Tag Archives: martial law

Business/Economics

“Maybe we overestimated…” Alcoa income crashes 92%! Los Angeles hit hard! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 12 April 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Alabama: In Montgomery, after six years Charlotte’s Jewelry shutting down on my B-Day in May.   The owner wants more time with her new granddaughter.

California:  In San Francisco, British empire owned BAE continues with mass layoffs, this time BAE revealed they laid off 155 people at the end of March!  Also in San Francisco, New York based Too Big to Jail rip-off artist, I mean investment company BlackRock eliminating 64 jobs by June.  Standard Parking shutting down their Los Angeles ops, 430 people jobless starting at the end of May!  Triangle Brass Manufacturing shutting down their Los Angeles factory, 55 jobs lost by the start of May.  Too Big to Jail British empire Royal Bank of Canada owned City National Bank shutting down one of their LA offices by mid-June.  The largest grocery wholesaler in the United States, United Grocers, announced they’re shutting down their Los Angeles ops, 132 jobs lost by June!  Live Nation Entertainment shutting down their Anaheim ops, 3-hundred people jobless starting at the end of May!  Schenker Logistics shutting down their Ontario distribution center, 52 jobs lost by the beginning of June.  Tax-sucking Northrop Grumman issued yet another WARN for Fort Irwin, 483 jobs gone at the end of May!  Also at Fort Irwin, tax-sucker PULAU eliminating 91 jobs by the end of the month, one of the military contractor’s double-speak slogans is “PULAU leads the way in fostering peace and stability across the world. “   Tax-sucking Lockheed-Martin shutting down their San Jose location, 59 jobs gone in June.  Japan based Sony Pictures shutting down their Culver City ops, 59 jobs gone by May.   For-profit ICDC College shutting down their Huntington Park campus, 244 jobs lost by the end of May!  In Temecula, Abbott Vascular continues with its medical device layoffs, this time 131 people laid off without warning at the beginning of this month!   Chevron issued yet another layoff WARN for its Bakersfield ops, 98 jobs lost by mid-June.  More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high-tech for your demise; in Oakland software maker APN (Ask Partner Network) issued a layoff WARN, 19 employees unemployed by the end of May.   Mindspark Interactive Network revealed it too will eliminate jobs.  Internet company IAC (InterActiveCorp) issued layoff WARNs for 15 employees, effective at the end of May.

Florida:  In Saint Petersburg, America’s Auction Network shutting down, 192 jobs gone by June!

Illinois:  Barnes & Noble shutting down three bookstores by the end of May; one in the Arlington Shopping Center, the Woodfield Plaza Shopping Center and in Deer Park Town Center!  No word on how many jobs will be lost, some news reports indicate employees have yet to officially be told.

New York:  Buffalo Cardiology and Pulmonary Associates issued a shutdown WARN for its Williamsville location, 119 jobs gone by mid-May!  After ten years P.S. Bookstore forced to shutdown because it can’t pay its NYC (Brooklyn) property taxes.   The bookstore operator  says he never got a tax bill for the first three years of operations (the fault of the landlord, in NYC evil landlord’s collect property taxes from their tenants), then he suddenly got a massive bill in 2014 which he just could not pay.  He even tried raising the money through internet crowdfunding but failed.  Also in Brooklyn, record store Deadly Dragon Sound shutting down this weekend.  After 11 years the evil landlord kicked them out. The world’s 3rd biggest aluminum maker, NYC based Alcoa, reported its 1st quarter 2016 net income crashed by 92%!  It is now eliminating 2-thousand jobs and splitting itself into two companies!

Texas: More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high-tech for your demise;  Arlington based software company Opower laid off 25 U.S. employees as “…part of an effort to cut back on our overall spending….”  

Virginia: In Richmond not even two years after opening an upscale grocery store-restaurant Southern Season-Southerly shutting down, 115 people forced to transfer or become jobless!  Administrators say the location is too expensive to operate because they built it too big: “We had hoped to do more volume in the store. Maybe we overestimated….Most retailers are downsizing….”-Dave Herman, president

Wisconsin: Oil industry manufacturer Miller Electric laid off 75 employees without warning, blaming the oil industry BS.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!

Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

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

Business/Economics

“It’s just an absolute train wreck!” Largest U.S. insurance op declares ObamaCare DoA! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 10 – 11 April 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Arkansas: In Pine Bluff, after 36 years Fashion Wigs shutting down by the end of the year.  The owner blames never ending Main Street construction work (called Main Street Clean Up Project by city A-Holes, I mean administrators) for blocking customer access and killing her sales: “Many of my customers don’t want to deal with the maze it takes to get to my store…..there is nothing I can do about it.”-Young Lee

California: In Pacoima, after 50 years (and surviving several robberies) Laurel Pharmacy shutting down.  Owner Barry Wise was hoping somebody could takeover the business, “But I couldn’t find a buyer, so it’s sad.”

Connecticut:  In Fairfield, after 66 years the Angus Steakhouse shutting down, supposedly it’s being replaced with a new thing called Little Pub.

Florida:  Brown Distributing issued a WARN, 84 jobs in Orlando gone by the end of June.

Idaho:  The Gem State’s version of ObamaCare is in trouble, news reports reveal that at the end of March a warning letter was sent out to Your Health Idaho employees telling them what to do if a healthcare provider is dealing with a person with life threatening issues, yet doesn’t qualify for Idaho’s version of ObamaCare: “Please be sure to include MEDICAL URGENT in the subject line as well as a detailed description of the client’s situation in the message body.”  (this is probably due to the claims by hospital directors that at least 1-thousand Idahoans have died as a direct result of not qualifying for ObamaCare through Your Health idaho)  However, an insurance agent in McCall said he deals with insuring people in five other states and compared to them Idahoans have it good: “It’s just an absolute train wreck! I’m licensed in six states, and believe me, in the other five states, it’s even worse.”-Stanley Dean

Illinois:  Edwardsville School District 7 warning of mass layoffs, fee increases and local tax hikes due to the economy failing to recover, contrary to what U.S. ‘leadership’ and main stream news media falsely claim.  Local news reports explained that the school district was flush with “reserve” cash when the official recession started, but the economy never recovered and now the district is not only out of money, but is $4.5-million USD in the hole!  Read the Belleville News-Democrat for the sobering truth (and a long list of drastic school district changes).  In Obama’s homie town, after 20 years Harpo Studios (owned by elitist Oprah Winfry) finally shutdown.  Its new home is in California.

Kansas: In Topeka, God powerless to stop the shutdown and sell-off of ‘his’ 130 years old (surviving The Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Central Congregational United Church Of Christ.   Church leaders say the costs to maintain the old biddy, I mean building far exceeds revenues (yep, hypocritical Christians can only live off money, despite what Jesus of Nazareth said).

Maine: The city of Auburn eliminating four salaried administrative positions, due to lack of taxpayer funds.  One of the administrators had recently moved to Maine, from Texas, in 2012.  In Farmington, after three years Upcountry Artist Gallery shutting down by the end of the month due to lack of sales.

Michigan: Consumers Energy shutting down their 64 years old Luna Pier coal fired electricity factory, local news media forgot to ask how many jobs would be negatively impacted.

Minnesota: The largest health insurance company in the United States is getting the hell away from ObamaCare!  Minnetonka based UnitedHealth joins BlueCross-BlueShield is declaring the Affordable Care Act Dead on Arrival!   UnitedHealth will begin exiting ObamaCare plans beginning with the states of Arkansas and Georgia.  In 2014 UnitedHealth entered the ObamaCare market, but is getting out while it can still live to tell about it: “It was for us a bad decision. In retrospect, we should have stayed out….”-Stephen Hemsley, CEO

Missouri: In Bridgeton, SchnuckS Markets shutting down their grocery distribution center as work is being consolidated into a new larger facility in Saint Louis.  But don’t think the SchnuckS’ employees will be transferred, local news media discovered the employees at the new facility will be cheap-o contractors, meaning 190 good paying jobs in Bridgeton gone between July and September!   In Springfield, after 43 years Marylin’s Fine Jewelry shutting down.  The co-owners are retiring due to their age, but they admitted the local economy has been going down for a long time: “We moved here in ’73 and every store in the square was filled up…….Now there’s not very many retail stores on the square…”-Marilyn Scott, co-owner

Pennsylvania:  Meadowbrook Meat issued a layoff WARN, 76 jobs in Lancaster gone by mid-June.  In York, Durham School Services announced it will eliminate 88 jobs by the beginning of June.

Vermont: For the third year in a row the Burlington School District is prepping employees for mass layoffs, and for the second time is jacking up local taxes, and will eliminate classes because “…the decline in overall enrollment has resulted in numerous under-enrolled classes that can be consolidated.”  Teacher Bob Abbey bemoaned “…Burlington has become a second-tier educational system. We are going in the wrong direction.”  Read the sobering Burlington Free Press article which gives a list of drastic changes coming for the school district.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!

Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

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

Business/Economics

LDS kills Mormon bookstore! Churches killing churches! North Carolina kills 5,800 jobs in 3 months! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 08 – 09 April 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

California: Without warning, Los Angeles based bankrupt American Apparel began laying off employees in The (not so) Golden State.  By the end of next week 450 people will be jobless!  More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high-tech for your demise; San Francisco based health tech diagnostic company Counsyl laid off 27 people, despite boasting of “double digit” demand for their carrier screening services.

Colorado: In Cameo, after 58 years Eagles Nest Family Dining shutdown.  The restaurant was sold to a Texas based corporation in 2015, and they’ve decided it wasn’t making enough money.

Connecticut: Immucor Transplant Diagnostics issued a shutdown WARN for its Stamford location, 59 jobs lost by the beginning of June.

Florida: In Doral, ‘entertainment developer’ DLA laying off 92 people between May and November.  The Ritz Carlton issued a WARN for their Bal Harbor food service ops in Miami, 89 jobs lost by mid-June.

Idaho: In Twin Falls, after 37 years God powerless to stop ‘unofficial’ Mormon Bell’s Family Books from being shutdown by ‘official’ Mormon bookstore Deseret Book! You read right!  Local news reports say Bell’s Family Books was facing increasing competition, the final straw being when their own religion opened a bookstore down the street.

Illinois:  Highland Community College eliminating six jobs, blaming the failed ‘law makers’ for failing to come up with a state budget. Highland Community College is also jacking up tuition!  In Elgin, God powerless to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 50 years old Messiah Lutheran Church.  The property was sold to competitor Greek Orthodox Church.  After 34 years thrift store Kenneth Young Center Resale Shop shutting down when the previously owned inventory is gone, as well as halting their funding of programs for children with mental health problems.  The operator blames the failed state ‘lawmakers’: “…Illinois is the only state in the nation without a budget, decisions are being made where the most vulnerable people are suffering.”– Susan Cowan, CEO

Kentucky: Beauty First shutting down both its Louisville stores by the end of May, blaming crashed sales on competition from the internet, and jacked up rent by greedy property owners.

Maine: Gov’na Paul LePage warned that 9-hundred people in York County will become unemployed, due to their employer getting the hell outta Dodge! LePage refused to say which un-American corporation was fleeing the state.

North Carolina:  Local news reports say that since January 5-thousand 8-hundred people in North Carolina have been laid off!  New York based Croscill Home-Ex-Cell Home Fashions-Glenoit issued a layoff WARN, 50 distribution jobs gone by June.

Ohio:  Pilot Thomas Logistics issued a layoff WARN for their Fracking support (aka Frac) ops, 58 jobs gone by April.

Oklahoma: In Tulsa, when pressured by local news Chart Cooler Service admitted they laid off employees, but still refused to say how many.   They blamed it on the oil industry BS.

Pennsylvania: NHS Youth Services issued a WARN for their
Northwestern Academy, but failed to say how many people were losing their jobs.

South Dakota: Southeast Technical Institute warned of layoffs due to crashing student enrollment.

Texas:  In Dallas, Select Medical issued a WARN, 77 jobs gone by the end of May.  In El Paso, Schenker Logistics laying off nine employees by July.  DuPont issued a layoff WARN for its La Porte ops, 17 jobs lost by the end of May.  Denmark based Maersk Drilling revealed it  laid off an additional 57 people in Houston, just a few weeks after laying off 35.

California based Chevron laid off 655 people at its Houston ops!  The former employees are getting severance, which means they will not be counted as unemployed in the ‘official’ unemployment reports.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

07 April 2016: “it’s time to move on”

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!

Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

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

Idaho, U.S.

Fracking Food Crisis: Idaho, Oregon, Washington hit by contaminated water, coincides with oil industry Fracking!

10 April 2016 (15:21 UTC-07 Tango 01) 22 Farvardin 1395/02 Rajab 1437/04 Ren-Chen 4714

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency revealed that ever since oil industry Fracking ops have been allowed to take place in the Pacific northwest (about 2004) water quality has suffered.  More than 60 public water sources in Idaho, Oregon and Washington have exceeded federal safe levels of lead contamination in the past three years!

The majority of contaminated water systems are in Oregon with 37, followed by Idaho with 22.  Washington has eight contaminated systems.

The majority of those water sources supply local grade schools.  Some Oregon school administrators admitted they were informed of the lead contamination in 2013, and have been buying bottled water ever since.   In Idaho, several school directors blamed lead contamination on old plumbing and claim that lead levels went down after the plumbing was replaced.  In Washington the first reported case of lead contamination was at the State Patrol Academy, in 2012.  Directors say they’ve been on bottled water since then, but are working to hook up to ‘city’ supplied water.

Most of the contaminated water sources involve systems using well water.  Across the U.S. the EPA found at least 1-thousand 4-hundred public water systems contaminated with lead, affecting 3.6-million people!

I find it interesting that here in Idaho the lead contamination (even though blamed on old plumbing) begins just after ‘test Fracking’ began in 2011.  In 2012 Gem State ‘law makers’ officially allowed Fracking, and also banned city and county governments from banning Fracking!  Isn’t it possible the chemicals (solvents) used in Fracking caused the built up contaminants in the old plumbing to come loose?  Current unconfirmed reports indicate Fracking ops have halted.

In Oregon there are reports that Fracking stopped by 2015.  Fracking for Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) began as early as 2004.  Apparently Fracking for LNG in Washington was supposed to start in 2012, however, recent reports say no Fracking is taking place. It is difficult to find reliable sources of public info on Fracking because the industry, and even state governments, are tight lipped about the controversial operation.

Blind Bat News: Another study proves Fracking destroys your drinking water, main stream news ignores it! 

Blind Bat News: Michigan violence skyrockets, is it the water? Lead poisoning causes violent behavior! 

The Oregonian: Lead-tainted Oregon armories remain open to public despite dangers

Blind Bat News: “Re-fracking” 39-thousand + oil jobs gone, as companies hoard Black Gold! 

Blind Bat News: 2013 Duke University study says Fracking poisons drinking water!

Blind Bat News: Ohio & Arkansas suffering mass earthquakes in 2012, officials blame Fracking.

Business/Economics

“it’s time to move on.” More U.S. jobs killed by foreign contractors! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 07 April 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Alabama: The Montgomery Sears store and Auto Center in the Eastdale Mall shutting down, 56 jobs lost by the end of June 2016.

California:  Anaheim based PacSun (Pacific Sunwear) now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, one of the reasons blamed is the skyrocketing rents (high occupancy cots) by evil property owners.  Administrators warned of ramped up store shutdowns.  New York based Barnes & Noble shutting down an office in Santa Clara, 80 jobs lost.  It’s part of the book seller’s plan to cut costs by $13-million USD.

Delaware: The U.S. Air Force shutting down the 40 years old jet engine shop at Dover AFB.  It’s being blamed on engine upgrades for the massive C-5M Galaxy heavy lifter.  The new engines supposedly need far less maintenance.  Local news reports say at peak the Dover AFB engine shop had 2-hundred personnel.

Illinois:  In Obama’s homie town of Chicago, law firm Leo Burnett revealed it eliminated more jobs, but refused to say how many.  Local news reports said it was “significant”.

New Jersey: In Mount Olive, after 73 years iconic americana Cherokee Trading Post shutting down when everything is sold-off.  The second owners said “it’s time to move on.”  The property is for sale.

New York: More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high-tech for your demise; NYC based digital news service Mashable Studios announced will begin eliminating jobs because “…to keep our voice consistent across every platform, it’s clear that all our video producers should live on the same team.”  NYC based Barnes & Noble is offshoring  its Nook e-reader support/development to a company in India.  It’s part of the book seller’s plan to cut costs by $13-million USD, partly blamed on a 29% crash in Nook sales.  Administrators did not say how many U.S. jobs would be lost as a result of the off-shoring.

Ohio:  Northside Medical Center eliminating 68 full time jobs because ObamaCare has greatly reduced “the community’s usage of services”.

Pennsylvania:  In Chestnut Hill, sexist workout clothier for women Indigo Schuy shutting down brick-n-mortar ops after four years, you now have to buy on the internet.

Texas:  What automotive industry recovery? New Braunfels based transportation-logistics vehicle maker Rush Enterprises revealed it has begun shutting down 13 operations and selling off real estate.  (of course this is after Rush Enterprises went around buying up competition) The shutdowns affect two locations in Georgia, five locations in Illinois, one location in Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Texas and Utah!

West Virginia: In Charleston, the Mitt Romney wunderkind Staples (on Corridor G) shutting down by May, the manager refused to give anymore info.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

06 April 2016: “We hoped things were going to be turning around, but they have not.”

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!

Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

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

Fukushima

Five Years Later: WiFi spreading radiation! Bullet proof vest blocks radiation? More mystery radiation from Fukushima! Tomatoes block radiation?

07 April 2016 (15:31 UTC-07 Tango 01) 19 Farvardin 1395/28 Jumada t-Tania 1437/01 Ren-Chen 4714

Iran: The Ministry of Defense is now using octagen as a bomb.  Octagen is also used as rocket fuel and, in countries that have nuclear weapons, it is used as the detonator for nukes.

The government revealed a new nuclear site called Pasman Gor.  Government administrators claim they will reveal numerous nuclear industry developments that until now were “currently under the monopoly of a handful of nations.” 

Japan: News reports that Tokyo Electric Power Company is concerned over a massive radiation spike coming from a near empty wastewater storage tank.  At TEPCo’s Fukushima Daiichi a three years old wastewater tank is now emitting 8-thousand 1-hundred becquerels (bq) of radiation, last week it was only 87bq!  TEPCo administrators are trying to find out why.

Japan’s Board of Audit says this year’s decontamination efforts around Fukushima Daiichi will cost at least $27-billion USD! Now extrapolate that to $27-billion every year for the next 40 years, that’s how long they think decontamination efforts are to last (right, tell that to the people of Chernobyl).

Switzerland:  Researchers say they’ve come up with a product to greatly speed up wireless (WiFi) computer communications by blocking exposure to radiation that’s actually created by computer electronics. It’s called Graphene.  Radiation created by WiFi electronics themselves is one reason microchips can’t currently be made to operate any faster.   Graphene acts like polarized sunglasses for microchips, filtering out radiation.

United States: The U.S. is being turned into the world’s nuclear waste dumpsite.  Last month Japan shipped off tonnes of weapons grade plutonium to the U.S., now it’s being revealed that United Kingdom is shipping 7-hundred kg (1,543 pounds) of uranium to the U.S.

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton reminded people of a forgotten radiation contamination event that took place at Bethlehem Steel in New York.  It happened in the 1940s and 50s.  Workers were exposed to uranium while making fuel rods for nuclear plants.  It wasn’t until the year 2000 that the U.S. Congress finally decided to pay for medical costs for those who were still alive!

North Carolina State University’s Afsaneh Rabiei claims to have created a bullet proof metallic foam that can also block radiation. Rabiei swears the secret for Composite Metal Foam’s ability to stop armor piercing bullets is the air bubbles, not the metal.  However, when it comes to blocking radiation CMF must use exotic metals like tungsten and vanadium.

United Kingdom:  Researchers at University of Manchester claim that the chemical that turns tomatoes red can block radiation contamination, under certain conditions.  They hope that one day lycopene can be used to help people undergoing radiation treatment for cancer.  Earlier studies suggested that lycopene can protect cigarette smokers from cancer causing nitrogen dioxide radical and peroxynitrite.

Five Years Later: Contamination of Japanese rivers skyrocket! INL admits its radiation detectors don’t work! 

Business/Economics

“We hoped things were going to be turning around, but they have not.” Bridal shop shutdown in favor of Dog Food! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 06 April 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Arizona: Scandalous University of Phoenix eliminated more jobs, this time 470 people were laid off without warning, due to crashing student enrollment!  The for-profit university is for sale.

Arkansas: Illinois based Superior Graphite shutting down their Russellville factory starting now.  70 jobs will be lost due to low commodity prices and competition from imported “electrode and specialty graphite products”.

California: In Half Moon Bay, after 37 years the owner of Pescadero II is selling it off so she can retire.

Colorado: Albertsons-Safeway shutting down the Pueblo Safeway grocery store on 29th Street, 59 jobs lost (the employees were told about it on Monday).

Illinois: In East Dundee, after 145 years (surviving The Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Haeger Potteries shutting down.  The family owners blamed government regulations, competition and forced wage increases during a bad economy: “The reality is that we are finding it more and more difficult to compete in a market with significant wage pressure, increased regulations and generally rising costs. We hoped things were going to be turning around, but they have not.”-Haeger Estes

Iowa: In Mason City, after 60 years bridal shop Formalities shutting down.  The owner, who also owns other businesses including a pet food business, says the economy is so bad for the wedding business that she’s going to use the bridal store for her dog food business: “I want to keep it to retail the dog food out of here. If I get the right price, I might sell it.”-Angie Braun

Massachusetts: Bay Valley Foods shutting down their Ayer food factory, 1-hundred jobs lost by the end of 2017!  Like the rest of unAmerican corporate America, Bay Valley Foods is joining the growing trend of consolidation.

Michigan: In past months I’ve reported how Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) furloughed more than a thousand Sterling Heights employees, now FCA has turned those furloughs into indefinite layoffs for at least 1-thousand 3-hundred people, blaming it on a 63% crash in Chrysler 200 sales! An additional 120 people are losing their jobs at the nearby Sterling Stamping factory!  The auto worker’s union revealed the truth about U.S. car sales saying “FCA is not the only company experiencing a slow market for small cars.”

Missouri: Twin Rivers shutting down their Neosho chicken processing factory by June, 3-hundred jobs lost!  The WARN gave no reason.  Local news speculate that operations are being consolidated, and also stated that employee turnover was always high due to low wages.

New York: Great example of what I call Ripple Effect Layoffs (REL); in Watertown, AirBrake laid off an additional 19 people, blaming the slow down in railroad operations (15% of rail cars are not in use), which in turn is blamed on the oil-coal (mining) industry (coal transportation down 10% in past 12 months).  

In Canton, Blackbird Cafe shutting down on Friday, instead of the promised renovations, 11 jobs lost.  The upstairs music venue Parkview is also shutting down.   The owner of both establishments blames the decision to shutdown (instead of renovating) on a sudden 50% crash in sales since last year!  The owner suspects that two new restaurants are to blame (and this is a sign the local market can’t support that many eateries).

North Carolina: In Elkin, after 18 years the owner of Song’s Jewelry shutting it down in June so she can ‘retire’ to pursue other interests.

Ohio: Sears Holdings shutting down their Fort Stueben Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 53 jobs lost in June.  They’re also shutting down their Sandusky Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 44 jobs lost in June.  Despite better than expected earnings, Columbus based Limited Brands (aka L brands) is going ahead with its restructuring of Victoria’s Secret, Pink and Victoria’s Secret Beauty, resulting in 2-hundred administrative jobs being culled in Ohio and New York!

Oklahoma: In Broken Arrow, after 37 years the Army & Family Surplus store being forced to shutdown by an A-Hole landlord who gave them a 30 days eviction notice. The A-Hole local news media downplayed that important fact and instead reported that the owners were retiring!   John Daniel Footwear joins the growing list of retailers exiting the Utica Square plaza.  Local news reports say it’s the third Utica Square store in the past five months to shutdown, long time loyal shoppers are upset: “Over the last 10 or 15 years most of the smaller family owned stores are no longer here. Not to say anything about the other stores, but you kind of miss that family, that private service, the local service that you get.”-Marilyn Mabrey Sullivant, Utica Square shopper for past 50 years

Pennsylvania: Sears Holdings shutting down their Viewmont Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 86 jobs lost in July. Pittsburgh based US Steel announced yet more layoffs, this time 750 salaried employees are being kicked to the curb.  Local news reports say in the past five years US Steel has eliminated 8-thousand 3-hundred jobs in North America and Europe, blaming competition, the oil industry and currency wars. Overall, steel companies in the United States have eliminated 12-thousand jobs!  US Steel reported a loss of $1.5-billion USD in 2015.

Texas: CleanFUEL USA now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, blaming “the changing dynamics in the alternative fuel industry.” 

Washington DC:  U.S. Department of Education has revealed that their economic outlook for the future of the United States is so bad that 43% of us fools who got into debt to get a higher education will never be able to pay-off that debt to the government!  As of January 2016, 3.6-million former higher education students had defaulted (meaning they stopped making payments, you can’t declare bankruptcy against student debt) on $56-billion USD worth of student loans!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

05 April 2016: “…no realistic prospects for a return to profitability…” 10-million+ unemployed!

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!

Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

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

Business/Economics

Sears Kmart update 06 April 2016 : Ohio hit hard! “Slap in the face!” as Sears shuts down profit making stores!

After three years of hard work by Sears franchise owners Sears Canada told Spencer and Theresa Toepfer to take a hike as Sears Canada now wants to shutdown their Osoyoos Sears Hometown Store.  The Toepfers swear their store is actually making a profit but Sears Canada refuses to renew the lease: “….we get another call two weeks ago telling us we have less than two months before they close the door. What a slap in the face! We just couldn’t believe it! It’s hard to believe that you take over a store and completely turn it around and then the management drops something like that on you. It’s pretty hard to take.”-Spencer Toepfer

For even stranger administrative decision making, Sears Canada is selling its Toronto tire distribution center to a competitor, and then renting it back!  Canadian Tire is reportedly buying the Sears property for $84-million CAD.  This is just an extremely short sighted way of raising quick cash for the struggling Sears brand, especially since they’re now going to be paying rent to a competitor.

18 March 2016: “We will rightsize the labor…”

Here’s the updated list of U.S. store closings that I’ve been compiling since the end of 2011, new closing revelations in BOLD:

Arizona: The Prescott Valley Kmart shutting down by April 2016. No word on how many jobs lost, but one employee was quoted by local news as saying “Walmart won.” Local news reports say there is a Now Hiring sign posted on the Kmart store front. Reports that the Glendale Kmart will shutdown, no word on job losses. Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors. Recently revealed Arrowhead Towne Center Sears sold-off then rented back! Chandler Fashion Center Sears sold-off then rented back!

Alabama: The Montgomery Sears store and Auto Center in the Eastdale Mall shutting down, 56 jobs lost by the end of June 2016.  City leaders of Anniston have agreed to fork over $3-million precious local tax dollars to fund the re-development of an abandoned Kmart. Prattville Kmart will shutdown in April 2016, 70 jobs lost. Florence Kmart in March, 64 jobs lost in 2016. A local news report said the employees knew nothing about it and were shocked to hear it from the news media! Dothan Kmart (south side of Ross Clark Circle) shutting down in March, 56 jobs lost in 2016. 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), Dothan Sears (68 jobs lost), Huntsville Kmart (73 jobs lost), Sears Store and Auto Center at the Bel Air Mall in Mobile (more than 100 jobs lost).

California: Sears Holdings created Seritage Growth Properties is renting out half of three Sears stores; one in Roseville, one in Citrus Heights and one in Sacramento.  Supposedly Sears will continue its operations in the other half of the buildings.   On 10 March the Garden Center roof of the Santa Rosa Kmart collapsed during a rain storm. Fire inspectors said the roof was already compromised due to dry rot before the rain storm, a local news reporter said managers knew about the condition of the roof because it was sagging, and they called in contractors. The contractors tried to prop up the roof before the rain storm hit. Anaheim Kmart shutting down, 107 jobs lost in 2016! The Chula Vista Kmart, San Mateo Sears and Citrus Heights Kmart shutting down between March and April 2016, a total of 3-hundred jobs lost! 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) recently revealed that Sears Holdings is still paying rent on the abandoned property, Laguna Hills Mall Sears, San Diego Mid-City Kmart (73 jobs lost), Hemet Kmart (77 jobs lost), Oakland Sears repair center (75 jobs lost), San Mateo Kmart (82 jobs lost to an apartment building connected to public transportation), Hesperia Kmart building sold at a loss to a vulture capitalist REIT, no word on if the Kmart will be shutdown. Customers complain that the Kmart employees have a bad attitude, gee I wonder why? Yuba City Kmart (63 jobs lost), Rocklin Kmart (at least 63 jobs lost, the store had just posted “Now Hiring” signs), San Leandro Kmart (102 jobs lost), San Jose Mercury News says the El Centro Kmart to shutdown in January, the website Foursquare says the Covina Kmart is now shutdown (other sources say it will shutdown in December), Cupertino Sears and Auto Center (98 jobs lost), somebody posted on yelp* that the Diamond Bar Kmart was shutting down in December (confirmed by Armijo Newspapers), Westfield Topanga Sears (122 jobs lost), it looks like the Blythe Kmart is being slowly shutdown despite denial by Sears Holdings. San Mateo Kmart being demolished to make room for 599 unit apartment complex, as part of the the Hayward Park Caltrain Station project. Atwater Kmart (74 jobs lost), Los Banos Kmart (67 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), Colorado Springs Kmart at Powers and Palmer Park boulevards (57 jobs lost), Fort Collins Sears (67 jobs lost), Denver-Cherry Creek North Sears store & Auto Center (66 jobs lost).

Connecticut: Waterbury Big Kmart, Torrington Kmart (73 jobs lost), Enfield Sears Optical (no word on jobs lost), Wallingford Sears Appliance & Hardware (employees say the shutdown was a surprise, I guess they don’t read Blind Bat News), Wallingford Sears Appliance & Hardware (at least 13 jobs lost).

Delaware: Dover Kmart (at least 72 jobs lost, some reports said 100), Seaford Sears (30 jobs lost), Claymont Kmart (87 jobs lost).

Florida: The Lutz Kmart shutting down by March 2016, 62 jobs lost. The 46 years old Daytona Beach Kmart, on International Speedway Boulevard, is shutting down by mid-March 2016, 86 jobs lost. 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), Winter Haven Kmart (92 jobs lost), Palm Bay Kmart, Oakland Park Kmart (112 jobs lost), Clearwater Sears Auto Center (21 jobs lost), Zephyrhills Kmart (70 jobs lost), Winter Springs Kmart (69 jobs lost), Naples Kmart (72 jobs lost), New Port Richey Kmart (58 jobs lost), ‘redevelopment’ of Aventura Sears & Auto Center into an “open-air village” (unknown how many jobs affected), Kmart on Northeast 108 Street being annexed by Miami Shores, Sears Holdings threatens to shutdown Kmart as a result of higher local taxes. The property that’s home to an operating Kmart, on South Green Bay Road in Racine, was foreclosed by the local Sheriff and sold-off for $2.5-million, no word on what the new property owner will do with it. Fort Myers Kmart (67 jobs lost). Dicks Sportings Goods subleasing space in an existing Sears store in Palm Beach Gardens.

Georgia: The 37 years old Carrollton Kmart shutting down by the end of April 2016. Dublin Kmart will shutdown in April 2016, 71 jobs lost. Milledgeville Kmart shutdown in April 2016, 60+ jobs lost. Mount Berry Square Mall (Rome) Sears and Auto Center shutting down in March 2016, 86 jobs lost. 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, Warner Robins Kmart (77 jobs lost), Coweta County Kmart distribution center (164 jobs lost), one of the last two North Augusta Kmart to be torn down by new property owner from Canada, Sears Holdings denies the Kmart will shutdown.

Guam: Sears Hometown Store.

Hawaii: Iconic 25 years old Nimitz HWY Iwilei-Honolulu Kmart shutting down in March 2016, 141 jobs lost! Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost! GGP spending $573-million chopping it up into smaller store spaces), Kauai Sears (41 jobs lost), Iwilei-Honolulu Kmart for lease (no confirmation of store closing).

Idaho: Boise Kmart on Fairview shutting down by mid-March 2016, 56 jobs lost. Pocatello Kmart shutting down by April 2016, 65 jobs lost. Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost), Rexburg Kmart (63 jobs lost), Chubbuck Pine Ridge Mall Sears shutdown by the end of October/beginning of November 2014 (the remaining 28 jobs lost).

Illinois: Eliminated 401 Hoffman Estates HQ jobs due to crappy 2015 holiday sales! 151 of those jobs were already vacant. Morton ‘green’ Kmart shutting down by the end of April 2016, 47 jobs lost. Canton Kmart shutting down mid-April 2016, 38 jobs lost. 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?) 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), Crystal Lake Kmart (at least 77 jobs lost), Danville Sears store & Auto Center (63 jobs lost), Forsyth Sears store & Auto Center (45 jobs lost), Peoria Kmart (73 jobs lost), Forest Park Kmart (107 jobs lost), Chicago Sears on North and Harlem avenues, supposedly it’s being replaced (most likely at taxpayer expense) with a new building and it will become a Sears-Mariano’s store, Bloomington Kmart (79 jobs lost), Hoffman Estates Headquarters 100 jobs eliminated, another 15 corporate jobs eliminated elsewhere, Chicago-Wicker Park Kmart (106 jobs lost), abandoned Market Place Mall Sears location to be occupied by Dick’s Sporting Goods and Field & Stream. 58 Chicago area stores up for lease or sale. North Mayfair Kmart (99 jobs lost), Chicago Kmart at 5033 North Elston Avenue (99 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.

Indiana: Bloomington’s College Mall Sears & Auto Center shutting down by mid-June 2016, at least 52 jobs lost. In Schererville, Sears Hardware shutting down in April 2016. Terre Haute Kmart by April, 62 jobs lost. 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), Muncie Kmart (59 jobs lost), Fort Wayne Kmart on Coliseum Boulevard North (69 jobs lost), Decatur Kmart (49 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart on Madison Avenue (131 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart on Washington Street (139 jobs lost), Bedford Kmart (62 jobs lost), Indianapolis (Evansville) Sears & Auto Center at Washington Square Mall (91 jobs lost), Greenwood Kmart (78 jobs lost), Plymouth Kmart (68 jobs lost), Bloomington Sears to be replaced by Whole Foods grocery store.

Iowa: Sears Holdings shutting down their West Des Moines call center by June 2016, 162 jobs lost!  Ottumwa Kmart shutting down by April 2016, 38 jobs lost. 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), Clive Kmart (at least 49 jobs lost), Ames Kmart (44 jobs lost), Fort Dodge Sears (no job loss numbers made public, yet. The Auto Center was secretly shutdown in September), 56 years old Mason City Sears & Auto Center (more than 100 jobs lost). Davenport Kmart (59 jobs lost), Belvidere Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Kansas: North Topeka Kmart shutting down in 2016, 49 jobs lost. Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Merriam Kmart-then Sears-then Kmart (jobs lost unknown), Wichita Sears store & Auto Center (103 jobs lost), Manhattan Sears & Auto Center (number of jobs lost were never revealed).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart, 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 shutdown and now being taken over by Kroger basically to sell the same crap the old Kmart did! Madisonville Kmart (39 jobs lost), Owensboro Sears store & Auto Center (52 jobs lost).

Louisiana: Slidell Sears (77 job lost), Gretna Kmart (94 jobs lost), Metairie Kmart secretly sold off, no word if it will be shutdown, Laplace Sears Hometown Store.

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost), Presque Isle Aroostook Centre Mall Sears (63 jobs lost), Aroostook Centre Mall Sears Auto Center leased out to VIP Tires & Service.

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors, Landover Sears rebuild & call center (115 jobs lost), Baltimore Kmart on Wabash Avenue (107 jobs lost), Parkville Kmart (102 jobs lost), California Kmart (71 jobs lost), Sears Hometown Store in Perryville.

Massachusetts: Fairhaven Sears Appliance & Hardware shutting down by mid-April. Local news reports said the ignorant employees actually thought the shutdown notice was a joke! I guess they don’t read Blind Bat News. 79 jobs lost as the Fall River Kmart shuts down in May 2016. North Reading Sears Hardware store closed, lease not renewed, Milford Kmart (80 jobs lost), Kingston Kmart (73 jobs lost). Braintree Kmart on Grossman Drive shutdown. Also, the Braintree South Shore Plaza Sears store is renting out an entire floor to Ireland based Primark. Even with the lease to Primark there is still 4-thousand square feet of vacant space in the Sears store. The Sears at the Auburn Mall shutdown on Black Friday due to electrical fire. The store was experiencing electrical problems, an investigation is underway.

Michigan: The Bradley Kmart has a new owner who is shutting it down in 2016. Retailer Meijer bought the Kmart property for $5-million USD. The Kmart will be shutdown in May, but the new Meijer store won’t be ready until 2018. The Sears and Auto Center in Fort Gratiot shutting down by mid-March, 48 jobs lost. Ironwood Kmart by mid-April, 47 jobs lost. 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, Saginaw Kmart on Bay Road, Flint Kmart on Dort Highway (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), Southgate Kmart (155 jobs lost), Detroit’s Telegraph Road Kmart (115 jobs lost), Waterford Township Sears (no word on how many jobs lost), Rochester Hills Kmart (77 jobs lost), ‘perfect Kmart town’ of Port Huron Kmart (188 jobs lost), Flint Kmart on Miller Road (81 jobs lost), Burton Kmart (85 jobs lost), Madison Heights Kmart (179 jobs lost), it’s now official the last remaining Saginaw Kmart (on Gratiot Road) will remain shutdown after its roof collapsed during a snowstorm back in January 2014 (Sears Holdings claims only 18 people worked there at the time of the collapse!), Ann Arbor Kmart (59 jobs lost), Iron Mountain Kmart (54 jobs lost), Bangor Township Sears aka Bay City Mall Sears, the Auto Center was already secretly shutdown some time ago (at least 47 jobs lost), Big Rapids Kmart (about 50 jobs lost). Vacant Wyandotte Sears Auto Center is being renovated at a cost to taxpayers of $1-million & 20-thousand, plus 15 years worth of tax breaks valued at $2-million! Shakopee Kmart distribution center shutdown and sold-off for $17-million in 2013, now it’s finally getting a new tenant; snowmobile and electric cart maker Polaris Industries will rent out a fraction of the building to use as their new parts warehouse. The Kmart Plaza in Sandusky sold to “A group of investors”, no word on what will happen to the Kmart store.

Minnesota: Dundas Kmart by April 2016, 32 jobs lost. Thunderbird Mall Kmart shutting down in April 2016, 48 jobs lost. 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), Winona Kmart (67 jobs lost), Minneapolis city officials trying to shutdown profit making Nicollet Avenue Kmart, to make way for a new road. Anoka Kmart (47 jobs lost), Blaine Kmart (60 jobs lost), Burnsville Kmart (62 jobs lost), Waite Park Kmart (57 jobs lost), Northeast Minneapolis Sears Hometown & Outlet store now for sale, Coon Rapids Sears Hometown & Outlet store now for sale.

Mississippi: The 44 years old Greenville Kmart shutting down in April, no word on job losses. 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, Olive Branch distribution center (unknown how many jobs lost).

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), South Belt Kmart (64 jobs lost), Florissant Kmart (100 jobs lost), O’Fallon Kmart (76 jobs lost).

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost), Great Falls Kmart (closed “until further notice” due to fire, 63 jobs on hold), Great Falls Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost) due to great sales (ironically) the shutdown date has been moved from 07 December 2014 to 23 November, Bozeman Kmart (37 jobs lost), Missoula Sears store and Auto Center (57 jobs lost).

Nebraska: Grand Island Kmart (55 jobs lost), Omaha Kmart near West Maple Road (50 jobs lost).

Nevada: Sparks Kmart distribution center (100 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials, Portsmouth Kmart (30 jobs lost), Claremont Kmart (59 jobs lost).

New Jersey: Lodi Kmart will shutdown in April 2016, 75 jobs lost. Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost), Howell Kmart (57 jobs lost), Berlin Kmart, Dover Kmart (92 jobs lost), Randolf Kmart (91 jobs lost), Paramus Kmart (74 jobs lost), Closter Kmart (102 jobs lost), Vineland Kmart (74 jobs lost). After 18 years Sears Holdings shutdown their Roselle Sears Hardware store due to “landlord issues”.

New Mexico: Albuquerque’s Coronado Center Sears suddenly shutdown their Auto Center, and will reduce the size of the main store by 50% within two months. Sears goon Howard Riefs stated “We will rightsize the labor…”, but gave no numbers. The ‘rightsizing’ of the Coronado Center store is in partnership with one of my evil former employers, mall owner GGP. SearsLas Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost), Albuquerque Kmart on Central SW (80 jobs lost), Rio Rancho Kmart (59 jobs lost).

New York: Staten Island Mall Sears Auto Center will shutdown in February, 20 jobs lost. Lindenhurst Sears Hardware, North Babylon Sears Hardware, Hauppauge Sears Hardware, Depew (Lancaster?) Kmart (68 jobs lost), Colonie Kmart (72 jobs lost), Fulton Kmart (51 jobs lost), Clifton Park Kmart (74 jobs lost) now revealed to be turned into a Town Center with more than 200 apartments at an estimated cost of $50-million, Latham Kmart (61 jobs lost), East Greenbush-Rensselaer Kmart (70 jobs lost), Tonawanda Sears Appliance and Hardware, Bronx Sears (91 jobs lost), BBN reader reported that the Ithaca Sears and Auto Center shutdown and one month later it’s been officially confirmed (at least 37 jobs lost), DeWitt Kmart (92 jobs lost), Auburn Sears (51 jobs lost), Massena Sears and Auto Center (51 jobs lost), Staten Island Mall Sears leased out to Ireland’s Primark, Bay Shore Sears and Sears Auto Center (144 jobs lost), New Hartford (Sangertown Mall) Sears & Auto Center (109 jobs lost), Lancaster Kmart sold for $1.7-million to Dave’s Christmas Wonderland. Herkimer Sears Hometown, Saranac Lake Sears Hometown the ‘independent’ co-owners said Sears Holdings forced them to shutdown. Melville Appliance Repair Division (31 jobs lost).

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), Greensboro Kmart (96 jobs lost), Gastonia Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost), Kinston Kmart (64 jobs lost), Cary Sears (66 jobs lost), Greensboro Kmart distribution center (130 jobs lost), Greenville Kmart (75 jobs lost), Kinston Sears Hometown Store shutdown with little notice, Lexington Sears Hometown Store.

North Dakota: Jamestown Kmart (45 jobs lost), Dickinson Kmart (41 jobs lost, despite a “Now Hiring” sign on the front of the store).

Ohio: Englewood Kmart, 57 jobs lost by the end of July 2016. Fort Stueben Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 53 jobs lost in June 2016. Sandusky Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 44 jobs lost in June 2016.  78 jobs lost as the Lancaster Kmart is shutting down in May 2016. 18 jobs lost as the Dixie Highway Sears Hardware shuts down this Friday. The 28 years old Sears and its Auto Center in New Philadelphia shutting down by mid-April 2016, 46 jobs lost. Without warning the Medina Sears Appliance & Hardware Store shutdown. Warren Kmart on Parkman Road NW will shutdown in April 2016, 63 jobs lost. Zanesville Kmart shutting down mid-April 2016, 47 jobs lost. Steubenville Kmart shutting down by April 2016, 65 jobs lost. Boardman Kmart by April 2016, 81 jobs lost. 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), Brooklyn Kmart (200 jobs lost), Columbus Lockbourne Industrial Parkway Sears distribution center (200 jobs lost), also in Columbus, Sears Product Rebuild-Call Center (112 jobs lost), Marion Sears Auto Center (at least nine jobs lost), Springfield Kmart #3767 (68 jobs lost), Fairborn Kmart (66 jobs lost), Solon Sears & Auto Center (at least 53 jobs lost), Tiffin Sears Hometown Store. 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. Fairlawn Sears Appliance & Hardware, Macedonia Sears Appliance & Hardware, Lorain Sears Appliance & Hardware, Elyria Sears Appliance & Hardware, North Olmsted Sears Appliance & Hardware, Sheffield Village Sears Appliance & Hardware, Akron Sears Appliance & Hardware.

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), Sand Springs Kmart (52 jobs lost), Muskogee Sears (60 jobs lost), Enid Sears and Auto Center (at least 38 jobs lost), Tulsa BigKmart (51 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), Albany Sears (57 jobs lost), in October a BBN reader warned that Oregon City Kmart was being quietly shutdown, confirmed on 06 November 2014 by Sears Holdings (70 jobs lost). Ontario Kmart (55 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Viewmont Mall Sears store and Auto Center, 86 jobs lost in July 2016. Reports that the Exton Kmart will shutdown, no word on job losses. 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-Lower Pottsgrove Kmart (65 jobs lost, the store was also advertising for new hires!), West Mifflin Sears store & Auto Center (88 jobs lost), Rochester Kmart (78 jobs lost), Frazer (Pittsburg Mills Mall) Sears and Auto Center (97 jobs lost), Bloomsburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Frackville Sears and Auto Center (84 jobs lost), North Cornwall Township Sears (51 jobs lost), King of Prussia Sears and Auto Center (no word on number of jobs lost), Lebanon Sears (51 jobs lost), Scotland Chambersburg Mall Sears and Auto Center (62 jobs lost), the upper level of the Willow Grove Mall Sears store to be leased by Primark, King of Prussia Sears store leased out to clothing retailer Primark, East Towne Mall Kmart (51 jobs lost), Frackville Kmart in the Skuylkill Mall (80 jobs lost), Mount Pocono Kmart (66 jobs lost), Fairless Hills Sears Hardware. Granite Run Mall shutdown, meaning the Sears and Sears Auto Center now apparently on a month to month (possibly day to day) lease are soon to follow. Brookhaven Kmart (89 jobs lost).

Puerto Rico: Vega Baja Kmart (206 jobs lost).

South Carolina: 61 jobs lost as the North Augusta Kmart is shutting down by May 2016. 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), Myrtle Beach Kmart (59 jobs lost), Easley Kmart (62 jobs lost).

South Dakota: The Pierre Kmart shutting down by the end of March 2016, 45 jobs lost. The Michell Kmart shutting down in April 2016, 52 jobs lost. Spearfish Kmart (51 jobs lost), Sturgis Kmart (57 jobs lost).

Tennessee: The Murfreesboro Kmart shutting down by the end of April, 43 jobs lost. A Memphis Sears and Auto Center (on Poplar Avenue) shutting down in April, 109 jobs lost! Clarksville Kmart shutting down in April, 68 jobs lost. Cleveland Kmart shutting down by mid-March 2016, 67 jobs lost. 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 Cool Springs 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), Dickson Kmart (65 jobs lost), talks in progress to end lease for Bellevue (Nashville) Center Mall Sears, Nashville Bellevue Center Sears & Auto Center (at least 44 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, Dallas Sears home appliance parts distribution center (77 jobs lost), Simon Property Group owned McAllen Sears store & Auto Center (so far no word on how many jobs will be lost), recently revealed Palestine Sears Hometown (franchise owner quit to work as assistant manager at a local Dollar General). Wichita Falls Sikes Senter Mall Sears (56 jobs lost).

Utah: 35 years old Richfield Kmart will shutdown in April 2016, 63 jobs lost. North Logan Kmart shutting down by April 2016, 58 jobs lost. Murray Sears (local news media in Utah never reported the closure, but they reported that the building was demolished), Orem Kmart (no details reported), Woods Cross Kmart (54 jobs lost), Provo Kmart demolished in anticipation of yet another AtHome furniture store.

Vermont: The Bennington Sears Hometown Store shutdown. Rutland Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost), South Burlington Kmart (66 jobs lost).

Virginia: The Cedar Bluff (50 jobs lost), Covington (36 jobs lost) and Virginia Beach on General Booth Boulevard (no job numbers reported) Kmarts shutting down between March and April 2016! The Sears Hometown Store in Culpeper shutting down by the end of the month. 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-Denbigh Kmart (at least 50 jobs lost), Wise Kmart (58 jobs lost), Harrisonburg Kmart (79 jobs lost), Winchester Kmart (91 jobs lost), Dale City Kmart (69 jobs lost), Chesapeake Sears and Auto Center (82 jobs lost), Front Royal Kmart (88 jobs lost), Pembroke Mall Sears renting out part of their store to DSW & Nordstrom Rack, Sears Holdings say they’re still looking for a “third tenant” for their occupied space. The current nearby Sears Auto Center will be rented out to REI. Colonial Heights Kmart (113 jobs lost), Virginia Beach Hilltop Square Shopping Center Kmart (82 jobs lost).

Washington: Eatonville Sears Hometown store. 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), Everett Kmart (65 jobs lost), Marysville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost), Morgantown Kmart (100 jobs lost), Bluefield Sears store & Auto Center (64 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: Superior Kmart shutting down in April 2016, 42 jobs lost. 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 recently revealed now owned by Green Bay Packers, will be torn down (80 jobs lost), Shawano Kmart (55 jobs lost), Fond du Lac Sears (42 jobs lost), Glendale Sears store & Auto Center (86 jobs lost), Janesville Kmart (70 jobs lost), Glendale Sears Rebuild center (67 jobs lost), Sheboygan Sears & Auto Center (at least 31 jobs lost), Eau Claire Kmart (93 jobs lost), Plymouth Kmart (59 jobs lost before Xmas), Sheboygan Sears Rebuild Center (30 jobs lost), Wauwatosa Kmart (103 jobs lost).

In April 2015, Sears Holdings (through Seritage Growth Properties) and General Growth Properties (GGP) became 50/50 joint owners of 12 Sears stores.

Here’s a list of 11 Sears stores 100% 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)

Business/Economics

“…no realistic prospects for a return to profitability…” 10-million+ unemployed! Homeland Security shuts down restaurants! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 05 April 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Hawaii: Taxpayer funded Wahiawa General Hospital is begging for emergency funding to stop it from shutting down.  Administrators revealed that since ObamaCare went into effect they’ve lost $9-million USD!

Idaho: National Basketball Association D-league team the Idaho Stampede announced they’re getting the hell-outta Boise and moving to Salt Lake City, Utah.  They’re also changing their name to Salt Lake City Stars.  It was revealed that state taxpayers were forced to pay outrageous three-fold increase in overtime pay to Idaho State Police (ISP) trainees.  ISP administrators explained, without blinking an eye, that it was mainly for trainee commute times to the academy because there was no room in the academy’s dorms in Meridian, or at the National Guard barracks on Gowen Field!  (how many civilian businesses pay their employees to commute?)

Iowa: Sears Holdings shutting down their West Des Moines call center by June, 162 jobs lost!  In Clive, DCG Foods shutting down their Cash Saver grocery store as soon as the inventory is gone.  The Cash Saver used to be a Dahls, which went bankrupt.  The shutdown is blamed on lack of sales.  

Kansas:  In Olathe, popular K-Macho’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina was suddenly shutdown by U.S. Department of Homeland Security, because restaurant owners couldn’t confirm the ‘legality’ of their employees: “K Macho restaurant in Olathe, Kansas, was recently served, via U.S. Mail, an official notice to submit all form I-9 documentation to HSI auditors for inspection.”-Shawn Neudauer, Homeland Security

Massachusetts: Insurance and investment company MassMutual laying off an additional 1-hundred employees!  Last year MassMutual eliminated 3-hundred jobs.  But here’s a paradox, administrators claim those employees losing their jobs can apply for the 230 positions that are still vacant!  What’s the point of layoffs, why can’t MassMutual just transfer the employees to open positions?  Maybe the company wouldn’t have 230 open positions if they hadn’t started mass layoffs? (they want to replace their long term employees with cheaper newbies)

Minnesota: Jos A Bank shutting down their clothing store in the Nicollet Mall by mid-May.

Montana: In Helena, after 41 years the Ben Franklin Crafts shutting down.

New Jersey:  After 42 years Marty’s Shoes shutting down their remaining six shoe stores by the end of May.  Local news reports say at one time Marty’s Shoes had 110 stores!

New York: Liddabit Sweets shutting down their there years old Chelsea Market shop by mid-April.

North Carolina: Charlotte based Too Big to Jail Bank of America asks ‘What economic recovery?’, as its own research shows there are at least 10-million U.S. citizens currently unemployed and unable to find a job!  Teachers Memorial School in Kinston shutting down by August.  Vague news reports say the county questioned the school district’s operating costs.  MillerCoors issued a shutdown WARN for its Eden brewing ops.  The first round of layoffs will begin in June, in total 349 jobs will be lost by the time the brewery shuts down!  Local news reports say at one point the brewery employed more than 5-hundred people.  MillerCoors administrators basically said the bad economy is forcing them to join the growing trend of consolidating operations.  France based aerospace company Nexans shutting down its Elm City wire factory, 113 jobs lost by the end of June!  Nexans administrators say there is not going to be an economic recovery: “This has been the result of continued sales decline combined with the steady decrease in market prices. There are, unfortunately, no realistic prospects for a return to profitability in the medium to long term.” 

Ohio: After 164 years (surviving The Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) children’s mental health treatment chain Beech Brook forced to eliminate 179 jobs due to Medicaid funding cuts!  In McArthur, after more than 19 years Gill’s Family Pharmacy shutting down by May.  The drug seller has been praised for community service such as buying computers for county first responders.  In Englewood, Sears Holdings shutting down the Kmart, 57 jobs lost by the end of July.  In Boardman, after 34 years Cards and Collectibles shutting down, the owners are focusing on their wedding and party supply business.

Oregon: In Portland, after three years Yarntastic Fiber Arts shutting down their brick-n-mortar store by the end of the month.  They’ll continue on the internet.

Texas:  More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high-tech for your demise; San Antonio based iHeartMedia warning of bankruptcy due to ongoing lawsuit by creditors.  If they lose the lawsuit they could be required to make an immediate payment of $15-billion USD!  Exterran shutting down their oil-gas ops in Alleyton, 241 jobs lost by the end of June: “We continue to feel the impact of further deterioration of industry fundamentals and our revenues are expected to be under pressure throughout 2016 across all of our business segments…”

Washington DC: What economic recovery?  The U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services remained in deficit by $47.1-billion USD in February.    The U.S. Department of Commerce reports that U.S. factory orders fell by 1.7% in February, more than canceling out January’s piddly increase.   U.S. factory orders have crashed for 14 of the past 19 months!

Wisconsin: Toys R Us shutting down their store on North 76th Street in Milwaukee, 30 jobs gone by the end of the month.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

04 April 2016: 1,000% increase in generic drug prices! 1,700 people lose their final paychecks! 

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!

Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

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

Influenza, International

Operation Jupiter: Global Warming not cause of fish die-off, mystery virus discovered in 2 separate locations!

06 April 2016 (03:49 UTC-07 Tango 01) 18 Farvardin 1395/27 Jumada t-Tania 1437/29 Ren-Chen 4714

“Tilapia is one of the most important fish industries worldwide. Moreover, because they eat algae, they are ecological gatekeepers for freshwater and they are an inexpensive, important source of protein in poorer countries.”-Eran Bacharach, Tel Aviv University

Mass die-off at a tilapia farm in Israel-Palestine

Researchers in the U.S., Columbia, Ecuador, Scotland and Israel have discovered the true cause of tilapia die-offs, it’s not global warming but a previously unknown RNA virus now known as TiLV (Tilapia Lake Virus).

But there’s a problem, the major locations of tilapia die-off are not physically connected, so researchers are now focusing on how TiLV showed up at about the same time in two different locations.  Israel and Ecuador are separated by 12310km (7,649 miles) if you’re traveling by air.  Ecuador’s coastline is along the Pacific Ocean.  Israel’s (Palestine’s) coastline is along the Mediterranean Sea and a tini-tiny bit that has access to the Red Sea.

TiLV causes brain swelling and liver disease.  Die-offs of tilapia have been documented since 2009.  Ecuador’s neighbor, the U.S. drug lord puppet Columbia, is also reporting tilapia die-offs.  At first researchers thought tilapia were dying from a new form of Influenza C, but while it is similar it is also totally new: “The TiLV sequence has only minimal similarity in a small region of its genome to other viruses; thus, the methods we typically use to identify and characterize viruses through sequencing alone were insufficient.”-Eran Bacharach, Tel Aviv University

“It appears to be most closely related to a family of influenza viruses called orthomyxoviruses; however, we still don’t understand much about its biology.”-Nischay Mishra, Center for Infection and Immunity

Researchers were so baffled by the new virus they turned to help from the New York Genome Center.  Tilapia farming is worth $7.5-billion USD on the global market.

Operation Jupiter: Overwhelming proof HPV vaccine is wrong!

U.S. Food Crisis March 2016: “Sales aren’t even close….Not even close!” 

U.S. hit by new stealth Dog Flu!