WILTON — Some employees at Sykes Enterprises Inc. learned this week that they will be losing their jobs by the end of May. When contacted Thursday, the worldwide customer service organization based in Tampa, Fla., did not provide the number of layoffs or the number of employees now working at the center at 128 Weld […]
economy
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Stocks push higher on improving economic reports
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks edged higher to start the week after economic reports suggested that the recovery is continuing. The Commerce Department said consumer spending rose at its fastest pace in four months in February, though some of the increase was driven by higher gas prices. The National Association of Realtors said more Americans […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
AP analysis: US economic stress dips in past year
Lower unemployment and bankruptcies helped reduce the nation’s economic stress in January compared with a year earlier, according to The Associated Press’ monthly analysis. Still, the figures show the economy has yet to regain full health. Midwestern and Southeastern states posted the strongest gains year over year, thanks to increased manufacturing, the AP’s Economic Stress […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Heating oil prices stable in Maine survey
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine’s heating oil prices have remained stable over the past week despite turmoil in the Middle East and the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan. The state energy office says the average cash price for home heating oil in Maine dropped by a penny to $3.66 a gallon in its […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine to unveil strategy to rebuild deer herd
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage and other state officials say they have a plan to replenish Maine’s deer herd. LePage has made repeated reference to the need to protect deer yards as part of a strategy to rebuild the herd. Maine game officials say concern over low deer herd numbers has been intensifying […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Report says child poverty rises in Maine
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A new report presents a mixed picture about the well-being of children in Maine. The Kids Count report being released Thursday says Maine’s child poverty rate was 17.5 percent in 2009, the latest year for which figures are available. That was 1 percentage point higher than the rate the previous year […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Real estate report: Home sales decline in Maine in February
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A report by a New England regional real estate firm says Maine’s housing market took a dip coming out of the winter season, with home sales declining 10.7 percent in February. Re/Max New England says that home sales were down 5.2 percent between February 2010 and last month. But it says […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine’s heating oil jumps to $3.67 a gallon
AUGUSTA (AP) — Home heating oil prices continue to rise in Maine. Energy officials said Monday that the price rose 2 cents from last week to an average of $3.67 per gallon. A weekly survey found northern Maine had highest price of $3.88 per gallon, while southwest and western regions had the lowest price of […]
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, sj-web
Heating oil use falls as prices, irritation rise
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — No longer are Tom Wright’s heating costs tied to events a world away over which he has no control. Faced with a $10,000 heating bill, he got rid of his oil furnace and brought in a wood pellet stove to heat his home and office. Oil and gasoline prices are sky-high, […]
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, sj-web
Maine gasoline prices rise again, to $3.55 average
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A price-watching website says average retail gasoline prices in Maine have risen 14.4 cents per gallon in the past week to $3.55 per gallon. MaineGasPrices.com says Sunday’s average prices in the state compare with the national average, which has increased 12.6 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.47 per […]