Heard on the Street

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|bold_on|EVERY DAY. The SBJ Daily Update, our very own daily fax news publication, was launched Jan. 3. The first three items below were reported there first, and nowhere else. Why weren't you up on these scoops? Because you don't get the Daily Update. But that can change by calling 831-3238 for subscription information. Your company can advertise in the fax daily, too. If you have news of such import that it just can't wait for our weekly publication, please call Maria Hoover, also at 831-3238, |ret||ret||tab|

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|bold_on|ANOTHER DEPOT? Early reports indicate Home Depot is looking for a site for a second store in Springfield, north of I-44 in the vicinity of Kansas Expressway. The store would be approximately 100,000 square feet, similar in size to its south-side store in the James River Towne Center, which opened Dec. 16.|ret||ret||tab|

A spokesman for Home Depot stores said the company is exploring potential locations for a second store and has looked at several sites, but no decision on a site, or even whether the company will proceed with a second store, has been made. "We have done quite a bit of exploratory work in Springfield as in other markets, but no decision has been made, and we don't even have a timetable for a decision at this point," said Tom Gray, public relations manager for Home Depot.|ret||ret||tab|

Home Depot is hoping to expand in several markets, as the company wants to reach 1,900 stores by 2002. The company now has 910 stores. The south Springfield store had a very good opening; Gray said the company is very pleased that Springfield has been so receptive.|ret||ret||tab|

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|bold_on|EMERITUS. Ken Carter is stepping back from his position as chairman of the board for Commerce Bank in Springfield. The bank's president and CEO, Bob Hammerschmidt Jr., said Carter is not resigning nor retiring, "just kind of stepping back to his next level toward retirement." Carter will remain a board member in a position akin to chairman emeritus, Hammerschmidt said. Carter will no longer maintain an office at the bank, effective Jan. 3.|ret||ret||tab|

Carter became president of Commerce in Springfield in 1981, adding CEO to his title in 1983. He was succeeded by Hammerschmidt in January 1998 and became chairman at that time, with business development and civic involvement duties. Carter, a Springfield native, was named Springfieldian of the Year in 1999.|ret||ret||tab|

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|bold_on|STILL CHARGED. HTD Battery just keeps going, and going, and ... you get the picture. The business was located at 954 E. Trafficway, but that site has been sold to the city in the continuing development of Jordan Valley Park. Southwest Industrial Supply bought HTD Battery Nov. 11 and moved the business to its 2159 E. Chestnut Expwy. location, said Lowell Fay, president of Southwest Industrial. David Fraley had owned HTD. Fay said Southwest Industrial had been among HTD's largest customers. HTD sells batteries of all sorts, except car and boat batteries.|ret||ret||tab|

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|bold_on|KEEP ON BUSING. City Utilities will commence bus service Jan. 10 to the Library Center on South Campbell, the Springfield-Greene County Library District's main location that opened in November. The new route, Line 11, begins at Ingram Mill Road and Southern Hills Boulevard and includes stops at Battlefield Mall, Wal-Mart Supercenter South, and Republic Road and South Campbell Avenue.|ret||ret||tab|

The new route was announced in a release from the library. |ret||ret||tab|

But here's a proposal not announced officially, but Heard on the Street: CU will propose sometime this year the elimination of all fares on its buses. CU, with the fare structure now in place, already subsidizes the public transportation system to the tune of more than $3 million annually. |ret||ret||tab|

The free-ride idea would be an interesting departure from the 1998 fare increases that were instituted and quickly rescinded. Put that in your card catalog and see who checks it out.|ret||ret||tab|

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|bold_on|SLICE OF NICE. Applications are now being accepted for the 19th annual Sertoma Chili Cook-Off to be held Feb. 19 at the University Plaza Trade Center. Proceeds from the event will finance renovations and new kitchen equipment at all three Boys and Girls Club facilities to support the Kids Cafe program which feeds nearly 400 youngsters each evening. |ret||ret||tab|

Applications have been mailed to previous participants. Potential|ret||ret||tab|

entrants can contact the Sertoma Clubs at 318 S. Campbell or call Marcia Trainor at 863-1231. The team entry fee is $75 and as many as 10 people can make up a team. Nearly 150 entries |ret||ret||tab|

are anticipated at this year's cook-off. Tickets are $2 in advance, $3 at the |ret||ret||tab|

door and will be available by mid-January at all Springfield-area |ret||ret||tab|

Dillon's, IGA and Express Lane stores, as well as from any Sertoma Club member. Last year's Sertoma |ret||ret||tab|

Chili Cook-Off raised more than $90,000.[[In-content Ad]]