Tag Archives: unemployment

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 09 February 2013: More Obama/Romney Care cuts! People being laid off so their co-workers can get a raise! Christian God can’t stop Christian Book Stores from being shut down! Blame greedy Christian landlords!

The Southeast Arizona Medical Center bankrupt. A new company will take over operations.  The old company was millions in debt.  Hospital officials say nothing will change regarding employees and hospital operations (famous last words).

In Ohio, the Aultman Hospital and Mercy Medical Center laying off employees and closing departments.  Company officials blame the Obama/Romney Care reforms.  Also, Akron General Medical Center warned 132 employees that layoffs are coming! Officials there blamed a combination of decreased revenues and Obama/Romney Care: “The external pressures being placed on us, and really all hospitals across the country, are extraordinary.“-Tim Stover, Akron General Health System

Eastern Kentucky University announced they will layoff an undisclosed amount of employees.  This in an effort to maintain classes and give pay raises to those who are not laid off!  Also, Guitar Emporium closed down in Louisville. The owner retired, five employees out-o-work.

Christie’s closing its Haunch of Venison galleries in New York, U.S.A., and London, U.K.  40 jobs affected.  Also in New York, Pardzee’s pizza restaurant in East Syracuse closed down. The owners wanted to retire.

In North Carolina, the Books-A-Million store closed in Cotswold Village.

In Washington DC, the Christian book seller, Newman Bookstore, will close down in May.  Church officials say it’s because the landlord jacked up the rent (so why not ask your God for the extra rent money?).

Lambert’s Swap Shop book store in Arkansas out-o-business. The Christian owners blamed crashing sales, but said their biggest seller was the Bible.  They claim the Bibles would sell out as soon as they came in, but I guess it wasn’t enough for the Christian God to help them keep their 40 years old book store open.

Railroad Books & Videos closing down in Strasburg, Pennsylvania.  Also, the Thomas’ Trackside Station toy store closing down as well. Both stores are owned by the same family. They blame crashing sales.

In Williamstown, Massachusetts, the Store at Five Corners closing down, again. The store was going to close down in 2011, because of money problems, but somehow continued on.  Now the landlord wants the store closed for sure.  The manager of the store say he was not given a reason why: “I received a call on Wednesday night from the building’s owner, saying he wanted to close the store and he wanted to close it by Sunday.”-Ryan Hassett

In Iowa, the Citizens First National Bank branch at Flindt and Richland Drives in Storm lake, closing down.  The bank wants to make more money by renting out the office space.

A 100 years old privately run public swimming pool shut down. Wisconsin’s DeKoven Foundation blames “…increased state and federal regulations, prohibitive cost structures and availability of qualified staff.”

After 105 years the Emmerson Furniture store in Cañon City, Colorado, closed down. The owner is upset because he tried everything in the past three years to save the family business: “…I hate the fact we have to close. It’s not anything I’ve done wrong or anybody else. It’s just the economic conditions aren’t good….it’s been a spiral going downhill. I couldn’t make it stop.”-Brady Emmerson

Also in Colorado, Sonny’s Rocks jewelery store in Denver closed down. The owner said the bad economy was a sign that it was time to retire: “Retail has just gotten to the point it’s so tough today. I’ve been doing this for 40 years, so I’m ready to relax.”-Michael Nedler

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

Government & Corporate Evil: It’s official, the Too Big to Fails are now Too Big to Jail! Attorney General claims that UnAmerican Corporate America has the world economy by the balls!!!

The following statements were made during the 06 March 2013/23 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/16 Esfand 1391 U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee questioning of Department of Justice oversight.

“In the case of bank prosecution. I’m concerned we have a mentality of ‘too big to jail’ in the financial sector….Assistant Attorney General Breuer said that one reason that DoJ has not sought these prosecutions is because it reaches out to ‘experts’ to see what effect the prosecution will have on the financial markets.”-Chuck Grassley, U.S. Senator from Iowa

“…I am concerned that the size of some of these institutions becomes so large that it does become difficult for us to prosecute them when we are hit with indications that if we do prosecute…..it will have a negative impact on the national economy, perhaps even the world economy.”-Eric Holder, U.S. Attorney General

Another U.S. Senator, and economist, went nuts when she heard those statements: “It has been almost five years since the financial crisis, but the big banks are still too big to fail?  That means they are subsidized by about $83 billion a year by American taxpayers and are still not being held fully accountable for breaking the law!  Attorney General Holder’s testimony that the biggest banks are Too Big to Jail shows once again that it is past time to end Too Big to Fail!”-Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts

Where’s the main streamer media on this one?

Those of us who’ve been dealing with long term unemployment have already seen our economy “negatively impacted”, it’s time for those who destroyed our economy to pay!

International, U.S.

World War 3: China calls for calm after North Korea declares War!

08 March 2013/25 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/18 Esfand 1391

China voted for the latest UN sanctions against Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which led to Pyongyang’s declaration of war.

Now China is calling for calm: “China calls on relevant parties to exercise calm and restraint, and avoid actions that might further escalate tensions.”-Hua Chunying, spokeswoman Chinese Foreign Ministry

Chinese officials defended their vote against Democratic People’s Republic of Korea by saying it was “…objective and fair…”

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: Israeli soldier desecrates Qur’an, IDF attacks al-Aqsa Mosque! Israel continues attacks on Gaza! U.S. begins Leviathan war games with Israel.

08 March 2013/25 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/18 Esfand 1391

Israeli soldiers attacked protesting Palestinians at the al-Aqsa Mosque.  Palestinians responded with firebombs.

The protest has been ongoing since Israeli soldiers stormed the Mosque on 03 March 2013.  They broke up a Qur’an recitation, with one IDF troop kicking and trampling the Qur’an.

No mention by U.S. media!

Also not mentioned is that fact that Israel has not stopped attacking Gazans. The latest attack involves an attack by IDF personnel on farmers in the town of Jabalia.   One Palestinian wounded.  This is yet another violation of the most recent cease fire agreement. Last week six Palestinians were wounded by IDF troops in Gaza Strip.

The navies of United States, Greece and Israel have begun two week long war games.  This is a continuation of war games started in 2011 called Noble Dina. The main purpose of the war games is to protect new natural gas operations in the massive Leviathan petroleum fields under the Mediterranean Sea.

International, U.S.

World War 3: New Korean War to begin 11 March 2013! South Korea says the North shall be wiped from the Earth!

08 March 2013/25 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/18 Esfand 1391

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has declared the 1953 non-aggression pact void!  As of 11 March 2013 the northern half of Korea will now consider itself at war with the southern half, and the United States!

Officials in Pyongyang are shutting down their operations at the Demilitarized Zone.

There are reports that Kim Jong Un visited front line military units deployed on an island off the western coast of the Korean Peninsula.  Apparently he ordered the military to quickly annihilate the enemy in a single attack.

Other reports say Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s KCNA news agency is reporting that the people are “…ready to fight a Korean style all-out war.”

KCNA also reported that the war will not be confined to the peninsula, and it mentioned future precision strikes targeting “…enemy deployed on five islets…”

The latest claims by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea come after the Republic of Korea declared “…Kim Jong-un’s regime will perish from earth.”

That threat from the South was in response to the North’s threat to use nukes in a first strike against its enemies.  See more of the tit for tat here.

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Surprise store closing for Florida Kmart? Women shoplifters target Sears!

08 March 2013/25 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/18 Esfand 1391

Without much warning, or announcement in local Florida media, the Bonita Springs Kmart began liquidation sales.

The store closing sale started on 03 March, the store must be vacated by May.

Current media reports claim the store closing announcement was made last month, but like I said, so far all the media reports that I’ve found were published within the past 24 hours.  Where’s the media reports from last month’s supposed closing announcement?

The Bonita Springs Kmart is located in a plaza that’s gone downhill for years. The plaza is under new ownership, and according to the only big store left in the plaza (Publix) the new owners are not communicating their intentions to tenants.

Speaking of the media, apparently a female reporter, or media employee, was recently caught trying to steal items from the Granite Run Mall Sears store in Pennsylvania. Sears and other stores at the Granite Run Mall seem to be a favorite target of thieves, most of whom are women.  In the past month several female shoplifters were caught with thousands of dollars worth of items from several stores including Kohl’s. State Police report that some of the women are from out-o-state.

Sears Holdings reported that it lost $489 million USD in 2012, yet CEO Eddie Lambert is buying up Sears stock (he now holds 43845246 shares of Sears Holdings).  Fortune magazine called him “…the best investor of his generation.”

Lambert has been praised for building up other companies, but it comes at the cost of jobs.

Here’s my updated list of store closings since the end of 2011:

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

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

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

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

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

Guam:  Sears Hometown Store.

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

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

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Illinois:  Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost).  Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost). By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state.  The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Iowa:  Cedar Rapids Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost).

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

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, Flint Kmart (46 jobs lost), Gaylord Kmart (48 jobs lost).

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart, Bemidji Kmart.

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line.

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line.

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials.

North Carolina: High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost),  West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (58 jobs lost).

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

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

New York: Depew Kmart (68 jobs lost).

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

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

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

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

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),  one of two Greenville Kmarts (74 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).

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

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost),  Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Florida: West Oaks Mall

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

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

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

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

Minnesota: Apache Mall

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

International, U.S.

World War 3: North Korean officer reveals they have ballistic missiles with nukes aimed at United States! Tit for tat continues, will it end in nuclear war?

07 March 2013/24 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/17 Esfand 1391

At a rally held in Pyongyang, Korea, a military officer revealed to the crowds that they have inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBM), armed with new smaller nuclear warheads, aimed at the United States.

This comes shortly after the government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea said they reserve the right to make preemptive nuclear strikes against the capital cities of their enemies, like the U.S.

That followed the United Nations Security Council passing a new sanctions resolution against the East Asian country.  Also, Australia announced it would not allow Pyongyang to re-open their embassy in Canberra.

And those actions followed a threat from Pyongyang to nullify the armistice that ended the Korean War in 1953.

That threat came because of the announced military war games held by the United States and the Republic of Korea.  Those war games are being conducted now.

This year’s tit for tat can be traced back to the launch of a rocket by Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which was followed by an underground nuclear weapons test.

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Sears, Kmart, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Radio Shack will continue closing stores, because it makes them money! More proof the bad economy is the fault of unAmerican Corporate America!

07 March 2013/24 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/17 Esfand 1391

The latest report from commercial real estate analyst, CoStar Group, says store closings for the United States are not going to stop anytime soon.

Regarding Sears Holdings, CoStar Group says between 2006 and 2011 about 150 Kmart and Sears stores were closed.  But that accelerated in 2012, with about 150 stores closed in that single year, and more closings are coming!

Sears Holdings chairman, Edward Lambert, blames competition from the internet, but also admitted that there’s money to be made closing down stores and eliminating jobs: “We (also) are able to realize the value of the real estate in situations where we own the stores or where the lease terms are attractive to third parties.”

Mitchell S. Klipper, CEO of Barnes & Noble, says they will continue closing stores: “We have historically closed 12 to 20 stores each year over the last 10 years, averaging 15 stores a year. That will not change.”

Best Buy president and CEO, Hubert Joly, said closing stores is part of Phase One of its plan which involves “optimizing” its real estate.  That’s code for making money off selling property: “Occupancy cost reductions continue to be a key focus, and we make significant progress in fiscal 2013 [calender year 2012] in both the area of store closings and re-negotiated leases. In fiscal ‘13, we permanently closed 49 large-format stores and expected to close an additional five to 10 large-format stores in fiscal 2014 [calendar year 2013].”

Radio Shack, which had a $63 million USD loss for 2012,  said they will consider closing stores as the leases expire:  “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to look at store closures, unless there’s a lease end in play. We’ll continue to go through that review. But where our opportunity and our focus really has been trying to find stores that are borderline profitable and turning them into higher producing stores. That’s really where our focus is right now.”-Joseph C. Magnacca, CEO

To juxtapose, Walmart says they plan on expanding their ‘brick & mortar’ operations around the world: “Supercenters remain our primary growth vehicle, and we will continue to expand this format to drive share. During the year, we opened 129 Supercenters, including new stores, expansions, relocations, and conversions. We plan to expand our Supercenter fleet next year by adding approximately the same number of units.”-William S. Simon, CEO and president

As is Kohl’s, even though they have closed stores as well: “Our current plans are to open 12 stores in 2013, nine in the spring and three in the fall. Consistent with 2012 new stores, we expect all but one of the 2013 stores to be small stores, with less than 64,000 square feet. We remodeled 50 stores in 2012, and we expect to remodel 30 stores in 2013. Most of these remodels are expected to occur in the fall season.”-Kevin Mansell, chairman, CEO and president

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 01 – 04 March 2013. More drone strikes! Yet more of your tax money being spent! Civilians killed by U.S. led ISAF on the increase! Suicide attacks now approved!

04 March 2013/21 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/14 Esfand 1391

In Farah Province, an eight years old boy tending the family’s sheep was killed by U.S. led ISAF drone strike. It happened in the Aab Solakh area of Pusht Rod district.

In Badghis Province, two mercenaries (Arbaki) joined the Mujahideen.

In Uruzgan Province, the mayor of Chora district, and a trainer for a local police academy,  were wounded after they drove over a landmine.  They were medivaced out. Also in Chora district, an ISAF armored vehicle hit a landmine and was destroyed.

03 March 2013/20 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/13 Esfand 1391

In Badakhshan Province, Mujahideen attacked a police supply convoy.  Various reports say the battle lasted several hours, resulting in between six and 15 people killed and 12 wounded.  Two trucks were destroyed.

In Kabul City, body guards of a politician open fired on a civilian vehicle killing a woman, and wounding two men inside.  They later admitted they mistook the car as a militant vehicle, because it failed to stop at a local police checkpoint.   Local police had warned the body guards that there might be an attack on the politician.

U.S. led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) announced they will spend $11 million USD on rebuilding Salang tunnel. Of course that money is coming from taxes paid by the people of the various countries involved with ISAF.

02 March 2013/19 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/12 Esfand 1391

In Paktia Province, two Afghan National Army troops joined the Mujahideen.

Reports that a civilian contractor working for ISAF in southern Afghanistan, has been killed in an explosion. No details given.

01 March 2013/18 Raby’ ath-Thani 1434/11 Esfand 1391

In Uruzgan Province, Australian Diggers called in an Apache helicopter airstrike that killed two children. The AH-64 crew fired at the boys instead of the intended target.  ISAF confirms: “I offer my personal apology and condolences to the family of the boys who were killed…”-USMC General Joseph Dunford

In Pakistan, the Religious Scholars Council has ruled suicide attacks in Afghanistan, Palestine and Kashmir are now officially permitted.  The Pakistan clerics were to attended a conference with Afghan clerics, but changed their minds saying there are too many opposing opinions on how to handle the continued occupations of Afghanistan, Palestine and Kashmir.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? List of U.S. job losses & store closings for 08 February 2013: More grocery stores goin’ down! Better get your Scooter chair while you can! Obama/Romney Care takes out more jobs! More Christian schools going down! Tech jobs down the drain!

In Arizona, the Douglas Hospital bankrupt.  Federal court will decide who will take over operations.

In Iowa, Keokuk Area Hospital laid off 24 people, blaming it on long term debts.

The maker of scooters and power chairs, The Scooter Store, cut production and laid of 150 employees! They laid off 220 people back in September 2012! Company officials blame new regulations in the Obama/Romney Care reforms.

In New York, the Sister Rene’ Dental Center shut down.  Operators blame the reduced federal reimbursements under Obama/Romney Care.  The overwhelming majority of their patients are on Medicare.

Our Lady of the Assumption School in Atco, Pennsylvania, closing down.  Officials running the Christian school say enrollment just wasn’t high enough, and at least 20 families are a year behind on their payments! Some parents counter the claims of the church officials and say they are ready to sue the Christian school.

In Tennessee, the Milan Arsenal laying off more employees. 30 people lost their jobs.  It’s all part of planned layoffs announced in 2008. The arsenal will eventually move to Iowa.  Also, TE Connectivity shutting down some of its operations, 33 employees affected.  The electronics company began laying off employees back in October 2012, at least 66 regular employees and 20 temps will be let go by the end of March.

E-commerce manager, Digital River, to close offices and layoff employees.  Company officials didn’t specify how many people will be let go.  The company lost $200 million USD in its 4th Quarter.

Enterprise collaboration company, Yammer, laid off 20 people. Last year the company was taken over by Microsoft.

In California, family owned Sam’s Food City will shut down its last three grocery stores. The owners said they could not compete with national chain stores.  Also, Too Big to Fail Citigroup laying off 181 people in Sacramento!  It’s part of Citigroup’s plan to layoff 11000 people!!!  And Kelly-Moore Paint laying off 20 employees despite an increase in sales: “To ensure our success now and into the future, we are making some internal adjustments to our structure to become more efficient in streamlining our operations while still providing the same high-quality products and services to our customers. As we make these changes, we continue to expand our retail stores in California and the West.”– Steve DeVoe, president

BAE announced it will layoff 200 people in New Hampshire in March!  The British Red Coat defense contractor said it’s due to an expected reduction in government spending.

In Virginia, the Dominion Mine shut down. Operators blame it on a drastic reduction in coal prices.

In West Virginia, a Shoney’s restaurant closed down.  30 people out-o-work.  It’s at least the second Shoney’s in the Kanawha Valley to close.

In Connecticut, the Shadow Room nightclub in Middletown, closed down. The owners want to open a new nightclub in a better location.

In Florida, Aardvark Video in Macclenny shut down. The owners of the 28 years old store blame the internet.

In Edina, Minnesota, the Blockbuster Video store shut down.

In Chillicothe, Ohio, the Blockbuster Video store shut down. It’s part of the company’s plans to shut down 300 stores!