QCOnline Business News

Vehicle fuel efficiency up in U.S. in 2008 models

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

WASHINGTON (AP) The fleet of new cars and trucks sold to U.S. consumers averaged 21 miles per gallon in the 2008 model year, a modest increase over the previous year, the Environmental Protection Agency reported Friday.

New

Americans save more but earn less as rates fall

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

NEW YORK (AP) The U.S. is finally becoming a nation of savers. Now if only we could get something for our money.

Interest rates are sinking to near zero for the first time since last year's financial meltdown,

More states add jobs, but many for temporary staff

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

WASHINGTON (AP) In a sharp improvement, more than half of U.S. states added jobs in October, though economists said many of the gains likely occurred in temporary employment.

That's customarily a positive a sign. Employers usually hire temporary

Stocks fall for 3rd day as dollar strengthens

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

NEW YORK (AP) Investors can't shake their fears that the economy isn't keeping up with the stock market.

Stocks fell for a third straight day Friday as a disappointing outlook from computer maker Dell Inc. suggested that an

The Humane Society of Scott County is hosting the Grand Opening of its new building Nov. 21

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Press release submitted by City of Davenport

The Humane Society of Scott County is hosting the Grand Opening of its new building tomorrow, Saturday, November 21st, 2009, from 1-4 pm. It's located at 2802 West Central Park

Sony hopes online service will build brand loyalty

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

TOKYO (AP) Sony's new online service connecting the whole range of its gadgets to downloadable content like movies and games should help build brand loyalty, a top executive said Friday.

Executive Vice President Kazuo Hirai said the service,

Stocks fall for 3rd day as dollar strengthens

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

NEW YORK (AP) The stock market is losing ground for a third straight day as investors grow uneasy about a rising dollar and spiking demand for the safest government debt.

A disappointing earnings report from computer maker

Christian Care downsizes staff

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Press release submitted by Christian Care

CHRISTIAN CARE DOWNSIZES STAFF

Layoffs made at time of increased need in Quad Cities community

November 20, 2009, Rock Island, IL – After prayerful consideration, the Christian Care Board of Directors,

Stronger dollar, weak economic data pummels stocks

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

NEW YORK (AP) Signs of a subdued economic recovery sent investors out of stocks Thursday and in search of safer assets like the dollar.

Major indexes tumbled about 1 percent, including the Dow Jones industrial average, which lost

AOL offers buyouts to over a third of work force

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) The struggling Internet company AOL plans to shed up to 2,500 jobs more than a third of its work force as it prepares to separate from Time Warner and finally sever their ill-fated marriage.

Deere & Company among 'Global Top Companies for Leaders'

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Deere & Company has been named to Fortune Magazine's 2009 list of Global Top Companies for Leaders, which ranks Deere 14th globally and 8th in North America.

The recognition is based on strength of leadership practices and

The Effective Job Search Workshop

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Press release submitted by Charlotte Rashid

As you know, with the economy the way it is, many people in our community have found themselves unemployed or underemployed and they are not sure what to do or where to turn.

Lavender Crest Winery 5th Anniversary and Ribbon Cutting Celebration

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Press release submitted by Illinois Chamber of Commerce

5th Anniversary Ribbon Cutting & Celebration

WHO: Lavender Crest Winery

WHERE: 5401 U.S. Highway 6, Colona

(At the intersection of Route 6 & Interstate 80)

WHEN:

US housing concerns weigh on world markets

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

LONDON (AP) European stocks pared most of their gains Wednesday and Wall Street traded lower after a sharp fall in U.S. housing starts in October fueled concerns the U.S. economic recovery will not be as strong as some expected.

Weak home building a drag on economic recovery

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

WASHINGTON (AP) The budding economic recovery is getting little help from the home building industry, which normally creates jobs and boosts growth as a recession ends.

Construction of homes unexpectedly plunged last month to its lowest point

Stock market falls as home construction slows

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

NEW YORK (AP) Investors turned cautious Wednesday as an unexpected drop in home construction and disappointing forecasts from technology companies raised concerns about the pace of the economy's recovery.

The modest drop came a day after major stock

Coleman resigns as Trinity CEO

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

ROCK ISLAND - Andrea Coleman has resigned as president and CEO of Trinity Regional Health Systems.

In a Tuesday night statement, Trinity spokeswoman Erin Lounsberry said Trinity's board of directors had accepted Ms. Coleman's resignation, and that her departure

HyVee renovation adds Silvis jobs

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

SILVIS -- An $8 million to $10 million renovation and expansion at the Silvis Hy-Vee will create at least 10 new full-time jobs and 75 to 100 part-time jobs.

Work includes construction of a gas station next to the

Foxwoods Resort Casino fails to make full debt payment

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — Foxwoods Resort Casino, one of the world's largest, has failed to make a full payment on its debt, leading to a default and another credit-rating downgrade as casinos around the country struggle amid the severe

Q-C air passenger traffic sees slight decline in October

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Passenger activity in October was down 5 percent from last October and 4 percent so far this year, Quad City International Airport director Bruce Carter said during Tuesday's regular monthly airport board meeting.

Board commissioners should be pleased with

'Taste of the Chamber' is Thursday

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

The Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce will host its annual holiday "Taste of the Chamber" beginning at 5:15 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Isle of Capri, 1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf.

The event includes fun, food sampling and

Quad Cities welcomes new development director to build support

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Press release submitted by Planned Parenthood of the Heartland

Quad Cities welcomes new development director to build support

November 16, 2009 (Davenport) – Planned Parenthood of the Heartland is excited to have Cynthia Weeks join our team as

Zink named Driver of the Year

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Terry L. Zink Sr. has been named Driver of the Year 2009 by the North Central Exide Technologies Co.

Mr. Zink has been delivering Exide batteries throughout Iowa and Illinois for several years and is a former driver for

Wholesale inflation up less than expected in Oct.

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

WASHINGTON (AP) Wholesale prices rose less than expected in October as the weak economy keeps inflation pressures largely in check.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Monday that inflation probably will remain 'subdued for some time.' That

IRS settles with 14,700 over foreign accounts

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

MIAMI (AP) The Internal Revenue Service says more than 14,700 U.S. taxpayers with offshore accounts in 70 foreign countries have come forward to settle their tax debts.

IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman says a flood of people came

Industrial output rises less than expected in Oct.

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

WASHINGTON (AP) Industrial production edged up 0.1 percent in October, a smaller-than-expected increase that signals a bumpy recovery ahead.

Stronger activity at electric and gas utilities drove last month's gain, but production at factories the single

Stocks fall modestly in early trading

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

NEW YORK (AP) Stocks are falling modestly in early trading as investors sort through another round of economic data and retail earnings.

Overseas markets retreated slightly after big gains the previous day.

Investors are examining earnings from

New jewelry store blossoms in East Davenport

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Name of business: Dia-Rose Jewelry & Gifts

Proprietors: Sherry J Jackson (daughter Shalyn is assistant)

Business address: 2101 E. 12th St., Davenport, in the East Village

Telephone number: (563) 322-2101

Blackhawk Foundry to be sold, closed

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

DAVENPORT -- Blackhawk Foundry & Machine Company is being sold and plans to shut down local operations after Jan. 1.

The 89-year-old company at 323 S. Clark St., has agreed to sell certain assets and revenue to an undisclosed

East Moline transport firm files Chapter 11

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

EAST MOLINE-- Citing a weak economy and rising costs, Standard Forwarding Co. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but officials pledged to keep the business going.

"We're going to get through this," president John Ward said of the

Vonage to settle investigation involving 32 states

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

NEW YORK (AP) Internet phone service provider Vonage Holdings Corp. has agreed to pay $3 million to 32 states to settle an investigation into some of its business practices.

In a filing Monday with the Securities Exchange

Millions will have to repay part of tax credit

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

WASHINGTON (AP) More than 15 million taxpayers could unexpectedly owe taxes when they file their federal returns next spring because the government was too generous with their new Making Work Pay tax credit.

Taxpayers are at risk

GM reports $1.2B loss, says it shows progress

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

DETROIT (AP) General Motors Co. says it lost $1.2 billion from the time it left bankruptcy protection through Sept. 30, far better than it has reported in previous quarters and a sign that the auto giant is

Retail sales rise 1.4 percent in October

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

WASHINGTON (AP) Retail sales rose more than expected in October due largely to a big rebound in auto sales. But broader consumer spending remains under pressure, raising questions about the durability of the recovery.

Last month's

Stocks jump as retail sales rebound in October

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

NEW YORK (AP) Investors grew more upbeat about the economy Monday after retail sales rebounded more than expected in October on higher auto sales.

The stock market's gains followed advances overseas propelled by a weakening dollar and

Stocks market only as strong as latest data

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

NEW YORK (AP) There's a tug of war in the financial markets between investors who believe the economy is on its way to a strong recovery and those who believe a rebound is likely to be slow and bumpy.

AP Source: GM to begin repaying aid by year-end

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

WASHINGTON (AP) General Motors Co. will begin paying back $6.7 billion in U.S. government loans by the end of 2009 and could pay off that full amount by 2011, four years ahead of schedule, according to a person familiar

Can't find the hot new toy? Blame the economy

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

NEW YORK (AP) — Robotic toy hamsters, the latest Barbie dolls and stylish boots are disappearing from store shelves as holiday shoppers start to get serious. But don't confuse this with the days of Tickle Me Elmo.

Instead of

Job-hunt readiness, surviving a promotion

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Workers not updating resumes

With the nation's jobless rate above 10 percent, many workers may expect the unexpected when it comes to their careers. But only one in five have updated their resumes in the last three months, while

Black Friday: Get a Real Deal

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Travel calendar

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Illinois

R. Kelly, Tuesday and Wednesday, Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. Ladies Make Some Noise Tour. (312) 922-2110. www.auditoriumtheatre.org.

Massbach Nouveau Weekend, Thursday through Saturday, Massbach Ridge Winery, 8837 S. Massbach Road, Elizabeth, Ill., near

Time to start holiday shopping is now

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

The scent of pine, the glitter of tinsel and the empty wallet. Ah, these must be the first signs of the holidays.

As merchants pin their hopes on an onslaught of shoppers, the rest of us may wish to

Ask Airfarewatchdog: Frequen-flyer miles not always able to be used

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Q: I carefully gathered enough frequent-flyer miles to fly my family of five to Asia the summer of my son's senior year in high school. Surprisingly to me, Delta had no availability of flights at the lowest redemption levels even

How to fly after you've lost your wallet

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Nothing puts a damper on a vacation like realizing that your wallet or purse is missing.

Lost or stolen money and credit cards are bad enough. Without identification, though, you have to wonder what adventures await you at the

Music City keeps you coming back for more

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Fall is a colorful, magical time in NYC

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Autumn in New York ...

Not only the title of a song from the 1930s, those three words hold the promise of magic and romance. In October, I spent a magical 10 days in this glittering, bustling, overwhelming,

There are ways to go green when you travel

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Dear EarthTalk: I'm a travel agent and our firm has several clients wanting to go with green vendors, including for travel (airline or rental car) and lodging. Our company is supportive so would like to know which airlines, hotels and

Travel Q&A: Protect yourself when canceling reservations

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Q: I reserved a hotel in Liverpool for the night before we took a ferry to Isle of Man and for the night of our return. Our plans changed, so when I checked in, I canceled the second night. I

PCs shed pounds and CD drives, gain touch screens

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

SEATTLE (AP) — Personal computers are changing — and not just because of the recent launch of Windows 7.

Visit an electronics store and you also might find laptops are missing a familiar component. You could experiment with

After bottom falls out, Michigan man remains optimist

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. (AP) — He's a professional optimist, the guy big companies used to hire to make teams out of isolated employees.

One year ago, Mike Forrest was an entrepreneur feeling successful: He had a company with five employees and a

Recession-stung stores plan old-fashioned holidays

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

NEW YORK (AP) — Stores are turning back the clock, conjuring images of hearth and home as they stock holiday merchandise.

Retailers hope embracing holiday traditions from cozier times will tempt recession-weary consumers to open their wallets in a season

Health insurers explore savings in overseas care

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST

Elizabeth Kunz left her dentist's office this spring with a mouth full of problems and no way to pay for them.

The South Carolina resident went out of her way, literally, to find a solution, which turned out to be in