Fireworks explode over Sydney Harbour during the pre-New Year’s celebrations on Sydney Harbour in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
Archive for December, 2008
G’day, 2009
Wednesday, December 31st, 2008Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 31st, 2008
What better way to ring the new year in than with Jimi Hendrix. Below is a medley of holiday songs, including Auld Lang Syne. Fantastic.
It’s official
Wednesday, December 31st, 2008
It looks like I will be heading to the Inauguration, hopefully to blog and take photos and video for everyone to see.
There will likely be a huge crush of people in D.C. for the event, and organizers are actually trying to warn people away who don’t have tickets.
I was lucky enough to secure two.
I promise I won’t make this a lovefest for Obama. I hope that everyone here will be interested in reading about the event, if for no other reason than the historical significance of it.
My friend and I still have no idea where we’ll be staying. It could be that we spend a few nights in a car — hopefully not, though.
She is the web editor for the Democrat-Gazette and will be working the event for them. I will post links to the ADG site during the Inaugural so you can enjoy dual coverage.
More to come.
Union Co. mourns loss of businessman
Wednesday, December 31st, 2008
James Gordy, 65, died Tuesday night in Fayetteville from complications suffered after a stroke. Look for a story in Thursday’s News-Times.
I knew Gordy from covering the Union County Industrial Board, and he had just been elected as chair of that board several weeks ago. I also profiled his business, Gordy Tool and Die, for the Made in Union County series in 2007.
What a loss. He was truly a fine gentleman.
Holiday rush
Tuesday, December 30th, 2008Sorry for the sparse postings, but I’m sure you guys haven’t had much time to log on anyway. It’s been pretty busy around here lately, what with people being off sick and family business to attend to.
I will do my best to keep something going through the end of this week. But rest assured, once the new year starts, we will ramp up full force again. Stay with us.
Bailout ‘loan’ happens for automakers
Friday, December 19th, 2008The federal government will provide $13.4 billion in loans to automakers General Motors and Chrysler, the White House said Friday.
President Bush said Friday morning automakers must show they can be profitable businesses by March 31.
“Allowing the U.S. auto industry to collapse is not a responsible course of action,” Bush said.
Is it responsible to throw good money after bad — money that taxpayers provided? Nope. It isn’t.
Will the automakers be able to return to profitability in just months, especially after years of bleeding cash?
I doubt it.
So what good will these loans actually do, other than buy them a little more time before the inevitability of bankruptcy strikes. Call me Negative Nelly, but the future just doesn’t look bright for the automakers unless they conduct a major restructuring.
Click here for more.
Local man assaulted at Mink Eye
Thursday, December 18th, 2008
A man was brutally assaulted early Thursday morning outside the Mink Eye bar on Jefferson Street in downtown El Dorado.
Bradley Edgerton, 32, of 1101 W. Oak, was taken Medical Center of South Arkansas and then transported to University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to be treated for injuries he sustained during the attack.
El Dorado Police say that a fight between Edgerton and Billy R. Cowett, 36, of Oklahoma, broke out over a female.
Cowett was arrested for second-degree battery.
Look for more in Friday’s News-Times.
Thursday, December 18th, 2008
Yesterday when I got home I found an envelope from Rep. Mike Ross’ office telling me that I had two tickets to witness president-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C.
I felt like the little kid in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when I opened that letter. I had my Golden Ticket.
When I applied for the tickets several weeks ago I figured it would be a shot in a million. After all, just a little more than 240,000 are being handed out across the nation.
But then there’s another issue to deal with: finding someone to go with me and finding a hotel.
Rates are sky high in D.C. proper. I have found a couple of hotels in the outer areas, but then traveling to D.C. becomes a logistics nightmare.
Anyone have D.C. connections they’d like to share with me? Or, better yet, anyone know anyone who is going to the event? Please let me know.
Bradley County snow
Tuesday, December 16th, 2008I just got back from Warren, covering the Ouachita River Commission. Tiny flakes of snow fell as we walked to the Lumberjack Cafe — a beautiful sight. I love the cold, grey weather. I wish we would get a dusting of white before Christmas.
Also a heads up: An announcement of more layoffs or “restructuring” at a prominent local company is likely very soon.
Monday, December 15th, 2008
Congratulations to the Junction City Dragons for their 10-8 victory over Des Arc Saturday in the state 2-A title game.
The game was won off the foot of Darius Dixon, whose 26-yard field goal sealed the deal for the Dragons. Click here for video.
Rough weather ahead for some — UPDATE
Monday, December 15th, 2008
If you’re planning on traveling east over the next few days, you might want to make other plans. Significant ice accumulation is expected in areas east of the Little Rock area Tuesday and into Wednesday.
Here, expect a chance of freezing rain tonight and tomorrow, according to the National Weather Service. Little or no accumulation is expected, but, as always, be careful and drive slow. Black ice — ice you cannot see — is always a danger.
UPDATED MAP
Click here for the latest from the National Weather Service.
Go, Blanche!
Friday, December 12th, 2008
I could not agree more with the following statement from Blanche Lincoln, one of the brave few who stood up against the United Autoworkers Union and the Big Three bailout. We. Need. No. Bailouts. For. The. Automakers.
Here’s the release:
Washington – U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) Thursday voted against the auto bailout bill, saying it would only commit more taxpayer dollars to a failed business plan.
“Further, when the car companies establish a credible plan for the future, we don’t have to throw new money at the problem,” Lincoln said.
The Bush Administration has the authority now to offer assistance through the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and the Federal Reserve’s direct loan authority.
While promising to help Main Street and American industry, the Bush Administration has failed to use TARP to benefit any institution off of Wall Street. TARP funds should be the source for any auto relief, provided our domestic auto companies demonstrate reforms that will lead to sustainability.
“The leadership of General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford has failed to meet the competitive demands of a global economy and it will be up to them to create a business plan that is worthy of taxpayer assistance. It is unfair to ask the American taxpayer to foot the bill for misguided business decisions.”
Lincoln said it is unrealistic to think this day would never come when American automakers have historically resisted multiple opportunities to compete in the emerging alternative fuel-powered vehicle market. She noted that the 1908 Ford Model T got 25 miles to the gallon, better than many cars being manufactured in Detroit 100 years later.
“I greatly appreciate the important role our domestic auto manufacturers play in our economy and in our national security,” Lincoln said. “However, we should only provide taxpayer assistance to these companies if there is a credible plan for their long-term viability.”
Lincoln said many American industries are hurting due to the economic crisis, including Arkansas agriculture producers who must wait until May 2009 for disaster assistance from crop losses in February 2008.
“Today, it’s the automakers on our radar, but Congress needs to stay mindful that this recession is deep and broad and there will be no quick fix,” Lincoln added.
Angels are watching
Friday, December 12th, 2008
News-Times photographer Larry Singer snapped this photo of an angel displayed at a residence on Calion Road.
I saw this the other night and thought it looked spectacular, so I asked Larry to drive by last night and take a shot.
And by the way, Larry’s Blog — click here — has recently been updated.
AP reports Pilgrim’s Pride’s 08 losses
Friday, December 12th, 2008
Try $1 billion.
The AP article follows:
The Pittsburg, Texas-based company said late last month that it was delaying filing its fiscal 2008 annual report with the Securities and Exchange Commission due to ongoing talks with its lenders regarding temporary waivers and “related financial uncertainties.”
Days later, the nation’s largest chicken producer filed for bankruptcy protection, hobbled by debt and volatile commodity costs, as its lenders declined to provide another temporary waiver.
The company said in a filing with the SEC Thursday that it posted a loss of $998.6 million, or $14.40 a share, in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 27. That compared to earnings of $47 million, or 71 cents, the year before.
Sales rose 13.7 percent to $8.53 billion, from $7.5 billion last year.
The results included a loss of 9 cents on discontinued operations. The company took a charge in the fourth quarter of $501.4 million, or $6.77 per share, primarily related to the declining value of Gold Kist Inc., which Pilgrim’s Pride acquired for $1.3 billion in early 2007.
The company also posted an income tax valuation allowance of $35 million, or 47 cents per share, against its net operating losses. And it posted a loss of $155.7 million on feed ingredient derivative contracts.
AND BY THE WAY…there is still no new news regarding the status of the El Dorado Pilgrim’s plant, which, as you well know, has laid off 550 workers and eliminated 150 positions that were currently vacant. Speculation abounds, though, as to the future of our local plant. Let’s hope that future doesn’t mean further layoffs or permanent closure. Stay tuned.
Congrats and good luck to Dragons
Friday, December 12th, 2008
