Mount Hood

Long-running businesses are going bankrupt

Written by: Sierra Porter | Staff Writer

This year has been extremely hard on businesses; the large corporate businesses we are used to seeing on every street corner have not been exempt. The pandemic and quarantine inflicted lasting effects on these businesses, and the debt that racked up is too much to handle. High costs and growing debt are not the only setbacks these businesses are facing; competition with online retailers is taking them out completely. Some of these well-known businesses have been in the game for over 50 years, and by the end of 2024, they may be gone completely. 

Rite Aid — After almost 60 years, Rite Aid is losing its battle of fighting a long chain of problems including lawsuits and debt from COVID-19. Similar to other pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, Rite Aid faced several lawsuits of filling unlawful opioid prescriptions for customers — adding to the tremendous debt they were already facing. Competition from other pharmacy chains like Amazon, Costco, Walmart and Target was also another huge setback. From March to May of 2023 alone, the company losses added up to $307 million — creating an ultimate 3.5 billion dollar debt. Rite Aid has now filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy — a form of bankruptcy that allows a company to stay in business in an attempt to restructure obligations — and many of its stores have been shut down. 

Bed Bath & Beyond — Bed Bath & Beyond is known for having designer furniture, home goods and good quality houseware — now they are known for accounting for one of the largest retail bankruptcies in years. The company attempted to avoid bankruptcy by shrinking its businesses and also not giving severance to the laid-off employees of such businesses. To no avail, they were forced to file for bankruptcy and shut down almost 500 stores, including their secondary stores like Buy Buy BABYs. Fortunately for Bed Bath & Beyond, their bankruptcy was bought out by Overstock.com and is now a fully online retail store. 

Party City -– The party is over at Party City as they’ve been forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to eliminate their 1.7 billion dollar debt. Party City has struggled to stay afloat as they are being weighed down by their competitors. Stores like Walmart and Target have all the party supplies people need and more, so there was almost no purpose for Party City. A bankruptcy agreement will have 800 Party City stores closed but a billion dollars will be eliminated from their debt for the purpose of restructuring. There may be hope for Party City. 

SmileDirectClub -– SmileDirectClub was a teledentistry company that offered more affordable and physically appealing alternatives to expensive braces. They sold teeth aligners with the goal, “to continue to provide affordable and accessible oral care to its customers without disruption.” In its short run of less than 10 years, the company racked up an impressive $900 million in debt, along with a bad reputation from other medical groups, the business never financially recovered. After only three months of filing for Chapter 11, SmileDirect went fully bankrupt and shut down for good. 

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

Facebook’s birthday party

Written by: Taylor Duff | Staff Writer

On Feb. 4, our beloved Facebook will turn 20 years old — you heard that right, 20. Facebook began as a small website where college students could interact with others and give their friends some simple status updates

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg created the network in 2004 to give Harvard students a place to connect. By 2005, Facebook.com became an official place for people to connect and be that profile for people to click on. In 2006, Facebook expanded from schools, such as Harvard, Yale and Stanford, to the rest of the non-academic world, which made the users skyrocket to double from the previous year. 

It quickly grew successful as thousands of people began to join the site. Facebook originally was going to be called Facemash, but because of some complications, Facebook was deemed the better fit. 20 years later, it is now among the most successful social media sites, let alone a media network, in the world. 

Facebook went through a rebrand in October of 2021 and now is referred to as Meta or the Metaverse, which also includes Instagram, X, formally known as Twitter, and Linkedin, generating billions of users daily in the United States alone. 

People carry Facebook with them every day, making it easy to check on one’s status and like posts. Now, it’s worth mentioning that Facebook didn’t reach success without a touch of controversy. One memorable controversial instance was the lawsuits between Zuckerberg, the Winklevoss twins and Paul Ceglia. 

The Winklevoss twins claimed that Zuckerberg was supposed to aid in their creation of a social media site and instead used the code and information for Facebook. Paul Cegila, on the other hand, invested in Facebook when Zuckerberg was getting the plans in order and Paul didn’t receive his shares, leading to his lawsuit. 

This controversy was so large, that a film was made out of it, “The Social Network.” An agreement was made on these lawsuits: the twins received a 65 million dollar settlement and Paul agreed to continue receiving shares so it’s unsure how much was paid but based on Facebook’s revenue, it’s a large sum.  
Despite the challenges Facebook has endured, that hasn’t stopped the site from becoming a revolutionary piece of social media history. Many people visit Facebook every day, liking, committing, watching clips and even selling their items on the website marketplace. Facebook is a part of our lives and carries our history along with the 20 years it’s been around. 

Happy Birthday, Facebook.    



Contact the author at: tduff23@mail.wou.edu

The faster the fashion the faster the controversy

Written by: Taylor Duff | Freelancer

Fast fashion populates many people’s homes and lifestyles, making familiar fashion brands such as Nike, H&M, and the cheapest on the market, Shein, extremely popular. 

The brand has become highly desired on the internet because of the thousands of influencers who participate in showing clothing hauls — to sway customers to make mass purchases of items due to their impossible-to-beat prices. The prices of clothing on Shein are just a fraction of what all other clothing brands charge — making over-consumerism undeniable. 

Shein is an internet-based retailer in Nanjing, China that was founded in 2008. Due to the rise of social media, Shein became an overwhelming success in 2020. As popular as the company is, Shein has been followed by much controversy throughout its standing.

One example of this is speculation on whether or not the company properly pays its employees or that its employees are being subjected to rigorous hours — also known as forced labor. 

With the mass amount of clothing being produced, and trends changing constantly, it’s hard for many consumers to believe that clothing items can be made and shipped promptly without constant movement. 

Another complaint with fast fashion, with Shein at the core of the debate, is that, because of the large consumerism especially with social media influencers, a lot of this clothing is contributing to landfill pollution. Many fast fashion companies, like Shein, have been accused of burning their unused clothing to keep up with seasonal trend demands for new and more sought-after pieces. 

Many high-end brands such as Ralph Lauren and Doc Martens have sued Shein for copyright infringement, saying that Shein has stolen ideas and designs, making their products closely resemble the higher-end brands. From a consumer perspective of those who can’t afford the higher-end prices, Shein could be a great alternative.  

Many fast fashion companies face similar charges and many brand owners and designers have sued. Similarly, Shein has racked up many lawsuits — many of which are ongoing. 

Another company that is receiving controversy, and, not surprisingly, competes with Shein, is Temu. Temu is another online retailer that has been accused of collecting user information to track trends and personal information. 

Temu does what Shein and many other brands do and makes faster, cheaper products to sell at a massive scale and sway consumers to purchase more. These are allegations many online marketplaces have received. 

Overall, being aware of spending habits and the quality of clothing, as well as how much is being bought, is important because it contributes to how much is being produced. People purchase clothing and dispose of it just as fast. It makes perfect sense to get the quickest and cheapest fashion possible for the same styles the high-end brands are producing. 

Finding more efficient and safe ways to donate and recycle is important. Just being aware is all the better; purchasing affordable clothing is a wise choice, but spend wisely and help save the planet. 



Contact the author at: tduff23@mail.wou.edu

Online dating safety tips

Written by: Taylor Duff | Freelancer

In today’s modern world, finding love is more than difficult as everyone can, in a millisecond, reject a profile they see while scrolling the many dating apps. By chance, scrolling through these apps, one might find someone who intrigues them. This person is perfect. They are funny and their values align with yours. The future looks bright! Now there reaches a point when a suitor is acquired and both participants feel things are going well enough to meet. When it comes to online dating, there are a few crucial things to keep in mind. 

Creating a profile — When creating a dating profile it is best to avoid using photos or videos of oneself in places that can be traced or reveal personal information.

Displaying interest — When it comes to displaying one’s interests and facts about oneself, keep it clear and subtle. Be clear about what one expects from the app; this helps others determine the difference between a real and fake account. 

Discretion — Be discreet: use only a first name or nickname on one’s profile, and refrain from displaying anything like a phone number or any other personal identification. 

Scams — Be aware of scammers. The internet can be a dangerous place and that includes dating apps. People might ask for money, personal favors or more personal information than what one should be willing to give. If this occurs, it’s best to unmatch and block the user. 

Getting to know someone — If one is matched with someone they like, talk to them as much as possible and get to know them as they will reciprocate interest. This also ensures the person one is speaking to is real and of course, is interested. 

Video chat — Video chat and talking over the phone is not only a great way to communicate with a suitor but also to feel safe. 

Meeting up — If one chooses to meet a person through a dating app, it’s best to meet in a public setting during the day where other people are around.

Have a means of escape — Driving oneself ensures a safe way out if things go awry.

Share, share, share — Share the name of the person as well as their profile and location one intends on meeting.

Now with all these tips in mind, online dating can be safe and secure as we watch out for our well-being and potentially find our person. Love can begin and the swiping is over. Just remember that dating in this modern world can be a fairytale.   

Contact author at tduff23@mail.wou.edu

‌Show Mother Earth some love on April 22

Simple ways to enjoy Earth Day this year

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌

With Earth Day steadily approaching, it’s time to start making plans for April 22. If it’s staying at home or going out, there is more than one way to advocate for environmental concerns and to celebrate Earth Day. According to earthday.org, “(Earth Day) is marked by more than a billion people every year as a day of action to change human behavior and create global, national and local policy changes.” To celebrate, consider these ways to enjoy Earth Day either solo or socially distancing: 

  • Donate unwanted clothes or items around the house to declutter, and to support local charities, organizations and people in need. 
  • Return cans and bottles to declutter, recycle and get a little extra cash. 
  • Get outdoors with gardening projects ⏤ which can attract native pollinators, support local ecosystems and provide fresh produce.
  • Walking, hiking and biking are rewarding activities that get the body moving while being in the great outdoors. 

  • Join a group or go solo to pick up litter at parks, beaches, dams, hiking trails or around the neighborhood.
  • Reduce, reuse, recycle materials around the house with art projects, such as some of the ones below. 
  • Create a bird feeder by taking a pinecone and covering it with peanut butter, and then sprinkling birdseed on the peanut butter. Once evenly coated, tie the pinecone up with string in a secure location. 
  • Try painting and decorating rocks, which can add flair to any yard or garden. Designs can be as simple as a sun or a ladybug, or they can be used as identifying markers for different plants.
  • Make a fairy garden out of everyday items found outside, like sticks, bark, stones, moss and flowers. 
  • Learn about other ways to be environmentally conscious, such as trying to go plastic-free, reducing waste and being energy efficient.

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

Western launches new study group app

Western has expanded its online academic support network through an app called CircleIn

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

Western has announced their new partnership with an established educational support app known as CircleIn.

Founded in 2017 by Chief Executive Officer Gerald Meggett Jr., CircleIn was originally created to address the discrepancies in college graduation statistics for African American males and minorities across the country. However, the app is useful to all students pursuing higher education, according to an article written by Meggett.

Last spring, Western surveyed students about the challenges they are facing in online school.  Following up, Western reached out to CircleIn after original contact had been established in 2019.

“CircleIn automatically connects students with their classmates so they can form study groups, share useful materials and ask questions,” said Dean of Library and Academic Innovation Chelle Batchelor.

The app provides students with study tools to manage their workload, prioritize assignments and keep organized. After students log in to the app, they are provided with four color coded rectangles labeled “overdue,” “upcoming,” “in progress” and “done.”

“To help with motivation, CircleIn is gamified,” said Batchelor, “which means that as students complete various tasks and activities in CircleIn, they can earn points for rewards such as gift cards and scholarships.”

In the app, students can select from 26 major brands to earn rewards for, including Target, Spotify, Taco Bell and Starbucks.

“I already made $10,” said junior education major Elijah Thompson.

Prior to CircleIn, Thompson used to write assignments down as a reminder, and now the app CircleIn rewards the behavior.

“My printer just ran out of ink and now I might be able to afford more,” said Thompson.

In addition to a virtual planner, CircleIn automatically syncs to a student’s schedule to form study groups for all who are in the class. Batchelor stated that Western is currently exploring the idea of adding tutors within the group to provide additional support for online learning. 

Students interested in the CircleIn app can download it on their phones or go to the website circleinapp.com and access the services with no paid membership required.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

‌Five online game sites to get lost in

Five websites with online games to help with boredom 

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌

Online games have long been a staple of the internet ⏤ with dress-up and makeover flash games, car racing, cooking competitions and many that come from shows like “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody,” “Spongebob” and “Tom and Jerry.” Online games such as these can be a good way to burn some time alone; or, if the kids are bored at home and need something new to do, let them explore early internet games. 

There used to be many other options for playing these types of games, but because of security threats in the Flash Player, Adobe heavily suggests that it be uninstalled. As of Jan.12, Adobe blocked Flash content from running the Flash Player, since the program is at the end of its life. It’s always smart to play it safe and be cautious of clicking weird ads, links or installing unknown things onto the computer. All things considered, here are some sites that will let anyone play some fun games:

  1. Right off the bat, igrezadecu.com has ones like “Zack and Cody Pizza Party Pickup Game,” “Tom and Jerry Cheese Swipe,” “Spongebob Mini Golf” and “Spongebob Rock Collector.” 
  2. httml5games.com has “Smarty Bubbles,” “Badland,” “8 Ball Billiards Classic,” “Crazy Caves,” “Jungle Run,” “Archery World Tour,” “Solitaire Klondike,” “Diamond Rush” and pages worth of other choices. 
  3. Over at funnygames.org, there’s “Fireboy and Watergirl 5,” “Tiles,” “Phase 10,” “Gold Strike” and “Master Chess.” Check this site out for other games too under categories such as adventure and platform, action and fighting, brain and cards, skills and multiplayer and cards. 
  4. gameforge.com holds browser and free games, plus plenty of MMORPG’s (massively multiplayer online role-playing games). There are many alternative categories such as bowling, scary, strategy and memory games.
  5. Finally, gamesheep.com is home to “Garden Bloom,” “My Little City,” “Mad Racer,” “Yeti Sensation” and my personal favorite, “Super Onion Boy.” 

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

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