IOWA
Dodge Street Tire in Iowa City has celebrated its 15-year anniversary. During the celebration, Owner Mike Brown gave away tickets for the Iowa wrestling season and raffled off a set of tires.
Toby Shine of Shine Bros. Corp opened self-service auto salvage business, Grab and Go Auto Salvage in Spencer last October and said he is already looking to expand the business to other communities.
Johnson Manufacturing Co. of Princeton announces the recent acquisition of partial assets of the S.A. Day Mfg. Co. in Buffalo, N.Y., a manufacturer of brass and copper soldering and fluxes for the automotive heat exchange industry. The newly named S.A. Day Buffalo Flux Facility will continue to operate at the same location.
KANSAS
Danny Zeck Ford Lincoln Mercury of Leavenworth has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The dealership plans to stay in business. "It gives us an opportunity to reorganize and move forward," Owner Danny Zeck said.
Patrick and Mary Falter recently sold three of their NOVUS glass franchises in central Kansas to Ed and Nancy Robinson. "We feel confident that the Robinsons will carry on our service values and will successfully continue the growth of the business," Patrick Falter said.
The Society of Collision Repair Specialists of Missouri and Kansas (SCRS MO/KAN) unveiled a new Web site. The address remains www.scrsmokan.com, but MO/KAN Chapter Chairman, Bill Garoutte said the site has been updated with a chat room that allows members to share and discuss ideas, an industry news link that can be updated on the hour, and password-protected pages that allow board members to vote online on board meeting times, location, etc. Membership dues and meeting payments can also be made on the site through Paypal.
Kenny Burns, machine shop manager for Harry's Machine Works Inc. in Dodge City won the 2007 MAHLE Clevite Machinist of the Year Award. The award program is designed to recognize and honor an ASE-certified automotive engine machinist judged to be outstanding for his skills and contributions to the industry and his local community.
The 2008 Mid-America Tire Dealers Association's (MATDA) annual convention will be in Wichita at the Marriott again this year on Feb. 22-24. For more information, visit www.matda.org.
Total Performance Inc. (TPI) of Wichita was chosen by Motor'n TV as one of the top designers and builders of muscle cars in the country. It will be building a limited production of 50 collectible 1969 Chevrolet RCR Series 3 Camaros. The Series 3 Camaro is being built for the Richard Childress Racing Team, better known as "RCR Racing," in Welcome, N.C.
On Jan. 28, the Automotive Service Association of Missouri/Kansas (ASA-MO/KAN) is hosting an indoor Go-cart benefit race for automotive technology scholarships. The event will be at Sadler's Indoor Racetrack in Olathe. All proceeds from the Race 4 the Future event will go directly into the ASA-MO/KAN. Those interested in participating should contact Sheri Hamilton at 816-781-5801 or James Copeland at 660-882-5575.
BK Auto relocated to the southern end of Scott City on Oct. 1. The new 6,000-square-foot steel building includes a 1,200-square-foot office area. "We're pretty excited to finally be in here," Owner Bryan Kough said. "I've always wanted a dream shop, and now we have one."
MISSOURI
Five paint companies owned by Gary and Kathy Allen have merged to become ColorVision. The distributor for automotive paints and industrial coatings earned a Platinum certification from PPG when the program began in 1995 and has continued to qualify each year. The stores included in the merger are: C & D Car Color in West Plains, Valley Paint & Supply in Springfield, Auto Paint Stop in Independence, Overland Auto Paints in Overland Park, Kan., and Duncan Auto Paints in Olathe, Kan. "We are building a stronger regional network with good branding power," Allen said. "Instead of planning for five different outlets, we can develop meaningful programs as a single entity and better support for our commitment to value-added customer service."
Arnold Motor Supply of Boone spearheaded a vehicle donation program to Original Charity Cars Organization. "This campaign is a great way we can use our skills and talents and really help someone," said Manager Gary Kemp. "We're car guys, and we know how important reliable transportation is, especially when you're trying to make a fresh start," he said. To date, 15 cars have been donated in Iowa for the Charity Car campaign spearheaded by Arnold Motor Supply as part of a nationwide program through Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Parts stores.
NEBRASKA
Eustis Body Shop will open a second location in Eustis in the near future. Joe Bihlmaier will be the manager of the new store.
Tom Meyer of Tom's Auto Service in Pierce tore down his old storage building to make room for a new 2,500-square-foot repair shop.
Doug Reinke, a painter at Harchelroad Motors Inc. in Imperial, was awarded the PPG/ASE Master Refinish Technician of the Year Award at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence's (ASE) annual Board of Directors Industry Awards Dinner recently held in Scottsdale, Arizona. The annual award is given to the PPG collision center technician who receives the highest score on the ASE Painting and Refinish test, which is administered twice each year. "I have known Doug for many 
years and have found him to be very conscientious and meticulous with his work," said Janet Schroeder, owner of Mid-Plains Auto Finishes in North Platte. "He has always been interested in learning to do things the right way, so this award confirms his knowledge and commitment to performing a quality repair."
Rickey Haley, owner of Papillion Foreign Motors in Papillion, received the Automotive Service Association (ASA)/ Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Top Score Award during the 2007 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) in Las Vegas. The award recognizes the ASA Mechanical Division member who received the highest score on the 2007 ASE master automobile certification test.
Ron Fox of Fox Auto Inc. was given an honorary membership in the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce. Fox Auto has served the Loop Valley area for 32 years.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Dec. 3 was a banner day for Graham Tire Co. The Sioux Falls-based tire dealer sold 1,971 passenger and light-truck tires out of 14 stores during a 13-hour period as part of a planned promotion that benefited from some winter weather conditions.
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