Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader

Unemployed Voters Look to Government for Help

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:54:16 +0000

Across the state, employers of all types — manufacturers, banks, governments and even hospitals, part of the typically strong health-care industry — have laid off employees in recent years. Kentucky's unemployment rate has fallen in recent months, but it continues to trail the national measure. The state's jobless rate might be primed to rise again as those who had given up on finding jobs try again. Once they begin searching for a job again, they'll be counted as part of the rate, which is based only on active job seekers. As the hard times persist for many, they have looked to the government for answers in what has become a constant topic in election stump speeches.

State Jobless Rate Up to 8.3 Percent in July

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 14:18:56 +0000

Kentucky's unemployment rate rose to 8.3 percent in July from 8.2 percent a month earlier, the state announced Thursday. The rate matched the national unemployment measure, which also rose from 8.2 percent in June. "The recent numbers reflect payback after stronger-than-usual hiring in the early part of the year due to warmer than normal temperatures," said Manoj Shanker, economist with the state Office of Employment and Training. "A single-month uptick in the unemployment rate is not enough cause to speculate if the hiring environment has weakened."

Toyota Car Giveaway Benefits Non-Profits

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 19:58:47 +0000

As Toyota hits the halfway point in its 100 Cars for Good program, which awards vehicles to non-profits, three Kentucky organizations have won. Last year, 11 of the 100 vehicles went to non-profits in Kentucky, making it the state receiving the highest number. Because of that, Toyota launched this year's program earlier by inviting last year's winners to its sprawling Georgetown assembly plant.

Lexington's Trader Joe's Opens Friday

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:53:19 +0000

After years of hopes followed by months of anticipation, Trader Joe's opened a Lexington store at 8 a.m. Friday. The gourmet grocery, on Nicholasville Road, is expected to be wildly popular, and those unfamiliar are in for a unique shopping trip, industry observers say. "Walking into a Trader Joe's is an experience, ... because you don't know what you're going to come across," said Mark Mallinger, a Pepperdine University professor who has followed the privately held company for years. "New products come and go.

Lex Health Department Stocks Vending Machines with Healthy Snacks

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 13:37:14 +0000

If you're looking for a sugary candy energy rush, look somewhere other than the vending machines at the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department. The organization has changed the dozen or so vending machines around its area campuses to sell only food and drink that meet strict nutritional guidelines. And it's encouraging and willing to assist area businesses in doing the same.

KU Seeks Permission to Increase Rates

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 13:09:44 +0000

Later this month, Kentucky Utilities and Louisville Gas and Electric will ask the state Public Service Commission for permission to raise rates to pay for a series of generation and transmission upgrades made in recent years. The proposal is the latest in a series of increases over the past couple of years. For KU customers, the proposal would amount to an increase of $82.4 million, or 6.5 percent. For a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours on average, a monthly bill would increase by $6.98.

Lexington-based Mattress Maker's Shares Plummet

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:39:57 +0000

Shares of Lexington-based Tempur-Pedic International lost almost half their value Wednesday, after the high-end mattress company announced that it expects sales and earnings to decline in the second quarter. The decline is blamed on Tempur-Pedic's rivals all offering new foam-based mattress products and supporting them with advertising.

Internet Broadcaster Receives $12 Million Investment

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Wed, 30 May 2012 13:22:32 +0000

Lexington-based youth sports and activities broadcaster iHigh will announce Wednesday a nearly $12 million investment by Cox Media Group, which owns newspapers, television and radio stations nationally. Launched in 1999, iHigh encourages schools and organizations to upload or stream videos online of sporting events, meetings, performing arts and so forth.

Tobacco Setting Starts in the Bluegrass

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:27:11 +0000

Tobacco setting is under way across the state. About 30 percent of the expected crop has been planted, but we're missing a vital component: rain. Bob Pearce, a UK extension tobacco specialist in Lexington, said he was concerned about transplanted tobacco. "We had a tough situation with the greenhouses. When it was so warm early on, a lot of our greenhouses just got too hot, and we've had a lot of problems with uneven growth of the plants," Pearce said.

Oil Pipeline to be Completed in August

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:14:17 +0000

If you're driving along the farmland of southern Fayette County, you'll find an atypical sight: construction equipment. Bulldozers and the like have become commonplace along Tates Creek Road in the southern part of Lexington since last month, when Marathon Petroleum began to replace miles of oil pipeline. The pipeline carries crude oil from Owensboro to Marathon's refinery at Catlettsburg in Boyd County.

Unemployment Rate Falls to 8.3%

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:07:32 +0000

Kentucky's unemployment rate continued its descent in April, dropping to 8.3 percent from 8.6 percent in March. It marked the lowest unemployment rate since November 2008. While it's improving, the state's unemployment rate continued to lag the national rate, which fell to 8.1 percent in April from 8.2 percent in March, according to data provided by the state Office of Employment and Training. During the month, the state's civilian labor force decreased slightly.

Time Warner Cable Restructures Insight jobs

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:37:24 +0000

Time Warner Cable has told former Insight sales employees in Lexington that it will restructure the team and will require employees to reapply for jobs in the revamped structure. The employees affected sell cable advertisements locally, and Time Warner Cable spokeswoman Mary Jo Green said the decision affects upwards of 50 employees, primarily in Kentucky, including more than a dozen in Lexington.

Lexington Trader Joe's Opens June 29

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:34:25 +0000

In a long-awaited announcement, gourmet grocery Trader Joe's said Wednesday it will open its first Lexington store at 8 a.m. June 29. Construction is nearly complete on the grocery at 2326 Nicholasville Road, the former site of Joe's Crab Shack. The 12,000-square-foot grocery will have a separate wine shop of about 3,000 square feet. This will be Trader Joe's second Kentucky store. The first one opened in October at 4600 Shelbyville Road in Louisville.

Study Ranks Lexington High for Online Fraud

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:36:42 +0000

A study by a company that helps secure data on Web sites suggests Lexington sees more fraudulent online transactions than other cities its size. The study by ThreatMetrix, which used data from the 5,000 Web sites that use its software, found Lexington had the 10th highest percentage of originating online fraud among 150 major cities. Lexington ranked behind New York City, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Omaha, Dallas, San Francisco, Houston and Washington D.C.

Businesses Cash in on UK's Win

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:08:28 +0000

If there's one universal truth, surely it's that dogs can't be cats. Right? Wrong. It turns out that in the wake of the University of Kentucky's eighth men's basketball championship, even dogs can dress as the Cats, courtesy of Fan Outfitters and its line of UK T-shirts for dogs. The canine clothing is one of numerous ways a variety of Lexington businesses, including restaurants, banks, local media and the post office, are cashing in on the Cats' victory. "I've never seen anything like it," said Joe Kawaja, president of Lexington-based collegiate retailer Fan Outfitters. "Fourteen years of pent-up demand is a great thing."

Kentucky Jobless Rate Falls

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:41:12 +0000

Kentucky's unemployment rate remained below 9 percent in February, dropping to 8.7 percent. That's down a tad from 8.8 percent in January, which marked the first time in three years that the jobless rate had been below 9 percent. February was the eighth consecutive month that the rate has declined, according to the state Office of Employment and Training. However, the state's measure continued to lag the national rate, which remained at 8.3 percent.

KY Automakers Make Super Bowl Debut

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:26:04 +0000

Aiming to promote the newest Camry, Toyota will return to Super Bowl Sunday advertising this weekend for the first time in three years, and the automaker has turned to its workers in Georgetown to help. Among Toyota's advertisements during Super Bowl coverage will be one that features the Scott County plant and eight of its workers, and showcases Kentucky's role in building the vehicle that has been the best-selling car in America for 10 years straight and 14 of the past 15 years. The Camry has been assembled in Georgetown since the plant opened in 1988.

Local Sports Broadcaster Files for Bankruptcy

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:13:32 +0000

Wazoo Sports, a London-based company that broadcasts and Webcasts high school sports, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and anticipates being sold. In its court filings, the company said it had been unable to raise new financing. The move came about the same time the company lost its major television outlets: NBC affiliate WLEX (Channel 18) in Lexington and ABC affiliate WHAS (Channel 11) in Louisville dropped Wazoo's programming. Wazoo Sports filed for bankruptcy protection in London on Dec. 29, listing debts of more than $3.12 million to its top 20 creditors.

Gas Prices Rise in Time for Holidays

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:20:21 +0000

'Twas the week before Christmas and all through the town, drivers were happy for gas was going down. But then just days away from the visit by St. Nick, stations spiked it 40 cents and made everyone sick. Central Kentucky drivers took to Twitter, Facebook and old-fashioned word of mouth to offer up some choice holiday greetings for service stations after the price of gas skyrocketed Wednesday. "It sucks," said Richmond's David Keene, who warned his real feelings weren't fit to print in a family newspaper.

Cabinet Maker Closes Perry County Plant

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:58:56 +0000

Major Perry County employer American Woodmark plans to close its plant, which produces parts for kitchen and bathroom cabinets, next spring. It's part of a series of moves the company, based in Winchester, Va., is making, including closing a plant in West Virginia, to combat a downturn stemming from the economy's struggles. The plant in Chavies employs 156 and was established in 2002.

Revered Toyota Leader Visits for Anniversary Party

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:39:39 +0000

Fujio Cho, a respected former leader of Georgetown's Toyota plant, visited the Bluegrass this weekend to celebrate the automaker's 25 years here. Cho led the plant from December 1988, less than six months after it began regular automotive assembly, to October 1994. He is now chairman of all of Toyota's operations. In the past quarter century, Toyota has opened 14 assembly plants in North America.

As Lexmark Evolves, Focus Moves from Printers to Software

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:36:48 +0000

Two acquisitions since last year by Lexmark International have continued to move the Lexington company further from its roots in printers only and more into computer software and services. Foreshadowing much change in the printer industry, behemoths including Hewlett-Packard have followed suit and snapped up competitors in the realm of what's called enterprise content management. The name is complicated, but the idea is simple. Printer companies are working to make themselves invaluable to businesses by getting more involved in the flow of information, regardless of whether it ever shows up on a printed page.

ACS to Hire 200 Full-Time Workers

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:21:28 +0000

ACS is hiring 200 new full-time, permanent call-center employees in Lexington. The company, which specializes in providing services to other businesses, is bolstering its operations for a consumer-electronics company. The company doesn't publicly identify its customers. The company plans to hire the employees quickly, and it already has begun to hire some.

Coca-Cola Dispenser Increases Business

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:00:22 +0000

The next step in the evolution of the soda fountain is here, and it brings with it a computer. The Coca-Cola Freestyle machine, with its 100-plus choices of Coca-Cola brand beverages, has been bubbling up business for restaurants nationally, including Firehouse Subs and Moe's Southwest Grill in Lexington.

Galls of Lexington Sold

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:31:36 +0000

A New York-based private investment firm announced Monday it has bought public safety equipment provider Galls with an eye toward acquiring smaller firms in its industry and folding them into the Lexington-based company's operations. CI Capital Partners acquired Galls for an undisclosed sum from food service and uniform company Aramark.

Pay Phones Still Exist, but Dwindling

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:57:41 +0000

Of Windstream's 10,000 employees in 29 states, including Kentucky, the telephone provider has just two focused on pay phones. Even that number might surprise some, though, as the phones and their 50-cent calling rates have virtually fallen off the landscape because of the prevalence of cellphones. In all of Lexington, the company has just 327 pay phones, down almost 50 percent from five years ago, said Barry Bishop, regional vice president of operations.

KU Asks to Build New Plant; May Raise Rates

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:11:22 +0000

In the wake of stricter federal environmental regulations, Kentucky Utilities asked the state Public Service Commission on Thursday for permission to spend as much as $800 million to build natural gas-fired power generators to replace older coal-fired units. KU expects to eventually ask for a 4 percent increase in rates to pay for the new units.

KY Jobless Rate Holds at 9.5%

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:50:42 +0000

For the fourth consecutive month, Kentucky's unemployment rate remained less than 10 percent, although it stopped declining. The unemployment rate stayed steady at 9.5 percent in August compared to July. The state lost jobs during the month, but a smaller civilian labor force "counterbalanced the job losses, causing the unemployment rate to hold steady," said Justine Detzel, chief labor market analyst for the Office of Employment and Training.

UK Receives Federal Engineering Grant

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:35:57 +0000

The U.S. Department of Energy announced Tuesday it would give $1.5 million to the University of Kentucky to train engineering students to become industrial energy efficiency experts. In total, more than $30 million was being awarded to 24 universities in 23 states.

Panel: UK Wrong to Bar Student Reporter

Scott Sloan, Lexington Herald-Leader — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:40:42 +0000

Longtime prominent Kentucky sportswriter Billy Reed told University of Kentucky journalism students Monday that UK Athletics did a disservice to the university's mission in recently revoking the student newspaper's access to an invitation-only media event. The panel discussion that also included editors from the student newspaper was to include UK Athletics spokesman DeWayne Peevy, whose actions were at the center of the controversy that has drawn attention from national journalism groups. However, Peevy on Friday canceled his commitment to appear because UK Athletics was holding its weekly football news conference Monday.