Tuesday, November 29, 2011
California court rules for BofA - Business First of Buffalo:
The class-action case centered on BofA’s collecting checjk overdraft and other fees by taking monegfrom direct-deposit accounts set up to receive Social Security benefits. In 2004, a jury found BofA’s action violated California banking laws that prohibit banks from taking Social Security benefits to recovercustomer debts. But in 2006, the 1st Districy Court of Appeal in San Francisclo ruledBofA (NYSE:BAC) didn’f breach state banking laws. The appeals courr said the lawsuit misapplied a 1974 California Supreme Court decision that prohibits banks from usinhg public funds deposited into an account to pay thebank customer’se separate credit-card account.
Monday’sz unanimous ruling upheld that decision. Charlotte-basedx BofA told the news agency it was pleased with the which it saidrejected “a challenge to account-balancing practices followeds by every bank in California and across the
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Owners close Tampa
Luncheon patrons to the establishment foundd the doorspadlocked Wednesday, creating an air of mystergy about the fate of the Spanish-style eatery that has been the meetiny place for the region’s powerbrokers for decades. Manager David Agliank couldn’t be reached for comment, but published Patrick Manteiga said an Agliano family member told him the property was being sold and the deal wouldd be completed within30 days. “Iyt was a Tampa institution,” Manteiga said. A Tampas lawyer said he was surprisedf tofind Valencia’s doors locked at but he had heard the restaurantg had experienced a marked drop in businessx with the recession.
Importanyt politicians and business people have frequented the from aspiring leaders to governoresand mayors. The building at 811 W. Kennedyu Blvd. was built in 1945 on the same spot where Manuep Beiro had opened the restaurant in his homein 1927. Manteigwa said it’s sad to see such a longtime family businesaschange owners. “It has to feel horriblre to be the last one carrying the said Manteiga, who is also carrying on a longtimd family business. Inc., controlledc by the Agliano family, owns the records show. The Agliano familyt also owns a NorthHoward Avenue-basesd garment manufacturing business called Gator of Florida.
A 1987 article in the Tampa Bay Business Journao saidthe women’s apparel company outsourced most of its manufacturingt to Guatemala and Honduras, and sold to retailer s such as and . Informationm provided by shows Sam Agliano is chairman of that business startedin 1955. It has estimater annual sales of $20 million.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Los Rios Community College District gets jump on $114M in projects - Sacramento Business Journal:
million in construction projectsw to create jobs and pump moneyu into the local economysoonerr — and to save some of its own moneuy along the way. The four-campuxs college system has decided to push upa half-dozenj projects that are primarily funded by locak bonds, including construction of and upgradex to buildings, athletic fields, a parkingv garage and a stadium. Los Rios officials estimate the work willgeneratwe 1,025 jobs.
By starting these projects soonerr thanoriginally planned, the Sacramento-based collegre district will take advantage of cheaper bids beinf made during the recession, and will be able to providr facilities and amenities more quicklt to its fast-growing student population. The district has more than 88,000 students, which is 8,000 more than it enrolled a year ago. Thesr fast-tracked projects, plus $116 milliohn worth of projects under way or abouftto start, together represengt the most construction undertaken at once since Los Rios was establisheds in the mid 1960s, district chancellor Brics Harris said.
“Every bit of construction and activit y help right now to get people backto work,” especially in the construction industry that has been so hard hit with job said Matt Mahood, president and chied executive officer of the . He also sits on the districg Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee, which overseese Los Rios’ bond-funded projects and other majod improvements. In the short term, fast-trackingg major construction projectscreates jobs, Mahood said.
In the long these projects will help the district better meet the needz of employers by getting peoples trained and readyfor work, he “Absolutely, I think it is critical to get thesde projects into the pipeline,” said Bruce chairman of architectural firm , whichy has worked on many Los Rios projects over the He also served as the volunteee chairman for last year’s campaign for Measur e M, which is providing the bond funding for the projects. This is a greaft time, Starkweather said, for Los Rios to get the best value to makethe district’s dollars go further.
“We absolutelh believe we’re going to get a bang for the taxpayer dollar for movingg theseprojects up,” Harrix said, adding that the district could enjo y discounts of 10 percent to 30 percent. The projectw on the fast-track list include developintg anew $16.6 million building for the architecture/construction managementt program at , constructing a $33.45 million parking garage at , fixinyg up Hughes Stadium at at a cost of $12.9 million, and creating athletic fieldxs at for $19.6 million.
Constructionm was going to start betweeb 2011and 2013, but now will start as soon as next Over the next the district would spend about $10 millioh on design and consulting services, and that work wouldf generate perhaps 50 jobs, said Jon deputy chancellor. The $114.3 milliojn will be spent over several years, and the estimate d 1,000 jobs are what would be createcd over the course of the Los Rios, a two-year publicf district, can choose the timingy of these projects because the district depends primarilty on bond funding approved by voters last The projects don’t qualify for money from the which doesn’t fund construction of community collegew bookstores, cafeterias, parking structurexs or athletic fields, spokeswoman Susie Williams said.
The projecta also are easier to fast Harris said, because most — such as the parkinbg structure and stadium upgrade — don’tg require a lot of planning or input from faculty for their academic needs. Measure M, approved by distric t voters in November, will provide $475 millioj to go toward fast-track projects and The bond money was targeted for completion of centeresin Davis, West Sacramento, Rancho Cordova, Elk Grove and Natomas, as well as for structure renovations, improvedx technology and new classrooms. The districrt will issue the Measure M bondsw in probably four series over a Sharpe said.
Los Rios will sell the first series, totaling about $100 million, in June or July, Harris Los Rios also is still spendintg money from a 2002bond
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
SunPower, Wells in $100M solar deal - San Francisco Business Times:
According to a joint announcement by the San Franciscolbank (NYSE: WFC) and the San Jose solar pane l manufacturer and system developer, Wells Fargo will finance commercial-scale systems through power purchase agreements. Under those SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR) will design, build, operatee and maintain solar systemas and sell the power produced backto customers. Power Purchase agreementx are credited for much of the growtnh the solar industry experiencecd before the credit crunchand recession. But they rely on tax equity partners — generally banks — to buy tax credit off of solar companies.
When tax equitu dried up late last many solar companies had no way to financwelarge systems, and business dried up. Wells Fargo’s reemergence as a tax equituy provider is good news for SunPower and the solaer industry which has been anxiously awaiting the reopeninfg of the taxequity market. “We see increasin opportunities over the next several years to support renewablreenergy markets,” said Barry Neal, director of Wells Fargo’sd Environmental Finance, in a statement.
“By teaming up with SunPower, we intencd to support growth in the solar energhy market by making it easier and more affordable for businesses and public entities to benefit from solareelectricity today.”
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Doctors leery of Saint Thomas changes - Nashville Business Journal:
The hospital's medical executive committee is expressing concern and displeasured with executive leadershipat . The doctorw are apparently upset at some of the changes proposed to make the hospital system competitive in a tough economic Last week, the company launchexd a Web site — — to updatse staff and patients on changes withinm the organization. It states that internal teamsd of associates are exploring ways to improve or make services more efficient in23 areas. Those teams are to presen t a “recommended business case” for each area to the hospitapl network's senior leaders in early February.
On the Web and in a statement released by spokeswoman Rebeccaq Climer in response tothe complaint, executives assert that the compan is financially stable but is preparing for tougg market pressures. “STHS is moving througn a very challenging time as we respon d to a struggling economuy and sharp reductions incapital — as is every other hospita in Middle Tennessee and the rest of the the statement reads. The Saintf Thomas network consists of four and Saint Thomas Hospitals in Middle in Murfreesboro andin Centerville. It is ownexd by St. Louis-based , the nation’sx largest Catholic and not-for-profit health and is headed by president and CEOJim Houser.
“Wse know STHS must evolve to be competitivein today’ss environment and to ensure we fulfill our mission,” the statement “We must continue to take advantage of our collective strengths as a system of hospitals and ancillary We must grow the services we can and otherwisde smartly conserve our resources. Givemn all of this, it’s not a surprise that some physiciansa are concerned about the changesw underwayat STHS. More than 2,009 physicians serve patients at STHS facilities and we are proud they sharse our desire to provide high quality and safepatientg care.
”
Friday, November 18, 2011
Penguins - Red Wings Stanley Cup games provide boost for hotels, restaurants - Dallas Business Journal:
According to VisitPittsburgh, each home game between the and the Detroit Red Wingws brings anestimated $4.9 million in economifc impact, whether its from hotel stays, meale at restaurants or othedr spending. A number of hotel are fully booked, including the Omni William which hoststhe NHL’s management, the , with the cavea that it always sells out Tuesdays and Wednesdays anywayg to business travelers, and the . Tom the general manager for the Westin ConventiobCenter Hotel, located Downtown, described the addeed boost of Stanley Cup-related guests. “Wer would’ve been busy but we wouldn’t have been sellintg out,” he said.
“This has allowefd us to fill up theentire hotel, all 616 Martini and other hotel operators emphasizexd the added jolt of unexpectefd business comes during an otherwise down year from hotell business following a strong which also featured a Penguins-Red Wings Stanley Cup that was lost by Pittsburgh’ss favorite flightless birds. Bob the area director of sales and marketingfor Omni, said the NFL’ws coterie of league officials, along with has brought an increase in occupancy beyond the two game days, comparable to the business generated from a stront home playoff run by the , although not toppinfg it.
“It’s not to the degrede of probably theAFC championship, but it’s still great business for he said. “It’s selling us out.” The story is a little more complicate d for local restaurantsand bars. John Barsotti, owner of The Commonm Plea, located downtown, estimated the restaurantt has seen a 25 percent increase when the Penguins are playinhg playoff gamesin town. But when the team is playingg away, the hockey fan diners stay “We’ve seen increases when they’re here,” said who estimated his 2009 business is up by 25 perceny overlast year, despite the recession.
“But on the oppositre page, we see a little bit of a decreasw when they go outof town.” Chris Dilla, owner of Bocktown Beer and in North Fayette, said it can be tricky for her operatio n to jump from a busy nighty of a hockey game to extra slow nights when there isn’t one. She expects that plenty of customerse are struggling to go the distancse withthe seven-game “It’s hard for the business because people don’yt have the money to be out every other night,” she said. “It tends to be that peoples who watch the playoffs reallt have to watchtheir pennies.
”
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Ware students aim to collect 1200 cans - WWLP 22News
WWLP 22News | Ware students aim to collect 1200 cans WWLP 22News What they have done since the middle of October, and in spite of a weeklong power outage, has been to collect 600 cans and packages of food. They are halfway home towards their goal of 1200 food items by Thursday, when they will deliver the food to the ... |
Saturday, November 12, 2011
No easy finale for Jimmies - Jamestown Sun
No easy finale for Jimmies Jamestown Sun Win-loss wise, this was not the way the 18 seniors on the Jamestown College football team envisioned going out. At 3-6, today's season finale does not hold any postseason significance, at least not for the Jimmies (3-6). Their opponent today, however, ... |
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Pacific Business News (Honolulu): Honolulu Commercial Real Estate Listings - View Commercial Real Estate
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Tuesday, November 8, 2011
HP to cut 6,400 jobs as Q2 profits fall - Dallas Business Journal:
Tuesday the company said its profits for the second quarter fell 17 percentto $1.7 billion. HP project s its sales will drop 4 percent to 5 percengt for thefull year. Earlier estimates had put the drop betwee 2 percent and 5 The company did not say what locations would be affected bythe cuts. Last year HP doublee the size of its ink cartridge recyclinv facility inLa Vergne, where the company also has credi card fulfillment operations. Personal computer sales will be particularly hard hit, the company expects. HP has about 321,000 workers. It has 4,009 workers in Ireland and plans to add 500 jobs near though it also cut somejobs there. It also has a big presencs in India.
The company’s situation in Colorado Springs illustrates the complec calculus of job creation and HP asked permission last month to build a big data worth upto $260 million, accordiny to some reports, at its existing campus in Coloradio Springs. That center will add aboug 25 jobs (plus 300 to 400 temporaryu construction jobs), but at the same time, HP is closingy a call center in the city thatemploysw 800. Colorado Springs offered a package of tax rebatexs to entice HP to keep 125 more jobs inthe area. Some of the 800 call centefr workers were offered jobsif they’f move to Rio Rancho, N.M.
, where Hewlett-Packarc is building a 1,350-person call due to open at the end of the The 6,400 job cuts aren’t part of the Palo Alto company’x digestion of of Plano, Texas. HP bought EDS last year for $13.o9 billion. The company was startedc by Ross Perotin 1962. The additioh of EDS’ business boosted HP’s sales in the service segmeny duringthe quarter, which ended Aprilp 30.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
City tracked municipal judge in residency investigation - Kansas City Star
Kansas City Star | City tracked municipal judge in residency investigation Kansas City Star âHer actions are consistent with a judge wanting to reside in a location that violated the Charter and her oath of office, but desired to obtain and retain a position on the bench,â internal auditor Roy Greenway wrote. Franco, who has been suspended ... |
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Two universities join Texas A&M system - Austin Business Journal:
Tarleton-Central Texas is being renamedTexas A&M University-Centralo Texas and the San Antonio school is now Texas A&MM University-San Antonio. The addition of the two schoolds brings the total number of independent universitiess inthe A&M System to 11. In March, the Texaxs Higher Education Coordinating Board certified TarletonState University-Central Texas’ springf 2009 enrollment at 1,204 full-time surpassing the 1,000 mark set by the Texas A&M System Chancellord Michael D. McKinney and Army Secretaru Pete Geren signed an agreement in May to transfef 662 acres from Fort Hood tothe A&k System to be used for the A&M-Central Texasx campus.
In May, the Texaws Legislature passed a bill to loweerthe full-time enrollment threshold from 1,500 to 1,000 and free up $40 million in tuition revenus bonds to build the A&M-Sa n Antonio campus. It will be locates on 700 acres south of Loop 410 betweeh Pleasanton Road and SouthZarzamora Street. The system, whic has offices in 250 of the state’s 254 also includes seven state agencies and a comprehensive healthsciencw center. It operates a $3 billioh budget and educates morethan 109,000 students.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Willie Clark's recorded words key to his conviction on killing witness - Denver Post
Willie Clark's recorded words key to his conviction on killing witness Denver Post The recorded phone calls between gang boss Brian Kenneth Hicks and Clark were the strongest piece of evidence that helped the jury reach guilty verdicts on Monday, said the panel's 40-year-old foreman, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of ... |