Caterpillar to build graders in NLR

ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

Caterpillar Inc., which makes heavy-duty construction and mining equipment, will invest $140 million to locate its North American headquarters for road graders in North Little Rock, Arkansas and company officials said Monday. - Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Congress takes on Madoff scandal

DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE PRESS SERVICES

WASHINGTON — Republican and Democratic House members said Monday that the alleged $50 billion fraud involving Wall Street figure Bernard Madoff reflects deep, systemic problems at the Securities and Exchange Commission. - Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Automakers report dismal December

BY TOM KRISHER AND BREE FOWLER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Chrysler LLC's December U.S. sales plunged by more than half and it sold 30 percent fewer vehicles in 2008, dwarfing the steep declines at the other major automakers as consumers remained uncertain about the economy and their jobs. - Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Mideast strife helps push oil above $48

BY DIRK LAMMERS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Israel's ground offensive in Gaza and a dispute between Ukraine and Russia over gas imports pushed oil prices above $48 a barrel Monday, but some analysts say there's more than just unrest in the Middle East behind the rally. - Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Building down less than expected

BY MARTIN CRUTSINGER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — Construction spending fell less than expected in November as record activity on nonresidential projects helped offset another steep decline in housing. - Tuesday, January 6, 2009

The Arkansas Index

- Tuesday, January 6, 2009

MARKET REPORT : Dow falls 81 in 1st real test of '09

BY TIM PARADIS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — Caution returned to Wall Street on Monday as investors gave back some gains from last week's rally even as they found encouragement from President-elect Barack Obama's calls for an economic stimulus package. - Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Phones' add-ons are rich in status

BY MATT RICHTEL AND LAURA M. HOLSON THE NEW YORK TIMES

So your cell phone has a brushed-metal shell, can flip and slide four ways and has more buttons than an airplane cockpit. Big deal. - Monday, January 5, 2009

Wireless clamor imperils pulsar lab

BY TOM BREEN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

GREEN BANK, W.Va. — Of all the threats to scientific research Wesley Sizemore has stymied over the years, satellites and cell-phone towers don't stick in his memory quite like the possessive old hound and its treasured heating pad. - Monday, January 5, 2009

Converting Prius to plug-in doubles gas efficiency

BY REBECCA SMITH AND JOHN MURPHY THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

At the Detroit auto show this month, one of the most highly anticipated new vehicles will be Toyota Motor Corp.'s third-generation Prius hybrid. It features a roomier interior and better gas mileage than the current model, the best-selling hybrid in the world. - Monday, January 5, 2009

Russian hackers a global menace

BY ALEX RODRIGUEZ CHICAGO TRIBUNE

MOSCOW — Not long ago, the simple, anonymous thrill of exposing chinks in American software was enough of a payoff for a Russian hacker. - Monday, January 5, 2009

The show must go on: Recession cramps Las Vegas electronics convention

BY BOB KEEFE COX NEWS SERVICE

The annual International Consumer Electronics Show that starts Thursday in Las Vegas is traditionally as much a boisterous celebration of all things technology as it is a trade show. - Monday, January 5, 2009

ON COMPUTERS : Study: Printers often misgauge cartridge's life

BOB AND JOY SCHWABACH

It's not your imagination: printers really do tell you to replace your ink cartridge long before they are out. Sometimes it is weeks ahead, sometimes months. We have experienced it with inkjet and laser printers. - Monday, January 5, 2009

Online mazes tied to Habitat for Humanity

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ATLANTA — If children are playing video games, why not do some good while they're at it? - Monday, January 5, 2009

Standards slippery for going 'carbon neutral'

BY JEFFREY BALL THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

ROUND ROCK, Texas — Computer giant Dell Inc. said this summer that it has become "carbon neutral," the latest step in its quest to be "the greenest technology company on the planet." What that means, and what it doesn't, may surprise Dell customers and other consumers who have been bombarded with bold environmental promises from major corporations. - Sunday, January 4, 2009

Gas company in Russia falls on hard times

BY ANDREW E. KRAMER THE NEW YORK TIMES

MOSCOW — A year ago Gazprom, the Russian natural gas monopoly, aspired to be the largest corporation in the world. Buoyed by high oil prices and political backing from the Kremlin, it had already achieved third place, as judged by market capitalization, behind Exxon Mobil and General Electric. - Sunday, January 4, 2009

Western interests duel over oil, water

BY JULIE CART LOS ANGELES TIMES

SALT LAKE CITY — A titanic battle between the West's two traditional power brokers — oil companies and water interests — has begun. - Sunday, January 4, 2009

Job furloughs put many workers in tight spots

BY ELLEN SIMON AP BUSINESS WRITER

NEW YORK — Here's the vacation no one wants, courtesy of the recession: forced time off without pay. - Sunday, January 4, 2009

More new-car dealers to close

BY LAURIE WHALEN

Tom Machen started selling new cars in 1974. - Sunday, January 4, 2009

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS BUSINESS DATA

WARRANTY DEEDS Benton County Recorded Dec. 15-19 Quark LLC to Northwest Arkansas Community College Foundation, part of the S.W. 1/4 of the S.E. 1/4, Section 33, T-20-N, R-30-W, Rogers, $3,170,000, signed Dec. 17. McCyang LLC to Murphy Oil USA Inc., Lot 6, Twin City Heights, Bentonville, $985,000, signed Dec. 19. Kevin Charles Felgenhauer and Linda Farrell Felgenhauer to Steven P. Barton and Katherine D. Barton, Lot 20, South Sun Estates, Benton County, $660,000, signed Dec. 18. First Federal Bank to Christopher Ashley Miller and Teri A. Miller, Lot 23, Windsor Manor Subdivision, Bentonville, $475,000, signed Dec. 15. Tall Oaks Construction LLC to Kyle L. Owen and Amy P. Owen, Lot 182, Lochmoor Club Subdivision, Bentonville, $435,000, signed Dec. 19. Legacy National Bank to Richard Darden and Laura Darden, Lot 24, Waterford Park Addition, Benton County, $398,000, signed Dec. 17. Jeff David Haken and Jennifer Haken to Michael Anthony Witte and Diana Marie Witte, Lot 25, The Estates of Lakeway, Benton County, $3 - Sunday, January 4, 2009

BUSINESS GALLERY

Amanda Arnold has been promoted to marketing director of The Bank of Fayetteville. Arnold has worked in the banking industry for 12 years and has been at The Bank of Fayetteville for almost three years. She previously worked in the trust department. Arnold is a recent graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a bachelor of arts degree in communication. The Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce has hired Cheryl Garner as vice president of economic development. Most recently, Garner worked in project and industry development for the Columbia Gulf Transmission Co. in Houston. Previously, the Fort Smitharea native owned a successful international corporation. She also served as president of the League City Economic Development Corp. in League City, Texas. Northwest Medical Center-Bentonville has added Dr. William Michael Allen, a board-certified cardiologist to its active medical staff. Allen has been in practice since 1980 in general and invasive cardiology. His special clinical interests are - Sunday, January 4, 2009

BUSINESS CALENDAR

Fayetteville A Business After Hours for members of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce will be sponsored by Rausch Coleman Homes from 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday at Powerhouse Seafood & Grill, 112 N. University Ave. - Sunday, January 4, 2009

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Arvest Bank branch DESCRIPTION: 8,080-square-foot bank branch building CAPITAL INVESTMENT: $2.47 million* LOCATION: 1627 E. Joyce Blvd., Fayetteville TIMELINE: Unavailable OWNER: Arvest Bank Group CONTRACTOR: CDI Contractors *Source: Fayetteville building permit - Sunday, January 4, 2009

Commodity prices expected to curb wild ways in '09

BY SARA LEPRO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — During the first six months of 2008, commodities looked to be the savior of investors who were losing money in the stock market. In the second half, particularly for those who had invested in oil, futures contracts were their undoing. - Sunday, January 4, 2009

OIL & GAS REPORT

The Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission last week issued 24 drilling permits and one well recompletion. By county, they were: Drilling permits CLEBURNE — XTO Energy Inc. of Oklahoma City for Wood Lumber 1-18 H to 4,700 ft. TVD and 8,950 ft. MD in Fayetteville Form. of B-43 Fld. Loc. SHL: 230 FNL & 1,160 FWL and PBHL: 560 FSL & 650 FWL of Sec. 18-9 N-9 W. Contractor: Goober Drilling Co.; work begins Jan. 24. - Sunday, January 4, 2009

Global air travel, freight falls for third month in November

BY STEVE ROTHWELL BLOOMBERG NEWS

Worldwide air travel fell for a third straight month in November, with cargo handling logging a "shocking" decline because of weakening global trade, the International Air Transport Association said last week. - Sunday, January 4, 2009

Ford confident Fusion hybrid can compete with imports

BY BILL VLASIC THE NEW YORK TIMES

DETROIT — With gas prices below $2 a gallon, it would seem an inopportune time for Ford Motor Co. to introduce a hybrid sedan. - Sunday, January 4, 2009

Alltel sale to Verizon to wrap up Jan. 9

BY TOBY MANTHEY

Verizon Wireless' $28.1 billion deal to acquire Little Rock-based Alltel Corp. will close Jan. 9, according to a regulatory filing from Verizon's parent company Friday. - Saturday, January 3, 2009

Markets begin '09 with big advances

BY TIM PARADIS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — Wall Street started the new year with a big rally Friday, as investors, brushing aside a disappointing report on manufacturing, sent the Dow Jones industrials up more than 250 points and to their first close above 9,000 in two months. - Saturday, January 3, 2009

Wal-Mart shares, continuing rise seen

BY CHRIS BURRITT BLOOMBERG NEWS

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., one of only two companies on the Dow Jones Industrial Average that saw shares rise in a punishing 2008, is poised for strong gains in its stock this year as discounts on groceries and flat-panel televisions keep customers hunting for bargains. - Saturday, January 3, 2009