Tag Archives: Business

Special Report: Lost hooves, dead cattle before Merck halted Zilmax sales

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A cowboy moves livestock in a cattle feedlot next to a Tyson slaughterhouse near Pasco(Reuters) – The U.S. beef industry’s dependence on the muscle-building drug Zilmax began unraveling here, on a sweltering summer day, in the dusty cattle pens outside a Tyson Foods Inc slaughterhouse in southeastern Washington state.

As cattle trailers that had traveled up to four hours in 95-degree heat began to unload, 15 heifers and steers hobbled down the ramps on August 5, barely able to walk. The reason: The animals had lost their hooves, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture documents reviewed by Reuters. The documents show the 15 animals were destroyed.

The next day, the hottest day of the month, two more animals with missing hooves arrived by truck. Again, the animals were destroyed, the documents show.

The animals’ feet were “basically coming apart,” said Keith Belk, a professor of animal science at Colorado State University. Belk said he reviewed photos of the lame cattle, though he declined to say who showed them to him.

Read more at Reuters

Top Secret: Do not read unless you are authorized.

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black-opsTHIS IS A SHOPPING ALERT. IT IS RUMORED THAT HIGH-END BOX STORES SHALL BE CONDUCTING OPERATIONS KNOWN AS “BLACK FRIDAY” SALES. THESE OPERATIONS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO ATTRACT LARGE CROWDS CAUSING EXTREME TENSION AND SCUFFLES IN OBTAINING ITEMS WHICH ARE ESSENTIALLY USELESS IN AN URGENT SITUATION.

FLAGSTAFF MILITARY SURPLUS HAS ISSUED NOTICE OF A COLLISION AVOIDANCE MISSION KNOWN AS THE BLACK OPS FRIDAY SALE. 33% OFF OF EVERYTHING IN THE GUN CASE, 40% OFF OF ALL CROSSBOWS AND BLOWGUNS OR 20% OFF OF ANY ONE ITEM OF YOUR CHOICE. NO RAIN CHECKS, SPECIAL ORDERS OR COMBINED DISCOUNTS.

STOCK INCLUDES BACKPACKS, SLEEPING BAGS, TENTS, WINTER AND LIGHT GLOVES, MEALS READY TO EAT (MRES) AND OTHER NECESSITIES WHICH MIGHT BE USEFUL IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. OR FOR JUST HAVING FUN CAMPING AND FISHING.

FURTHER ITEMS INCLUDE PINS, HATS FOR VETERANS OF VARIOUS ERAS, BUMPER STICKERS AND MILITARY MEMORABILIA.

YOU MUST ACCEPT THIS MISSION. HOWEVER, IF YOU CANNOT ACCEPT THIS MISSION, CALL THE NUMBER BELOW IMMEDIATELY AND FIND OUT THE “SECRET” COMPONENT OF THIS SALE.

HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING. THIS IS NOT AN OPTION.

MESSAGE ENDS.

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On Labor Day 2013, Welfare Pays More Than Minimum-Wage Work In 35 States

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Avik Roy

Since 2009, the Fair Labor Standards Act has dictated that the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. Some people think that’s too low; others think it’s too high. But it turns out that, in 35 states, it’s a better deal not to work—and instead, to take advantage of federal welfare programs—than to take a minimum-wage job. That’s the takeaway from a new study published by Michael Tanner and Charles Hughes of the Cato Institute.

“The current welfare system provides such a high level of benefits that it acts as a disincentive for work,” Tanner and Hughes write in their new paper. “Welfare currently pays more than a minimum-wage job in 35 states, even after accounting for the Earned Income Tax Credit,” which offers extra subsidies to low-income workers who take work. “In 13 states [welfare] pays more than $15 per hour.”

Read more at Forbes

Don’t Believe The Debt Ceiling Hype:

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The Federal Government Can Survive Without An Increase

Jeffrey Dorfman, Forbes

Ignore what you hear and read in the news. The federal government actually reached the legal debt ceiling about four months ago. Since then, the government has been financing its monthly budget deficit by stealing/borrowing money from other government funds, like the federal government employees’ pension fund. In about two weeks, the government will run out of tricks to keep operating as if nothing has happened. If the debt ceiling is not raised by then, the government has to balance its budget.

That’s right. As much as the politicians and news media have tried to convince you that the world will end without a debt ceiling increase, it is simply not true. The federal debt ceiling sets a legal limit for how much money the federal government can borrow. In other words, it places an upper limit on the national debt. It is like the credit limit on the government’s gold card.

Read more at Forbes

Oldest trading post in Williams opens

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tepee1

tepee2WILLIAMS—After a long hiatas, the Turquoise Tepee—the oldest trading post in Williams—opened this month.

The Tepee is owned by a fourth generation of the Wheeler family. They opened in the late seventies moving to their present location.

The family purchases jewelery and other items directly from native American artists in the region. They can even give you a bio of the artists themselves.

While there, you should also check out the paintings on the wall which were painted by the late Drake Seaman; a popular local artist for many years.

Chevron in Williams now takes Safeway points

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WILLIAMS—Have you built up those Safeway gas points and cannot wait to find a Safeway gas station in which to redeem them? The Chevron station in Williams on the end of Grand Canyon Blvd. has made a deal with Safeway to allow you to redeem them by swiping your Safeway card. You can save up to a dollar a gallon. Check with the clerk at the station for more details.

Arizona Collectibles and Firearms gun show this weekend

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WILLIAMS—The Arizona Collectibles and Firearms gun show provides the perfect venue for fathers this weekend. The gun show will be held this Saturday and Sunday the 15th and 16th at the Bob Dean Rodeo Grounds in Williams. The show times are from 9 am to 5 pm and 9am to 4 pm respectively. The cost to enter the show is $7 for one day and $10 for both days. Look for a $2 discount coupon. Gun show dealers and purchasers are reminded that they are obligated to follow all applicable laws.

Ivo’s restaurant opens tonight

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Ivo stands in front of his restaurant

Ivo stands in front of his restaurant

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Christine adds finishing touches to indoor scenery.

WILLIAMS—They problem with Ivo and wife Christine is that they are so friendly and outgoing, they stopped to display their artwork and answer the major question of locals—When are you going to open? That delayed them from opening their new barbeque restaurant.

Well, the answer is today is the day. Ivo will have his Grand Opening tonight at 5 p.m.

While Ivo worked on the internal equipment and other matters, Christine turned her talent to the internal decor turning the walls into an indoor forest.

So if you are looking for a place to eat tonight, you can check out Williams’ newest restaurant.

Williams enters the fray – Dollar General coming

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dollar-130514WILLIAMS—The Dollar General being built on Grand Canyon Blvd next to the closed Rosa’s Cantina is coming along. One worker said that they planned to be open in March, but have to wait until mid-June to complete some of the ground work. It is not clear if they will meet the June time frame even though the building may be ready.

What might be more interesting about this chain coming is it might be seen by industry watchers as another “base” in the “war” between Family Dollar, Dollar General and Walmart. One dollar store-watching web site notes that consumers are reporting that people are generally finding the best deals at Dollar General and Walmart—particularly the so-called “Super Walmarts”—when comparing them between Family Dollar and local grocery stores.

Bloomberg reported that the January increase in payroll taxes may have impacted the two low-priced chains. The article says that the resurgent Walmart store may also be impacting the retail sales of Dollar General and Family Dollar; no. 1 and 2 respectively in this market.

Family Dollar, for example, suffered its biggest loss in twelve-years dropping 13% because of the 2% increase in payroll tax that hurts the poor more than anyone. Analysts Bloomberg surveyed said that Dollar General was moving into its slowest growth period in three years. They had to cut holiday pricing over Christmas.

While most residents of Williams wait and purchase essentials either through Sam’s Club or Walmart, it appears that Dollar General is hoping to keep customers local in Williams and perhaps take in some of the tourist trade. This might actually be a good time for Dollar General, in fact, since Williams recently lifted the tax on food.

It remains to be seen what form of imaginative pricing that Safeway will have to develop to meet the new threat to their market share.