Spring is Here

Yes pholks, spring is here.

HEADLINE: $100m in Bonuses Follow Bailout at AIG
New York Times story: Washington – “Despite being bailed out with more than $170 billion from the Treasury and Federal Reserve, American International Group is preparing to pay about $100 million in bonuses to executives in the same business unit that brought the company to the brink of collapse last year.”

Yes, pholks, spring is here.

HEADLINE: Chrysler May Face Cash Crunch Even with Additional Aid
Associated Press story: Detroit – “Even if Chrysler LLC gets additional government loan, it could face another cash shortage in July when revenue dries up as the company shuts down its factories for two weeks to change from one model year to the next.”

Yeehaw!!! Spring is here.

HEADLINE: Buyers Still Interested in Gottschalks
Valley Voice story: “Retailer Gottschalks has received court approval to sell it assets to a liquidator if no one comes forward to buy the bankrupt chain and operate the stores.”

That's right, pholks, spring is here.

HEADLINE: Prepaid Tuition Funds Fall Short
Associated Press story: “State run trust funds for parents who want to pay off college tuition before their children enroll are running short on cash and program officials worry they won't be able to pay for students who are counting on the money.”

Spring is here

HEADLINE: Riots Break Out in Northern Ireland
AP story: “Irish nationalist gangs hurled gasoline bombs at police Saturday after three alleged IRA dissidents were arrested on suspicion of killing two British solders.”

Spring is here.

HEADLINE: Sportsman's Warehouse to Close in Visalia
Valley Voice story: “Sportsman's Warehouse, a national chain of stores catering to campers, fishermen, hunters, bikers and other outdoor sports enthusiasts, announced it will close its location on North Dinuba Boulevard – one of 23 stores the company plans to close.”

What great weather this spring.

HEADLINE: Chronicle Workers OK Concessions
News service story: “San Francisco Chronicle employees on Saturday voted to accept steep concessions to their contract as part of a deal that is expected to cut at least 150 jobs from the newsroom, yet keep the paper from closing.”

Friday it's official, but spring really is here.

HEADLINE: Russian Bombers Could be Based in Cuba, Venezuela
Wire service story: “A Russian air force chief said Saturday that the country could base some strategic bombers in Cuba or Venezuela, the Interfax news agency reported… a Kremlin official said the military was speaking only hypothetically.”

Spring is here, to stay for a while.

HEADLINE; Ex Pa. Senator Convicted of 137 Corruption Counts
Internet News Service story: PHILADELPHA – “Vincent Fumo, once one of the most powerful figures in Pennsylvania politics, was convicted Monday of more than 130 counts of corruption for schemes that defrauded the state Senate and others of more than $3.5 million and helped more pay for his lavish lifestyle.”

HEADLINE: Economy Has Dairy Industry in Dire Straits
Valley Voice story: “Tulare County's No., 1 industry is not immune to the economic woes of the nation. A drastic drop in the price paid dairymen for their milk has the county's $1.9 billion crop in perhaps the most perilous situation it has seen in more than three decades.”

But, remember pholks, SPRING IS HERE. And that is really good news.

Miles can be reached at mshuper@valleyvoicenewspaper.com