Emily Allen
Published: April 1, 2009

DUBUQUE - The economic struggle has seen companies across the country shutting down. Among all the failing businesses there had been one service that is thriving from the downfall.

“We dated for about two years and then Thanksgiving in front of my family he proposed,” said newlywed Katie Andrews.

After Katie and her husband, Randy celebrated their vows, the faced ‘the real world’ and all its economic hardships. The couple are both working on their degrees. Randy works for the YMCA while also coaching for the school district and Katie works full time at the hospital.

Even with both of them having jobs it still is not enough to pay the bills, so Randy joined the U.S. Army.

Randy commented about his wife’s reaction, “she said ‘well if you want to do it’ so I was like alright, cool.”

As the economy continues to fall, military officials say enlistment numbers are continuing to rise. “I see a lot more people just coming in the door, a lot more. I would say probably a 25 - 40% increase over two months ago,” said U.S. Army Sergeant, Kurt Dock.

That is because other job options are getting slim so people are looking to enlist to help their burdens.

“We have noticed for the people that are coming into us, people that maybe wouldn’t even consider it before because of the fact that there were so many other opportunities out there for them to check out,” said Dock.

As for Randy he says that while the money and benefits are nice, he is focused on a larger goal. “In a sense it’s going to help me get a job in the future.” Hopefully it will ultimately give the couple a better financial future.

“It is going into savings, we’re going to buy a house, hopefully sooner rather than later,” said Katie. Randy leaves for basic training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, next week.

Emily Allen can be reached at Emily.Allen@loras.edu

Nick Helten
Published: February 18, 2009

DUBUQUE - Due to the recent economic downturn the Loras athletic department finds finances are anything but well.

Stores are closing, jobs are being cut and it seems no one can escape the current economic downtown. The list even includes the Loras Athletic Department.

Junior tennis player Alesha Espey is one feeling the pinch.

“This year our meet got canceled due to budget cuts so we just kind of aren’t able to travel this spring to play,” said Espey.
The loss of these extra activities is a new philosophy to keep Loras sports within its means.

“Right now we’re just trying to delegate between what are the wants and what are the needs and just deal with the needs,” said interim athletic director, Brad Soderberg.

While a few perks enjoyed in the past will not be seen this year, athletics director Brad Soderberg assures no drastic changes are coming in the near future.

“There are no plans right now to drop any sports or to lay off any people,” said Soderberg.

Next year Loras is raising its tuition by only 3.5%, but it is yet to be seen if this will have any effect on the athletic department’s budget.

Despite the worries and lack of competition, Alesha Espey is hopeful for next fall.

“It’s unfortunate but it’s not going to make or break us this spring. We’re still going to practice and go on with our season,” said Espey.

LCTV13 attempted to contact the Loras financial official for further details on the athletic department’s budget but did not receive a response. Details will be posted to our website as they become available.

Nick Helten can be reached at Nick.Helten@lctv13.com.

Morgan Finke
Published: February 11, 2009

DUBUQUE - “Store closing”, “Blowout sale”, “Everything must go!” Signs like these are making appearances around Dubuque and across the country.

With Office Depot closing 112 of its stores nationwide, employees are left wondering what comes next

Ken Borzym, manager of Office Depot in Dubuque has a lot to consider,”I’ve been with the company for fourteen years and I got the severance package as well but I’d have to move myself to Pewaukee, Wisconsin.”

Right across the highway, Starbucks already closed their doors.

Employee Casey Kettmann at the Starbucks in Hy Vee explained the recent downsize, “A week or so ago they announced they were going to close more stores and get rid of 1000 employees which is a big number.”

But Rick Dickinson recognizes that the economic news in Dubuque isn’t all dreary. “The 1300 employees will only account for two percent of the population but it will have a big effect on the makeup of Dubuque and the way Dubuque is perceived,” said Dickinson.

Even though that is a nice boost, it is going to take time to see the difference.

“In fact IBM hasn’t hired any employees yet and it takes some time for a new company to ramp up even though it’s an accelerated time table for IBM,” Rick went on to explain.

In the meantime, Dubuque’s workforce is keeping its chin up.

From Kettmann’s perspective, we have a lot to be thankful for, “From what I’ve seen there have been some layoffs with Flexsteel and other companies like that but overall Dubuque has done very good in this rough time even compared to surrounding cities.”

Morgan Finke can be reached at Morgan.Finke@loras.edu