Published December 1, 2008, 12:01 AM EST

by Patti S. Spencer

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - The usual approach to year-end tax planning is to defer the payment of tax by accelerating deductions into 2008 and postponing recognition of income items into 2009. This year might be different. Because of the state of the nation's economy, some commentators are predicting an increase in tax ra...

Published November 30, 2008, 12:04 AM EST

by CHIP SMEDLEY

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - Eight days before workers covered up Holiday Inn signs at the Greenfield Road hotel, its former owners sued the general manager who blew the whistle on their attempts to cover up problems plaguing the facility.Tom Showalter, of Lancaster, was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in Cobb County, G...

Published November 30, 2008, 12:02 AM EST

by DENNIS LARISON, Business Editor

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - Christmas tree growers were bracing themselves last week for the beginning of a hectic holiday season, given that there are just four weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year instead of five."We've been cutting [pre-tagged trees] all week," said Jackie Bowser, co-owner wit...

Published November 26, 2008, 11:58 AM EST

by CHAD UMBLE

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - Winding Way Books and Consignment opened Nov. 7 at 237 N. Prince St., Suite 100.The used book store features an eclectic selection of books, including mainstream fiction, teen fiction and rare items.Owner Melody Williams said the store now has about 1,000 books, but she hopes to soon boost that numb...

Published November 26, 2008, 11:09 AM EST

by TIM MEKEEL

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - Ibrahim A. Al-Badawi seems like the perfect person to fill an open supervisory job in Dart Container's foam cup manufacturing department.The Sudanese worker has filled in ably as an acting supervisor for years. He knows the manufacturing process and the equipment inside and out.Yet for some reason, ...

Published November 26, 2008, 1:02 AM EST

by CARLA DI FONZO

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - For some area Christmas tree sellers, size doesn't matter — at least in terms of pricing.Maryanne Schwartz of Frog Hollow Evergreens in Manheim said their trees come in only two prices. "All of our trees are $30," she said Tuesday. "Except for the potted trees that have live...

Published November 26, 2008, 12:01 AM EST

by STAFF REPORT

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - The world's largest manufacturer of foam cups failed to promote employees to supervisory positions at its Leola facility because of race and national origin, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission charged in a lawsuit it filed Tuesday.The EEOC alleged in its lawsuit that Dart Container...

Published November 24, 2008, 12:00 AM EST

by PATTI S. SPENCER

LANCASTER, Pa. - Last week's article illustrated the amazing potential benefit to future generations of deferring income tax on withdrawals of IRAs of even modest sizes over the life expectancy of very young children. But not so fast. You really shouldn't name baby Jack as the IRA beneficiary. Why? Because Jack, the...

Published November 23, 2008, 12:06 AM EST

by JEANNETTE SCOTT

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - Gift cards are high on the holiday wish list this year, but fewer will be under the tree.More than half of all adults want a plastic shopping spree from Santa this year, according to a survey conducted this month by BIGresearch for the National Retail Federation.Yet holiday gift card sales are expec...

Published November 23, 2008, 12:04 AM EST

by DENNIS LARISON, Business Editor

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - Automakers are worried about having enough cash to stay in business. Banks are turning to the government for more money to lend. Businesses fret about being able to keep people employed. Workers are afraid they might lose their jobs.Welcome to the recession of 2008 and beyond."You want to shut ...