Kevin Horan: January 2009 Archives

Lots of news today, folks.

Sean Adkins reports that Spring Garden Township's Memorial Hospital will lay off 32 workers and leave 21 other positions unfilled.

These moves, like so many others lately, come in response to the recessed economy. The hospital reported a 6 percent drop in its volume of patients and a "significant jump" in bad debt from people who couldn't pay their bills.

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Teresa McMinn reports that visitors to the 93rd Annual Pennsylvania Farm Show are spending lots of time looking at farm equipment, but haven't been buying as much as they used to.

"We normally sell 1,000 units a year," said Arlene Ingram, of PA International Trailers. "We're down to about 350."

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Own a small business with 100 employees or fewer? Brent Burkey reports today that you may be eligible for an allocation of up to $25,000 from the Alternative Energy Investment Fund, which was passed last summer.

The money is intended to help businesses cut energy use by 20 percent and save at least $1,000 per year. The businesses are also expected to use the grants for a maximum of 25 percent of a total project.

"Hundreds and hundreds" of items pour into Elizabeth Sowers' Manchester Township consignment store every day.

Sowers' store, Mommy's Lil' Rascals, sells used children's clothes, toys, shoes and furniture, among other used items.

But a new federal regulation, set to take effect next month, is threatening to shut Sowers down.

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In today's 'Money & More' section, Greg Gross reports on the golf-course management class at YTI Career Institute in Springettsbury Township.

You've probably seen the blue signs posted all over your local Weis supermarket.

"Price freeze."

The store has promised to freeze prices on 2,400 of its products through April 1.

Weis' stores carry between 25,000 and 40,000 items, according to spokesman Dennis Curtin. Therefore, the freeze represents about 6 to 10 percent of Weis' products -- items scattered throughout the store.

Some aisles have more frozen prices than others. The salty snacks aisle featured several frozen prices on selected Martin's Potato Chips and Snyder's of Hanover products.

If you're looking for a loaf of white bread, however, the selection of price-frozen items is slimmer. I spotted only one loaf of white bread with a frozen price: A 20-ounce loaf of Weis brand enriched sandwich bread.

We want to hear from you -- what do you think of the price freeze?

Is it a legitimate way of helping shoppers? Or a marketing ploy designed to attract attention?

Have you been lured into the store by the promise of prices that will stay static for three months?

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In other business news today, Sean Adkins reports on a $65,000 fine levied against Exelon Nuclear by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for violations associated with former security officers who napped while on the job at the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station.