-
Stansberry inducted to Western Oklahoma Hall of Fame
Mark A. Stansberry of Edmond was inducted into the 2009 Western Oklahoma Hall of Fame onTuesday. Also inducted were Teresa Mullican and Joe Britton, both of Western Oklahoma.
-
3 girls photography beats recession to open studio
No one told Jen Basford that she couldn’t design and build her dream during a recession, so she did. She custom built a 3,500-square-foot studio for her 4-year-old business, 3 girls photography. The building, at 1024 W. Covell Road, was completed in July; the studio’s grand opening was Nov. 12.
-
Sometimes being right
Investing is a difficult business, and choosing the right investment for the short- or long-term can be a daunting task. Imagine the frustration when you get it all right, make the right prediction and still lose money. As my friends in California might say, “That’s a major bummer dude!” That’s what has been happening to some investors using ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) investing in commodities.
-
Six killers of home mortgage financing
The recent extension of the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers and the $6,500 tax credit for homebuyers who currently own a home holds promise for a more robust winter housing market than usual. Because more buyers will be entering the market for home financing I thought it beneficial to offer insight into six common pitfalls to securing home financing.
-
11-21 At Home: style & trends
Homebuilder sentiment index unchanged in November
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A key gauge of homebuilders’ confidence held steady in November, reflecting a cautious outlook from residential developers as they waited to learn whether Congress would extend a homebuyer tax credit.
-
11-19 Business: in brief
Walgreens sponsors diabetes wellness event
The Walgreens at 301 S. Santa Fe Ave. will sponsor a Diabetes Wellness Event from 1-7 p.m. today in recognition of National Diabetes Month. The event offers free blood glucose (for patients without diabetes) or A1C tests (for patients with diabetes as noted on the consent form) as well as pharmacist consultations.
-
Start smart with your new company’s finances
The unemployment rate is floating near the double digits. There is a growing number of people out of work and many are looking to try something new.
-
Devon Energy to sell Gulf of Mexico assets, others
Independent oil and gas producer Devon Energy Corp. said Monday it will divest its Gulf of Mexico and international assets.
-
GM reports $1.2B loss, says it shows progress
General Motors Co. said Monday it lost $1.2 billion from the time it left bankruptcy protection through Sept. 30, far better than it has reported in previous quarters and a sign that the auto giant is starting to turn around its business.
-
Retail sales rise 1.4 percent in October
U.S. retail sales rose more than expected in October due largely to a big rebound in auto sales. But broader consumer spending remains under pressure, raising questions about the durability of the recovery.
-
7 deadly home buying mistakes not to make
It’s official; President Obama has extended the homebuyer tax credit through April 30. This legislation translates into an $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers and $6,500 for subsequent homebuyers. It also means an increase in activity on real estate transactions.
-
11-14 Business: in brief
Edmond Chamber professional completes training program
The Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives Association recently recognized Allison Fine, information specialist at the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce, for successfully completing the Chamber Management Institute.
-
Midcon wins Sporting Clays Tournament
The Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce had its annual Sporting Clays Tournament on Nov. 6 at Silverleaf Shotgun Sports in Guthrie. The winner of the event was the MIDCON Data Services Team 2, top, represented by, from left, Pat Tolson, Tobin Paris and Steve Waddell; not pictured is Wade Farrar. Jim Miller of the Arvest Bank team had the high score of the day, hitting 43/50 clay pigeons.
-
Coach: Generations expect different things at work
Age and personality differences can make for a “wild and crazy” workplace. Say the sentence, “We are two wild and crazy guys,” and most baby boomers picture nearly identical scenes from “Saturday Night Live.” Employees from other generations, however, are in the dark.
-
Fed: banks need customer consent on overdraft fees
Banks will have to secure their customers' consent before charging large overdraft fees on ATM and debit card transactions, according to a new rule announced Thursday by the Federal Reserve.
-
Airport board IDs private hangar sites
GUTHRIE — The Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport Board learned Tuesday that plans are moving forward for the construction of a new T-hangar on airport property.
-
CoreVault cuts ribbon
Dignitaries including Everett Dobson, CoreVault’s chairman of the board, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and Stephen Dobson, CEO of CoreVault, were joined by members of the Edmond Chamber Ambassador’s Council for a ribbon cutting at their location on 13900 N. Portland Ave.
-
11-12 Business: in brief
NARFE to meet Tuesday
The Edmond Chapter of the National Active & Retired Federal Employees Association will meet at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Gaylord University Center on the campus of Oklahoma Christian University of Science & Arts, 2501 E. Memorial Road.
-
IBC reports strong earnings
International Bancshares Corporation, one of the largest independent bank holding companies in Texas, reported this week net income of $105.6 million for the nine months ended Sept. 30, an increase of 5.2 percent compared to the same period of 2008; net income for the three months ended Sept. 30 was $37.0 million, an increase of 9.1 percent compared to the same period of 2008, prior to amounts related to participation in the TARP program, including preferred stock dividends and amounts related to the Warrants.
-
IRS holding more than 1,100 Oklahoma undeliverable refund checks
People in 74 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties are due 2008 federal tax refund checks that were returned to the IRS by the U.S. Postal Service due to mailing address errors. Thirty of those people had Edmond addresses when they filed their 2008 federal taxes.
-
States looking for cash, someone to blame
It appears that many state governments are angry at the fact that home foreclosures are wreaking havoc on their economies. They blame mortgage lenders for creating the problem.
-
11-7 Business: in brief
Edmond-area Allstate agents recognized for excellence
Select Edmond area Allstate agencies have been designated Premier Service Agencies for 2009.
-
New club offers high-tech, personal fitness program
Koko FitClub uses computer technology to provide personal training without the personal trainer. The first Koko franchise in Oklahoma recently opened at 309 S. Bryant Ave., Suite 100.
-
11-7 At Home: style & trends
A ‘Well-Dressed Home’ complements the closet
NEW YORK (AP) — Are you a T-shirt-and-jeans person with a chintz living room, or someone who loves the structure of a suit but wakes up in a shabby chic bedroom?
-
Something old, something new in tax credits
I’m writing this article on Friday morning, anticipating that President Obama will sign into law the extension of the $8,000 first-time homebuyer credit. This new legislation is really not new, but a modification and extension of the tax credit set to expire Nov. 30. A new feature added to this bill provides a $6,500 tax credit for current homeowners who sell their home and purchase a new home.
-
Appliance rebates may spark customer interest
Oklahoma residents who still have an almond or avocado green refrigerator may want to purchase a new one in early spring. The same is true for owners of 30-year-old washing machines.
-
11-5 Business: in brief
Changes in tax laws are great for some, problems for others
A new year with a new administration has brought more tax changes than any year since 1986.
-
Commission OKs electric cars at Heartland Outdoors
The market for small electric vehicles got a boost by the Edmond Planning Commission Tuesday evening. An additional use for the Heartland Outdoors shooting range was approved 4-1, with commissioner Lydia Lee casting the no vote.
-
Chamber selects Youth Leadership participants
Class IX of Youth Leadership Edmond has been selected by the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce.
Youth Leadership Edmond is designed to enable high school juniors the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills, gain a broader perspective of the issues in their city and take an active role in improving their community by introducing them to volunteer opportunities. Class IX is hosted by the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce and presented by Edmond Electric.
-
10-31 Business: in brief
ProCure Proton Therapy Center named most promising new business
The ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Oklahoma City has received the prestigious 2009 Most Promising New Business award from the Oklahoma Business Roundtable, a statewide organization that promotes Oklahom
-
Stationery shop, chirps & cheers, opens in downtown Edmond
Susan Kropp recently opened a specialty stationery shop in Edmond for people, like her, who get excited about celebrating life’s everyday chirps and extraordinary cheers. Located at 100 N. Broadway, chirps & cheers is the realization of a dream for Kropp, who has been designing her own stationery for 10 - 12 years.
-
10-31 At Home: style & trends
Feds: Chinese drywall reports still inconclusive
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Federal studies released Thursday cannot yet definitively link imported Chinese drywall to health problems or corrosion of pipes and wires that thousands of U.S. homeowners have been reporting for nearly a year.
-
Trick-or-Treat transactions to look out for in selling homes
Tonight is the night thousands of Edmond children look forward to for nearly an entire year. It’s the night when most Edmond homes will have the porch light on welcoming the masquerading mob to “come by our house for Trick-or-Treat.”
-
UCO business students plan pancake breakfast
University of Central Oklahoma business students will host a Flapjack Fundraiser at Applebee’s Restaurant in Edmond from 8-10 a.m. Nov. 21 to raise funds needed to complete improvement projects at the Horse Feathers Equine Rescue Facility in Guthrie.
-
Citizens Bank new officers, chairman
Citizens Bank of Edmond recently announced the addition of two new executive officers to its management team and the selection of a new chairman of the bank’s board of directors.
-
Edmond’s third quarter cost of living below national average
Edmond’s third quarter cost of living index ranks 11.3 percent below the national average according to the latest Cost of Living Index by ACCRA, the association of community and economic development research professionals. With a third quarter 2009 index of 88.7, Edmond’s cost of living increased 0.8 percent from the same period in 2008.
-
Number of active rigs increase by 8
The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. this week has risen by eight this week to 1,048.
-
10-24 Business: in brief
Local business leaders named 2010 chairs of Go Red for Women Luncheon
The Oklahoma City Division of the American Heart Association has named Jacque Fiegel and Darcie Henderson chairs for the 2010 Oklahoma City Go Red For Women Luncheon. Go Red for Women is the AHA’s national movement to educate women of their risk for heart disease and take action to reduce their risk
-
Check it out: The Oklahoma Equipment Connection
STILLWATER — Do you have good quality farm equipment collecting dust in your barn or on your farm? Are you looking for a specialized piece of equipment for your farming operation?
-
Braum’s CEO serves as UCO business leader in residence
The University of Central Oklahoma’s College of Business Administration welcomes Tony Bostwick, chief executive officer of Braum’s Inc. and Central alumnus, as its Leader in Residence for the 2009-10 academic year.
-
Returning retirement fund distributions may save 2009 tax dollars
Individual retirement account owners and retirement plan participants who already have taken a required minimum distribution in 2009 have the opportunity to return the money to a tax-deferred retirement account by Nov. 30 and reduce their taxable income for 2009.
-
Haunted Halloween shoppers find thriller deals
Substituting creativity for purchasing power, Edmond residents have been scanning the racks of local resale shops for costume pieces. Anyone wearing an assembled costume on Halloween will be on the cutting edge of Halloween fashion, following a national trend of shoppers whose budgets have run into a buzz saw.
-
10-24 At Home: style and trends
Home sales rise 9.4 % in Sept., beat forecast
WASHINGTON (AP) — Racing to complete their purchases before a tax credit for first-time owners expires, homebuyers pushed sales up last month by the largest amount in more than 26 years.
-
Short sales are anything but short
ORLANDO, Fla. — For buyers, it’s a way to get a bargain.
For upside-down homeowners, it’s a way to avoid foreclosure.
But for pretty much everyone involved, it’s not a way to buy a house quickly.
-
Rookie mistakes of first-time home buyers
There’s still time for first-time home buyers to close on a home and take advantage of the $8,000 federal tax credit. There’s even talk on the Hill of expanding and extending the tax credit. This is good news for all first-time home buyers, which includes anyone who has not owned a home within the past 36 months.
-
Leading indicators signal growth, but jobs scarce
A private forecast of economic activity rose for the sixth straight month in September, a sign the economy may keep growing early next year despite rising unemployment.
-
UCO Central Catering to host fall showcase to highlight executive chef and catering offerings
The University of Central Oklahoma’s Central Catering will host its Fall Catering Showcase from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Nigh University Center in the Grand Ballroom located on the second floor.
-
Branding a must for companies today
Branding your business and your product has become an important part of a business owner’s marketing program.
Glenn Muske, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension interim associate dean, and assistant director of Family and Consumer Sciences, said at the most basic level your brand represents some type of promise the owner is making to the consumer.
-
10-22 Business: in brief
McBride Orthopedic Hospital ranked in top 5 percent of hospitals nationwide
McBride Orthopedic Hospital was recently ranked in the top 5 percent in the nation for Overall Orthopedic Services and Joint Replacement in a new study released by HealthGrades, a leading independent health care ratings organization.
