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First Western Bank spreading ‘100 Cheers’ this Christmas

First Western Bank & Trust is getting into the spirit of the season with the return of “100 Cheers,” a celebration of those who make the community special. Beginning today, “100 Cheers” will begin in all seven regions FWBT serves. Each region is tasked with searching out selfless individuals and bringing them holiday cheer and goodwill. Through Dec. 10, more than 700 people will experience some Christmas joy and a heartfelt “thank you” for all that they do through this campaign. FWBT began the “100 Cheers” tradition in 2014 as a 100 random-acts-of-kindness campaign ...

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Fuels fall as Omicron cases rise The massive crash in crude oil on Thanksgiving continued early last week as dozens of countries and several U.S. states reported cases of the new highly contagious variant. Subsequently, governments around the globe instituted travel restrictions and other rules designed to reduce the spread of Omicron. As a result, crude, diesel, unleaded gasoline fell sharply until Thursday. On that day, OPEC nations and Russia hinted they might not increase output as quickly as expected, so prices stabilized toward the week’s end. Natural gas prices also fell ...

Four Tioga businesses receive grants from bank

TIOGA – In partnership with the Tioga Economic Development Corp., The Bank of Tioga awarded $15,000 to four local businesses on Nov. 21 as part of the REV pitch competition, an event held at the Tioga Theater that helps local business owners to ignite their business. Blue Raven Trading ...

So you want a new job? Here’s how to retrain

The tens of millions of workers who have left their jobs in the “Great Resignation” — 4.4 million in September alone, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics — won’t necessarily need to retrain before they land their next job. But those who want a new career entirely may find little financial help and social support to acquire the skills they need for the future, labor experts say. Erin Hatton, associate professor of sociology at the University at Buffalo in New York, says the pandemic caused especially difficult conditions for consumer-facing workers, including risk of ...

Applicants sought for state education board

BISMARCK – School board members in North Dakota’s northern tier of counties are urged by the Department of Public Instruction to consider applying for a regional seat on the State Board of Public-School Education. The board’s membership includes State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler, who serves as its executive secretary, and six members who represent groups of counties identified in state law. All six members are appointed by the governor for six-year terms. Incumbent board member Maria Effertz Hanson plans to resign. A resident of McHenry County, Effertz Hanson ...

Community systems offer alternative paths for solar growth

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Strolling his church’s rooftop among 630 solar panels, Bishop Richard Howell Jr. acknowledged climate change isn’t the most pressing concern for his predominantly Black congregation — even though it disproportionately harms people of color and the poor. “The violence we’re having, shootings, killings, COVID-19,” Howell said wearily. “You’re trying to save families, and right now no one’s really talking about global warming.” Yet his Shiloh Temple International Ministries in north Minneapolis welcomed the opportunity to become one of many ...