Covey earns certification

POLAND — Marcy Covey, owner of Dragonfly Healing Touch, a Thai yoga bodywork studio in Poland, has completed a yoga teacher training certification process.

Covey recently concluded a two-year yoga instructor training program through Phoenix Rising, a nationally-recognized yoga therapy and instructor training program headquartered in Bristol, Vt.

Dr. Hamel selected for program

AUBURN — Dr. Lois Withey Hamel of Auburn, director of the online nursing program and faculty member at Saint Joseph's College, has been selected by the Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership to join its prestigious health leadership development program.

Agency that insures bank deposits may need help

 

 

NEW YORK (AP) - The government agency that guarantees you won't lose your money in a bank failure may need a lifeline of its own.

The coffers of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. have been so depleted by the epidemic of collapsing financial institutions that analysts warn it could sink into the red by the end of this year.

Six companies recall blinds, shades after deaths

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) - Six companies are recalling millions of window blinds and shades, following the deaths of three children who got caught in cords that help the coverings move up and down.

The recalls, announced Wednesday by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, involve some big-name companies, including Pottery Barn Kids and IKEA as well as smaller companies that sold their window covers at retailers such as Target.

Toyota recalls 95,700 Toyota, Scion vehicles

TORRANCE, Calif. (AP) - Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it is launching a recall of roughly 95,700 Toyota and Scion-brand vehicles in the U.S. due to a possible brake malfunction.

The recall affects some 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles and some 2008 and 2009 Scion xD vehicles, Toyota said. For those vehicles equipped with 1.8-liter engines, condensed moisture may seep into the brake system and freeze in low temperatures, potentially causing ice accumulation and weakening the power-assist to the brakes.

Cash for Clunkers under budget with 690,000 sales

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) - The popular Cash for Clunkers program generated nearly 700,000 new car sales during the past month, giving the U.S. auto industry a badly needed jolt of activity during the deepest decline in auto sales in two decades.

Obama breaks vacation, keeps Bernanke at Fed

 

 

OAK BLUFFS, Mass. (AP) - President Barack Obama announced Tuesday he wants to keep Ben Bernanke on as Fed chairman, saying he shepherded America through the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

Anheuser-Busch pulls promotions at some colleges

 

 

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Anheuser-Busch InBev is dropping its "Fan Cans" promotions from communities around the country where colleges have complained that the effort - which sells cans of Bud Light in school colors - promotes underage drinking and infringes on trademarks.

White House, Congress projects record deficits

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. government faces exploding deficits and mounting debt over the next decade, White House and congressional budget officials projected Tuesday in competing but similar economic forecasts.

Both the White House Office of Management and Budget and the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicted the budget deficit this year would swell to nearly $1.6 trillion, a record, and far above the then-record 2008 budget deficit of $455 billion.

Assistance announced for laid-off Formed Fiber workers

AUBURN — A federal grant of $316,458 has been awarded to assist workers affected by layoffs from Formed Fiber Technologies Inc. The money will provide employment-related services to the workers who lost their jobs as a result of increased competition from overseas.

The manufacturer of automotive trunk carpets and liners laid off 152 employees — about half its workforce — last March.

Area companies named to 'Best Places to Work'

AUGUSTA — The Maine State Council of the Society for Human Resources Management has announced that several area companies have been named in the fourth annual Best Places to Work in Maine program.

Area companies named to the list, listed alphabetically, are: Androscoggin Bank, Lewiston;  Austin Associates, PA, CPAs, Auburn; Barclaycard US, Wilton; MOUNTAIN, LTD, New Gloucester; Oxford Networks, Lewiston; White Rock Distilleries Inc., Lewiston.

MEREDA to host networking social

AUBURN — The Maine Real Estate & Development Association will host its L/A, It's Happening Here! networking social from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Martindale Country Club, 527 Beech Hill Road in Auburn.

The event, for members and the public is sponsored by the Lewiston Auburn Economic Growth Council, Northeast Bank, Summit Environmental Consultants Inc., Durkee, Brown, Viveiros & Werenfels Architects and Lambert Coffin Haenn.

Gregory's hires two

AUBURN — Gregory's Hair and Nails, 600 Center St. at Shaw's Plaza, has added two new stylists.

Kelly Soracco is a 1985 graduate of D'Lor Beauty School and has been a licensed hair designer for 24 years. She was employed by Two Images Salon of Woburn, Mass., for 16 years and moved to Maine in 2001, and has been styling hair here ever since.

Amy McDonald has also joined the Gregory's team. She has experience with razor cutting, colors, perms and overall pampering of her clients.

Both new stylists can be reached at Gregory's by calling 786-0112.

Cogle joins Lisbon Family Practice

LISBON — Denise M. Cogle, D.O., a family physician, has joined Lisbon Family Practice.

Prior to beginning her practice in Lisbon, Cogle was a member of the faculty at the Central Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Program in Lewiston.

A graduate of the University of Southern Maine in Portland, Cogle earned her doctor of osteopathy degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford. She completed residency training at the Central Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Program in Lewiston.

Consumer sentiment improves more than expected

WASHINGTON (AP) - Consumer sentiment rose more than expected in August and expectations hit the highest level since the recession began, indications that Americans' pessimism about the economy may be lifting.

The housing sector also showed signs of life as a national measure of home prices posted its first quarterly increase in three years.

The New York-based Conference Board said Tuesday its Consumer Confidence index rose to 54.1 from an upwardly revised 47.4 in July. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters had expected a slight increase to 47.5.

Cash for Clunkers runs out of gas

Pomelow receives nursing award

LEWISTON — Lori Pomelow, director of Nursing Services at Russell Park Rehab & Living Center, has been chosen as Director of Nursing Services of the Year for the second year in a row by North Country Associates, owner of Russell Park and almost two dozen other care facilities in Maine and Massachusetts.

Pomelow has been in nursing and health care for more than 20 years, and just graduated with her bachelor's degree in social and behavioral sciences from the University of Southern Maine at Lewiston-Auburn College.

Pine Tree Orthopedic Lab earns accreditation

LIVERMORE FALLS — Pine Tree Orthopedic Lab Inc. has received a three-year accreditation award in pedorthics from the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics Inc..

The company is recognized for achievements in organizational management, patient care standards, quality assurance, compliance supplier, and facility and safety management. This award represents the highest level of accreditation achievable in the profession of orthotics and prosthetics.

Bull Moose draws comic books into sales mix

LEWISTON – After the recent closure of local comic book store Zimmie’s, Lewiston’s Bull Moose at the Lewiston Mall at 20 East Ave. has begun carrying comic books.

After receiving requests by existing customers following Zimmie’s closure, the 10-store local chain of music, movies and video games decided to add comic books just at its Lewiston store. There are no plans to add comics at other Bull Moose stores currently.

“Zimmie’s was awesome,” said Lewiston Bull Moose store manager Tia DiBiase. “People shouldn’t have to drive

Hawksley named director of competition and wellness at Saddleback

RANGELEY — Jeff Hawksley of Rangeley has been named director of the Wellness and Alpine Skiing Competition Center as well as Junior Programs at Saddleback Maine. He will run the mountain's Ski and Snowboard Competition Center.

More shoppers thinking twice in the checkout line

 

 

NEW YORK (AP) - Penny-pinching Americans are getting cold feet at the checkout - thinking twice about spending and ditching items before they're rung up.

They're leaving sweaters in the dress department, dumping cookies near the grocery cashier and waiting until the last minute to weigh wants versus needs. Online, shoppers are abandoning their virtual carts as they search for better deals.

Stocks jump; Bernanke says economy near recovery

 

 

NEW YORK (AP) - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said what investors wanted to hear, that the economy is indeed on the verge of recovery, and they responded with a rally that sent the major indexes to new highs for the year.

Northeast home resales climb 17 percent in July

NEW YORK (AP) - Home resales in the Northeast recorded its fourth straight monthly gain in July, mirroring the national numbers that show the housing market is on the mend.

The nine-state region registered 105,000 home resales last month, up nearly 17 percent from June and 4 percent higher than a year ago, the National Association of Realtors said Friday.

The median price was still down, tumbling 15 percent to $236,700 from the year before.

Sunday River announces capital improvements

NEWRY — Sunday River has announced $3.5 million in capital improvements to be completed this year.

Darcy Liberty, communications director at the resort, said the development is designed to enhance the $14.2 million in capital improvements completed last year. Those projects included the installation of a Chondola lift, night skiing and more energy-efficient snow-making.

"The capital improvements that we're doing this year have a lot to do with the ones we did last year," she said.

Country Lane earns award

LEWISTON — Peter and Sandra Hinkley of Country Lane Homes, 1211 Sabattus St., were presented with Skyline Corp.'s Commitment of Excellence Award and its 2008 Top Volume Dealer Award.

The awards were based on volume purchases in 2008 and superior satisfaction ratings from those who bought from Country Lane Homes in 2008. Country Lane Homes was No. 1 in New England for its customer satisfaction ratings.

This is the 13th consecutive Commitment of Excellence Award achieved by the company, which has been a Skyline dealer since 1983.