting down after their inventory is gone.  The Valley Sports Center shutting down next week: “The demands of the owner’s corporate career has made it impossible to commit the time necessary to ensure the success of the business.”

Georgia: In Atlanta, after eight years video game store UGAME shutting down by the end of the month.  They’re being forced out by the landlord who made a deal with next door Papa Murphy’s to allow them to expand into the UGAME space.

Illinois: In Saint Charles, smoke detector maker Honeywell System Sensor issued a shutdown WARN for their manufacturing operations, 252 jobs lost July!  The company is consolidating manufacturing to other factories.  After 65 years the Indiana Harbor Dairy Queen shutdown.  City administrators said the Dairy Queen corporation demanded the franchise owners pay to upgrade the restaurant, but the franchise owners didn’t have the money.

Michigan: Wayne-Westland Community Schools laid off ten teachers.  The Livonia Public Schools laid off 40 teachers.  Plymouth-Canton Community Schools warned 73 teachers of pending layoffs.  Garden City Schools laid off 46 teachers.  Farmington Public Schools laid off 30 teachers.  It’s all blamed on crashing funding due to what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome.  What automotive industry recovery? General Motors (GM) laying off 1-hundred people at their Orion factory, by July!  Administrators stated the new layoffs are on top of the 160 announced at the end of last year!  They blame crashing sales of their Chevy Sonic (down by 28%) and Buick Verano (down by 15%).  In Edwardsburg, after 30 years outdoor rec store Lunker’s shutdown. The pissed-off owners blame the recession and the Too Big to Jail banks in an official press release: “While the big box stores were able to secure large cash infusions during those difficult times, Lunker’s was not able to. An investor came on board and provided some temporary relief, but still it was not able to secure the funds needed to make it a truly viable venture.”

A coal fired electricity factory in Escanaba shutdown, city administrators say they’ve made a deal to buy electricity from a cheaper source.  In Howell, after seven years Pet Provisions pet store shutdown.  The owners blamed their crashing sales on the loss of the shopping center’s two anchor stores (Big Lots! and Secretary of State) for killing off customer traffic: “We love Howell, and we were really hoping to make it work. We did not want to close the store; it was a last resort.”– Sarah Holliday, co-owner

Minnesota:  In Saint Paul, after 40 years Pro Pharmacy shutdown.  The owner has sold it to Walgreens-Boots Alliance, which just happens to be in the process of shutting down 2-hundred Walgreens stores.

Missouri:  God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 117 years old Dover Place Christian Church.  One member of the church lamented “We just don’t have anybody coming, that’s all. We don’t have the income on Sunday morning’s to take care of everything.”  You see, even christians think only about ‘money’.  Don’t they remember Jesus evicting the money changers?

Nebraska: In Grand Island, after 20 years the Heartland School of Dance shutting down, as well as Mid-Town Barbers, due to the greedy attorney-landlords: “I recently received a lease-termination notice from the studio’s landlords…….The old heating system is worn out and too expensive to fix.”-Karen Jamieson, owner of the dance studio

New Jersey: Pet-livestock drugs maker Zoetis announced they’re eliminating 165 jobs at their Florham Park HQ!  The Burlington County Corrections and Work Release Center shutting down, female prisoners will be sent to Atlantic County Jail.

New York: In Melville, Too Big to Jail Bank of America issued a shutdown WARN for their Consumer & LAS Operations, 29 jobs lost by September.  In NYC, restaurant Ouest shutdown due to the greedy landlord jacking up the rent.  The New York Times said one loyal customer was so upset she said “I feel there’s no reason to stay in New York anymore.”  After almost 50 years the Candle Bar shutting down due to the fact the owner has sold off the building.  

North Carolina: Physicians Choice Laboratory Services laid off 120 people at their Rock Hill Riverwalk Business Park!  Christine Marks, vice president for marketing, directly blamed ObamaCare/healthcare reforms for reduced reimbursements from Medicare and private insurance.   After 58 years restaurant Bonnie Kay Seafood shutdown in Greensboro.  The owners blamed the rising cost of food: “Basically it’s economics, trying to maintain a model of a seafood camp which means bringing a lot of people, putting a lot of food on the plate at a reasonable price; with seafood that’s getting harder and harder to do.”-Tina Oliver, co-owner

Ohio: Ridge Tools announced they will begin eliminating an undisclosed number of jobs at their Elyria factory.  Back in March they tried to convince employees to voluntarily quit.  Local news reports said they tried to contact the company president, but he was away in China on a business trip.  This suggests that Ridge Tools is about to off-shore their production.  In Lyndhurst, after less than four years high priced cookware store Le Creuset announced it is shutting down in July.  What housing market recovery? Columbus based mortgage company Huntington Bancshares announced they will wave real estate closing costs in an effort to boost languishing home sales.

Oregon:  More reports out of Oregon that California based computer chip maker Intel will be killing off massive numbers of jobs.  Intel is the largest employer in Oregon and the latest report says layoffs will begin on the 15th.  The Oregonian says the layoffs are a combination of crashing sales and Intel’s $17-billion USD takeover of competitor Altera.

Pennsylvania: In Camden, after 20 years the Francis House AIDS ministry shutdown.  But the operators say it’s good news, because local AIDS cases and deaths have crashed.  But so has donations, and Francis House can no longer pay their utilities.  ObamaCare forcing the Cumberland Family Practice to be merged with Good Hope Family Physicians, and forcing Baughman Family Medicine to shutdown!  Doctor Paul Baughman directly blamed ObamaCare for “…dropping reimbursement, increasing overhead and a few unexpected bumps in the road.”  Administrators with insurance company Capital BlueCross admitted that ObamaCare was going to drive up the cost of healthcare, ironically by forcing people back into emergency rooms as more health clincs shutdown or consolidate due to reduced reimbursements: “If they have health issues, they may have to go to the ER, hopefully an urgent care clinic, and the ER is an expensive place to get primary care. That adds to the cost.”-Aji Abraham

Tennessee: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams joins Blue Bell Creameries in shutting down all their stores due to listeria contamination! Jeni’s has halted the grand opening of their latest store, because their ice cream has tested positive a second time for listeria.

Texas: The SMART Schools summer camp for kids, held on Rice University property,  shutdown six weeks early.  It’s complicated but basically SMART  Schools could not verify the certifications of the  counselors, and they claim that promised funding from Be Inspired never came through.

Rhode Island: That which can’t be named refuses to stop ‘its’ Jews from suing each other over ceremonial bells, supposedly worth $7.4-million, and causing the shutdown of the 250 years old Touro Synagogue in Newport!  Oh those silly money grubbing ‘Jews’.

Virginia: Willow Pod at Daleville Town Center shutdown.  The owner said “Life happens…I want off the roller coaster of uncertainty. It has been a difficult couple of weeks. I have really put myself into Willow Pod. It can be depressing thinking about closing it. But now is the time to move forward.”-Jennifer Aylor

Wisconsin: In Mequon, the Centennial Bar & Grille shutting down next week.   It was sold to Sobelman’s Pub & Grill.

10 – 11 June 2015: “We’re not making any money 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.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 10 – 11 June 2015: “We’re not making any money anymore…” Tax breaks for companies getting vicious, companies being paid with tax dollars to kill jobs!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: In Newport Beach, after 25 years restaurant Jackshrimp shutdown. The owner did not renew the lease and implied he was being pushed out by greedy property developers.  In Red Bluff, after four years the owners of 3 Generations Arts & Shop announced they will shutdown by July.  News reports didn’t say why.

Delaware: In Dover, God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 25 years old Branch Christian Bookstore.  The owner said “We just couldn’t compete anymore.”

Florida:  The city of Palm Bay warned that they are so low on cash that they might have to layoff 45 employees, just so they can pay for much needed road repairs without raising taxes.

Idaho: In Boise, the Chili’s restaurant on West Franklin Road (near Boise Towne Square mall) shutting down.  The Montana based franchise owner says they are getting outta Boise and moving to Nampa.   Is bankruptcy next for the unlucky Lucky Friday Mine near Mullan?  The silver mine is owned by troubled Hecla Mining.  In April 2011 the Lucky Friday Mine was hit by a rock fall that killed one employee.  In November 2011 the mine was shutdown for 12 months by a second rock fall that trapped several miners.  At the end of 2013 four of those employees, that were trapped, sued Hecla for $1-million USD saying the company violated federal mine safety rules.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice investigated Lucky Friday Mine and concluded, in 2014, that Hecla committed at least 5-hundred violations of federal regulations (mostly pollution violations).  Just days ago Hecla agreed to pay a $600-thousand fine.  About 1-hundred people work at the mine.

Maryland: The Bel Air Wallgreens is the latest victim of the legal drugs pusher’s (now called Walgreens-Boots Alliance) plan to shutdown 2-hundred stores across the country.

Massachusetts: The city of Fall River laid off 90 employees.  The mayor is also pushing for a new $10 per month trash fee (which is less than what I’m paying here in Chubbuck, Idaho).  Fall River is missing $6.5-million.

Michigan: The city of Saginaw warned it must shutdown two fire stations and eliminate jobs.  Yet again, this is a case of a city relying on federal taxpayer funded grant money, which expires at the end of June.  Suttons Bay Public Schools laid off at least five teachers.  Administrators said they had to take drastic action to get the school district back in the ‘black’, or face a takeover by state administrators.

Minnesota: The Upper Saint Anthony Falls Lock and Dam shutdown in an effort to stop the spread of invasive carp.

Missouri: Katy Industries WARNed they will shutdown their Bridgeton facility and layoff 155 people!  They’re moving operations to Jefferson City.  It was revealed that Jefferson City and Cole County bribed Kay Industries with tax breaks, which required them to kill off the 155 jobs in Bridgeton (the jobs must be created new for Jefferson City)!

Nebraska: What housing market recovery? Omaha based Mutual of Omaha Bank announced it is shutting down home loan offices in Lincoln and in Fort Myers, Florida.   Mutual of Omaha has contracted out their mortgage serving ops to Guild Mortgage.

New Hampshire: Hamden Board of Education blames what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome for forcing them to eliminate 24 jobs. Reports say the junior high lost 86 students since last year, and the high school lost 4-hundred over the past seven years.

New Jersey: What automotive industry recovery?  “global diversified technology and industrial leader” Johnson Controls issued a shutdown WARN for five locations connected to its automotive division, at least 310 jobs lost!  It’s part of the Wisconsin based company’s plan to get out of the automotive parts making business.  Stop & Shop announced they’re shutting down their Manalapan grocery store in July, 80 jobs affected.  A local grocery store analyst says profits for food stores has become “very, very, tight”.   Another analyst blames the grocery store shutdowns on ShopRite, who is now “dominating the supermarket landscape in New Jersey.”

New York: Clothier J.Crew laid off 175 people at its NYC HQ!  Company administrators said they are preparing for the “future”.  In Forrest Hill, 20 years old teenager clothing store Strawberry shutdown.  News reports say it’s one of many stores that have shutdown in the same area, all blaming outrageously jacked up rents! Reports say landlords refuse to talk to the local news media.  ObamaCare forcing Brooklyn Kidney Center to sell-off their New York Dialysis Services, 65 jobs threatened.

Oklahoma: Sand Ridge Energy laid off 40 people in Alva.  Local news reports say administrators refuse to explain why.  Also, local news reports said the company tried to keep the layoffs quiet, and even refused to acknowledge them when questioned.

Oregon: What construction industry recovery? After 60 years the Allen’s Mill shutdown, 45 jobs lost.  The lumber mill’s general manager blames bad timber and a strong U.S. dollar: “The current log situation is so sad, you can’t buy a predictable supply of marketable logs……It is just a sign of the times, a strong U.S. dollar…..puts log exports at a disadvantage.”-Gerry Lane

Pennsylvania: The second-oldest Jewish newspaper in America, Jewish Exponent, laid off 15 people.  Managers said they are out-sourcing jobs in an effort to save the company, admitting they’ve been losing about $300-thousand per year!

Tennessee: British empire Scotland owned Weir Minerals shutdown their Gallatin operations, 47 jobs lost: “The demands of our customers are declining with plant closures throughout the coal, steel and power industries in recent years and less money being spent on original equipment in the hard rock mining and oil sands markets.”-Aaron Ravenscroft

Virginia: Tax-sucker Raytheon lost their spy satellite contract with the federal government (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency), 59 jobs lost in Springfield.  In Norfolk, decades old O’Sullivan’s Wharf restaurant suddenly shutdown. The owners would only say “Friends, family, customers, neighbors it is with a heavy heart we announce that today will be our final day open for business.”  In Hampton, the 45 years old Cesar Tarrant Elementary School shutdown due to what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome.   After 16 years Vacuum Store Sales & Services in Leesburg shutting down.  The owner blames the greedy landlord: “I got priced out of the area. They want way too much money for these spaces and didn’t want to negotiate. We’re not making any money anymore as it is.”-Bob Baird

07 – 09 June 2015: “It was so humiliating to train somebody else to take over your job!” 

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.”

U.S.

U.S. Civil War: Armored vehicle attacks Texas police HQ, cop car blown up! Suspect says it’s vengeance for police stealing “his child”!

13 June 2015 (05:15 UTC-07 Tango 01)/23 Kordad 1394/25 Sha’ban 1436/27 Ren-Wu (4th month) 4713

“Witnesses observed what they believed to be multiple suspects firing guns at the Dallas Police Department’s headquarters. The suspects were parked in front of police headquarters. As police officers arrived, the suspects rammed Dallas police officers’ squad cars and began shooting at the officers, striking the squad cars but missing the officers.”-David Brown, Dallas police chief

At approximately 00:30 hours Texas time, people in an armored van attacked the Dallas police HQ.  A man was seen placing bags around the police HQ, a firefight ensued and the van rammed a police car.

The van then drove to the city of Hutchins, where it was apparently disabled by a .50 caliber sniper round fired by police.  At the time of writing this the van is surrounded by cops and at least one suspect is wounded.  The van is in the parking lot of a Jack in the Box fast food joint.  A Whataburger located next to the Jack in the Box is being used as a staging area (command post) for police, including armored vehicles.

Back at the Dallas police HQ several bags containing bombs were found.  Early news reports said one of the bag bombs was tossed under a police vehicle and exploded.  A robot tried to remove another bag, but it exploded as well.  Later news reports said only one pipe bomb was found and there’s been no more mention of explosions.  Inspections of the other bags revealed they were filled with trash.  Nearby apartment buildings have been evacuated, the area is being locked down.

Live news reports say Interstate 45, a major transportation route,  has been locked down.  The city of Hutchins is essentially locked down, police preventing anybody from driving into the town.  A TFR (temporary flight restriction) is now in place over the affected areas.  Live news reports indicate there is only one suspect, even though witnesses say there were at least four attckers.

A live interview with a resident indicated that one bag bomb exploded.  The resident said he heard the explosion and saw “white smoke”.   People staying in a nearby hotel were kicked out by police.  A live interview with one hotel patron indicated they were not given time to pack their belongings.

Reports say the suspect has told police he is seeking vengeance on cops because he is “angry that police took his child”.  He’s supposedly from Paris, Texas.  News reports say he might have been involved in a past police incident involving body armor and guns.

Live video shows Dallas police searching Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) bus stops for bag bombs.

Live interview with Uber driver states that hotel evacs didn’t get rolling until after 03:00 hours, then around 04:00 hours the Uber driver says he heard what he thought was a second explosion.

Texas DA intentionally sent innocent man to death row

Texas passes Open Carry gun law