P&C Food's parent company files for Bankruptcy

According to Syracuse.com, Syracuse-based company Penn Traffic Co. announced Wednesday afternoon that they will file for chapter 11 bankruptcy. This is the third time in 10 years that the parent company of P&C Foods has filed for bankruptcy. 

The supermarket chain plans to continue business under court protection until they can find a buyer. They also plan to U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Willminton, Del. to ask for funding so they can operate.

"We intend to work to continue to work closely with our vendor partners to provide the fresh products and good value that our customers have come to expect from our stores," said Gregory Young, Penn Traffic's president and CEO.

If Penn Traffic is bought by an outside firm it will mark the first time in 67 years that P&C Foods is not owned by a Central New York Company.

Young said that the company will still pay their 5,700 employees until the sale is complete.

My Take: People say the economy is turning around and the country is almost out of the recession, yet huge corporations are closing down. This company in particular has had a lot of trouble staying afloat since the 1990's, even when the economy was going strong. I guess the third time was not the charm.

Arkansas Police use taser on 10-year old girl

A police officer in a small town in Arkansas used a stun gun on a 10-year old girl after being called to a house due to a domestic disturbance. The town's mayor is now launching and investigation to see whether the use was ethical or not.

According to the police report, when Officer Dustin Bradshaw showed up at the Ozark home the girl was curled up on the floor, screaming. The report also said the girl would kick and scream whenever her mother tried to get her to take a shower before she went to bed. The mother ultimately said it was okay for Bradshaw to use the Taser after the officer was kicked in the groin.

"People here feel like that he made a mistake in using a Taser, and maybe he did, but we will not know until we get an impartial investigation," said Ozark Mayor Vernon McDaniel.

McDaniel wants State Police to get involved, but they declined his request saying that they would only investigate if the officer is accused of misconduct. McDaniel will settle for an FBI investigation instead.

Ozark Police Chief Jim Noggle said there would be no disciplinary action taken against the officer. He thinks that Tasers are an acceptable way to subdue people that are endangering themselves or others.

The girl's father, Anthony Medlock, told local newspapers that his daughter does have emotional problems, but thought the Taser was too much.

"My daughter does not deserve to be tasered and treated like an animal," he said.

My Take: There were two stories a few weeks ago both dealing with officers in local high schools using Tasers to get wild teens under control. It was a huge issue that the Syracuse Police Department had to tackle, but they ultimately confirmed that the use was ethical.

Scioscia, Tracy win Manger of the Year

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Manager Mike Scioscia and Colorado Rockies Manager Jim Tracy were rewarded today as Major League Baseball announced the Manager of the Year award. Both had different scenarios to overcome.

Scioscia dealt with a death in the team when young pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in April in a car accident (a drunk driver smashed into Adenhart's car). Scioscia had the tough task of keeping the team focused throughout the season. This is the second time Scioscia has won the award.

"There wasn't one defining moment," he said. "I think as the season started to evolve guys found that sense of purpose to play baseball against and they played it at a very, very high level."

Tracy became the second manager ever to take over a team and win the award. Florida Marlins skipper Jack McKeon was the first to do it in 2003 (he also won the World Series that year). Tracy was rewarded with a new three-year contract.

"What we're talking about this afternoon, it's probably as flattering an experience as I've come to realize during the course of my professional career in athletics. And obviously a new contract is extremely exciting. But what is more intriguing for me is what is still out there for our ball club," said Tracy.

To see how the rest of the voting panned out, click here.

My Take: I cannot imagine how difficult it was for these two managers to bring their teams together in different ways and make the playoffs. Scioscia dealt with numerous injuries to the starting staff to go along with the death. Tracy inherited a team in shambles and almost won his division.