By Jeremy Fugleberg

Called a number of his included in a court filing. He answered. About an hour later we sat across a table in the room labeled “War Room” in the Barker & Little office on St. Joe.

More than 2 hours later, we’re done. Let’s just say — we covered a lot of ground.

I’m going home (and maybe out?) for New Year’s. I’ll sort through the interview in my mind, and you’ll hear about it here first.

Happy New Year!

By Jeremy Fugleberg

Courtesy of an anonymous caller, I’ve got Doug Hamilton’s cell number. Says the caller: ““Be careful — the guy is a vicious psychopath.”

I think this is his cell number, anyway.

Ring…ring… the usual cell message blabber and then the owner of the cell phone identifies himself, in a harsh tone.

“DOUG.”

The mailbox was full, just like his home number.

Do you think he’ll call me back?

By Jeremy Fugleberg

For Christmas last year, Doug Hamilton bought $27,000 worth of Toys ‘R’ Us gift certificates, and gave them to needy elementary school kids at a Christmas party, children of employees and tenants. Former mayor Jim Shaw even showed up at the party in the role of Santa Claus.

Feel-good story about a nice local businessman? Yeah, not so much: Hamilton’s check bounced.

Now Toys ‘R’ Us is suing Hamilton in federal court, wanting him to make good on his rubber check.

At least the kids got the toys. But wow. What a grinch move.

And yes, I’m on vacation. But that doesn’t mean the Barker & Little train stops rolling.

By Jeremy Fugleberg

‘Small business owner’ and ‘bargain hunter’ — the spam blocker ate you. I apologize. It usually behaves, but it appears it didn’t like your comments on one of the Barker & Little posts, and the post about haggling.

Again, I’m sorry.

Your comments are posted, and I shall punish the spam blocker as it richly deserves.

By Jeremy Fugleberg

It’s been weeks in the making, but the main Barker & Little article (about the foreclosures) will run in Monday’s edition.

It’s a relatively short piece but is the product of hours of time poring over court documents, etc., since the first B&L stories ran a few weeks ago.

After this story, I should have several more in coming days, including an Grinch-like story about Hamilton stiffing Toys R Us for the cost of presents he bought kids…

Like I said, hold on to your hats.

UPDATE: The story’s out, on Monday’s front page. If you’re waiting for it online, it will be posted at 6 a.m. Tuesday morning.

By Jeremy Fugleberg

It’s on sale. So says the sign in the window anyway. I had heard Jay Paul, the current owner, had plans for the building, but it appears those didn’t work out.

I wonder what’s next for the old building. If you peek in the window, it looks like it’s still a fully-equipped pizzeria.

By Jeremy Fugleberg

By a stroke of luck (I’m kidding), I’m the Journal’s only reporter on this fine Christmas day.

However you celebrate the holidays, I hope you arrive at the new year with a renewed spirit of joy and hope for the future.

All the best.

By Jeremy Fugleberg

If you want a low, low holiday price on that flat-panel TV or that love seat, trying haggling over the price, says this AP piece:

“You’d have to be a moron not to ask for a discount,” said Stephen Hoch, a retailing expert at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

With the economy in pain, retailers are looking for any sales they can get.

I don’t like used car lots, or Arab bazaars, for that matter. I’m in the group of people who just want to walk into a store, hand over the amount of cash on a sticker, and walk out with an item. No haggling, no dickering, no wondering if I got the best deal.

But if you’re willing to give haggling a try, here are some pointers for cutting a deal with retailers. Maybe give one of these five sure-fire lines a shot.

My favorite tip? Says the article about sure-fire lines:

Don’t be afraid of silence. Silence almost always works in your favor. It says you’re on the fence, that you need just one more goodie to get the deal done.

I think even I can do that.

By Jeremy Fugleberg

I’m looking into the future of Baken Park, and wondering if it will last much longer.

Ben Franklin is moving out to a West Main location. And the word on the street? Other tenants might be looking for an exit, and Family Thrift won’t expand as planned.

It doesn’t seem that long since May, when the owners of the old-fashioned strip mall promised new growth, tenant expansion and a new, updated look.

It leads me to think — if you tore down Baken Park, what gets built in that great, traffic-heavy location?

I wonder if a Wal-Mart would fit …

By Jeremy Fugleberg

The State of South Dakota graciously allows anyone to view prices for fuels across the state.

Commenter Doug says:

Here is the web address to the front page, then go to the F section. It used to be under T for transport wagon, but was changed a while ago to F for fuel.

By checking that link, you can get the rates for has prices around the state. By clicking here, you can get the terminal prices for the present day.

Cool, huh?