Tag Archives: ows

Business/Economics

Sears & Kmart closing update 10 July 2014: Occupied Kmart store quietly sold off, at a loss!

Michigan losing a Kmart in October, 155 jobs lost!

Minnesota losing another Kmart.

Georgia losing a 39 years old Kmart.

Oklahoma losing a Kmart, and the arrogant and ignorant Sand Springs chamber of commerce blames the local residents for not spending their rarified cash at the Kmart!

In Hesperia, California, the Kmart building just sold for $5.25-million in cash.  According to the real estate agency that made the sale, a private California based Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) bought the former Kmart “…at substantially below replacement cost…”, in other words it was sold at a loss.   There are no reports about what is going to happen to the Kmart store.

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

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

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost), Birmingham Eastwood Kmart (70 jobs lost), Decatur Mall Sears (91 jobs lost), Fort Payne Kmart, Northport Kmart (68 jobs lost).

Delaware: Dover Kmart (at least 72 jobs lost, some reports said 100), Seaford Sears (30 jobs lost).

California: El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (more than 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost), Torrance Kmart, Fairfield Kmart (63 jobs lost), Lampert owned OSH taken over by Lowe’s home improvement in bankruptcy court, at least 17 of 99 stores to be closed down (935 jobs lost!), Rancho Cordova Kmart (97 jobs lost), San Clemente Kmart/Sears/Kmart on Camino de Estrella (58 jobs lost), placed on an official hit list in 2011 the Oceanside Kmart on College Boulevard finally being shut down, Banning Kmart (91 jobs lost), Laguna Hills Mall Sears, San Diego Mid-City Kmart (73 jobs lost), Hemet Kmart (77 jobs lost), Oakland Sears (jobs lost unknown), recently revealed Hesperia Kmart building sold at a loss to a vulture capitalist REIT.

Colorado: Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost), Denver Kmart (number of jobs lost have not been made public at this time, but could be at least 40), Colorado Springs Kmart at Powers and Palmer Park boulevards (57 jobs lost).

Connecticut: Waterbury Big Kmart.

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost), Hiram Kmart (53 jobs lost), Marietta-East Cobb Kmart, recently revealed Warner Robins Kmart (77 jobs lost).

Guam: Sears Hometown Store.

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway closed in February 2013 (69 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on East 9 Mile Road will close in May (73 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost), Bonita Springs Kmart (67 jobs lost), Mount Dora Kmart (100 jobs lost), Lake Mary Kmart, Panama City Beach Kmart (54 jobs lost), Winter Park Kmart (100 jobs lost), Niceville Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost!!!), Kauai Sears (41 jobs lost), Iwilei-Honolulu Kmart for lease (no confirmation of store closing).

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost), Rexburg Kmart (63 jobs lost). No official announcement, but it’s painfully obvious the Chubbuck Pine Ridge Mall Sears going’ down. Or, maybe it’s preps for Shop within a Shop, or one of those domestic spy data storage centers? On 07 November 2013, GGP sold off the Pine Ridge Mall for a paltry $9 million USD. Across the street, in Pocatello, the property where the Kmart is located has a “pad site available” sign, posted ever since the Kmart bankruptcy. The Kmart building takes up most of the “pad”.

Indiana: Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Sears (49 jobs lost), South Anthony Kmart (70 jobs lost), Fort Wayne Kmart on South Anthony Boulevard (70 jobs lost), FairOaks Mall Kmart, Logansport Sears (43 jobs lost).

Illinois: Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost), Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost), Calumet Sears (164 jobs lost), two Sears stores in Grand Crossing area of Chicago (247 jobs lost!), Mount Vernon Sears (68 jobs lost), Moline Sears (at least 60 jobs lost), Homewood Kmart (185 jobs lost), Belvidere Kmart (91 jobs lost?) recently revealed is now a perpetual closing sale Kmart At A Discount store, Champaign’s Market Place Mall Sears (56 jobs lost), Sterling Kmart (60 jobs lost), Montgomery Kmart (81 jobs lost), Mattoon Sears (more than 40 jobs lost), Chicago Sears on North State Street (160 jobs lost), Chicago Sears Craftsman Experience store, Galesburg Sears (46 jobs lost), White Lake Township Kmart (42 jobs lost), Orland Park Sears Appliance, Collinsville Kmart (84 jobs lost). 58 Chicago area stores up for lease or sale. By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state. The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Iowa: Cedar Rapids Kmart on 16th Ave (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year), Cedar Rapids Kmart on Collins Road NE (56 jobs lost), Mason City Kmart (50 jobs lost).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Merriam Kmart-then Sears-then Kmart (jobs lost unknown).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lexington Fayette Mall Sears (114 jobs lost!), Newport Kmart (81 jobs lost), Cannonsburg Sears and Sears Auto Center (no employee info given), Louisville Dixie Highway Kmart/Sears/Kmart.

Louisiana: Slidell Sears (77 job lost), Gretna Kmart (94 jobs lost).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost), Presque Isle Sears (80 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors, Landover Sears (115 jobs lost).

Massachusetts: North Reading Sears Hardware store closed, lease not renewed.

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials, Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, Flint Kmart (46 jobs lost), Gaylord Kmart (48 jobs lost), Sterling Kmart (58 jobs lost), Bloomfield Township Kmart and Sears, Bad Axe Kmart (61 jobs lost), Ypsilanti Township Kmart (83 jobs lost), Petoskey Kmart (45 jobs lost), Saint John’s Kmart (48 jobs lost), White Lake Township “Store of the Future” Kmart (42 jobs lost), Grand Blanc Kmart (49 jobs lost), Lapeer Kmart (56 jobs lost), recently revealed Southgate Kmart (155 jobs lost).

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart, Bemidji Kmart, Monticello Kmart, GGP owned Sears Auto Center in the Apache Mall closed (10 jobs lost), the entire Sears store in the Apache Mall being sold off, Fergus Falls Kmart (40 jobs lost), Fergus Falls Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Alexandria Kmart (46 jobs lost), Grand Rapids Kmart (61 jobs lost), Seritage is selling off three Sears Auto Centers in Minnetonka, Brooklyn Center and Saint Paul, Marshall Kmart (57 jobs lost), Oakdale Kmart (77 hourly wage employees losing their jobs, unknown how many salaried employees will become unemployed), recently revealed Winona Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line, Gautier Sears (71 jobs lost), Waveland Gulfport Kmart (32 jobs lost), Pass Road Gulfport Kmart (52 jobs lost), Pascagoula Sears at the Singing River Mall.

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line, High Ridge Kmart (59 jobs lost), Ellisville Kmart (55 jobs lost), Springfield Kmart on South Campbell Avenue (60 jobs lost).

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

Nebraska: Grand Island Kmart (55 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials, Portsmouth Kmart (30 jobs lost).

New Jersey: Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost), Howell Kmart (57 jobs lost), Berlin Kmart, Dover Kmart (92 jobs lost).

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost), Albuquerque Kmart on Central SW (80 jobs lost).

New York: Depew (Lancaster?) Kmart (68 jobs lost), Colonie Kmart (72 jobs lost), Fulton Kmart (51 jobs lost), Clifton Park Kmart (74 jobs lost), Latham Kmart (61 jobs lost), East Greenbush-Rensselaer Kmart (70 jobs lost), Tonawanda Sears Appliance and Hardware.

North Carolina: Cary Kmart (71 jobs lost), High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost), West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (58 jobs lost), South Ashville Kmart on Hendersonville Road, Raleigh Kmart (88 jobs lost), Garner Kmart, Cleveland County mall Sears (56 jobs lost), Charlotte Kmart (89 jobs lost), Conover Kmart (74 jobs lost), Raleigh Kmart on Capital Boulevard (53 jobs lost), High Point Kmart (71 jobs lost), Boone Kmart (41 jobs lost).

North Dakota: Jamestown Kmart (45 jobs lost).

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost), Austintown Sears auto parts and service on Interstate Boulevard, London Kmart (no word on number of jobs lost), Trotwood Sears (67 jobs lost), Westlake Kmart/Sears (at least 57 jobs lost), Xenia Kmart (at least 57 jobs lost), Norwalk Kmart (52 jobs lost), Blue Ash Kmart (77 jobs lost), Northwood Sears at Woodville Mall (36 jobs lost), Conneaut Kmart (43 jobs lost), Anderson Township Kmart (71 jobs lost). Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned, GGP wants a $2 million sales tax rebate, claiming it’s needed to offset capital investments needed to bring the space up to the standards for potential new tenants), Shawnee Sears (31 jobs lost), recently revealed Sand Springs Kmart (52 jobs lost).

Oregon: Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center), Milwaukie Kmart (61 jobs lost), Coos Bay Kmart (25 jobs lost), Bend Sears (48 jobs lost), Klamath Falls Kmart (64 jobs lost), Albany Kmart (64 jobs lost), Portland Sears Homes Services (no notice).

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost), Shippensburg Kmart (46 jobs lost), Moon Kmart (143 jobs lost), Bethlehem Township Kmart (62 jobs lost), Philadelphia Gallery Mall Kmart (120 jobs lost), Philadelphia Kmart on Orthodox Street and Castor Avenue (169 jobs lost), Levittown/Middle Township Kmart (87 jobs lost), Waynesboro Kmart (43 jobs lost), Sanatoga Kmart (jobs lost unknown, but the store was advertising for new hires!), Lower Pottsgrove Kmart (65 jobs lost).

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, Columbia Kmart on St Andrews Road (66 jobs lost), Irmo Kmart (no info on how many jobs lost), both Greenville Kmarts (140 jobs lost between the two), Mount Pleasant Kmart (43 jobs lost), Harbison Sears & Sears Auto Center in the Columbiana Centre mall (97 jobs lost), Aiken Sears & Sears Auto Center (at least 54 jobs lost), Inlet Square Mall Kmart (50 jobs lost), West Ashely Kmart (69 jobs lost).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost), Clinton South Kmart, Franklin CoolSprings Galleria Sears (92 jobs lost), Memphis Hickory Ridge mall Sears (job loss data not revealed), 48 years old Nashville Kmart on Nolensville Pike to close by January 2014 (57 jobs lost), Franklin Kmart (33 jobs lost).

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

Utah: Murray Sears (for some reason Mormon controlled news media in Utah never reported the closure, but they’re reporting that the building has just been demolished), Orem Kmart (no details reported).

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost), Fairfax Kmart (no word on how many jobs lost), Christiansburg Sears (59 jobs lost), Norfolk Kmart on East Little Creek Road (77 jobs lost), Manassas Kmart (71 jobs lost), Stafford Sears Hometown, Newport News Kmart (at least 50 jobs lost), Wise Kmart (58 jobs lost), Harrisonburg Kmart (79 jobs lost), Wincester Kmart (91 jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost), Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost), East Wenatchee Sears (59 jobs lost), Puyallup Kmart (51 jobs lost), Oak Harbor Kmart (68 jobs lost), Sodo Sears and Sears Auto Center (79 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost), Morgantown Kmart (100 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost), Brookfield Kmart (56 jobs lost), Racine’s Regency Mall Sears (52 jobs lost), Fort Atkinson Kmart (51 jobs lost), Greenfield Kmart (107 jobs lost), Portage Kmart (78 jobs lost) and Hales Corner (129 jobs lost), Chippewa Falls Kmart (79 jobs lost), Menomonie Kmart (at least 50 jobs lost), Ashwaubenon Kmart (80 jobs lost), Shawano Kmart (no job loss info given).

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

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

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

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

Florida: West Oaks Mall

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

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

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center (closed, see above)

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

Minnesota: Apache Mall (see update above, GGP will close Sears store by 2014)

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center (see update above, GGP closing store)

U.S.

U.S. Civil War Chicago, 05-06 July 2014: Police behind skyrocketing bloodshed? Unarmed boy shot 20 times by cops as he hid under a car!

“Going into the holiday weekend we had a plan, including putting hundreds more officers on the streets and what were the results? The results were a lot of shootings, a lot of murders, unfortunately.”-Garry McCarthy, Police Superintendent

Despite the panic over the civil war in Chicago, police spokesman Martin Maloney admitted murders are actually down: “…to date we have had the fewest murders since 1963….”

Incomplete list:

8700 block of South Sangamon Avenue: 16 years old boy shot 20 times by NAZI-land cops.  Initially the police reported the boy turned and pointed a gun at them.  The truth is that the boy was hiding under a car, and police blasted him as he tried to follow their orders to get out from under the car: “They shot him over twenty times! They are trying to say he had a gun on him and he didn’t have a gun on him!”-Georgiana Utendahl, mother of victim

63rd Street and Austin Avenue: 30 years old man gut shot in a Walgreens park lot. He died. Police don’t give a shit ’cause they say the victim is a gangbanger.

5200 block of West Lake Street: One man shot and killed, another wounded as they sat in their car.

Montrose Avenue and Malden Street: 20 years old man shot and killed as he sat in his car.

6500 block of South Seeley Avenue: Police found an 18 years old man who had been shot and killed.

West Englewood: A man was shot and wounded by cops, as he left a party.   Police claim the man pointed a gun at them.

Exchange Avenue, Escanaba Avenue, Muskegon Avenue and surrounding areeas: A man and woman shot and wounded as they left a store.  Another man was shot and wounded as he sat on his porch.  Witnesses say men on the street were shooting at each other, then ran into a vacant lot where they continued to blast away.  Police responded to a shots fired report to find spent casings on a porch.  Then police panicked as they heard dozens of gunshots all around the neighborhood.  They issued an “officer in distress” call.  Tactical ground and heli-borne teams surrounded the neighborhood. The ‘copter crew reported being shot at.  No arrests were made.

9600 block of South Avenue L: 26 years old man riding in a car somehow shot in the butt.

5200 block of West Washington Boulevard: 33 years old man shot and wounded in the leg.  Police are angry because he won’t “cooperate” with them, as if he’s the suspect!

700 block of North Lavergne Avenue: A man who got into an argument with people in a van was shot and wounded in the neck and back.

2800 block of South Homan Avenue: 35 years old man in critical condition after being shot multiple times.

1800 block of South Allport Street: 31 years old man shot and wounded in the shoulder by a drive by shooter.

4400 block of South Fairfield Avenue: 17 years old boy shot in the ankle by drive by shooter.

Notice that most of the shooting victims are males.

Once again, most shooting victims were not armed. You would think that if this was gang violence there would be gun battles, but until now there were no reports of gun battles. It’s as if the shooters are deliberately targeting unarmed people.

Police continue to insist most of the gun violence is caused by gang bangers, but have made few arrests, yet police spokesman Martin Maloney says the answer is even more anti-gun laws: “…without better state and federal laws to keep guns off the streets and out of the hands of dangerous criminals, we’ll continue to face an uphill battle.”   Hello Maloney! New anti-gun laws would not stop the shootings, because most guns used by gang bangers are already illegal!

I’d like to point out that in every case where a cop shot somebody, the cops claim to be “fearing for their lives”, even though they are the ones chasing their victims down. Sounds like the cops are a bunch of paranoid psychos to me!

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security……..That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013, calls Chicagoland his homie town

Chicago update 30 June – 04 July 2014

U.S.

U.S. Civil War, Texas: Entire family assassinated!

10 July 2014 (23:29 UTC-07 Tango 09 July 2014)/12 Ramadan 1435/19 Tir 1393/14 Xin-Wei 4712

In the town of Spring, a family of six was shot and killed, two adults and four children.   A woman was also wounded.

The shooter got into a standoff with police, then surrendered three hours later.  Police say the whole thing was a domestic dispute, but at this time they’re not sure how the shooter is related to the victims.

The wounded woman told police the shooter had plans to kill other relatives.

U.S.

U. S. Civil War, Tennessee: State militia attacked!

10 July 2014 (23:21 UTC-07 Tango 09 July 2014)/12 Ramadan 1435/19 Tir 1393/14 Xin-Wei 4712

A Sergeant First Class with the Tennessee Army National Guard has been assassinated.

An armed man entered the Lobelville armory and shot the sergeant in the chest.  After a short search by police, a “person of interest” was detained.  Supposedly the person of interest lives near the armory.  There are unconfirmed reports that the shooter intended to target military personnel.

 

Business/Economics, Idaho

More Economic Decline: East Idaho city in Death Spiral as stores ramp up shutdowns!

10 July 2014 (21:26 UTC-07 Tango 09 July 2014)/12 Ramadan 1435/19 Tir 1393/14 Xin-Wei 4712

The aged Westwood Mall in Pocatello, Idaho, recently made a partial payment on back due taxes (actually it was just an interest payment), narrowly avoiding takeover by the government.  But that’s not stopping its tenants from shutting down (like rats from a sinking ship).

Click the pics to see more

The Westwood Mall is one of the oldest in the area, it used to have carpeted floors and felt very 1960s-70s.  The carpeting is now gone, and the inside has been walled up, making it feel like a labyrinth (it’s actually perfect for the RPG gaming store that’s hidden away in one corner of the labyrinth).  The latest tenants to leave are Family Fun, a mattress store, Industrial Tool & Supply and soon C-A-L Ranch.

But these aren’t the only stores that the city of Pocatello has lost in the past month.

The Works Deli & Grill is supposedly moving to a new location, which hasn’t been disclosed.

Outdoor clothing store The Raven’s Nest is now being used as a mattress warehouse.

I spent almost four years working at KPVI, helping to turn their 6 & 10pm newscasts in to the number one rated 6 & 10pm newscasts in the area by 1999.   Jim Rogers inherited the reins to Sunbelt Broadcasting and at the end of 1999 decided to bring in new management who wanted us to go back to the old dumb ass way of reporting local news.  Those of us who refused were pushed out, the first to go was Leslie Austin (Leslie Schei), then Carey Wickersham, then me, then John Young and Dave Reichelt and Scott Stevens (who now runs his own weatherwars.info website. Hey Scott why don’t you mention me, your former KPVI News Producer AAron Hutchins?), just to name a few.    Now KPVI barely even ranks in the ratings, and now its in-house construction shop is up for sale!

For more than a decade now our exalted local leaders keep pronouncing that they’ve got big employers lined up, ready to move into the area just as soon as the proper “infrastructure” is constructed (at taxpayer expense of course).  Working class people can’t wait a decade for a turnaround (which explains why east Idaho has a high exodus rate, according to the Gem State’s Department of Labor), and neither can retail store owners (which have become the only ‘industry’ in town).

International

World War 3 Iraq: Holy crap, the Bush regime was right? Iraq admits they had WMD! But guess who has them now?

09 July 2014 (14:33 UTC-07 Tango)/11 Ramadan 1435/18 Tir 1393/13 Xin-Wei 4712

Iraqi officials have just revealed to the United Nations that they indeed had chemical weapons (a type of weapon of mass destruction).   Iraq admitted they were in the process of dismantling 2500 rockets filled with chemicals like sarin, that is until ISIS-ISIL captured them.

The reason Iraq went to the UN with such info is because in the week of 11 June the Bush regime created, Obama regime  backed, ISIS-ISIL captured the building where they were housed, and they took what was left of the WMD weapons!

Ambassador Mohamed Ali Alhakim told UN officials that Iraq could not fulfill “its obligations to destroy chemical weapons” until the “situation has improved and control of the facility has been regained”.

ISIS-ISIL captured “bunkers” 13 and 41.  Bunker 13 contained 2500  122mm rockets filled with sarin.  The bunker also had 180 tons of sodium cyanide.  Bunker 41 contained decommissioned artillery rounds still contaminated with mustard gas residue, as well as containers that once held 605 tons of mustard gas and are still contaminated.  

Iran sends Su-25 attack jets

Obama regime apparently reneges on F-16 delivery

ISIS troops being smuggled ….. in container trucks 

rebel leader forced to join ISIS while under U.S. control 

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings 05 – 07 April 2014: More U.S. job destruction by British empire! More schools jacking up your taxes in an attempt to survive!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns.

Arizona:  Coconino Community College District killed 15 jobs for the upcoming school year.  This leaves only two full time positions for the college.

California:  In La Jolla, after 62 years iconic Burns Drugs store shutdown.  The store boasts famous customers such as Sol Price, Helen and David Copley, Theodor Geisel (aka Doctor Suess), Niki de Saint Phalle and Jerry Coleman.  The owner said current conditions (Obama Care?) works against the existence of independent drug stores.  In Millbrea, Khol’s department store shutdown, 73 jobs lost.  In Oakland, Sutter Health-Alta Bates Summit Medical Center made more healthcare workers unemployed.

Massachusetts: In Acushnet, after 20 years White’s Family Fun and Sports Center shutdown.  The pissed off owner blames the failed economic recovery: “There’s not enough money being spent in the park when they’re here and I can’t blame them. If you don’t have it, you can’t spend it!”-David White

Mississippi: In Pontotoc, Southern Quality Meats shutting down in June, 110 jobs lost!  Operations are being consolidated to Alabama.

New Jersey:  It turns out the Salem County One-Stop Career Center is a dead end for six employees who got laid off.  It’s blamed on the loss of a community college grant.

New York:  Glens Falls City School District killing 25 jobs, and reducing the hours for ten employees.  The district blames it on declining tax revenues from the state and federal level, and will now push local school taxes/fees to their legal limit.  Peconic Bay Medical Center laid off 12 employees, due to declining revenue caused by Obama Care.  Hospital officials explained that since the implementation of Affordable Care Act their admissions have dropped at least 8%.  This is because Obama Care encourages people not to go to the hospital for care.   Hospital officials did report a slight increase in patient care at their urgent care operations.  In NYC, Rizzoli bookstore shutdown.  It’s being turned into apartments.    After 30 years Shakespeare & Company bookstore shutting down, due to jacked up rent.  In Brooklyn, Hoyt Transportation laying off 118 bus employees!  In Blauvelt, wire and cable maker Southwire revealed they are shutting down by September, 194 jobs will be lost!

Ohio: In Dublin, the new owner of Pacer International will be killing an undisclosed number of jobs later this year.  Pacer International was taken over by Connecticut based XPO Logistics.  XPO warned of massive layoffs.   United Airlines continues killing hundreds of jobs, this time 430 people at the Hopkins International Airport became unemployed!  United Airlines is consolidating operations.  After 85 years Swan Cleaners Laundry & Linen Supply shut down without notice!  It was revealed that the family company was in so much trouble they hadn’t paid the rent on leased equipment since last year, hadn’t paid individual creditors and they hadn’t paid local taxes!  The company has been tangled in multiple legal actions.  The family owners said only “It is with regret that due to several issues beyond our control, we must announce the closing of Swan Cleaners…..” 

Pennsylvania: At least three affiliates of speech therapy company DynaVox now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  The parent company swears they are not bankrupt, just their “non-operating” affiliates.  It sounds like a game being played by Vestar Capital to make elitist investors happy.  The Lehigh Valley Media Group killing 68 jobs later this year.  Who said the internet is stealing away business from brick & mortar stores?  In King of Prussia, British empire United Kingdom based internet services company hibu (formerly known as Yell Group) laid off 100 U.S. employees, that’s according to unnamed inside sources. Company officials said it was “To protect the future of the digital business at a time of continuing decline….”  The unnamed inside source said the jobs were being moved to the Philippines.

Texas: In Grand Prairie, after only three years Alco shutting down their retail store. Alco claims they specialize in operating retail stores in “small markets”, but apparently Grand Praire is too small.
Alco, which has stores in 23 states, says they are holding off on opening anymore stores.  Mmmm, is it because of the not so recovering economy?

Virginia: In Virginia Beach, two hotels shutting down.  The Seaside Hotel and the Sea Gull Inn Oceanfront shutting down at the end of summer.  They’re being torn down and replace with one new hotel.  James River Coal Company now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  In 2013, 500 employees became unemployed: “The coal markets in the U.S. have changed dramatically during the past several years. Some of these changes are cyclical due to continued weakness in the real economy. Other of the changes are more permanent like changes in government environmental regulations, improved methods to produce natural gas, and switching between coal basins by domestic power utilities.”-Peter T. Socha, CEO

Washington: In Kelso, after only nine years Chuck E Cheese pizza place shutdown.  Company officials said it was a “strategic decision”, meaning the economy sucks.  In Seattle, after 25 years Maple Leaf Grill shutting down in May.

Wisconsin: In South Milwaukee, heavy equipment maker Caterpillar laid off 60 employees.  It’s blamed on the accelerating decline in demand for mining equipment.

03 – 04 April 2014: More proof Warren Buffet kills U.S. jobs! 

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shut down.

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security……..That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013

International

World War 3 Afghanistan, 01 – 04 July 2014: UN says U.S. airstrikes killing children, covert genocide op? Was Aussie Digger murdered by one of his own? U.S. subcontractors using Americans as wage slaves?

Badakhshan Province: In Jaram District, reports that U.S. led Afghan National Army (ANA) bombarded a village with mortars and airstrikes.  Seven women and children killed, six wounded.

Balkh Province: In Mazar-e-Sharif City,  a bomb exploded in a market, two people killed nine wounded.

Ghor Province: Near Pasaband District, an infamous warlord who’s been paid off by the U.S. puppet government, has now reneged and joined the Mujahideen.  He has 150 of his own soldiers (probably trained by U.S.-NATO forces).

Helmand Province: In Babaji District, Mujahideen report they’ve launched an offensive to retake the areas of  Malgir, Chahr Kuchi, Toghi and Kor Ghojat.  So far they’ve captured two FOBs (forward operating base), and suffered one wounded and one Mujahid killed.  Mujahideen claim they are on the verge of taking control of Sangin, Nawzad and Kajaki districts.

Herat Province: In Gulran District, reports that children playing dug up a bomb, which then exploded.  Two killed, eight wounded.  Of course government officials blame Mujahideen, without evidence.  It could have been unexploded ordinance (UXO) left by occupation forces.

Kabul Province: On the Occupation’s main base, a British empire Australian Digger was found shot inside an administration building.  He later died in a hospital.  Aussie DoD claims the family does not want any further details made public, an investigation is underway.  In Kabul City, a convoy of fuelers were set on fire in a parking lot.  Officials say 200 tanker trucks were damaged or destroyed.  A kamikaze bomber attacked the Ministry of Agriculture.  Eight ANA soldiers killed, 13 wounded.  An undisclosed number of civilians were killed or wounded.    The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) approves of a new election fraud investigation.  This time voting stations who totaled 599 or more ballots cast will undergo more investigations and recounts!

Kandahar Province: In Zihiri District, Mujahideen claim a kamikaze bomber rammed his vehicle into a Bradley type APC of a U.S.-NATO-ISAF convoy, completely destroying the armored personnel carrier.   Witnesses say the fire burned for hours.

The United Nations reports that Pakistan’s increased military action against unwanted and unhappy people living inside its internationally recognized borders, I mean Pakistan’s War on Terrorists, has pushed more than 120-thousand people into Afghanistan.  I wonder if people in the United States still think Pakistan isn’t doing its part in the U.S. led War on Terror?

The United Nations also reported that the U.S. led occupation of Afghanistan has killed 545 children in 2013, a 30% increase from 2012!  Most of the deaths were blamed on home made bombs used by resistance fighters or by bombs left behind (UXO) by occupation forces.  The UN also specified deaths caused by direct U.S.-NATO-Afghan puppet government attacks:  29 by airstrikes/drone strikes and 167 by crossfire.

The UN says more than 1149 children were wounded in 2013.  Add these numbers to the thousands of Afghan children mysteriously starving to death (under UN food programs), and this whole occupation thing is starting to look like a covert genocide op!

The U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) discovered that a subcontractor ripped off their own U.S. employees, big time.  There is a $7-million USD lawsuit against Onsite Occupational Health and Safety, which claims the taxpayer rip-off company cheated at least 20 U.S. healthcare workers by forcing them to work as long as 84 hours per week, without being paid!   Apparently the healthcare workers were paid for only 40 hours per week.  Onsite Occupational Health and Safety was paid with U.S. taxes.   It turns out that SIGAR tried to warn the Obama regime about  Onsite Occupational Health and Safety back in June 2013, but there was no reaction.  SIGAR said they are investigating at least 23 complaints against the company, and get eight to ten new complaints everyday.  It also turns out that since December 2013 Onsite Occupational Health and Safety has quietly settled other slave wage claims, to the tune of $427-thousand.

SIGAR has also reported that the U.S. government has spent $7-billion in taxes supposedly trying to stop opium growing in Afghanistan.  Mmmm, was the money really spent to stop it or expand opium production?  After all, year after year it only goes up to record levels.  Also, if you pay attention to many videos of U.S. and U.K forces tromping through opium fields you’ll notice they’re not doing anything to destroy the opium.   It looks almost like they’re protecting the opium.

A 2013 Harvard Kennedy School study say U.S. taxpayers will be paying for the War on Terror for decades, it could cost as much as $6-trillion: “The single largest accrued liability of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is the cost of providing medical care and disability benefits to war veterans.  Historically, the bill for these costs has come due many decades later.”

What economic future do your kids have now?

And then there’s the evil Veterans Affairs, finally caught offing veterans by denying healthcare, which has asked congress for a record $154-billion so it can continue to ‘care’ for those who foolishly sacrifice themselves in an illegal war.

Is the whole War on Terror a covert op to bankrupt bust the people of the United States?

150 militiamen of the Army National Guard’s 858th Engineer Company (Mississippi) returned from Afghanistan.

U.S.

U.S. Civil War Chicago update 30 June – 04 July 2014: Shootings skyrocket on Independence Day! Cops a bunch of paranoid psychos?

Incomplete list.

600 block of East 50th Place:  Just five blocks from President Barack Obama’s home, a 15 years old boy and a 17 years old boy were shot by somebody in a black van.  The 17 years old was shot multiple times and killed.

3800 block of North Cicero Avenue: A 14 years old boy running away from cops was killed.  Cops claim he pointed a “Dirty Harry-looking gun” at them, so they shot and killed him.  NAZI-land cops originally reported their victim was an adult male, but admitted days later that it was a boy.

63rd and Damen:  34 years old man shot and killed by somebody in a black sedan.  35 years old man was shot by the same shooters, now in critical condition.

3300 block of West Division Street: 19 years old man shot in the head and killed.

7100 block of South Winchester Avenue: 21 years old man shot and killed while he was riding his bicycle.  Police say there are no witnesses and no clues, although somebody called 911 to report the shooting.

3800 block of West Monroe Street: Two women sitting on a porch were shot by men wearing masks and riding in a blue sedan. One woman was killed, the other wounded. Witnesses say the suspects fired eight to ten shots.

4300 block of South Union Avenue: Report of a man shot and wounded by two unknown gunmen.

500 block of North Pine Avenue: 41 years old man shot in the chest, hand and ankle, but in stable condition.

74th Street and Princeton Avenue: Police say they were responding to a 911 call about a man with a gun.  A man ran when police arrived, so the cops assumed he was the guy and gave chase.  Police claim they heard gunshots, and as they rounded the corner saw a gun in the man’s hands, so they shot him in the chest.  Their victim told medics that he was also shot in the leg.   He’s in serious condition.

1500 block of West Birchwood Avenue: Undercover cops chased a man for drinking alcohol in public.  They claim he threatened to shoot them, so they shot him.  Turns out he did not have a gun.  He’s in critical condition.  Of note, the man was a parolee with an electronic monitoring bracelet around his ankle.

0-100 block of West Root Street: A 13 years old girl and a 14 years old boy shot and wounded.

5500 block of South Fairfield Avenue: Two men shot and wounded while standing in a parking lot.  They say the shooters were in an SUV.

100 block of North Lockwood Avenue: 21 years old man shot and wounded in the leg.

11700 block of South Union Avenue: Police say people in two cars got into an argument, and one of them pulled a gun and started shooting.  A woman shot and wounded in the arm and back.  A man wounded in the neck and shoulder.  One suspect detained.

East 132nd Street and South Saint Lawrence Avenue: Three people shot and wounded, no details on who shot them.

East 76th Street and South Oglesby Avenue: 26 years old man shot and wounded by two unknown gunmen while standing outside his house.  The all knowing police say it was about the woman he was dating.

5100 block of West Wabansia Avenue: 26 years old man shot twice in the leg.

71st Street and Carpenter Avenue: 34 years old woman shot and wounded by a group of four or five people.

700 block of North Christiana Avenue: Police say a man accidentally shot himself.

5000 block of North Kildare Avenue: 40 years old man grazed in the head by a “falling” bullet.  Police blew this one off, say it was just people “celebrating”!

6700 block of South Wolcott Avenue: 18 years old man gut shot.

600 block of North Ridgeway Avenue: Man gut shot, and grazed in the face, in critical condition.

74th and Winchester: 54 years old man took himself to the hospital after being shot.

3500 block of West Lake Street: 29 years old man shot and wounded in the leg.

8600 block of South Racine Avenue: A man took himself to the hospital after being shot in the leg.

2400 block of South Homan Avenue: 18 years old woman shot in the butt.

47th and Ada streets: 21 years old man walked himself to a hospital after being shot in the leg.

4300 block of South Wood Street: 18 years old man driven to the hospital by relatives after he was shot.

1100 block of North Lawndale Avenue: 23 years old man took himself to a hospital after being shot in the arm.  He never saw who shot him.

10600 block of South Sangamon Street: 25 years old man grazed in the head.

Belmont and Sheffield avenues: 21 years old man shot in the arm.  Police don’t care because he’s a gangbanger.

South Side: There were passing mentions in Chicago news media that five boys (under 18) had been shot on 30 June.  No details given.

Notice that most of the shooting victims are males.

Once again, most shooting victims were not armed. You would think that if this was gang violence there would be gun battles, but there are no gun battles. It’s as if the shooters are deliberately targeting unarmed people.

Police continue to insist most of the gun violence is caused by gang bangers, but have made few arrests. New anti-gun laws would not stop the shootings, because most guns used by gang bangers are already illegal!

I’d like to point out that in every case where a cop shot somebody, the cops claim to be “fearing for their lives”, even though they were the ones chasing their victims down.  Sounds like the cops are a bunch of paranoid psychos to me!

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security……..That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013, calls Chicagoland his homie town

Chicago update 28 – 29 June 2014

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings 03 – 04 April 2014: Inflation killing Polska? More proof Warren Buffet killing U.S. jobs! False claims of racism killing jobs! More massive education cuts! Drone maker killing jobs! Too Big to Jail banks killing fast food chicken?

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns.

Alabama: In Florence, Hillshire Brands shutting down their sausage factory in December, 1100 jobs lost just in time for Xmas! It’s blamed on skyrocketing meat prices.

California:  Taxsucker Boeing laying off another 108 employees in southern California. More tech jobs being killed as Juniper Networks finally reveals it will cull 570 employees this year.  That’s on top of approximately 250 job cuts announced at the end of 2013 ( which was on top of the estimated 450 job cuts in 2012). Jupiter Networks is rumored to be sitting on $3-billion in cash, but the job cuts are being blamed directly on investors who are demanding that the cash be used to increase stock prices!  Officials with Juniper Networks said the new round of layoffs “are among several initiatives”, and implied more were coming.  Los Angeles based Spanish language Univision Radio confirmed it killed dozens of jobs across the United States, but refused to reveal just how many.  Univision is consolidating radio operations to LA, San Antonio, Texas, and Miami, Florida.  In Pomona, Wisconsin based printing company Quad/Graphics laying off 25 employees.  In Corona, Cooper B-Line laying off 51 employees.  In Fresno, GAF continues its slow trickle job destruction, this time three people let go.

Florida: In Gainesville, after more than 60 years musical instrument store Lipham Music shutdown.  At least eight jobs lost.

Georgia: In Savannah, after ten years Paula Deen’s Uncle Bubba’s Seafood & Oyster House shutdown without notice.  It’s blamed on a racism lawsuit brought by a former employee, however, the lawsuit was “dismissed with prejudice and without any award of costs or fees” by the court.  Despite that, being called a racist in the United States is worse than being called a terrorist, so down goes the Deen empire.  Employees of the restaurant found out when they showed up for work and witnessed everything inside the restaurant being taken away.

Idaho: In Boise, Pennsylvania based diesel-electric locomotive maker Motive Power announced it will kill 162 jobs in June!  No official reason was made public.

Kentucky: In Jamestown, Warren Buffet owned Fruit of the Loom underwear shutting down their factory beginning in June.  By the time it’s over more than 600 people will be unemployed!  Fruit of the Loom is proving to be an enemy of U.S. working class, because the factory shutdown is all about moving the jobs to Honduras.  Company officials say moving U.S. jobs offshore is necessary to compete in the ‘global market’.

Maryland:  Taxsucking spy drone maker AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems laid off 24 employees.

Minnesota: Democrat political party raiser of funds Meyer Teleservices shutting down.  The telemarketing company is having trouble paying its debts.

Mississippi: Abner’s Famous Chicken Tenders now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  In 2004 it was named one of the fastest growing businesses in the Magnolia State.  Company officials say sales are not the issue, but necessary daily operating capital from debt financing is being cut off, so they’ve been forced to file bankruptcy by the Too Big to Jail banks.

New Jersey: In Newark, even after getting their unionized employees to fork over millions of dollars last year (under threat of shutting down) the Star-Ledger finally revealed just how many jobs will be culled; 167!

New York: There was a report that Trumansburg Central School District might layoff seven employees.  In Jackson Heights, La Villita Records shutdown.  Reports say sales were so bad that the owner was unable to pay rent or insurance for several months.  The owner must now appear in court. (isn’t this economic recovery just great!?) In Staten Island, IC Coachways/Bus/Escorts laying off 360 bus employees in June!  Gotham Transportation laying off 311 bus employees in Brooklyn and Staten Island!  In NYC, MEE Apparel up for sale, 62 jobs to be lost.  In Pomona, Israel based legal drugs pusher Teva Pharmaceuticals laying off 41 employees by the end of July.

North Carolina:  University of North Carolina at Greensboro warns it might have to destroy 120 jobs and 600 classes in July!  It already killed 390 classes for the 2013-14 school year!  It’s blamed on increasing disappearing students, 2014-15 school year enrollment is already down by 2.6%.  It’s also blamed on decreasing taxpayer funding and increased costs, like increased employee health insurance cost due to Obama Care.  In Robeson County, Tredegar Film Products shutting down by summer 2014, 80 jobs lost.

Oregon:  In Hillsboro, after 33 years Skate World shutting down in June.  Management suggested it was due to jacked up rent.

Pennsylvania:  Camden City School District eliminating 575 jobs!  District officials blamed it on disappearing students and on prior district officials “overspending” taxpayer funding.  The Easton Express-Times will make 68 of its employees unemployed by the end of 2014. That’s half of what’s left of the employees, last year there were two rounds of layoffs.  Easton Express-Times is owned by the same company killing jobs at New Jersey’s Star-Ledger.   In Intercourse, after who knows how long the iconic W.L. Zimmerman & Sons grocery store shutdown.  The store was used in the movie Witness.  The owner, Kristine Shirk, blames the bad economy saying “there wasn’t enough margin to work with any more.”

Washington: In Redmond, more tech jobs being killed, this time by Microsoft.  The company made no public announcement, it was former employees who went public on social media reporting that Microsoft is culling jobs.  When pestered by news media Microsoft would only say “…we do not discuss personnel decisions, the team affected was small relative to the overall size of Microsoft Studios.”

01 – 02 April 2014: Cities killing themselves with fee increases! 

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shut down.

“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security……..That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013