The SouthtownStar :: Business ::

Rolling in the dough

by Mike Nolan, Staff writer — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:00 CST

The hours might be crumby, but the dough is great. Sorry, but that's what happens when you're talking to the owner of a bakery who likes to toss around the puns. Cathy Baumann and husband, Ray, this month are celebrating a quarter-century of satisfying the sweet tooth of customers at Baumann's Bakery in Palos Heights.

Stocks plunge as data points to recession

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:00 CST

NEW YORK (AP) -- Investors agonizing over a faltering economy sent the stock market plunging all over again Wednesday after two disheartening reports convinced Wall Street that a recession, if not already here, is inevitable. The Dow Jones industrials dropped more than 700 points, wiping out much of Monday's 936-point advance, and all the major indexes fell at least 7 percent.

American Airlines to buy Boeing 787s

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:00 CST

DALLAS (AP) -- American Airlines says it will buy 42 787-9 jets from Chicago-based Boeing as part of a move to improve the fuel efficiency of its fleet.

Retail sales plunge 1.2% in September

The Associated Press — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:00 CST

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Retail sales fell off a cliff in September, plunging by the largest amount in three years as worried consumers shunned the malls and auto showrooms in the midst of the country's financial meltdown.

Blagojevich wants to establish 'free-flow' toll lane

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:00 CST

A Sun-Times exclusive: Are tollway drivers ready to carpool? Gov. Blagojevich thinks so. He will announce a plan today to allow people who carpool or drive hybrids to use specially designated express lanes on Illinois tollways. Under the plan, the Toll Authority will introduce "Green Lanes."

No calls please, I'm driving

The Associated Press — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:00 CST

Nationwide Insurance is partnering with a Canadian technology company in hopes of taking away a source of distraction for drivers, particularly teens.

Portfolio

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:00 CST

SSC to host 'Technology Rocks!' in Oak Forest