Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/431231
TheAssociatedPress TheEnergyDepartment again slashed its prediction for next year's average price of gasoline across the U.S., this time to $2.60 a gallon. That would be 23 percent below this year's projected average and the lowest full- year average since 2009. If that comes to pass, the price drop will save U.S. drivers $100 billion over the course of the year based on current consump- tion levels. That will boost the overall economy by re- ducing shipping and trans- portation costs, and leav- ing consumers more money to spend on other things. In its most recent short- term energy outlook, re- leased Tuesday, the Energy Department's Energy In- formation Administration cut its gasoline price fore- cast for 2015 by 35 cents a gallon. It was the second time in two months that the EIA cut the forecast by more than 30 cents a gal- lon. The average national price of gasoline to $2.66 a gallon on Tuesday accord- ing to AAA, 61 cents less than last year at this time. The national average has fallen every day since Sep- tember 26. The steep drop in gaso- line prices is a result of a drop in crude oil supplies. Global crude prices have fallen to around $66 per barrel from a June high of $115 per barrel. Global supplies are high thanks in part to rising production in the U.S., while global demand is relatively weak because of slowing eco- nomic growth in Europe and Asia. The lower crude prices are forcing oil companies to scale back drilling plans for next year. As a result, the EIA trimmed its fore- cast for U.S. production growth. U.S. crude oil out- put is expected to rise by 300,000 barrels per day to 9.3 million barrels a day. The EIA had previously ex- pected production to rise by 400,000 barrels per day. Despite a colder than normal November, the EIA expects home heating costs to fall this winter com- pared to last year. Weather forecasters do not expect a repeat of last year's con- sistently low temperatures, and prices for propane and heating oil are much lower than last year. Government:Gastohit average $2.60 next year LOWESTSINCE2009 EDYTABLASZCZY—THEODESSAAMERICAN Customers fill their tanks with gasoline Tuesday in Odessa, Texas. Market watch D DowJones 17,801.20 -51.28 D S&P 500 2059.82 -0.49 U Nasdaq 4766.47 +25.78 Receive a free eBlast — $50value—whenyougivea business friend or acquain- tance a boost with a one- year chamber membership, or web sponsorship to those who are already members. It's easy, quick and a great encouraging gift that keeps on giving. Call 527-6220 for more information. NewRedBluff clothing Order now from the chamber T-shirts, women's tees and hoodies. Order by Dec. 12 to receive shipment before Christmas. Call the Chamber of- fice 527-6210, Ext. 301. Visit www.redbluffcham- ber.com or the chamber's Facebook page for pictures of the styles available. Employment law changes for 2015 Order your Employment Posters for 2015 from the chamber today. No networking meeting Due to the Holiday sea- son, there will not be a Good Morning, Red Bluff in December. Merry Christmas. Milestone chamber anniversaries Mercy High School, 20 years; Raymond James Financial, 10 years; AmericanWest Bank, 10 years and Verizon Wire- less/Wireless Store, 5 years. RED BLUFF CHAMBER Gi ve a C hr is tm as gi membership Congratulations to Mykayla Rodin who was selected to be the new Lit- tle Miss Christmas at Fri- day's program. There were 17 contestants and they were all adorable. Mykala rode in the Lighted Parade with Miss Corning, Chey- enne Boles and they were both introduced at the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Lighted Parade The Corning Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all the participants in this year's parade, mak- ing it a spectacular parade enjoyed by all. Winners of the 2014 Lighted Parade are: Best Float – Walberg Inc., Best Marching Band – Corning Union High School, Best Marching Unit – Girl Scouts of Corning, Best Equestrian – John and Misty Boles, Antique Trac- tors and Vehicles – Junior Rodeo Queen, and Modern Autos and Trucks – Corn- ing Volunteer Fire Depart- ment. Congratulations to Best Over-All winners, the Corning High School Drill Team who received a cash prize of $250. Thank you, DM Tech Internet for do- nating the prize. New Life Christmas Boutique New Life Assembly at 660 Solano Street in Corn- ing will be having one more weekend of their Christ- mas Boutique 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. You will find Classy Girl Clothing, bling jewelry, unique hand crafted items, home baked goods, bling hats, cool bags and baskets, signs, shabby chic and much more. Election Results The ballots were counted last Friday and the results for the newly elected cham- berdirectorsare:JamesPen- dergraft, (J.C.) from House of Brews, Dale McFall from Ranchers Deli & Meats, Steve Forrest from Hall Bros. Corning Mortuary. The alternates are Oscar Mundo, Individual Mem- ber, and Kristin Behrens from St. Elizabeth Commu- nity Hospital. We look for- ward to working with all of them in 2015. You are in- vited to attend the Annual Installation Dinner Jan. 24, when you will be able to meet each one. Christmas Mixer You are invited to the Christmas Mixer 5:30-7:30 p.m. tomorrow, Dec. 11, hosted by Rabobank at 950 State Route 99W. Appetiz- ers and refreshments will be served. Rabobank is col- lecting toys for the Corn- ing Fire Department's An- nual Toy Drive that bene- fits Corning families and you are encouraged to bring unwrapped toys to the mixer and place them under our tree. Feast of Guadalupe The Immaculate Con- ception Catholic Church will be a having a Proces- sion commemorating the Feast of Guadalupe at 11 a.m. Sunday. The proces- sion will begin at Toomes Avenue and Solano Street and continue down Solano to East Avenue, where the church is. Mass will be at held 12:15 p.m. There will be festivities and food fol- lowing. CORNING CHAMBER Congratulations Little Miss Christmas As the beginning of a new year approaches, the general consensus is that 2015 should be a good year for business. According to the career site Monster. com, 74 percent of execu- tives plan to expand their businesses. As a business leader, you have to decide if the tim- ing is right to expand your business and hire new em- ployees. There isn't a crys- tal ball to guarantee that company growth will con- tinue and that adding more staff is the right thing to do. It's one of those risks that every business has to take in order to keep grow- ing. Thankfully, there are three signs in particular, that you should look for when considering to hire more staff. Overworked, overwhelmed employees Every worker has grum- bled about being over- worked at some point or another, but if the major- ity of your employees, es- pecially your top perform- ers, are complaining, then it's time to take notice. Entrepreneur magazine recommends "talking to your employees and ask- ing them to validate their concerns of being 'over- worked'. Then look at at- tendance and productivity indicators to substantiate their claims." If the issue can't be solved through more training or restruc- turing, then it is proba- bly time to increase your team members. Addition- ally, if your top talent is telling you that they want to expand their responsi- bilities or implement new projects, but don't have the time, it's time to bring on new staff. Disgruntled customers If you are unable to meet the needs of your cli- ents regularly, you risk los- ing their business entirely. If you find yourself unable to provide the full extent of services that clients are requesting or unable to implement new products that customers are asking for, then you should take a look at your workforce. Inc.com suggests that if af- ter analyzing your current processes for inefficiencies, you still can't adequately handle problems, it may be a sign that you do need more help. Similarly, En- trepreneur proposes that you take a look at your current staff's skills and knowledge to decide if you need to add on. If a differ- ent set of skills is needed to reach the next level of success for your business, it's time to start looking for your next great team member. Excess profits Increased business is always a cause for cele- bration, but it can also be an indicator that it's time to hire, depending on the circumstances. Once you've rewarded your- self and your employees, investing the increased revenue back into the company by bringing on more talent is a great op- tion. However, Erik Sher- man, a blogger for Inc. and CBS MoneyWatch, has a warning for anyone considering this step. "Many entrepreneurs get excited when they see a rush of business," Sher- man said. "Before de- ciding on growing your staff, be fairly sure that the increased workload will last long enough to justify them." The first of the year can be the perfect time to hire new employees and pre- pare for future growth. Business leaders need to weigh the decision of hir- ing very carefully, though. Right now, it may be bet- ter for your business to bring new workers in on an evaluation hire, allow- ing you to see if they are fit for the team before hir- ing them permanently. If the timing is right, ex- panding your workforce can be the best thing you've ever done for your business and could set you up for a record-breaking year in 2015. Submitted by Lisa Han- sen, who owns Express Employment Profes- sionals, 243 S. Main St. in Red Bluff. She can be reached at (530) 527-0727. EMPLOYMENT Should you be ready to hire more staff? PLEASERECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER. Thankyou! Gaumer's Since 1967 ThisChristmas Show her how much she means to you Mon.-Fri, 9am-5pm, *Saturday hours in December • Follow us on Facebook www.gaumers.com 78 Belle Mill Road, Red Bluff, CA (530) 527-6166 • Jewelry • Museum • Lapidary STOVEJUNCTION The TheNorthState'spremiersupplierofstoves 22825 Antelope Blvd., Red Bluff 530-528-2221 • Fax 530-528-2229 www.thestovejunction.com Over 25 years of experience Tues-Sat9am-5pm• ClosedSun&Mon Now Carrying! GreenMountainGrills & Accessories Serving Butte, Glenn & Tehama Counties Smog Check (MOST CARS & PICK-UPS) 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. starting at $ 29 95 + $ 8 25 certificate SERVICESATLOWERPRICES All makes and models. 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