| IdleAire to eliminate 40 positions
IdleAire Technologies Corp. announced Thursday it was cutting 40 positions in a move expected to save the Knoxville-based company $4 million a year. Half the jobs are currently vacant and will not be filled, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing did not provide details on which positions are being eliminated. IdleAire spokesman John Doty declined to comment Thursday because of SEC restrictions while the company is considering going public. The company has not said when it plans to go public, how many shares of stock will be offered or at what price. In its SEC filing, the company said its reorganization will include consolidating various departments and functions, although it did not offer details. Employees affected by the cutback will receive a severance package based on their job and longevity with the company and job placement assistance, the company said.
Storms slice through Mid-South
Editor's note: If you have school cancellations, government office closures or other schedule changes that need to get out to the public, click here to report it and include your name, e-mail address and telephone number for verification. Severe weather slammed the Mid-South Tuesday night, killing at least four people while causing a swath of damage from DeSoto through Shelby and Tipton counties. Two men and a woman died in a collapsed Hickory Hill office building while a Fayette County man was found dead in a pickup truck north of Somerville. Memphis Fire Department spokesman Lt. Keith Staples said 12 people have been taken to area hospitals as of about 9 p.m. Two were in critical condition. .
Latest ULM blog: Outback Classic golf approaching fast
TIM HOLCOMB: The accolades for ULM's 2008 recruiting class continue. On Friday, Rivals.com's junior college recruiting service JCGridiron.com (http://jcgridiron.rivals.com/) published its rankings of the 2008 JUCO classes nationwide. ULM's 2008 junior college recruiting class finished ranked at No. 36 in the nation. According to JCGridiron.com, the top 10 junior college classes are (in order): No. 1 Florida State, No. 2 Oklahoma State, No. 3 Oklahoma, No. 4 Oregon State, No. 5 Arizona, No. 6 Texas Tech, No. 7 Kansas, No. 8 Minnesota, No. 9 Oregon, and No. 10 West Virginia. Four Sun Belt schools (Middle Tenn, Troy, UNT, and ULM) were ranked in the top 40. ULM's 2008 signing class boasts seven junior college signees: two offensive linemen, three defensive linemen, and two defensive backs. Six players boast a three-star rating by national services like Rivals.com or Scout.com, including Thomas Robinson (6-1 280), Aaron Williams (6-0 300), Alex Ford (6-2 305), safety Troy Giddens (6-0 205 4.3), cornerback Otis Stamps (5-10 175 4.5), and Keating Helms (6-3 308).
Taking down The Dean
The Daily Howler, who's long chronicled the Bush team's co-option of Washington pundits, is on a roll today. It's a brutal takedown of the sanctimonious David Broder, often lionized as the dean of Washington pundits. Point-by-point, the Howler's Bob Somerby shows how Broder pandered to and misjudged Bush even as he was unfairly trashing Al Gore. Broder at last saw the light this week, though he suggests nobody could have known how lawless and reckless Bush would turn out to be back in 2000. Right. And still, The Dean, who thought Bill Clinton should resign for evading the truth about a sex act, does not call on a self-described unconstitutionally acting, lawless and reckless president to do the same. No right-wing conspiracy is necessary with tools like Broder around. I hope someone sends him this piece.
FLASHPOINT: West Vigo center’s work has brought great improvements
On behalf of the West Vigo Community Center, I would like to thank those who have made positive change possible during the last six months at the center. Under the guidance of Interim Executive Director Teresa Herrington, new Learning Center Director Debbie Stout, a new board of directors, and many volunteers, the center is truly experiencing a "new beginning."These are some of those responsible:Danny Wayne of Midwest Communications radio and WTWO NewsChannel 2 Morning Edition advertised our Fall Fish Feast at the Grotto. Over 550 people arrived with their appetites and were not disappointed.Channel 2 also publicized activities at the center and raised community awareness about the plight surrounding our recent Children's Christmas Party. After the coverage, many people opened their hearts and their checkbooks to help provide gifts and pictures with Santa for over 250 children.The Salvation Army came to our rescue with age-appropriate toys for the children.
Sure sign of spring: Time to prep your RV
When it's February, most recreational vehicles in our area are tucked in for winter. But for those owners who are still active with their RVs, and those who will soon "wake up" their vehicles for spring break, here are a few tips. RV Activation • Check the water system for leaks, sanitize the system and make sure the toilet is operating. • Remove tape and protective coverings from all vents; open everything to see if rodents or insects got in or if you have any leaks. • Clean and inspect the roof carefully to avoid punctures or damaging any seals; check body and window seals. • Inspect awning fabrics and, if you clean them, make sure they're dry before rolling them back up. • Inspect RV and tow-vehicle tires for cracks, uneven wear and foreign objects and inflate tires to cold weather pressures.
|
