Report: FairPoint says stock could be removed

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — A spokeswoman for FairPoint Communications says the company has been told its stock could be removed from the New York Stock Exchange because it has sold for less than $1 for 30 days.

As of mid-morning Wednesday, FairPoint stock was trading at 79 cents a share. In recent weeks, shares have sold at a low of 35 cents each.

Lost Valley partners with Sunday River, Sugarloaf

AUBURN — Lost Valley has partnered with Sunday River and Sugarloaf ski areas to offer a learn-to-ski/snowboard discount.

The partnership is the first between Lost Valley and Maine's largest ski areas, and came about after the idea was floated by the big mountains.

"They approached us," said Connie King, one of Lost Valley's two owners. "We're very excited about working with Sunday River and Sugarloaf. It's the first time we've ever done anything like this. I don't know why we never thought of this before."

Toner joins health center

LEWISTON — Tracey Toner, family nurse practitioner, has joined the B Street Health Center in Lewiston.

She has advanced training in providing primary care services for people of all ages. This includes caring for young infants, providing well-child physicals, seeing adults for acute care visits, along with all the other medical issues that may arise during the course of a person's lifetime. A nurse practitioner provides care in collaboration with a licensed physician and can prescribe medicines, order tests and make medical diagnoses.

Free workshop on money offered

FARMINGTON — A free workshop, offered by Women, Work and Community and sponsored by Camden National Bank, will help people learn ways to track expenses, offer advice on the wise use of credit and how to reduce debt. Money-saving tips and how to build a budget will also be offered.

The workshop will be offered from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 6 at Camden National Bank, 134 Hannaford Drive, Farmington. Registration by Oct. 3 is required.

FDIC weighs extraordinary steps to shore up fund

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. is weighing several costly — and never-before-used — options as it struggles to shore up the dwindling fund that insures bank deposits.

The agency is considering borrowing billions from healthy banks. Alternatively, it may impose a special fee on the banking industry.

Meltdown gives consumers a new money mindset

 

 

NEW YORK (AP) — If the Great Recession has taught people one thing, it's this: They need to take charge of their finances.

It's a lesson plenty are heeding. People are saving more and spending less. The personal savings rate has risen to more than 4 percent after sinking to near zero in the months before last fall's meltdown. The number of people getting financial counseling is 3.2 million, double the amount two years ago.

Dr. Levin joins CMMC staff

LEWISTON — Steven Levin, M.D., a cardiothoracic and endovascular surgeon, has been appointed to the Central Maine Medical Center Medical Staff. He is practicing in association with Central Maine Cardiovascular Surgery, 60 High St., Lewiston.

Prior to beginning his work at the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute, a clinical division of Central Maine Medical Center, Levin worked as director of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery in West Monroe, La.

Free workshop offered

FARMINGTON — Women, Work and Community are offering a free workshop, "Creating Your Future in Farmington," from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays beginning Oct. 8, ending Dec. 3, at the Farmington Center for Women, Work and Community, 108 Perham St., Farmington.

Orientation will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 1. Preregistration is required. Please call 778-2757 for more information or to register.

Fed slows housing market plan; rates to stay low

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Signaling confidence in a recovery, the Federal Reserve decided Wednesday to stretch out the pace of a program intended to lower mortgage rates and prop up the housing market.

Even so, rates on home loans are expected to remain low.

How safe is your credit card processing?

LEWISTON — The Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce will  host a no-cost, brown-bag session called "How safe is your credit card processing?" on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from noon to 1:15 p.m.

Ishkanian joins health and wellness firm

LEEDS — Occupational Medical Consulting LLC has hired Mark Ishkanian as communications manager. Ishkanian is an award-winning public and media relations specialist with more than 30 years of experience in Maine.

Occupational Medical Consulting is a provider of occupational health and wellness services to businesses in Maine. OMC’s clients have received national recognition awards for their wellness programs and have achieved substantial financial savings by developing a healthy work force.

Audette earns two awards with Scentsy

AUBURN — Jennifer Audette, an Auburn resident and local independent consultant with Scentsy Inc. received two awards at Scentsy's annual convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, last month.

She received the Annual Sales Award, which is given to consultants who have obtained personal retail sales of $30,000 or more, and the Mentor Award, which is given to consultants who have personally sponsored 20 or more active consultants during the year.

Sneed hired as medical director

LEWISTON — Tri-County Mental Health Services has appointed Dr. Thomas R. Sneed as medical director. He he will provide oversight and management of the agency's psychiatric staff and programs, which serve thousands of Maine people each year.

The community is invited to meet Sneed in person at a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Tri-County offices, 230 Bartlett St.

FAME loans Strong pellet plant $500K

AUGUSTA —  The Board of Directors of the Finance Authority of Maine approved a $500,000 economic recovery loan to Geneva Wood Fuels LLC Friday.

The money is meant to help the company resume operations following an explosion at its Strong manufacturing facility in early August. When operational, the company expects to re-employ approximately 30 workers.

Geiger stars honored

LEWISTON — Geiger has announced the recipients for the second quarter Geiger Star honors for 2009. The award honors associates in Lewiston, or one of the many Geiger field offices, for their individual or team contributions in one of the following five categories: customer satisfaction, leadership, process improvements, business achievement and community service.

Tom Dignan, a system specialist with Geiger's information technology department, was awarded a Geiger Star in the category of leadership.

Pay attention to customer service

Peter Sassano

Ticketmaster finds another way to cut out scalpers

 

 

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ticketmaster Entertainment Inc. has developed a new way to resell tickets that shuts out the brokers and scalpers it has long scorned, and instead keeps the profits for itself, musicians and venue owners.

The system relies on Ticketmaster's "paperless" ticketing platform, which makes customers prove their purchase by showing a credit card and ID when they arrive at an event. Without paper tickets, there's nothing for scalpers to resell.

Clock ticking on first-time homebuyer tax credit

 

 

As days tick off the calendar, the life span of the much-ballyhooed tax credit for first-time homebuyers is drawing to an end — unless Congress decides to extend it.

There have been more than a dozen bills introduced in Congress to prolong the life of the tax credit past the Nov. 30 deadline, and on Thursday Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid endorsed the idea of extending the credit for an additional six months. The housing market has been devastated in Reid's home state of Nevada.

As stocks keep rallying, IPOs return

 

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Coming off its worst year in three decades, the market for initial public offerings is starting to show signs of life.

Eight companies are looking to raise as much as $3.7 billion when they go public next week, the most activity the U.S. IPO market has seen in a single week in nearly two years and a clear sign that Wall Street's appetite for risk is returning.

U.S. net worth grows for first time since '07

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time in two years, Americans actually got a little wealthier.

Household wealth grew by $2 trillion, or about 4 percent, this spring, ending the longest stretch of quarterly declines on records dating back to 1952, the Federal Reserve reported Thursday.

Net worth — the value of assets such as homes, checking accounts and investments minus debts like mortgages and credit cards — came to $53.1 trillion for the second quarter.

Date set for Entrepreneur's Summit

AUBURN — Budding and existing entrepreneurs across Maine are encouraged to attend the 6th Annual Entrepreneur's Summit from 7:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 30 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 14 Great Falls Plaza.

Admission of $55 includes the workshops, networking expo and a networking lunch.

Walker now at Campus Cutters

LEWISTON — Jessica Walker, formerly of Smart Style for the past three years, has moved to Campus Cutters, 48 Central Ave., Lewiston.

Walker has six years of experience and training in the Lewiston-Auburn area. She graduated from Bernard's School of Hair Fashion in 2003 with second honors and was voted "most perfectionist." She has attended many hair shows and classes to stay up to date with the latest styles and trends. She specializes in cutting, including razoring, foiling and coloring, perming, waxing and special occasion styles.

Richards earns certification

NORWAY — Sandy Richards, RNAS-C in the Surgical Services Department at Stephens Memorial Hospital, has successfully completed testing to be a certified first assistant in the operating room, according to Western Maine Health Senior Vice President of Clinical Services, M. Patricia Cook, RN, MBA, EdD. She is the first nurse at Stephens Memorial Hospital to achieve this status.

Dube Cruise wins honors

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Paul and Chris Dube of Dube Cruise and Travel Center, 263 Lisbon St., Lewiston, were honored as two of 21 Travel Leaders franchisees from across the United States, singled out for honors with the travel agency's annual award of excellence.

Each year, these premier awards are presented exclusively to the top echelon of Travel Leaders Associates to recognize their outstanding leadership, particularly in going above and beyond for their customers.

This year's honorees received their awards during a ceremony held in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Free information session offered

NEW GLOUCESTER — The New Gloucester Arts Network is sponsoring a free informational session on how to start a business on Sept. 17 at the First Congregational Church of New Gloucester in the vestry.