Latest news with #DemocratandChronicle
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Major auto company shuttering 145 stores across US
America's second-largest automotive company is closing 145 stores across the nation after sales recently dropped by $5.2 million, the company's top leader announced. Headquartered in Fairport, New York, Monro Inc., will shutter the shops after reporting a 4.9% decrease in sales in the 2025 fiscal year ended March 29, the company's president and CEO Peter Fitzsimmons announced during its latest earnings report. The move comes as the automobile repair business' leaders identified four key areas of focus as opportunities to boost sales and earnings including closing doors to its more than 100 "underperforming stores," said Fitzsimmons, named CEO on March 31. Fitzsimmons, partner and managing director of AlixPartners, a global consulting firm, replaced the company's former president Michael Broderick. Other goals include" improving our customer experience and selling effectiveness, driving profitable customer acquisition and activation, and increasing merchandising productivity, including mitigating tariff risk," Fitzsimmons said according to a May 28 news release. "While our improvement plan will take time to implement, I believe that we will drive enhanced profitability and increase operating income and total shareholder returns in fiscal 2026.' The company, according to the release, reported sales decreased 6.4% to $1.195 billion from $1.277 billion during the previous 2024 fiscal year. Net loss for fiscal 2025 was $5.2 million compared to net income of $37.6 million in the prior year period, the release continues. Should you buy that car? It makes sense to own one in these cities. Monro is closing 145 stores across the U.S. It was not immediately known which locations will close. USA TODAY has reached out to Monro. Monro has more than 1,300 locations: more than 1,200 are owned by the company and 48 are franchised, according to information from Monro's website and the Democrat and Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Stores include its flagship brand, Monro Auto Service and Tire Centers as well as Mr. Tire Auto Service Centers. Other brands are: Tire Barn Warehouse Tire Warehouse Ken Towery's Tire & Auto Care Allen Tire Company Monro Commercial Solutions Car-X Tire and Auto Tire Choice Auto Service Centers Free Service Tire Company, Inc. Mountain View Tire & Auto Service Skip's Tire Lloyd's Tire Calabasas Car Care Bud's Tires The move also comes after the auto company announced in June 2023 it planned to sell its headquarters in Rochester, New York. Founder Chuck August started Monro after he opened a Midas Muffler shop in 1957, the Democrat and Chronicle reported in 1998. Over the next eight years, August added three more Midas shops, then broke off with the franchiser in a dispute over what services would be offered. In the end, August named his new stores Monroe, and he wanted to save the large 'M' on the signs. However, 'onroe' wouldn't fit where 'idas' had been, so he dropped the 'e.' Contributing: Marcia Greenwood with the Democrat and Chronicle Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Monro closing 'underperforming' auto centers across the US Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Major auto company shuttering 145 stores across US
America's second-largest automotive company is closing 145 stores across the nation after sales recently dropped by $5.2 million, the company's top leader announced. Headquartered in Fairport, New York, Monro Inc., will shutter the shops after reporting a 4.9% decrease in sales in the 2025 fiscal year ended March 29, the company's president and CEO Peter Fitzsimmons announced during its latest earnings report. The move comes as the automobile repair business' leaders identified four key areas of focus as opportunities to boost sales and earnings including closing doors to its more than 100 "underperforming stores," said Fitzsimmons, named CEO on March 31. Fitzsimmons, partner and managing director of AlixPartners, a global consulting firm, replaced the company's former president Michael Broderick. Other goals include" improving our customer experience and selling effectiveness, driving profitable customer acquisition and activation, and increasing merchandising productivity, including mitigating tariff risk," Fitzsimmons said according to a May 28 news release. "While our improvement plan will take time to implement, I believe that we will drive enhanced profitability and increase operating income and total shareholder returns in fiscal 2026.' The company, according to the release, reported sales decreased 6.4% to $1.195 billion from $1.277 billion during the previous 2024 fiscal year. Net loss for fiscal 2025 was $5.2 million compared to net income of $37.6 million in the prior year period, the release continues. Should you buy that car? It makes sense to own one in these cities. Monro is closing 145 stores across the U.S. It was not immediately known which locations will close. USA TODAY has reached out to Monro. Monro has more than 1,300 locations: more than 1,200 are owned by the company and 48 are franchised, according to information from Monro's website and the Democrat and Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Stores include its flagship brand, Monro Auto Service and Tire Centers as well as Mr. Tire Auto Service Centers. Other brands are: Tire Barn Warehouse Tire Warehouse Ken Towery's Tire & Auto Care Allen Tire Company Monro Commercial Solutions Car-X Tire and Auto Tire Choice Auto Service Centers Free Service Tire Company, Inc. Mountain View Tire & Auto Service Skip's Tire Lloyd's Tire Calabasas Car Care Bud's Tires The move also comes after the auto company announced in June 2023 it planned to sell its headquarters in Rochester, New York. Founder Chuck August started Monro after he opened a Midas Muffler shop in 1957, the Democrat and Chronicle reported in 1998. Over the next eight years, August added three more Midas shops, then broke off with the franchiser in a dispute over what services would be offered. In the end, August named his new stores Monroe, and he wanted to save the large 'M' on the signs. However, 'onroe' wouldn't fit where 'idas' had been, so he dropped the 'e.' Contributing: Marcia Greenwood with the Democrat and Chronicle Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Monro closing 'underperforming' auto centers across the US Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Monroe County Jail deputies plead guilty to role in inmate fights
Two deputies from the Monroe County Jail have admitted to official misconduct after an investigation into inmate fights last fall. Both deputies were arrested in March after a three-month-long internal investigation led to criminal charges. Deputy Dominic Kujawa, 21, was charged with felony assault and official misconduct after the sheriff's office accused him of "enabling" one inmate to assault another and failing to intervene during the fight. While investigating that incident, jail officials accused a second deputy, 20-year-old Dominic Denaro, of alerting inmates before cell searches. Denaro was arraigned on misdemeanor charges including official misconduct and obstruction of governmental administration. Both men pleaded guilty May 30 to the official misconduct charges, with an agreed-upon sentence of three years probation, the Monroe County District Attorney's Office confirmed. In March, the sheriff's office said it planned to fire Kujawa. He resigned shortly after. Denaro has also resigned from his post. Jail officials in December announced they were investigating a series of fights between two inmates inside the jail's housing unit. One person needed hospital treatment for injuries. An inmate told a supervisor about the fights and the alleged involvement of jail deputies during routine rounds, officials said. Two other unnamed deputies remain on leave as internal and criminal investigations continue. — Kayla Canne covers community safety for the Democrat and Chronicle with a focus on police accountability, government surveillance and how people are impacted by violence. Follow her on Twitter @kaylacanne and @bykaylacanne on Instagram. Get in touch at kcanne@ This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Dominic Kujawa, Monroe County Jail deputies, plead guilty to misconduct
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Victor-based waste service company to lay off more than half its staff
Waste Harmonics, which was founded in 2001 in Victor and in 2023 merged with Keter Environmental Services of Stamford, Connecticut, is laying off 66 of 125 people from its local workforce, according to a WARN, or Working Adjustment and Retraining Notification. The notification, posted April 23 to New York State Department of Labor's website, cited relocation of the business as the reason and the layoff date as July 25, 2025. The combined company, called Waste Harmonics Keter, is a waste service broker for businesses. That also was Waste Harmonics' mission pre-merger. In 2017, Waste Harmonics founder Michael Hess explained to the Democrat and Chronicle: 'We manage waste contracts. We hire third-party for on-site work and manage the entire process.' In 2016 and '17, Waste Harmonics was ranked No. 2 on the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Top 100 list of the fastest-growing, privately held businesses in the Finger Lakes region. In a 2017 Democrat and Chronicle story, Hess said he could have located Waste Harmonics anywhere in New York. But, 'I chose Rochester. I knew Rochester would be an incredible place to live and to work: a vibrant community with tremendous local pride and cultural activities, plus local talent with a strong work ethic and 'can-do' attitude who would help businesses like ours grow.' Before merging with Keter, Waste Harmonics acquired several other waste brokers. On May 3, 2024, Waste Harmonics Keter announced the appointment of Robert Boucher as CEO. It said Hess and Keter founder Steven Schlussel would continue their involvement with the company through roles on its board and work closely with Boucher during the transition. A company representative declined to comment on the forthcoming Victor layoffs. Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments and has an interest in retail news. Send story tips to mgreenwo@ Follow her on X @MarciaGreenwood. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Waste Harmonics Keter to lay off more than half its staff in Victor NY
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Internal report details party at Ontario County Court House
An annual staff party held at the Ontario County Court House for the District Attorney's Office consisted of alcohol consumption by employees, costumes, decorations and karaoke in a courtroom, an Ontario County Department of Human Resources internal report states. The investigation was prompted by questions raised about whether alcohol was consumed by county employees at the event and whether it was proper to do so in the courtroom. The 18-page heavily redacted report obtained by the Democrat and Chronicle details an internal investigation into what occurred on the Nov. 5 event an Election Day party known as "Fall Fest." The report states that 20 current or former employees of the DA's Office and one employee from the Ontario County Sheriff's Department were interviewed for the investigation. "Fall Fest," according to the report, started years ago under former DA Mike Tantillo and included an extended lunch break for the Ontario County DA's Office with a cook-off and games. "Under DA Ritt's leadership, the event reportedly expanded into a day-long event on the day of 'Fall Fest' with not only a food competition, but costumes, elaborate office-wide decorations, the consumption of alcohol, games and/or singing karaoke," it reads. Previous "Fall Fest" events were usually confined to the DA's Office on the fourth floor of the courthouse, but the 2024 event utilized the third-floor jury room and courtroom for lunch and karaoke. In an email to the writer of the internal report on Dec. 5, District Attorney James Ritts said that his office "frequently engage(s) in team building efforts," including a cook-off once a year. He said that he spoke with Courthouse Security to get permission to extend the 2024 Election Day cook-off into the third-floor courtroom and jury room because they did not have the office space or electrical capacity for all of the crockpots in the fourth-floor office. Rumors about the Election Day party and questions of whether alcohol was served began circulating late last year in political and law enforcement circles. Local media pursued the questions and various media, including the Democrat and Chronicle, filed Freedom of Information requests for courthouse video. The video obtained earlier by the Democrat and Chronicle was from outside the court and, while it showed some DA employees arriving in costume, it did not show evidence of alcohol use. The report notes that Election Day is a paid holiday for state employees, but not county employees so only staff from the DA's Office, Correction Officers and Court Security were scheduled to work in the courthouse on Election Day. However, the investigation report says there was no allegation of wrongdoing by the Correction Officers and Court Security who engaged in training exercises on Election Day. The Nov. 5, 2024 'Fall Fest' was based on a theme – the name 'Anthony' – and included karaoke. One employee office was decorated as the 'Bada Bing Strip Club' from the popular HBO show 'The Sopranos,' which centered on mob boss Anthony Soprano. Another employee had a large pile of white powder on his desk to resemble cocaine, an apparent reference to the film 'Scarface' and its lead character, Tony Montana. Ritts dressed as a 'Mormon character from the musical 'The Book of Mormon.'' Employees did bring alcohol to the workplace, the report shows. 'Most employees interviewed by this writer admitted they drank alcohol during the workday at 'Fall Fest' 2024,' the report states. When interviewed for the investigation, Ritts at first said there was no alcohol involved in the event then clarified that he was speaking of the courtroom and not offices. Courtroom videos showed employees walking into the courtroom with Solo cups. 'When advised by this writer that employees brought Solo cups into the courtroom, DA Ritts acknowledged he did not know what was in the cups and it was 'possible' they contained alcohol,' the report states. Employees acknowledged that they did drink in the courtroom, the report shows. The staff said they did not see anyone intoxicated. Ritts said he thought he advised individuals that there should be no alcohol in the courtroom, but employees interviewed recalled no such admonition from the district attorney. When discussing employees who brought alcoholic drinks into the courtroom, DA Ritts stated, 'Shame on them.' ' The report shows that, prior to the internal county investigation, Ritts spoke with administrative personnel in the judicial district. In an email to arrange the interview with the county investigator, Ritts wrote 'you are late' and explained that he'd already addressed the festival with the court officials. In the email, Ritts said an interview would be difficult to time because his office was about to lose one prosecutor and did not have a first assistant district attorney, a reference to Jason MacBride, his former top assistant who announced he would be running against Ritts in the upcoming Republican Primary in June. 'I stand by what we did on November 5 and submit these team-building exercises are recognized as effective ways to keep staff happy and present and are an effective tool for recruitment and retention,' Ritts wrote. In a statement sent to a Democrat and Chronicle reporter in response to the investigation, Ritts wrote, "Just like plenty of offices everywhere, we held an office party on a State holiday. This event started many years ago under the direction of my predecessor and no one has ever made issue of it until now, when I happen to be running for re-election. Political silly season is apparently upon us, and I'm confident the people of Ontario County are smart enough to see through it." MacBride, who was once Ritts' ADA, but is now his challenger in the upcoming June Republican primary, released a statement Friday morning stating that he decided to drop into the DA race at the end of January 2025 after he learned about the internal investigation and was approached by "many within the county who shared serious concerns about the current direction of the District Attorney's Office." "Let me be clear: this is not about 'silly politics.' It is not silly for the public to expect their District Attorney to be truthful during an official investigation," MacBride wrote. "That expectation is not partisan - it is fundamental to the rule of law and good governance. To claim this is politically driven is a disgrace to the very system of justice we all deserve." In a text response to follow-up questions from a Democrat and Chronicle reporter regarding whether alcohol was permitted at these events in previous years when MacBride was the ADA, MacBride wrote, "No alcohol was permitted. It was literally a pot luck lunch and back to work." The Ontario County Office of County Administration also released a statement following media inquiries about the report stating that Ontario County does not publicly comment on internal Compliance Investigations. "The Ontario County Board of Supervisors does not condone inappropriate behavior from any County offices or employees," the statement says. The report also notes that some employees went to a cidery and continued drinking afterward without properly using flex or other leave time for hours away from work. — Gary Craig is a veteran courts and criminal justice reporter with the Democrat and Chronicle. — Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who covers breaking and trending news for the Finger Lakes Region. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@ This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Internal report details party at Ontario County Court House
