A Strong Economic Indicator?

Fanna Haile-Selassie
KTTC TV

ROCHESTER, MN -- The Minnesota Department of Revenue has released the 2006 sales tax numbers from stores around the state. So good, bad or in-different the numbers are helping to shed light on the state's economy.

If you look at the sales tax numbers and compare them with previous years, you can gauge how well certain areas in the economy are doing.

We looked at some of the areas between 2003 and 2006.

With constant talk of the economy in news, KTTC was interested in which local markets thrive and which are suffering in Olmsted county.

The Department of Revenue's new report on tax sales gave us just the opportunity. And Bruce Schwartau from the U of M extension organizes with these numbers every year for different cities.

"It shows us how certain communities are doing, what are some areas of opportunities and what are some challenging areas", says Schwartau.

For Olmsted county, these areas had the largest increases within the three year span. Apparel, auto parts and motorcycles or vehicles like ATVs, and eating and dining.

Schwartau says, "We saw an increase of 26% in apparel sales, taxable sales that were done at apparel stores. So apparently, they're making some recovery and they're finding good strategies that are bringing people into the apparel stores.

"Technically, apparel means accessory-type items like jewelry and belts that clothing stores sell and not clothing items, since there is no tax on clothes in Minnesota.

Convenient store sales and building material sales had the largest decline within the past three years.

"As much as we've seen more convenient stores being built, I was really surprised to see that number go down", says Schwartau.

Rochester has 93% of Olmsted county's taxable sales.

As for the whole state, Minnesotans have spent most of their money on general merchandise at big stores like Walmart or Target. And they also pay big bucks for building materials just maybe not as much in Rochester.

The Minnesota Department of Revenue should have 2007's sales tax numbers by the end of this summer.

One thing we will definitely look for is how much the economy now will play a factor in some of these numbers. Updated: January 28, 2008, 6:12 pm

Article Provided By: KTTC.Com

Skate champ Bowman found dead in motel

UNION-TRIBUNE

January 11, 2008

Former U.S. figure skating champion Christopher Bowman died yesterday in a San Fernando Valley motel in what authorities are calling a likely drug-related fatality.

Advertisement Paramedics responded to a 911 call for a “probable drug overdose” at the Budget Inn in North Hills, according to a spokesman from the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office. Bowman, 40, was pronounced dead at 12:06 p.m. Bowman won U.S. men's titles in 1989 and '92, twice medaled at the World Championships and finished fourth at the 1992 Olympics, but he was best known for his flamboyant style on the ice and his wild life off it. “Bowman the Showman” was one of his nicknames. “Hans Brinker from Hell” was another.

In the late 1980s he checked into the Betty Ford Center to treat what he called a $950-a-day cocaine habit, and he had several alcohol-or drug-fueled brushes with the law. Friends said he had recently experienced a relapse.

Bowman dabbled in acting, making several appearances in the series “Little House on the Prairie.” More recently, he had a part in the yet-to-be-released film “Down and Distance.”

Article Provided By: Sign On SanDiego.com

Battinger: I Still Believe The Kimkins Diet Works, But 'The Doors Are Closing' Soon

The following is a reprint from the blog "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb":

She has been the public face of the Kimkins diet scam over the past few months and even went on national television late last month to defend the indefensible--a diet fraud that we now see runs as deep as the lies told by its creator Heidi Diaz. But now Jeannie Battinger wants to tell her side of the story and answer the tough questions, so that's what I'm allowing her to do today in my exclusive interview with the woman known as "Tippy Toes."

Does she make a convincing argument for her actions and behavior since becoming the spokesperson for Kimkins? Does she sound contrite and sorrowful for the actions she caused others throughout this process? Is there anything she could possibly say at this point that would convince those she has hurt to even remotely put their trust in her again?

YOU will be the final arbiter who decides truth from fiction after reading her answers and drawing your own conclusions. She says some things that a lot of people will not be happy with while admitting there were mistakes made and errors in judgment she made as well. This is Jeannie Battinger raw and unedited sharing what's on her heart right now just mere days after making the decision to sever ties with Kimkins and Heidi Diaz forever.

To read the entire article visit: TCV