Greensboro news from the News & Record

Job growth stalls across state

"Donald W. Patterson ()" — Sat, 26 May 2012 03:00:00 -0400

Unemployment rates fell in 93 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in April , including those in the Triad .

That’s good news, obviously.

Yet, analysts said, those numbers mask a deeper, more troubling trend — the shrinkage of the state’s labor force.

High Point Enterprise names new editor

"Staff Reports" — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:50:34 -0400

HIGH POINT — The High Point Enterprise has named a new editor.

The newspaper reported today that Megan Ward, editor of The Shelby Star, will join the High Point paper on June 6.

Jobless rates fall in 93 of 100 N.C. counties

" ()" — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:20:20 -0400

Unemployment rates fell in 93 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in April, including all eight in the Triad.

Yet six of the area counties still have jobless rates above 9 percent, according to a monthly county-by-county jobs report released today.

The rate in Guilford County, for example, dropped to 9.1 percent compared to 10.2 in April 2011.

Salt Box closes

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:45:44 -0400

Greensboro - The Salt Box, one of the first businesses to open on State Street is now closed.

The business at 2011 Golden Gate Dr., was established in 1974 by Nancy Moore. Until now, it was a State Street mainstay, even as longstanding businesses left the retail district.

Gov. Perdue creates fracking task force

"News & Observer of Raleigh" — Tue, 22 May 2012 05:06:06 -0400

RALEIGH -- With Republican lawmakers pushing to legalize fracking, Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue issued an executive order Monday that creates a task force to develop regulations for the controversial natural gas drilling method.

Deadline approaching to claim some N.C. lottery prizes

"Staff Reports" — Tue, 22 May 2012 12:53:40 -0400

The deadline to claim prizes for 12 N.C. Education Lottery scratch-off games is May 29.

All instant game prizes must be claimed within 90 days of the announced end-of-game date.

• Claims less than $600 can be made at a lottery retailer before midnight Tuesday.

Good news at the pump for Triad motorists

"Staff Reports" — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:26:03 -0400

GREENSBORO — With the long Memorial Day weekend just around the corner, Triad motorists got some good news Tuesday.

As they head out for the holiday — regarded as the start of the summer travel season — drivers here will find gas prices averaging less than $3.50 a gallon.

Altar'd State specialty boutique to open at The Shops at Friendly Center

Tue, 22 May 2012 08:15:35 -0400

GREENSBORO — Altar'd State, a specialty boutique, will be opening at The Shops at Friendly Center sometime later this summer, according to a company news release.

The store's focus is selling clothes, shoes and accessories for teenage girls and women.

Harris Teeter recalls some flavors of sorbet

"Staff Reports" — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:41:46 -0400

Harris Teeter has recalled some flavors of HT Traders sorbet because of possible undeclared milk protein, the grocery chain said Tuesday in a news release.

Customers with a milk allergy or other concerns can return the product to the store for a refund.

This recall affects these products:

Goodwill holding job fair in Oak Ridge

"Staff Reports" — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:23:42 -0400

OAK RIDGE — Goodwill is holding a job fair Wednesday at the Oak Ridge Commons Shopping Center.

It will be from noon to 4 p.m.

Visit TriadGoodwill.org for more information.

Krispy Kreme profit off, adjusted profit tops view

" ()" — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:11:24 -0400

WINSTON SALEM (AP) — Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. said Monday that its first-quarter profit fell 34 percent, pulled down by the effects of income tax changes.

But the company's adjusted earnings beat Wall Street expectations and it issued a sweet full-year profit prediction, sending its shares up more than 8 percent in morning trading.

Cable companies to share access on 50,000 Wi-Fi hotspots

" ()" — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:45:14 -0400

BOSTON (AP) -- Cable TV companies are trying to give their customers another reason not to cancel their service: better access to Wi-Fi hotspots.

Five major operators with nearly 40 million broadband subscribers said Monday that they would let each other's customers access more than 50,000 Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide for no extra charge beyond their monthly bill.

Lowe's 1Q profit up, but cuts 2012 profit outlook

" ()" — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:10:09 -0400

MOORESVILLE (AP) — Lowe's Cos.' first-quarter profit climbed 14 percent, as warmer weather helped boost sales. But the world's second-biggest home improvement company lowered its full-year earnings forecast on Monday, saying it is still cautious on the housing market and economic conditions.

Lowe's shares fell $1.68, or 5.9 percent, to $26.80 in premarket trading.

Sunday market in downtown Greensboro slowly picking up

"Donald W. Patterson ()" — Mon, 21 May 2012 05:17:24 -0400

GREENSBORO — It’s a great day anytime a kid gets to stick a cone of ice cream in her face.

On Sunday, 5-year-old Alexa Bird had a great day.

With her parents Steve Bird and Amy Lytle in tow, Alexa rode her bike from her nearby Southside neighborhood to check out downtown’s newest attraction — the South Elm Urban Market.

Sephora to come to Friendly Shopping Center

"Tina Firesheets ()" — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:10:50 -0400

Greensboro - The international cosmetics chain Sephora will open in Friendly Shopping Center.

The store is under construction next to The Extra Ingredient. Brad Rogers, the shopping center's general manager, said it's possible the store would be open in early August.

Fracking debate fuels hopes, fears

"Taft Wireback ()" — Sun, 20 May 2012 03:00:00 -0400

GREENSBORO — Local businessman Ray Covington spends a lot of time these days speaking to civic groups about a favorite topic that’s come to dominate his work life in recent months.

His topic? North Carolina’s historic shale deposits and how best to exploit them.

Cafégency in Greensboro isn’t your typical coffee shop

"Tina Firesheets ()" — Sun, 20 May 2012 06:49:30 -0400

GREENSBORO — From the outside, the little white building at the corner of Church Street and Wendover Avenue looks like a coffee shop.

Outdoor bistro tables and chairs are adjacent to small flower gardens that thrive. A sandwich board advertises daily coffee specials.

But once inside Cafégency, patrons quickly see this isn’t your typical coffee shop.

Savvy Shopper: Readers share fond memories of Blumenthal's

"Mike Fuchs ()" — Sun, 20 May 2012 03:00:55 -0400

GREENSBORO — I asked readers in last week’s column to share memories of Blumenthal’s amid news the iconic clothing store is closing July 1.

Julee Marshall remembers her grandfather, W.H. Ingram, taking her to Blumenthal’s in the late 1950s when she was about 4 years old.

'Cash Mob’ good for business

"Tina Firesheets ()" — Fri, 18 May 2012 03:00:00 -0400

GREENSBORO — The mob met in front of Whole Foods Market, then strolled across the street to their destination.

Some carried glittery signs and brightly colored balloons. A couple of guys wore crazy hats with horns. But for the most part, it was a calm, organized affair.

Harris Teeter shares lottery bonus with four local schools

"Staff Reports" — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:27:41 -0400

Harris Teeter plans to share its good luck in selling the winning ticket in a recent Carolina Cash 5 jackpot with four schools in Guilford County.

Morehead Elementary, Grimsley High School, Our Lady of Grace and Ragsdale High School will get $1,000 each in a ceremony this morning.

N.C. unemployment rate continues slow decline

" ()" — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:02:44 -0400

RALEIGH (AP) — North Carolina's unemployment rate has fallen to 9.4 percent, continuing a slow decline that began almost a year ago.

The state Division of Labor and Economic Analysis on Friday released the unemployment figures for April, showing the rate fell from 9.7 percent a month earlier and 10.4 percent from April 2011.

Greensboro may buy foreclosed properties

"Donald W. Patterson ()" — Fri, 18 May 2012 05:38:00 -0400

GREENSBORO — City Council members and city staff spent two hours Thursday afternoon exploring ways to boost local economic development.

Don’t just think outside the box, they said, but throw the box away.

At the end of the meeting, Mayor Robbie Perkins did just that.

Jennifer Aniston to make movie in Wilmington

" ()" — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:05:44 -0400

WILMINGTON (AP) — A company producing a new Jennifer Anniston movie has opened offices in Wilmington.

$1 million lottery winner from Greensboro calls it a 'blessing'

"Staff Reports" — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:46:31 -0400

Terry Stout plans to use the $1 million he won playing a new Powerball game to pay bills, save for the future and give his family some peace of mind.

Pine Knolls Golf Club in Kernersville to go up for auction

"Staff Reports" — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:32:26 -0400

KERNERSVILLE - Here’s the chance to be the slickest kid on your block: you can own your own golf course.

On June 13 , Racebrook Marketing Concepts in New York will auction Pine Knolls Golf Club, a 151-acre, 18-hole golf course in Kernersville .

Bidding will start at $600,000 .