Tag Archives: unemployment

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings 12 – 13 June 2014: School administrators caught in secret bonus deals! More Long John Silver’s shutdowns! Too Big to Jail bank kills non-profit hospital housing! ObamaCare cuts 25-thousand old people off Medicare?

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Arizona:  It’s been revealed that Nellis Management will be shutting down Long John Silver’s restaurants (see Iowa).  In Phoenix, Barnes & Nobel bookstore announced the will shutdown their Ahwatukee store in August.   California based Mimi’s Cafe shutdown.  In Scottsdale, more proof the internet can’t be blamed for killing brick-n-mortar stores; GoDaddy.com revealed it lost $200-million USD last year (and $279-million in 2012)!  The privately held internet domain registry is trying to go ‘public’ and had to make the revelation as part of SEC rules.

California:  In Turlock, God can’t stop the all powerful Obama Care from killing 1314 healthcare jobs with Emanual Medical Center!  The 97 years old evangelical Christian run hospital warned California officials the massive healthcare layoffs will take place by the end of July, due to the takeover by Texas based secular (investor-owned) Tenet Healthcare.   In Bakersfield, Kern Medical Center finally revealed how many jobs they will kill due to Obama Care; 111!  On top of that the taxpayer funded county hospital system shutdown their home health and outpatient physical therapy operations!  After 34 years the San Jose Repertory Theatre shutdown, 51 jobs lost.  More proof the internet can’t be blamed for killing brick-n-mortar stores; in Santa Monica video gaming info website GameTrailers laid off an undisclosed number of employees.  It’s blamed on the takeover by New York based Defy Media.  In Palo Alto, Hewlett Packard (HP) continues to kill jobs, this time 36 people let go without warning.

Florida: In Winter Haven, Medicare insurer Physicians United Plan now being liquidated.  300 jobs lost!  25-thousand Medicare recipients affected!  So much for Obama Care!  What housing market recovery?  Brevard County is now the country’s leading area for home foreclosures.  RealtyTrac says one in every 303 homes has been foreclosed by the Too Big to Jail banks!  In Sweetwater, EurosSuites Residences and Resort hotel has been foreclosed by a Spanish bank! In Dania Beach, Thunderboat Marine Center in foreclosure.  In Hollywood, a redevelopment project being foreclosed despite the loans being backed by taxpayer funding.   7-Eleven selling off 31 convenience stores. It’s part of the Texas based company’s plan to sell at least 78 stores this year.  Company officials say the stores don’t fit their new “business model”.

Illinois: In Galesburg, the Sandburg Mall now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  The mall is at least $10-million in debt.  Schaumburg based Motorola Solutions announced they will kill an undisclosed number of jobs across the U.S., starting now.  Company officials say they need to cut $200-million in costs, however, it might actually have something to do with the sale of Motorola Solutions to Zebra Technologies.  In Collinsville, Kmart announced they will shutdown in September, 84 jobs lost.  What housing industry recovery? In Chicago, troubled Armaclad Windows and Doors shutting down, 195 jobs lost!  The company is being liquidated due to crashing sales and bad management.  The company even got $10-million in local tax incentives, but it obviously isn’t enough in this bad economy.

Iowa: Another Long John Silver’s franchise going down, this time in The Hawkeye State.  After 42 years Nellis Management announced they are shutting down at least eight of their Iowa stores (as well as their Illinois stores, reported in a prior Job Losses report).  As in Illinois, news reports said Iowa employees were given no notice. Nellis Management claims they’ve suffered as much as 50% drop in sales!  They blame a scientific report which dubbed Long John Silver’s the “worst restaurant” in the U.S.

Kansas: In Topeka, after 60 years Roy Frey Western Lifestyle store shutdown.

Kentucky: In Mount Vernon, the Anchor Packaging ‘Rock Castle’ operation shutting down and moving to Arkansas in August.  Company officials claim it’s in response to customer demands.

Massachusetts:  In Westfield, Savage Arms laid off an additional 48 employees.  The gun maker killed 37 jobs back in March.  Company officials say the layoffs were necessary in order to keep their guns affordable.

Michigan: At the Detroit Metro Airport a contract with Chili’s Too, Jose Cuervo Tequileria, Home Team Sports and Starbucks Fountain was ended.  If a new contract is not signed 135 jobs will be lost in August!

Minnesota: Sky Ventures warning it will shutdown six Pizza Huts in June, if there are no buyers.  Sky Ventures is bankrupt, the franchise company has already sold off 54 Pizza Huts.

Missouri:  Troubled Saint Joseph School District killed more jobs.  Three more teachers were added to the growing list of former employees.  Last month three employees were laid off as well.  School board officials blame it on disappearing students.  However, the school district is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The FBI wants to know why the administrators secretly gave themselves $200-thousand in bonuses!  In Clayton, Brazikat restaurant shutdown.   The owner blames bad reviews, however, it turns out the owner is being sued for breach of contract.  In Richmond Heights-Saint Louis, after 18 years the troubled Harvest Restaurant shutdown.  The owner blamed competition, however, the restaurant had routinely changed ownership for some reason.

New Jersey: Bankrupt trucking company New Century Transportation revealed they will kill 1500 jobs!  Employees found out when they checked the Better Business Bureau’s website and discovered the company has been declared “to be out of business”.

New York: In NYC, British empire Australia based News Corp began killing an undisclosed number of jobs within its New York Community Newspaper Group (CNG).  CNG is up for sale, it’s blamed on crashing newspaper revenues.  Last year News Corp sold off Dow Jones Local Media Group for the same reason.  After 20 years Chelsea’s Antiques Garage shutdown, it’s blamed on property developers.  Hachette Book Group shutdown their Business Plus operation, at least 28 jobs lost.  The company is fighting a legal battle with Amazon.

Oregon: In Albany, Kmart announced it will shutdown in September, 64 jobs lost.

Pennsylvania:  Chartiers-Houston School District warned of layoffs, and they blamed the state for withholding payments on recent construction and renovations, and the federal government for  increasing health care and retirement costs (Obama Care).  District officials say the result is that they are now $1-million in the hole!  In Lansdale, after more than 25 years soccer (football) clothing store Kick-N-Wear shutdown.  The owner said he could no longer compete with bigger retailers.   Minnesota based SuperValu announced they are selling off four Pennsylvania Shop ‘n Save stores.  No word on how many jobs could be lost.  Montgomery County killed 95 healthcare jobs with Abington Health.  They blame Obama Care: “Like many other regional health systems, Abington Health is navigating changes in the health-care environment. These changes are numerous, the most significant being the shift in volume from inpatient care to outpatient care and declining reimbursements.”-Laurence M. Merlis, CEO

South Dakota: It’s been revealed that Nellis Management will be shutting down Long John Silver’s restaurants (see Iowa).

West Virginia: In Huntington, after 14 years the non-profit Jeffrey E. George Comfort House shutdown.  The House was a place for families (who lived outside a 50 mile radius) of hospital patients to stay while visiting their ill relatives.  It’s blamed on a Too Big to Jail bank which suddenly demanded full payment of the mortgage (called de-leveraging): “The bank holding the mortgage on our 25 year loan is calling it in after only 12 years of our timely payments and great credit rating!”-Grant Shy, chairman

10 – 11 June 2014: No more Long John Silver’s

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

U.S.

False Flag U.S.A.: Millions of dollars worth of military equipment goes missing in Alabama?

22 August 2014 (02:42 UTC-07 Tango)/23 Shawwal 1435/31 Mordad 1393/27 Ren-Shen 4712

It has been revealed that law enforcers in the U.S. state of Alabama have failed to document all the former Department of Defense (DoD) equipment and weapons they’ve received (for free) since 2006!

Only now is it being reported that the DoD halted transfers of military equipment to Alabama back in March.  The state has received $117-million USD worth of vehicles (including helicopters) and M16/M4 assault rifles under the 1033 Program.  But that program requires the cops to document those items in a federal database, using not just serial numbers but pics as well.  Turns out some data for Alabama has never been submitted or it has disappeared!

Alabama is the second largest recipient of DoD equipment, Florida is number one.

Shane Bailey, Alabama’s new 1033 coordinator, admits that many local police departments never filed the required documents for the federal database!  However, Bailey swears no equipment is actually missing, just the documentation.

Click here for list of some of the military equipment acquired by Alabama law enforcement agencies.  

U.S.

False Flag U.S.A.: First Operation Vibrant Response & Vigilant Guard, now Vigilant Vortex! More to come in 2015!

22 August 2014 (02:15 UTC-07 Tango)/23 Shawwal 1435/31 Mordad 1393/27 Ren-Shen 4712

The massive military disaster training continues in the United States.  I already told you about the U.S. Army’s NorthCom Vibrant Response, the National Guard’s Vigilant Guard, now Vigilant Vortex brings European forces into the United States.

Last week the Minnesota National Guard hosted the 2nd annual Vigilant Vortex mass casualty exercise, which included the Heartland Animal Rescue, Red Cross and at least 30 state and federal government agencies as well as observers from Croatia (Minnesota provides military overwatch of Croatia, like California does for Ukraine).

Vigilant Vortex didn’t focus on a nuclear event, but on response to a massive chemical spill and damage from multiple tornadoes.

In 2015 Vigilant Vortex will be expanded involving a full-scale ground operation.

Vigilant Guard

Vibrant Response 14

Sheriffs train under I-RAPTER for coming nuclear disaster! 

International

World War 3 Afghanistan, 11 – 15 August 2014: More mystery deaths of U.S. vets! Ground battles and U.S. airstrikes increasing! Australia secretly supports Mujahideen? Iran becomes biggest trade partner! Mujahideen play Robin Hood! Obama ‘flips the bird’ at killed U.S. Army General!

Badakhshan Province:  In Jurm District, Mujahideen ambushed the provincial governor, provincial security chief and the local National Directorate of Security (NDS) official.  After several hours of fighting the officials escaped, at least three NDS agents wounded.  Mujahideen claim 11 people were killed, ten wounded.

Faryab Province: In Almar District, contractor/mercenaries (Arbaki) raid a village and ‘confiscated’ valuable personal possessions.  Villagers appealed to Mujahideen, who then kicked the asses of the U.S. funded Arbakis.  Mujahideen claim all possessions were retrieved, as well as capturing a motorcycle.

Ghazni Province: In Ghazni City, a U.S. Army Airborne Sergeant 1st Class (from Texas) was killed when Mujahideen preempted an attempted raid by the U.S. forces.   Mujahideen claim they killed three U.S. personnel, and that U.S. airstrikes killed several Mujahideen as well as civilians.  In Shalgar District, Mujahideen attacked a FOB (Forward Operating Base).  Three Arbaki killed, one Mujahid killed.  In Geru District, a NATO airstrike killed at least seven people.  Afghan government officials claim that two of those killed are from Pakistan.

Helmand Province: In Marjah District, U.S.-NATO airstrike killed 21 people.  Afghan government officials claim all 21 victims were Mujahideen, yet provided no proof.  In Khanshin District, four civilians killed when they drove over a landmine.  In Nad Ali District, Mujahideen attacked NATO personnel standing next to their APC.  A 30 minute firefight resulted.  Mujahideen reported seeing medevac ‘copters flying in after the battle.  In Lashkargah City, a former political campaign manager was assassinated by men on motorcycles.

Kabul Province: In Kabul City, it was revealed that back in January a British empire Labour Party political candidate was assassinated by Mujahideen.  Supposedly he was in Afghanistan observing the distribution of ‘aid’ from the United Kingdom.  Ministry of the Interior reporting (yet again) that hundreds of people have been killed, and hundreds wounded across Afghanistan in the past five days of battles.   The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries confirms that Afghan exports are crashing.  The latest three month survey reported “At least 9.9 percent of the employees of the surveyed companies had lost their jobs in a most favorable season of the year, which is unprecedented in our surveys.”  Economic officials blame it on the unsuccessful “successful” elections.  The Independent Electoral Complaints Commission is now asking Ministry of Interior, Afghan Intelligence and Afghan Attorney General to investigate the ongoing, and Obama regime instigated, election fraud.  Outgoing president Hamid Karzai continues to insist that Afghanistan will have a new president by the end of August.   A female Afghan member of parliament has endorsed the Mujahideen and the creation of an Islamic State in Afghanistan.  Audio tapes reveal that she has been holding discussions with Mujahideen supporters in the British empire country of Australia!  Reports say the audio taped discussions with supporters in Australia show they also support such groups as ISIS-ISIL in Syria and Iraq!

Kandahar Province: A teenager arrested on suspicion of being a kamikaze bomber reports that he was given a drug to make him more aggressive.  Sounds like ‘good’ ol’ Meth.  Reports that the police chief who ordered the summary execution of prisoners has resigned, due to overwhelming protests by local people.  His basic rationalization for killing prisoners is that once they’re released they’re so pissed at having been in prison that they become Mujahideen.   In Spin Boldak District, local police turned their weapons on each other.  Eight cops killed, including the police chief.

Kunar Province: In Ghaziabad District, about 400 Mujahideen went on the offensive against the Afghan National Army and local police, dozens of people killed.  In Watapur District, six U.S.-NATO airstrikes killed at least 15 people.  In Dangam, Shegal, Marwara , Sarkano and Kadish districts, reports that 81 artillery rounds from Pakistan impacted within a 36 hours period.  A 15 years old boy was killed.

Kunduz Province: Near Kunduz City, government officials report a week long battle with Mujahideen.   At least 20 civilians killed, ten wounded.  Mujahideen claim they killed dozens of “oppressive” police.

Logar Province: In Pul-e-Alam City, Mujahideen claim they wounded   at least one U.S. personnel during a firefight.

Nangarhar Province: In Chaprihar District, villagers report that U.S.-NATO personnel raided their village and kidnapped two people.

Paktia Province: In Zurmat District, villagers report a U.S.-NATO/Afghan government raid killed two women and one man.  In the same district, Mujahideen claim they sniped to death two people who were dressed like U.S.-NATO military personnel.

Paktika Province: In Orgun District, a U.S.-NATO airstrike killed at least five people.

“The value of trade between Iran and Afghanistan, including transit of goods and fuel products, has hit $5-billion per year.”-Nasir Ahmad Noor, Afghanistan’s ambassador to Iran

The Obama regime claims at least 25% of Afghan government forces are actually Mujahideen.  The Afghan Ministry of Defense vehemently denies this, however, Mujahideen reported that in the past five days several dozens of Afghan government personnel switched sides and became Mujahideen.

The U.S. Army General killed in Afghanistan was buried in Virginia U.S.A.  Strangely his boss, Commander in Chief President Barack Obama, refused to attend the funeral.  U.S. news reports said Obama was out golfing!

One of the U.S. Marines who urinated on dead Afghans is now dead himself!  The retired Jar Head was found dead by his wife, but get this, the local police say it was not “foul play” and it was not suicide either!  An attorney for the family is blaming it on prescription medications.

95 militiamen of the Army National Guard’s 950th Engineer Company (Wisconsin U.S.A.) deploying to Afghanistan.

100 militiamen of the Army National Guard’s 927th Engineer Company (Louisiana U.S.A.) returned from Afghanistan.

International, U.S.

More proof God is evil: United States & most of Christian ‘West’ fail to come through on funding the fight against Ebola! Only China pays up! U.S. even ignores its 2-million residents infected with NTD!

21 August 2014 (05:43 UTC-07 Tango)/24 Shawwal 1435/30 Mordad 1393/26 Ren-Shen 4712

“Our medical people don’t know about this virus…”-Neh Dukuly Tolbert, Liberian ambassador to China, revealing how they’ve been kept in the dark and abandoned by ‘Christian West’, and now appealing to China for help

Recent statements by officials at the United Nations have revealed that the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in western Africa could have been stopped in its tracks if the ‘western’ Christian countries of Europe and North America had paid the promised funding for international health care.  So far the only country that has kept its promises to fight EVD in Africa is China!

In Liberia, Chinese ‘peacekeeping’ troops have been leading UN supply efforts, since the Chinese have the only logistics unit in-country.  There are more than 690 Chinese troops in the former colony of the United States.

There are also 1500 Chinese civilians working in Liberia.  Chinese corporate officials have reported that many international health groups have actually begun fleeing Liberia, leaving Liberian health officials overwhelmed.  Chinese officials also report that Liberians are panicking and breaking into residences and drug stores in search of medication, any kind of medication.

Only three international airlines are willing to fly in and out of Liberia, and the UN is now calling for “exit screenings” for all people wanting to leave the affected countries.

As of 21 August more than 460 Liberians have died from EVD.   39 were medical staff.   China has promised to send medical teams to help the Liberian Health Ministry.  China already has medical teams in Sierra Leone dealing with other Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD).  Those teams have been rotated every two years and are now focusing on fighting EVD, in fact, one week ago China delivered $4.2-million in medical equipment and cash to help Sierra Leone fight EVD.

The affected countries have been trying to raise their own money by selling government bonds, but it’s not enough (who want’s to buy bonds from countries with poor economies and long track records of internal war?).

At the beginning of August the U.S. based World Bank promised $200-million USD in “emergency funding”, but that is not free, it is in the form of loans (“financing”): “Governments are almost totally reliant on international aid and healthcare expertise to co-ordinate and fund the containment strategy. The selling of debt remains a poor option for impoverished west African countries seeking to fund the fight.”-Charles Laurie,  Maplecroft consultancy

At the end of July the European Union promised $5.2-million, but added that they would send medical teams to “assess the situation”.

The United Kingdom promised $5-million to fight ebola in Africa, and the U.S. promised unspecified funding, but so far nothing is materializing, mainly because the funding is still being debated by lawmakers (this is why Prime Ministers and Presidents should not go around promising money when they have to rely on Congress or Parliament to approve it).

Newsweek recently reported that the United States was “sitting” on promised ebola vaccines, and they blame U.S. corporations: “The lack of funding is largely due to a lack of interest shown by pharmaceutical companies, for whom a rural, relatively low-kill African disease presents no lucrative market.”

A U.S. doctor in Texas is not surprised that the U.S. is failing to fund international healthcare efforts, because the U.S. fails at home as well: “It’s almost as though we do not want to admit that we have poverty in this country.  But the truth is that we have 20-million Americans who live in extreme poverty and almost 2-million Americans living on less than $2 a day, and they’re all infected with NTDs!”-Peter Hotez, National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine

GMO Food Aid = Ebola Outbreak

more proof God is evil: Red Cross & former Army officers say Christian United States loves to torture!

U.S.

U.S. Civil War Chicago, 11 – 15 August 2014: FBI quietly begins gun confiscation mission! People being killed in front of police station! Notice how many people are gut shot! FD & PD officials continue to contradict each other!

Incomplete list:

3500 block of South Indiana Avenue: 25 years old man gut shot to death just one block from a Chicago police station!  Police say they “found” the man after he was killed, yet somehow they know that he was shot by another man who walked up to the victim before shooting.

7100 block of South Green Street: 26 years old man shot three times and killed supposedly by a drive by shooter in a white car.  Police don’t give a shit because they declared the victim a “documented” gangbanger.

9200 block of South Dobson Avenue:  17 years old boy shot and killed supposedly by drive by shooter in silver car.  News reports say “someone” drove him to a hospital.

103rd and State streets: 22 years old man sitting in a vehicle was somehow shot in the butt and ankle by a person using a rifle, according to police.  Police say they found spent casings for a rifle in the intersection.

9800 block of South Ellis Avenue: 32 years old man shot in the leg and back, 19 years old man gut and butt shot.

7400 block of South Greenwood Avenue: 21 years old man gut shot supposedly by drive by shooter, according to police.

500 block of West 80th Street: 29 years old man shot in the hand while on his porch.

3900 block of West Grand Avenue: 17 years old boy shot in the leg and wounded.

11300 block of South Carpenter Street: 28 years old man shot and wounded.

1100 block of West 80th Street:  Two men in their 30s shot and wounded.

8600 block of South Ingleside Avenue: Three people in their back yard shot and wounded.  Police say the shooter was in the alley.  Police reported two people in serious condition, one in stable condition, yet Fire Department officials say all three are in critical condition.

11800 block of South Princeton Avenue: 15 years old boy shot and wounded in the arm and gut, by drive by shooter.

65 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) personnel began a intelligence and surveillance mission for the expressed purpose of future arrests and gun confiscations: “This is a new tactic the FBI is using in fighting crime.  By working in a concentrated area and a concentrated time on the street, although the FBI has been working hand in hand and day in and day out with the police department.”-unnamed FBI spokesperson

The FBI mission was pushed for by Obama puppet Rahm Emanuel.  An unnamed Chicago police officer told the Chicago Sun-Times that he was shocked by the federal government operation: “It’s mind-boggling, it’s almost unheard of!  I thought the mayor and the police superintendent had said they don’t need more police on the streets?”

“You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it’s an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.”-Rahm Emanuel, Obama regime puppet

40 Illinois State troopers are now assigned to the Chicago Police Fugitive Unit.  For the next 30 days they will help city police hunt down wanted individuals, at least that’s the official story.

It’s interesting that the police seem to know how most shootings went down, even though they weren’t present and most victims refuse to “cooperate”.  And yet, few arrests.

The majority of victims are male.  Police continue to insist most of the gun violence is caused by gangbangers, but have made few arrests. That’s because police believe most of the victims are also gangbangers.  Realize that police in metropolitan areas keep records of whose who in the local gangs, this how they know if a victim is a “documented gang member”.  This also means police probably know who the assailants are.   So why no arrests?

Once again, shooting victims were not armed, it’s as if the shooters are deliberately targeting unarmed people.  It also questions the police claims that the victims are gang members.  Wouldn’t they be armed?

New anti-gun laws would not stop the shootings, because most guns used in Chicago shootings are already illegal!

Now here’s something interesting: Notice police claim most of the victims of the shootings are gangbangers, and realize that it’s the families of those victimized gangbangers demanding all out police state gun bans! Is that irony?

“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, 07 – 10 August 2014

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings 10 – 11 June 2014: “We haven’t made a profit since 1989!” No more Long John Silver’s? Too Big to Jail Banks kill off trucking company! More education cuts! God abandons Boston Strong Jews? God abandons churches as Christians disappear?

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama:  Hoover City Schools laid off nine employees.  School officials bemoaned the facts that student population is growing, but due to the bad economy “….our property tax receipts have declined or stayed flat.”  School officials stated that local taxes began declining suddenly in 2009-10 (isn’t that when the ‘recession’ officially ended?).   Funding has fallen so much that they’ve cut the upcoming school year’s budget by 50%!  And it doesn’t help that Obama Care has drastically increased the costs of employee benefits.

Arizona: University of Phoenix (Apollo Education Group) laid off less than 50 employees.  Company officials say it’s part of their restructuring.

California: More bad news for the Orange County Register newspaper.  The new owners are requesting as many as 100 employees voluntarily quit (by accepting a buyout bribe), or face outright layoffs.  In San Jose, Motorola announced 45 employees will become unemployed in August.  In San Francisco, British empire and U.S. taxsucking military contractor BAE revealed to state officials that it had killed 194 jobs back on 13 May 2014!  WARN notices are supposed to be filed before the layoffs, but BAE filed their mandatory notice a month late.  In Beverly Hills medical systems management company, Forward Business Solutions, laid off 61 employees without notce.  In Lake Forest, dairy flavorings provider Kerry Flavor Systems shutting down in September, 85 jobs lost.  It might be connected to Kerry’s takeover of Wynnstar Flavors.

Connecticut: In Westport, after 59 years Max’s Art supply store shutdown.  The owner revealed the U.S. economy has been in the shitter for the past three decades: “We haven’t made a profit since 1989!”-Shirley Mellor

Florida: In Sarasota, upscale golf themed Sam Snead’s American Grill shutting down.  Employees were given two weeks notice, but were also “ordered” not to talk to the news media.

Idaho: In Twin Falls, after 47 years the Twin 12 Cinema movie theater shutdown.

Illinois: In Galesburg, the Long John Silver’s fast fish food joint shutdown without notice, 10 jobs lost.  Employees were officially notified the same morning that the restaurant was shutdown.  The franchise owner, Nellis Management, said the store was losing money big time.   Nellis Management also said sales at their other 31 Long John Silver’s (across four states) began crashing in 2013, and they plan on shutting more stores down as a result.

Kansas:  In Wichita, Canada based Bombardier shutdown LearJet-85 production, 200 jobs lost!  The employees were given less than a weeks notice.  Production was also killed in Mexico.

Kentucky: The Courier-Journal newspaper laid off seven employees, including the managing editor.  It’s blamed on declining revenue, and efforts to switch to digital.

Massachusetts: In Norwood, That Which Cannot Be Named refused to stop the shutdown of the Jewish elementary school Kehillah Schechter Academy.  It’s blamed on disappearing Jewish students (it also doesn’t help that the school is millions of dollars in debt).

Nevada: Canada based Veris Gold now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  Despite the price of gold, mining company officials say they are unable to get enough operating capital (Too Big to Jail Bank loans) due to their massive debt load.

New Jersey:  Trucking company New Century Transportation now chapter 7 bankrupt busted and shutting down.  Company officials say they were killed off by the Too Big to Jail Banks, who refused to continue providing operating capital (daily operating loans).  Company officials claim they even tried to sell off parts of the company to raise cash, but nobody is interested in buying.

New York:  Healthcare contractor IPRO laying off 114 employees in August! It’s blamed on the loss of a contract.   Wilson Central School District laid off two employees.  Once again the New York City Housing Authority made threats of shutting down 57 Community Centers!  Since at least 2011 NYCHA has made alternating massive layoff threats, then suddenly canceling those threats.  This is a sure sign of cooked books and political games being played with wasted tax dollars.  In Whitehall, Family Dollar store shutting down in July, 10 jobs lost.  It’s one of 370 Family Dollar stores to be shutdown in 2014.  The shutdown list has not been made public.  In East Syracuse, maker of parts for anything like golf carts to fork lifts Nidec Advanced Motors and Drives announced they will layoff between 34 and 189 employees in September!  In Brooklyn, prepared meals provider Blue Apron laying off 82 people in September.  Company officials announced they’re moving to New Jersey.

Ohio:  In Anderson Township, the Kmart announced it will shutdown in September, 71 jobs lost.

Pennsylvania: Medical device maker Medline Industries is shutting down and moving to New York.  40 jobs lost by October.  In Bridgeville, God refused to stop the closing of Holy Child Catholic School, as well as the Saint Ignatius and Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Barnabas churches.  Church officials blame it on disappearing Christians!

06 – 09 June 2014: “the effort just wasn’t bringing a return” 

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

Business/Economics, Idaho, International, U.S.

Global Food Crisis: Late blight kills Idaho’s 2014 potato crops? Confirmed in Bannock County! Blame Mexico or Global Cooling?

19 August 2014 (01:53 UTC-07 Tango)/22 Shawwal 1435/28 Mordad 1393/24 Ren-Shen 4712

“…..just the beginning. The opportunity for this thing to be explosive in its spread is definitely there.”-Phil Nolte, University of Idaho

A few days ago it was reported by local news media that potato late blight was devastating crops in Bingham County, I can tell you it’s here in Bannock County, and it started back in July.

Farm field on the west side of Chubbuck. About 4 weeks ago these spuds were full and green.

Farm field on the west side of Chubbuck. About 4 weeks ago this spud field was full and green.

Don’t blame the drought, since the end of July eastern Idaho has been hit with abnormal rain, so much that University of Idaho pathologists warned the unseasonable heavy rain is causing late blight (Phytophthora infestans).  Late blight was confirmed in Blackfoot farm fields on 11-12 August 2014, in Bingham County.

I can tell you that the farm field on the west side of Chubbuck (Bannock County) was showing signs of disease before the heavy rains started, back at the beginning of July.   It’s an irrigated farm, and several types of crops are rotated every year.   The farmer stopped irrigating by the time the rains hit.

Check out the devastation. Back in July the potato plants were more than 2 feet tall, now they're dead! Late blight killed off the large fields in only a few weeks time.

Check out the devastation. Back in July the potato plants were more than 2 feet tall, now they’re dead! The only plants growing now are the tumble weeds! Late blight killed off the large fields in only a few weeks time.

Apparently it only takes the late blight fungus about five days to begin spreading spores (the spores travel by air).

A late blight is blamed for the infamous Irish Potato Famine, and it made its way to North America in the late 1800s.  But ever since the 1990s new strains of late blight evolved in Mexico, and are making their way north.  The new strains are considered more lethal than the old Irish Potato Famine version.   It attacks tomatoes as well.

University of Idaho ag officials stated that spraying fungicides should kill the blight, however they admitted many farmers are short on cash and can’t afford the chemicals.  A farmer from Aberdeen (Bingham County) stated that he hoped his anti-early blight spray would suffice for preventing late blight, due to cost concerns.   After all, potatoes haven’t really been a money making crop for Idaho farmers (despite the propaganda spouted in the metropolitan areas of the United States).

It’s not just potatoes, Idaho hay/alfalfa growers are facing fungus problems due to the unseasonal heavy rains.  By the end of the first week of August, Jefferson and Bingham counties reported record rain fall totals.

Hay farmers had already shipped off their first cuts, but University of Idaho officials reported that the second cut (now stacked in bales) is in jeopardy of mold contamination due to being soaked: “…..there was enough rain on uncovered stacks that it probably went through the first bale. We could have more hay fires and a bunch of ruined hay. Monitor your stacks.”-Glenn Shewmaker

A Blackfoot hay farmer reported that his hay stacks had already turned black with mold: “It’s the ugliest hay I’ve ever been a part of!”-Dewey Stander, lost 404 hectares (1-thousand acres) of cut hay

Up ’till now the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had been making optimistic reports regarding agricultural crop production in Idaho.

But there’s more climate change threats coming for Idaho farmers.  Climatologist Cliff Harris says he and his colleges agree that Idaho could see a colder than normal Autumn (our temps have actually been unusually cool for August).  He even warns that there could be hard freezes in September, meaning less food for you city folks to eat.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings 06 – 09 June 2014: “the effort just wasn’t bringing a return” More employment services shutting down! Rite Aid stabs union workers in the back! Yes, more ObamaCare job cuts!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that from 1999 to 2013 the number of people moving across the country because of employment reasons remained unchanged at 10%.  This is a sign that the job market has been stagnant for far longer than the 2007-09 Recession.

France based Hachette Book Group confirmed it will layoff 28 U.S. employees due to crashing sales.  The book publisher is best known for Harry Potter, but no magic can save the company from the bad economy or its problems with Amazon.

Alabama: In Tuscaloosa, legal drugs pusher Rite Aid announced they will shutdown their distribution center over the next two years, 299 jobs lost!  It is one of three Rite Aid distribution centers being shutdown in the United States.

California: In Santa Anna, PSS World Medical shutting down in August.  In Cerritos, hospital ER and Urgent Care contractor RevCycle+ announced it is killing 256 medical billing jobs in August!  They laid off 26 employees back in February.  In Milpitas, Korea based Samsung Semiconductor announced they are killing 111 high tech jobs in August!  Since 2009 Samsung has been slowly shutting down its U.S. operations, despite billions of USD in investments.  In Laguna Niguel, Kroger owned Ralph’s grocery store shutting down in July.   In Newport Beach, after ten years successful Z Pizza shutdown by the landlord.  The property owner refused to renew the lease.  In Irvine, Red Brick Pizza forced to shutdown by the same property owners that shutdown Z Pizza.  A Denny’s restaurant is being shutdown because the property owner (apparently the same one who shutdown the two pizza joints) refuses to renew the lease.  An upscale Elephant Bar & Restaurant shutting down.  Restaurant officials refused to say why.

Florida:  Manatee County Schools laid off 12 employees.  Reports that the Hollywood Pavilion mental hospital and its Hollywood Hills Rehabilitation Center are being foreclosed.  No word on how many jobs will be affected.  The hospital’s former CEO is now serving a 25 years federal prison sentence for frauding the government, and for bribing patients.   Emilio and Gloria Estefan’s Bongos Cuban Cafe shutdown.  They could not renew the lease.

Georgia: WellStar Health System eliminated 29 positions.  It’s blamed on Obama Care: “The healthcare industry is going through unprecedented changes. There is uncertainty around every corner. In 2013, the U.S. government began cutting $113 billion from hospital payments over the next 10 years with $400 billion additional cuts under discussion.  As a not-for-profit health system, we face an extraordinary challenge to plan for the future without knowing the payment mechanisms.”-David Anderson, VP HR

Hawaii: In Kauai, after 98 years the Kojima Store shutdown.  The family owners blamed decreasing sales and increasing costs of operations.

Illinois: God refuses to stop all powerful Obama Care from forcing Saint John’s Hospital from laying off 43 employees.  In Joliet, employment service Randstad announced it will kill 125 jobs in July!  California based supply company Menlo Worldwide Logistics announced it will layoff 77 people in July.  In Northbrook,  Swizterland based Nestle’s shutdown their DiGiorno and Jack’s Frozen Pies factory, 66 jobs lost.  They are consolidating operations.  In Niles, audio and video equipment maker Shure announced they’re shutting down in August, 50 jobs lost.  In Chicago, advertising company Leo Burnett quietly laid off about ten employees.  It might have something to do with losing a McDonald’s contract.   The ad agency laid off about 40 people back in February.  Heavy equipment maker Caterpillar shutting down four of its Anchor Coupling production and logistics facilities, at least 170 full time jobs lost!

Kentucky: Wisconsin based electric motor maker Regal Beloit announced they’re shutting down their Mount Sterling factory, 212 jobs will be lost by 2015!   The layoffs will begin in July/August.

Maryland: In Baltimore two restaurants, California based Pabu and Lamill, shutdown.

Michigan:  Lawrence Technological University shutting down their 10 years old Center for Nonprofit Management by July.  In Jackson, Too Big to Jail FirstMerit bank shutdown two locations.  It’s part of the bank’s plan to close 26 offices in five states.  In Coloma, after 54 years Nancy’s Furniture (aka Nilson’s Furniture) shutdown.  The owner says their sales never recovered from the ‘recession’: “We tried very hard to keep our business well and to see it through hard times. The time had to come when the effort just wasn’t bringing a return, and that time is right now.”-Jim Edwards

Minnesota:  In Minneapolis, after 25 years the Saks Off 5th store announced it is shutting down in Jaunary.

Missouri:  God refuses to stop all powerful Obama Care from killing as many as 300 jobs in the Mercy hospital system! Mercy’s layoffs will hit several hospitals throughout The Show Me State.  Mercy is the sixth largest Catholic hospital system in the U.S.

New Jersey: Gloucester Manor Rehabilitation and Care killed 130 healthcare jobs!  This is because the nursing home is now under government investigation, placed on the Special Focus List for the next 36 months.  After only seven years upscale furniture retailer Design Spree shutting down two stores.  Bankruptcy could be next.

New Mexico: In Bernalillo, after 37 years the TaGrMo True Value hardware store shutdown.  The owner said the “poor economy” is a sign that it’s time to retire.

New York: In Yonkers, after only two years Brio Tuscan Grille announced they will shutdown in August, 78 jobs lost.  Restaurant officials blame the suck-ass economy.  In Jamaica, Swissport USA announced it is laying off 180 cargo handlers at the JFK Airport in August!  In Syracuse, Travelers Indemnity announced it is shutting down by September, 80 employees to become unemployed between now and April 2015.

North Carolina: In Charlotte, legal drugs pusher Rite Aid announced they will shutdown their distribution center over the next two years.  Rite Aid is consolidating its eastern U.S. distribution centers.

Ohio: Food processor ConAgra killing 170 jobs! The company is shutting down two popcorn factories.  It’s blamed on its takeover of Ralcorp.  In North Toledo, Mitt Romney connected Toys R Us shutting down in July, 30 jobs lost.  Youngstown State University eliminated 58 positions.  University officials said state officials have already cut $20-million USD in funding over the past three years, but that $22-million is going to be cut for the 2014-15 school year!  The University laid off employees in 2013 as well.

Oregon: In Portland, after 13 years Jackpot Records shutdown almost one month earlier than first announced.

South Carolina: What automotive industry recovery?  In Spartanburg County, after only four years France base car parts maker Faurecia shutting down, 150 jobs lost!   In Vista, after more than 55 years Bluestein Wholesale Dry Goods shutdown, it’s blamed on one of the owners developing brain cancer.

Tennessee:  In Oak Ridge, the Food Lion grocery store shutdown, 40 jobs lost.

Texas: San Antonio Children’s Museum shutdown and now for sale.  The building will be totally vacated by 2015.

Virginia:  Military contractor NW Systems now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  This comes as the company had its employee 401k program seized and a lawsuit filed over who really owns the company (among many other lawsuits).

West Virginia: In Poca, legal drugs pusher Rite Aid announced they will shutdown their distribution center over the next three years, 250 jobs will be lost!  Originally Rite Aid was going to close the warehouse in 2016, but the employee’s union went berserk.  Unionized employees accused Rite Aid of stabbing them in the back, because they made concessions in exchange for keeping the distribution center open.  Rite Aid will now keep the warehouse open until 2017, which is apparently when the union contract ends.

Wisconsin: In La Crosse, the Mayo Clinic has revised the number of medical transcriptionists to become unemployed, upward.  Now 188  jobs lost in September!  Mayo Clinic decided to go ahead and outsource all its transcription work.  In Tomah, native American owned Hardware Hank store shutting down in July.

04 – 05 June 2014: “I don’t know if we can overcome this”

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

Business/Economics, Idaho

More Economic Decline: Only 3 years after opening, Chubbuck’s Allstate call center already killing jobs!

15 August 2014 (03:25 UTC-07 Tango)/18 Shawwal 1435/24 Mordad 1393/20 Ren-Shen 4712

In October 2010 insurance company Allstate, the mayor of Chubbuck (Steve England) and the governor of Idaho (Butch Otter) announced at a public ground breaking ceremony the creation of a call center that was promised to eventually employ 500 people.

The Allstate call center was built in The Crossings plaza adjacent to the Pine Ridge Mall, and became operational at the end of 2011, but nowhere near 500 jobs were created.

By the end of 2012, there were about 250 employees at the Chubbuck Allstate call center, making Allstate the largest employer in the city.  Many of the positions are part time only.  Allstate claims they spent more than $22-million USD on the project, but I know they got a lot of incentives from the state (taxpayers.  Allstate called it “nine months of negotiations”).

The $22-million+ Allstate call center in Chubbuck, Idaho, already shedding jobs after barely 3 years of operations.

The $22-million+ Allstate call center in Chubbuck, Idaho, already shedding jobs after barely 3 years of operations.

In 2013 Allstate added Roadside Services to the Chubbuck call center (at the expense of Allstate jobs in other states).  Local news reports said the move would create an additional 225 jobs, thereby keeping the promise of nearly 500 jobs made back in 2010.   Well, that didn’t last long.

Right after the groundbreaking ceremonies in 2010. The property is known as The Crossings, with Home Depot being the only occupant until Allstate came along.

On 13 August 2014, it was revealed that Allstate is shutting down their Chubbuck call center’s Roadside Services.  Those jobs will be shipped off to other call centers (including a new call center in Draper, Utah), or the Chubbuck Roadside Services employees can hope to be transfered to the original Chubbuck Customer Contact Center.

Allstate officials told local news media that this does not mean Allstate is leaving Chubbuck after only three years of operations, but guess what folks, Allstate has already done that in other parts of the country.  In fact, Allstate has been shutting down call centers (some only recently opened) across the country for the past two years!  (as I’ve pointed out in many of my Job Losses & Store Closings reports)

Allstate is playing the same game other call center operators are playing: They come to town and build new call centers using taxpayer funded incentives (basically no cost to the call center operators), they employ a couple hundred people for a few years, then, when the tax incentives expire they pull stakes and move on to the next sucker who’s willing (desperate for jobs) to waste their taxdollars on them.

Don’t be surprised if they eventually shutdown the entire Chubbuck Allstate call center.

East Idaho television news didn’t tell the story clearly

500 ALLSTATE JOBS?