PISCATAWAY, N.J., Feb. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The board of directors of Trane Inc. (NYSE: TT) today declared a quarterly dividend of 16 cents per share of common stock. The dividend is payable on March 20, 2008, to shareholders of record on March 3, 2008.

Trane Inc. provides heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and services that enhance the quality and comfort of the air in homes and buildings around the world. The company offers customers a broad range of energy-efficient HVAC systems; dehumidifying and air cleaning products; service and parts support; advanced building controls; and financing solutions.

American Standard finishes year with Trane ride

It has been anything but a standard year for American Standard.

The Piscataway-based company completed the sale of its renowned bath and kitchen business and spun off its vehicle-control systems operation to focus solely on its more-profitable air-conditioning and heating systems.

And Wednesday, it completed its three-way business split by announcing its name change to Trane, to identify with its popular HVAC brand.

"Everyone has been clearly focused on the separation plan, and we're in the final stages," company spokesman Skip Colcord said.

It was February when American Standard Chief Executive Officer Fred Poses announced that the company, which employs about 1,450 in New Jersey, would separate into three units in the hopes of creating greater shareholder value for its varied operations.

Ameren customers angered with rate increase proposal

Ameren officials are asking for $247 million more annually to help cover rising replacement costs for items such as utility grade wire, poles and plastic pipe. They claim the added revenue would not go toward offsetting the costs of rebates and refunds tied to this year's rate relief settlement.The Illinois Commerce Commission, which ultimately will decide to accept or reject Ameren's proposal, hosted the public hearing - the first of six statewide and the only hearing in the region.State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, who asked the ICC to make Marion one of its stops, was not impressed with Nelson's presentation. He said another rate increase for the utility is unconscionable given that Ameren only had to pay back $150 million in rebates to its customers as part of the $1 billion agreement forged with the legislature last year."They say they're suffering, but they ought to see the suffering put on the people of Southern Illinois," Bradley said.

Great music, good cause

And he feels there will always be a place for folk.

"He's got a reputation well beyond this place," Younger said. "He has fans who have followed him for 25 years and has new ones that have just found him.

Willows schools face gloomy budget forecast

WILLOWS — As the state budget crisis gathers over Glenn County, officials at Willows Unified School District are preparing for the worst.

"The worse-case scenario is that we are going to have to cut $1 million from the budget," said Steve Olmos, WUSD superintendent, at a meeting this week of the board of trustees.

At a meeting Thursday night, the board of trustees learned proposed state budget cuts could cost the district hundreds of thousands.

New business director Steve Rudy presented the gloomy outlook from the state, saying the district could lose up to $650,000 in Cost of Living Adjustment reductions.

But it isn't just state cuts that will affect the district. Rudy said federal revenue of $200,000 may also be eliminated.

How much of a cut Willows Unified will have to make will depend on what happens in Sacramento.

Web gamblers betting on Barack Obama

If you needed one more sign that Barack Obama is on a roll, the futures trading markets have decided he's a very good bet.

Gabriel Weil, 22-year-old college student, has made about $1,500, much of it by shorting Rudy Giuliani — selling shares in the former mayor that he did not yet own and assuming he could buy them later at a lower price and pocket the difference.