But Job

It may be the final days of business for the Scandia BakeShop.After almost 60 years of serving treats like julekake and Oslo rye bread, the Minneapolis store is worried it may have to shut its doors within the week, felled by shrinking sales, rising flour prices and a downright dismal holidayseason.They come out in droves and you make most of your money between Thanksgiving and Christmas, said 60-year-old owner Gary Arvidson, who took over the business in 1993.

And then this year I was really counting on that and the economy went into thedumper.Times are tough for small business owners, those whom politicians tout as the backbone of America.

As the recession marches on, it’s those businesses...

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Story last updated at 1/11/2009 - 3:16 am - 6-8 p.m., Texas Tech Small Business Development Center, 2579 S.

Cost: No charge.

Topic: Learn about sales tax forms, filing and paying taxes electronically, including e-services to help manage accounts online and more.

Sandra, 745-1637 or comptroller’s Lubbock field office, 783-0316.

- 6-9:30 p.m., Texas Tech Small Business Development Center, 2579 S.

Cost: No charge.

Sandra, 745-1637.

Speaker: Texas Tech Chancellor Kent Hance.

Topic: Program will focus on the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act and its enhancements, including how it might affect businesses as well as a review of policies, procedures and services required to secure information,.

- 6-8 p.m., Texas Tech Small Business Development Center,...

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By Rebecca Keenan, trying torenegotiate at least $560 million of debt, said its made progressto arrange a bridging loan to cover cash requirements.

9 but have indicated they will do so as soon aspossible, Melbourne-based OZ Minerals said today in a statement.

slumped by $6.5 billion, or 79 percent, in the second half asmetal prices plunged almost 60 percent, squeezing cash flows.

The company has slowed its cash consumption rate and had cashof A$132 million ($92 million) at Jan.

OZ Minerals is seeking the bridging loan from banks thatprovided a $420 million loan, which the company is trying torefinance by Feb.

The loan is provided by seven lendersincluding Bank of Scotland Plc, a unit of HBOS Plc, Australia &New Zealand Bank Group Ltd., Commonwealth Bank of Australia,...

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of the Journal Sentinel For many companies, the only thing worse than a slowing economy is doing work and not getting paid.Yet the financial crisis that began on Wall Street is now hitting Wisconsin manufacturers seeking payment from customers.Some companies also are finding it difficult or impossible to borrow money for operations and expansions.The same is true for their retail dealerships that need cash to finance large, expensive showroom products.Some dealers are tapped out on credit and can’t get extensions, said Jim Viestenz, president of KCS International, the Oconto-based parent of Cruisers Yachts.The flood of credit and funding to fuel the global economy has dried to a drip.

Today’s credit crunch ranks as the No. 1 risk this year for businesses...

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Police say Deseret First Credit Union of Logan didn’t catch on to the problem for months while three women netted $25,000 in supposed deposits credited to their accounts from April 22 and July 7.

Instead, they hit a cancel button after inserting a deposit envelope, but the machine credited their accounts anyway.

The Deseret First Credit Union wasn’t open Saturday to provide a fuller explanation.

The Herald Journal of Logan, citing court records, says one of the sisters pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts of theft.

Less than 1 percent of pets are insured in the U.S., according Petplan USA one of just 13 plans available in the U.S.

The company was founded by British natives Natasha and Chris Ashton, who said that in England, over 20 percent of all pets are insured and in Sweden the figure is close to 50 percent.The couple started the company, which is affiliated with Petplan UK, after they ended up with a $5,000 bill to treat their cat, and were surprised at their limited choices.

In addition to selling plans directly to owners, Petplan also offers insurance through The Humane Society.Most people don’t start looking for pet insurance until they face a big vet bill, said Michael Hemstreet, who runs Pet Insurance Review, a Web site for comparative shopping.But not one of the companies...

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lloyds TSB has agreed to forfeit $350 million (231 million) to U.S.

banking system.The actions violated the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which allows the U.S.

Justice Department and Manhattan District Attorney said on Friday the London-based Lloyds had agreed to the forfeiture to settle charges stemming from the investigation.Lloyds’ criminal conduct was designed to assist its clients in avoiding detection by filters employed by U.S.

banks because of United States economic sanctions against Iran, Sudan and Libya, said a fact sheet on a deferred prosecution agreement between the government and Lloyds that was filed in U.S.

Justice Department said that, from 1995 to 2007, Lloyds’ offices in Britain and Dubai removed information...

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Selectrucks of ChicagoBRIte NEW MINDLake Shore Health

Congress that the Treasury Department plannedto tap the final half of the government’s $700 billionfinancial rescue fund.

Before the Treasury can draw on the final $350 billion, theadministration must inform Congress of its intention to do so.Lawmakers would then have 15 days during which they could blockaccess to the funds.

The Treasury Department has already disbursed $251.5billion from the fund and has made further pledges that wouldtake the total to $354.4 billion.

For details,see: www.treas.gov/initiatives/eesa/transactions.shtml — $250 billion has been pledged for purchases of seniorpreferred shares and warrants in banks and thrifts; othercommitments could force the Treasury to scale this back.), including $1 billion for GM to help its financingaffiliate GMAC...

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BOISE — Its a topic that’s on the minds of many politicians and Americans this week — President-elect Barack Obama’s proposed stimulus package.Democrats support the plan that could cost up to a trillion dollars, but Republicans are not so sure.While both sides of the aisle hash things over in Washington, back in Idaho Governor Butch Otter already has a list of projects he’d like money for — if the stimulus package is passed.The stimulus package will have money that will be spent on infrastructure.Otter wants $2.4 billion from the nearly trillion dollars potentially up for grabs.The projects encompass the entire state and include bridges, roads and maintenance.You really don’t know how much we are going to get, said Otter.That’s the big...

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