Confederate Powderworks Chimney repairs start Nov 21, 2009
One of the South's most significant Civil War landmarks is getting a $192,000 face-lift. This week, crews hired by the Augusta Canal Authority began a six-week project to repair cracks and perform other needed stabilization work to the 148-year-old Confederate Powderworks Chimney in front of Sibley Mill off Broad Street. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Foreign buyers return to real estate Nov 21, 2009
Canadian investor Arthur Wong is buying condos in Las Vegas and Phoenix like a shopper at Costco: in bulk, with slashed prices. The president of Optimus U.S. Real Estate Fund has bought 60 condos at heavy discounts from developers in financial trouble. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Garden built in teacher's honor rededicated Nov 21, 2009
Linda Gail Hendrick, who was attacked by a student 10 years ago Sunday, was remembered Friday with the rededication of a garden in her honor. Teachers who worked with Ms. Hendrick, members of a scholarship committee in her name, her former principal and the physician who cared for her attended the ceremony at Murphey Middle Charter School. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Jackets' late mistakes prove costly Nov 21, 2009
GOOSE CREEK, S.C. --- Goose Creek football coach Chuck Reedy says his team does its best work in the fourth quarter when the other team is just flat worn out. North Augusta was the latest to find that out. (The Augusta Chronicle)
James Brown turkey giveaway seeks donations Nov 21, 2009
The James Brown Turkey Giveaway is 50 turkeys shy of its giving goal, and the community can still help. Deanna Brown Thomas, daughter of the Godfather of Soul and the president of the Brown Family Foundation, said she is seeking donations to ensure the giveaway at 10 a.m. Monday at Dyess Park will meet or exceed last year's 1,000 turkeys. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Jan. 5 special election to fill Tarver's seat Nov 21, 2009
A special election to fill Ed Tarver's vacated state Senate seat and Hardie Davis' vacated House seat will be held Jan. 5, six days before the start of the next legislative session in Atlanta. Mr. Davis, who will run for the Senate seat, submitted his resignation to the governor Friday morning, which was also when the governor called for the election. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Johnson inks new contract Nov 21, 2009
--- Jimmie Johnson is 108 points away from clinching a record fourth consecutive championship on Sunday. Car owner Rick Hendrick and sponsor Lowe's started the celebration Friday. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Warriors wage comeback Nov 21, 2009
--- B.J. Bostic emerged from a cluster of celebrating fans and grinned as his coach yanked him down in a headlock. Jefferson County had just escaped a sure loss in a Class AA second-round playoff game against Thomasville on Friday night, inverting it into a historic win for a team that had never before won two playoff games in the same season. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Heart attack claims life of Dogs' mascot Nov 21, 2009
--- The University of Georgia's beloved mascot, Uga VII, died unexpectedly in Savannah on Thursday. The dog's owner said the white English bulldog died suddenly of an apparent heart attack. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Millions in taxes yet to be paid Nov 21, 2009
The deadline for paying Richmond County property taxes passed this week, and $31. 1 million remains uncollected. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Bad luck for the Irish: Match will not be replayed Nov 21, 2009
LONDON --- There will be no rematch. Ireland's hopes for a replay of its World Cup qualifier against France ended Friday after both FIFA and the French Football Federation rejected requests for another game. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Bond denied in molestation case Nov 21, 2009
Across the Area 112109 - The Augusta Chronicle. Across the Area From Staff Reports Saturday, November 21, 2009. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Yellow Jackets rout Musketeers Nov 21, 2009
--- Between Eric Dodson, James Davis and Curtis Brooks, Thomas County Central made Richmond Academy sick of the veer offense. The Yellow Jackets' starting backfield tallied 285 of the team's 386 rushing yards as they crushed Richmond Academy 56-7 in the second round of the Class AAAA playoffs at Thomas County Stadium. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Missing North Augusta boy found safe Nov 21, 2009
NORTH AUGUSTA - A 10-year-old North Augusta boy who went missing yesterday has been found this morning with his biological father. Tyson Avery Curry left his home on Summit Commons Court on his bicycle around 4:15 p.m. Thursday. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Big plays lift Blue Devils Nov 21, 2009
WILLISTON, S.C. --- Williston-Elko players and coaches held their index fingers up in celebration Friday night. One championship down, one to go. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Georgia mascot, Uga VII, dies Nov 21, 2009
ATLANTA -- Uga VII, the white English bulldog mascot for the University of Georgia's football team for almost two seasons, died Thursday of heart-related causes, the dog's owner said. The 56-pound dog, nicknamed "Loran's Best," was known as a laid-back mascot who seemed oblivious to crowd noise during boisterous games and would sit patiently as excited fans snapped photos of him. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Young family is Georgia player's priority Nov 21, 2009
--- There are plenty of ways a college football player can measure the five years of his campus career. Some think of wins, titles, bowls, stats and starts. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Falcon nears return Nov 21, 2009
Atlanta Falcons running back Jerious Norwood practiced Friday for the second consecutive day after missing the team's past four games with a hip flexor. The Falcons (5-4) hope Norwood, who is listed as questionable for Sunday, can help stabilize his position when they visit the New York Giants (5-4). (The Augusta Chronicle)
Americans save more but earn less as rates fall Nov 21, 2009
NEW YORK --- The U.S. is finally becoming a nation of savers. Now if only we could get something for our money. (The Augusta Chronicle)
BofA cuts charity funding Nov 21, 2009
It employs about 2,000 people in the Triad and is the largest for-profit employer in High Point based on employment at its Piedmont Parkway call center. The bank notified retirees of the change in a letter this week. (Triad Business Journal, NC)
NAACP members back health care reform Nov 21, 2009
With all the negative attention given to the current health care reform bill, some local citizens said they wanted to highlight the positives of the legislation. The Augusta branch of the NAACP sponsored a Health Care Roundtable Discussion on Thursday for people to do just that. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Faith briefs Nov 21, 2009
A fall festival sponsored by several churches continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at The Hippodrome, 5540 Jefferson Davis Highway, Beech Island. It includes free popcorn, cotton candy, toy balloons and games, a pie bake-off at 9 a.m., a car show, crafts, a cake auction at 1 p.m. and yard sale. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Rocky Boy online company seen as economic development tool Nov 21, 2009
Some of the money was used to give jobs to out-of-work youths on the reservation, and 90,000 is being invested in remodeling the upstairs of Northern Winz Casino on the reservation to be used as a call center, he said. He said the call center could be much more than just a place for PDL Ventures to operate ... He said it could be a call center for a variety of businesses, such as for satellite television service. (Havre Daily News, MT)
Rocky Boy lending business in confusing world of complaints Nov 21, 2009
A supervisor at a payday loan call center with a number listed by the Better Business Bureau in association with the complaints made against PDL Ventures said several loan companies including his are using that name. He said he could not provide any information about his company or contact numbers for the company. (Havre Daily News, MT)
H1N1 Call Center Busy With Phone Calls Nov 20, 2009
The call center will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The call center will be closed on Sunday ... Call center operations will resume on Monday. (KFOXTV.com, TX)
Click to read:Feds Crack Down on Call Center Scheme Nov 20, 2009
Feds Crack Down on Call Center Scheme - CBS Evening News - CBS News ... Feds Crack Down on Call Center Scheme. (CBS News)
New high for foreclosure filings Nov 20, 2009
"The fact that completed foreclosures have been flat or falling as new foreclosures have risen is certainly a credit to our housing counselors," said Stephanie Riggi, manager of the Colorado Foreclosure Hotline call center, in a statement. The state hot line (877-601-HOPE) offers advice to homeowners facing foreclosure. (Denver Business Journal, CO)
Beachbody Hosts Infomercial & Media Training by Direct Response Academy Nov 20, 2009
Maximize effectiveness of call center and fulfillment vendors. Integrate web sales with a DRTV campaign. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
AOL to cut a third of its jobs Nov 20, 2009
In late 2006, AOL closed its Albuquerque call center at 6301 Jefferson St. NE, laying off all 900 of its employees. Tucker Echols of the Washington Business Journal, an affiliated publication, compiled this report. (New Mexico Business Weekly, NM)
FairPoint says it's on rebound Nov 20, 2009
Recognizing the operational challenges, Weigert said the company stopped marketing in June to ease the volume of people calling the call center and only recently started marketing again ... Calls into the call center have been back to normal for several months, and 90 percent of the calls are answered in 20 seconds or less. (Seacoast New Hampshire)
Kentucky jobless rate tops 11% Nov 20, 2009
The professional and business services sector added 5,000 jobs in October, many due to temporary hiring at a document processing center, as well as the opening of a call center and overall strength in the segment, Detzel said in a news release. Other sectors adding jobs included: government, 1,200; financial activities, 700; leisure and hospitality, 300; transportation and utilities, 200; and mining and logging, 100. (Cincinnati Business Courier, OH)
Thursday, November 19, 2009 Nov 19, 2009
Third Thursdays networking and social hour: 6 p.m., Indigo Joe's. The Augusta Coin Club meets the third Thursday of every month at. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Census centers bring jobs to Phoenix Nov 19, 2009
The bureau also opened a new call center in north Phoenix that is one of 11 in the country. Workers there will answer questions from the public about the census. (AZCentral -- Business)
Augusta losing Electrolux HQ Nov 19, 2009
Even if the headquarters moves from Augusta, there will still be 215 people employed here in the company s customer care call center, Mr. Evans said. Electrolux located in Augusta in 1987. (The Augusta Chronicle)
World Web Foundation Finally Launches Nov 18, 2009
"The way VoiceXML works is that you create a Web site and provide a VoiceXML interface and then you just interact with it like a call center," Bratt said. "The data is stored in XML and can be stored and served on a regular Web site. It can also work in response to voice commands. All of this is done in an open ecosystem on the Web as opposed to a closed proprietary system.". (SmallBusinessComputing)
Florida AG urges big banks to modify loans Nov 18, 2009
He said banks should consider having at least one person per branch location who can sit with homeowners and talk to them, rather than directing them to a call center. McCollum, a Republican candidate for Florida governor in 2010, also asked the executives to meet with him to discuss the banks responsibilities to help solve the housing crisis. (Tampa Bay Business Journal, FL)
Monster call center celebrates opening in SC Nov 18, 2009
Employment services company Monster is marking the opening of its customer call center in South Carolina. The company that operates job Web site Monster. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
California Outsources Tourism Hot Line Nov 18, 2009
Kansas City Call Center Answers Toll-Free Number ... USA 800 runs the call center out of a building in Kansas City, Mo ... "We go through an extensive bidding process. And having the call center in the Midwest is just part of the bidding process. They're centrally located, saves the company a lot on shipping," commission spokeswoman Susan Wilcox said. (KCRA 3, CA)
Electrolux headquarters leaving Augusta Nov 18, 2009
The customer care call center, however, is not part of the consolidation, Mr. Evans said, and will remain in Augusta. The call center employs 100 full-time and 115 part-time people. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Debt collection agency moving in Plymouth Nov 17, 2009
a call center and debt collection agency, is moving its Plymouth office into 48,700 square feet owned by the. New York-based iQor will move 550 employees from the Metropoint office complex on Interstate 394 in Plymouth into the OTC Building that Carlson owns and operates. (Twin Cities Business Journal, MN)
Innotrac posts Q3 loss Nov 17, 2009
-based order processing, order fulfillment and call center services company had a net loss of $78,000 and a loss of 1 cent a share, compared with net income of $829,000 and earnings of 7 cents a share in the third quarter of 2008. Third-quarter revenue fell 30. (Atlanta Business Chronicle, GA)
Japan economy growing at 4.8% rate Nov 17, 2009
Citigroup Inc. said yesterday that it is selling its control-ling stake in Japan's leading call center operator, Bellsystem24, to private equity firm Bain Capital Partners in a deal that values the operation at $1. 1 billion. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Mortgage help has been put on hold for many Nov 16, 2009
Bank of America home retention specialist Shontaye Edwards speaks to a customer at a mortgage call center in Plano, Texas, on Sept. 23, 2009 ... PLANO, Texas - Shontaye Edwards spends her day in a gray cubicle at a Bank of America call center in this Dallas suburb ... Call center uses soft skillsAt the Bank of America call center in Texas, workers in the bank's "Home Retention" division get as many as 15 calls an hour. (MSNBC -- Business)
Citigroup Sells Stake in Japanese Call Center Nov 16, 2009
Bain Capital to pay $1B for Citigroup's controlling stake in Japanese call center operator ... Citigroup Inc. on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009 said that it is selling its controlling stake in Japan's leading call center operator, Bellsystem24, to private equity firm Bain Capital Partners in a deal that values the operation at $1 ... Citigroup Inc. said Sunday that it is selling its controlling stake in Japan's leading call center operator, Bellsystem24, to private equity firm Bain Capital Partners in a... (ABC News -- Wire)
Business briefs Nov 16, 2009
AP, Bloomberg, Reuters and Dow Jones, Bloomberg. Last Updated: 4:29 AM, November 16, 2009. (New York Post -- Business)
Job applicants line up as holidays approach Nov 15, 2009
This is already happening at Target, where Ms. Love said she has heard from people who used to work part-time at Target but now have full-time jobs at the Dish Network call center in McKeesport. The company announced last week it will close the call center early next year, eliminating those jobs. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Holidays hiring begins to bloom Nov 14, 2009
The store started hiring about 70 workers in September, about 20 for its retail store on Ben C. Pratt/Six Mile Cypress Parkway in south Fort Myers, about 20 for its call center and up to 30 for its packing operation ... One newcomer this year is Janette Lauzon, who is working in the call center. (The News-Press -- Business)
Programs can help people keep homes Nov 14, 2009
Joe Elliot, manager of community outreach at the county's Department of Human Services, said the Smithfield Street call center was inundated with requests. By Oct. 26, the call center, which was receiving about 130 calls a day, established a waiting list ... Lori Forkin, housing developer for ACTION-Housing, said the agency has so far received 90 referrals from the county's call center -- 60 of them need rapid re-housing help because they recently lost their house or apartment and 30 need... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
SRP facility in QC recognized for green design Nov 13, 2009
A Salt River Project business office and call center in Queen Creek has been designated LEED Gold Certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is a green-building code developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that promotes sustainable design. (AZCentral -- Business)
Drug discount card Nov 13, 2009
The citys One Call Center (621-CITY) has complete information, as well as a list of additional locations. We regret any confusion. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Humana renews NetPark lease Nov 13, 2009
Humana employs 1,000 people at its call center at NetPark, a former regional mall, Tolrud said. The company has had space at NetPark since 2005. (Tampa Bay Business Journal, FL)
Web.com Call Center and Virtual Office Services Bring Large Company-Caliber Customer Service to Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Nov 13, 2009
com Call Center and Virtual Office Services Bring Large Company-Caliber Customer Service to Small and Medium-Sized Businesses - Yahoo ... com Call Center and Virtual Office Services Bring Large Company-Caliber Customer Service to Small and Medium-Sized Businesses ... com (Nasdaq: - ), a leading provider of online marketing for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), announced today it is ramping up efforts to help its customers make missing customer calls and poor customer service a thing of... (Primezone Releases)
ACS adding 150 more Raleigh jobs Nov 12, 2009
is hiring for 150 additional jobs at its Raleigh call center, bringing the total number of positions created in Raleigh since March to more than 1,100. ACS (NYSE: ACS) says it is looking to hire call center agents, supervisors and managers for the center, which the company says is among its biggest. (Triangle Business Journal)
The Smart Grid Ready Framework, Part I Nov 12, 2009
g., billing, service logistics, call center, asset management, etc ... A smart grid ready infrastructure should also support availability of current data from multiple systems to complete real-time call center processes such as new accounts, turn on service or customer moves all while the customer is on the phone. (Energy Pulse, CO)
Sri Lankan solution will not deter smugglers Nov 12, 2009
Hasn't one of the pirates been deported from Canada previously, while now claiming that he used to work in a "US call center" (lies, lies and more lies, anyone. . (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Diversity essential to local economy, but it can be hard to achieveSeeing the future a key to getting right mix of economic elements Nov 12, 2009
The 500-plus jobs that came with NEW, the big call center that deals with warranties for various products, was a tremendous stroke ... Sykes had a call center on what s now the NEW site, but was closing its U.S. call centers and moving overseas. (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)
Budget cuts loom for schools Nov 11, 2009
Realist wrote on Oct 26, 2009 10:14 AM:" Wyatt Earp must be one of the many New Mexican Residents that have attained the "high status" of GED recipient. This enables him to attain exciting and "high paying" jobs in the call center industry, or workng for one of the many "entrepreneurs" that own bagel shops or auto parts stores. A teachers salary must seem high compared to his earnings potential.Most teachers I know work long hours for half the salary I earn. ". scholar wrote on Oct 29, 2009 1:09... (Rio Rancho Observer, NM)
DISH Network to close McKeesport center Nov 11, 2009
DISH Network to close McKeesport call center - Pittsburgh Business Times ... DISH Network to close McKeesport call center ... (Nasdaq:DISH) is in the process of notifying employees of its McKeesport call center that the facility will be shutting down March 5, 2010, according to the company. (Pittsburgh Business Times, PA)
Multichannel Newswire Nov 11, 2009
call center employing 600. The paper's Web site said the center opened in 1998. (Multichannel News)
Republic adding jobsin Milwaukee Nov 11, 2009
Job functions include flight crews, heavy aircraft maintenance and technical support and reservations call center, Doyle said. Bryan Bedford, chairman, president and CEO of Republic Airways, said the announcement reflects the company's commitment to the Milwaukee area. (Milwaukee Business Journal, WI)
Backlog at state agency could disrupt health coverage for public workers Nov 11, 2009
"The call center has been stretched beyond its limits," he said ... "The call center has been stretched beyond its limits," he said. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
DISH Network shuts 600-employee center Nov 11, 2009
McKeesport to lose TV call center, 600 jobs in March ... When it opened in a former pipe mill in McKeesport 11 years ago, the DISH Network call center provided hope to the struggling former steel town that its brownfield sites were fertile ground for development ... 4 percent decline in third quarter profit from a year ago, DISH announced it was closing the 600-employee call center in March. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Local News: Dish Closing Call Center in Pa. Nov 11, 2009
Local News: Dish Closing Call Center in Pa ... Local News: Dish Closing Call Center in Pa ... call center employing 600. (Multichannel News)
QUORUM COURT APPROVES GRANT APPLICATIONS Nov 10, 2009
Another grant application, for the Arkansas 2-1-1 call center for 50,000 that was recommended for approval last week during committee meetings was pulled by County Judge Mike Holcomb. Holcomb said he made the decision after reports that the call center had ceased operations and several attempts to contact officials from the center were unsuccessful. (Pine Bluff Commercial, AR)
Obama's plan to help homeowners is struggling Nov 10, 2009
It's still a version of call center hell ... Should the caller ever have a substantive conversation with an employee at the call center, however, the person on the other end of the line is not a mortgage expert, but simply a poorly paid, hourly employee whose prime directive is debt collection ... And ultimately, it's probably not something that would be cured by retraining or upgrading the industry's call center employees. (Salon)
