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Susan Mires - Business Editor

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Herbst Gaming files bankruptcy plan
by Susan Mires
Tuesday, March 24, 2009

A bankruptcy filing by its parent company is not expected to cause significant changes at Terrible’s St. Jo Frontier Casino.

Spring rise cancelled on Missouri River
by Susan Mires
Monday, March 23, 2009

The spring rise on the Missouri River has been rained out. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had been planning to increase the release of water from the dam at Yankton, S.D., beginning on Saturday. The two-day pulse is designed to benefit the pallid sturgeon, an endangered fish species in the river.

The future of farming
by Susan Mires
Saturday, March 21, 2009

Eyes were focused on the future at the annual Farm/City Breakfast Friday morning.

The last word in economy is ‘me’
by Susan Mires
Thursday, March 19, 2009

No more victim mentality.

The new economy of frugality
by Susan Mires
Thursday, March 19, 2009

FOREST CITY, Mo. — Karen From is getting a lot of calls from people asking how to preserve homegrown fruits and vegetables.
Everyone is looking for places to pinch pennies and renewing their interest in gardening and canning, said Ms. From, a nutrition specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
In the new economy, old-fashioned skills are going up in value.

Incubator’s funds cut
by Susan Mires
Saturday, March 14, 2009

The state has cut funding to the Bond Institute for Industrial and Applied Life Sciences.

Treasurer touts plans to bolster investment
by Susan Mires
Thursday, March 12, 2009

It’s one tool, admits Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel, but he believes his plan could help pep up the state’s sagging economy.

It’s the stupid economy
by Susan Mires
Thursday, March 12, 2009

It’s blamed for every evil in the world.

Creditors seek $1 million
by Susan Mires
Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Three creditors are trying to force Northwest Missouri Biofuels into involuntary bankruptcy.

Creditors seek $1 million from Northwest Biofuels
by Susan Mires
Monday, March 9, 2009

Three creditors are trying to force Northwest Missouri Biofuels into involuntary bankruptcy. Together, the three businesses are owed more than $1 million, said Lisa Epps, the attorney representing one of the creditors.

Herzog founder dies at 88
by Susan Mires
Saturday, March 7, 2009

Bill Herzog was a gambler.
In 1969, he invested his life savings to form Herzog Contracting Corp. And every time he signed a bond for a construction contract, he put his net worth on the line.
“He gambled on that business all the time. The reason why was because he believed in it,” said Al Landes, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Herzog Contracting.

AgriLabs celebrates 25 years
by Susan Mires
Friday, March 6, 2009

Born in St. Joseph and national in scope, AgriLabs is celebrating its silver anniversary this week. AgriLabs shareholders gathered for their annual meeting Thursday. The company was formed in 1984 by a group of business leaders, including Wes Remington, a key developer in St. Joseph’s animal health industry. The company now works with 42 different manufacturers and markets about 960 animal health products across the United States.

If schools were run like a business
by Susan Mires
Thursday, March 5, 2009

I’m trying to weigh which would be a worse scenario: If the school district were operated like a business; or if employees had to get voter approval for better working conditions.

Tough times for a rate hike
by Susan Mires
Thursday, March 5, 2009

Kansas City Power & Light has bad timing.

Intel inside St. Joseph a real possibility
by Susan Mires
Friday, Feb. 27, 2009

Intel Corp., one of the world’s largest computer companies, is considering a unique partnership in St. Joseph.
Intel could collaborate with local universities, school districts and business leaders to launch its new education platform. The program could mean computers in classrooms, electronic textbooks in colleges and jobs in St. Joseph.
“This is the first time we’ve done something like this in a community,” said Jeff Galinovsky, regional manager for the Classmate PC program for Intel.

Ag Expo Center on a stick
by Susan Mires
Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009

If you can put it on a stick, it sells. Corn dogs on a stick. Fried Twinkie on a stick. Fried candy bar on a stick. Fried peach on a stick. Better yet, deep-fry it, then stick it on a stick. It’s a strategy the Buchanan County Commission may want to consider: Ag Expo Center on a stick.

Intel to work with universities
by Susan Mires
Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009

An innovative program from Intel may create new jobs in St. Joseph.

AT&T launches 3G network
by Susan Mires
Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009

AT&T wireless customers may have noticed a new icon on their cell phones in the past week. AT&T’s system has been upgraded to 3G — the lingo for third generation technology. The technology is designed to improve the speed of data transmission, such as Web surfing and texting, for wireless users.

Economy creates new hurdles for Sudanese
by Susan Mires
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009

One motivation keeps the women in St. Joseph: Their children.
They’ve moved from war-torn Sudan and lived in several cities in the United States. In St. Joseph, they’ve finally found the place they want to call home.
“I can move the children, but it’s not good for them,” said Ayen Maulual. “You have to stay in one place so the kids learn better.”

Restaurant-o-meter
by Susan Mires
Monday, Feb. 23, 2009

Whether accurate or not, we’ve always seemed to measure St. Joseph’s economy based on the city’s restaurant activity. Right now, it seems to be doing fairly well considering the national recession and layoff spree.

Profit makes Nestlé purr
by Susan Mires
Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009

St. Joseph’s Nestlé PetCare factory contributed to a profitable 2008 for the company.

KQ2 planning to eliminate 4 jobs
by Susan Mires
Friday, Feb. 20, 2009

Changes in operations at KQ2 will lead to four jobs being eliminated at the St. Joseph television station.

Smurfit strikers symbolize struggle
by Susan Mires
Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

Crazy, they were called.

Jobless find a second chance in education
by Susan Mires
Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009

They know the pain of losing a job; they share the frustration of a dead end.
“You spend all your life in that trade, pretty much that’s all you know as far as making a living,” said Mark Christopher.
Mr. Christopher worked at Mead’s stationery factory in St. Joseph for 25 years. He still remembers the night he was told the factory was closing.

BlueScope Steel shuts down shift, lays off 53
by Susan Mires
Friday, Feb. 13, 2009

It has been a brutal week for the local work force.
BlueScope Steel shut down its third shift and laid off 53 workers Thursday at its Varco-Pruden division in St. Joseph.
The facility on Lower Lake Road makes pre-engineered metal buildings, and after the layoffs employs about 130 people, 96 of whom work in the shop.

BlueScope cuts 53 jobs at Varco-Pruden plant
by Susan Mires
Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009

BlueScope Steel shut down its third shift and laid off 53 workers at its Varco-Pruden division in St. Joseph. The facility on Lower Lake Road makes pre-engineered metal buildings and after the layoffs employs about 130 people, 96 of whom work in the shop.

Let’s hope it's truly a stimulus
by Susan Mires
Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009

Listen close and I can hear the needle scratch across the phonograph as the old song starts to play.

Gray cuts 41 jobs
by Susan Mires
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009

The local job market has received another blow. Gray Manufacturing has laid off 41 workers, about one-fifth of its work force. Before the layoffs, the company employed 198 people. Sixteen jobs were eliminated in November. “We have cut costs in every area and postponed layoffs as long as we could, but unfortunately this action was necessary as we continue to experience downturns in business,” said Stet Schanze, president of Gray Manufacturing.

Census Bureau looking for a little help
by Susan Mires
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009

One entity is hiring in every county of Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas.

Gas prices take biofuels for ride
by Susan Mires
Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009

Cheaper gas is taking a toll on the biofuels industry.
This week, MGP Ingredients announced it was ceasing ethanol production. In addition, Northwest Missouri Biofuels has temporarily stopped producing biodiesel at its St. Joseph plant.
“We see no way under the current conditions to compete effectively in this market,” said Steve Pickman, spokesman for MGP.

Don’t forget: We're in a recession
by Susan Mires
Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009

This recession wouldn’t be so bad if it were not constantly beat over our heads.

Boehringer moves forward with expansion
by Susan Mires
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009

New corporate headquarters are a key part of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica’s expansion in St. Joseph. The company officially announced Tuesday it will expand its animal pharmaceutical operation. The company is planning a $150 million investment that will create at least 124 jobs. To be built on the main campus at the North Belt Highway and Gene Field Road, the project includes expanded manufacturing, more research and development activities and new technology throughout the campus.

Boehringer to expand facility and jobs
by Susan Mires
Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009

Local animal health giant, boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica announces plans for a $150 million expansion.

Boehringer Ingelheim to build $150 million expansion
by Susan Mires
Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. confirmed today it will expand in St. Joseph. The animal health company announced it will invest more than $150 million in facilities and create 124 new jobs.

Free tax help offered
by Susan Mires
Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009

Beginning Monday, free help will be available to help prepare income tax returns.

Take this job and hang on tight
by Susan Mires
Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

Imagine if everyone in the St. Joseph area lost their job.

HPI, owner plead guilty
by Susan Mires
Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

HPI Products Inc. and William Garvey, the company’s president, pleaded guilty to illegally storing and discharging hazardous waste.

HPI, owner plead guilty to hazardous waste violations
by Susan Mires
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009

HPI Products Inc. and William Garvey, the company’s president, pleaded guilty to illegally storing and discharging pollutants into the city’s sewer system.
Mr. Garvey entered the guilty plea in U.S. District Court Tuesday.
HPI operated a chemical manufacturing plant at 222 Sylvanie St. The company has numerous storage facilities throughout St. Joseph.
The Environmental Protection Agency has been investigating HPI for many months.

Corn, bean growers look to ’09
by Susan Mires
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009

If it’s not the weather, it’s the government. Or input prices. Or the market.

St. Joseph man is ‘a rising star of innovation’
by Susan Mires
Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009

Andy DeShon turns the key and the lawn tractor springs to life.
But you can’t tell. There’s no roar of the engine, no puff of exhaust. Only when he pushes the throttle wide open does the hum of the electric motor become loud enough to detect. Even as Mr. DeShon engages the mower blade and cuts a swath across the grassy lot, the converted lawn tractor is relatively quiet.
“You can talk on the phone while you’re mowing the yard,” Mr. DeShon said.

Nutrition by the numbers
by Susan Mires
Friday, Jan. 23, 2009

Iceberg lettuce: 82.

Shatto Milk appears on Law & Order
by Susan Mires
Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009

How did a local business wind up on Law & Order? No one is quite sure, but the business is happy about it.

MGE requests gas rate cut
by Susan Mires
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009

Natural gas rates will be coming down.
Missouri Gas Energy filed a request Monday to lower rates from 94 cents per hundred cubic feet to 77 cents. The change is based on the wholesale price of natural gas, which has fallen since peaks this summer.
“With the economy tanking and prices going down across the board, our industry fell in line with that,” said Jason Fulp, community affairs representative with MGE.

Cherry Mash featured in magazine
by Susan Mires
Monday, Jan. 19, 2009

A local favorite will receive national attention this week.
Cherry Mash, the little candy bar that could, is featured in American Profile. The magazine is inserted in today’s News-Press and will appear in 1,325 newspapers, reaching 10 million readers throughout the week.
The article on Page 10 focuses on the chocolate-coated Cherry Mash and the history of Chase Candy Co., which dates back to 1876 in St. Joseph.

Strike continues as Smurfit-Stone weighs bankruptcy
by Susan Mires
Friday, Jan. 16, 2009

Financial problems are dashing hopes that striking Smurfit-Stone workers will return to work soon.
Smurfit-Stone Container, one of the country’s largest cardboard box manufacturers, is considering filing for bankruptcy, according to an article in the Wall Street Journal. The news sent Smurfit-Stone stocks spiraling to close at 6 cents per share, down 80 percent for the day. The stock had been trading as high as $10 a year ago.

Rabbit ears get fuzzy in digital age
by Susan Mires
Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009

The rabbit ears are perked at attention, one pointing south and another tilted at a jaunty angle toward the northwest.

Chamber president makes push for small businesses
by Susan Mires
Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009

More research funding, counselors and tax credits for angel investors are among the requests Ted Allison made for small businesses.

A bite out of crops
by Susan Mires
Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009

Farmers can brace for the global recession taking a bite out of their income this year.
Blame oil prices.
“We have a very serious situation on our hands. Energy played a big part in where we are,” said Dr. Abner Womack of the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri.

Chamber exec to address Congress to advocate for small businesses
by Susan Mires
Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009

Ted Allison, president of the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce, will testify before Congress this week.

WireCo flourishes in tough times
by Susan Mires
Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009

When Wire Rope Corporation of America filed for bankruptcy in 2002, serious doubts hovered over the signature St. Joseph manufacturer.
The company went through significant — sometimes painful — adjustments, but 2008 proved its most successful sales year ever.
“The bottom line is that since 2002, this company has completely changed. It’s not the same company it was,” said David Hornaday, senior vice president of corporate administration.