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Today's Top Stories

News Alerts:

Saturday, May 19, 2012

FCAT 2.0 disappoints

The name “FCAT 2.0” invokes computer software lingo to suggest that the test is new and improved, the latest and greatest. But with the release of FCAT scores Friday, perhaps another bit of technical jargon — one used to refer to buggy, unfinished software — should be added. Call it … Find out how to read more online.

LATEST LOCAL NEWS

Lawmakers aim to stop Crossroads closure
Fri May 18 2012 09:00PM

Residents are gathering forces to petition Gov. Rick Scott to reverse a decision by the Department of Juvenile Justice to close the AMIKids Crossroads Wilderness Institute, a residential rehabilitation center … Find out how to read more online.

Officials fight Crossroads closure
Fri May 18 2012 09:01PM

PUNTA GORDA — Residents are gathering forces to petition Gov. Rick Scott to reverse a decision by the Department of Juvenile Justice to close the AMIKids Crossroads Wilderness Institute, a … Find out how to read more online.

Jobless numbers improve
Fri May 18 2012 09:00PM

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity released its April unemployment numbers Friday, showing the jobless rate dipped once again across the state and Southwest Florida, and prompting officials to say … Find out how to read more online.

Punta Gorda man indicted in Minnesota assisted-suicide case
Fri May 18 2012 09:02PM

PUNTA GORDA — A local man was indicted earlier this week by a Minnesota grand jury for his alleged role in the 2007 suicide of a suburban Minneapolis woman. Thomas … Find out how to read more online.

State, National and World News

UK surveillance program could bare private lives
Fri May 18 2012 10:02PM

LONDON — British officials have given their word: “We won’t read your emails.” But experts say the government’s proposed new surveillance program will gather so much data that spooks won’t have to read your messages to guess what you’re up … read more.

Fla. to scrutinize 182,000 voters
Fri May 18 2012 10:02PM

TALLAHASSEE — Florida officials, responding to skeptical comments this week from county election supervisors, said they are now going to double-check whether 182,000 registered voters are U.S. citizens. State officials announced late Thursday that the Florida agency that handles driver’s … read more.

Stocks fall on Europe worries
Fri May 18 2012 10:02PM

NEW YORK (AP) — It’s going to take more than Facebook’s initial public offering to push the stock market higher. Facebook shares rose 23 cents above their $38 offering price. It seemed like everything else fell. The Dow Jones industrial … read more.

CDC to baby boomers: Test for hepatitis C
Fri May 18 2012 10:02PM

ATLANTA — For the first time, the government is proposing that all baby boomers get tested for hepatitis C. Anyone born from 1945 to 1965 should get a one-time blood test to see if they have the liver-destroying virus, the … read more.

Facebook’s big day
Fri May 18 2012 10:02PM

NEW YORK — Facebook updated its status to “public company” on Friday. After an anxiety-filled half-hour delay, its stock began trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market for the first time as investors were finally able to put a dollar value … read more.

200-year-old shipwreck found in Gulf
Fri May 18 2012 10:02PM

NEW ORLEANS — An oil company exploration crew’s chance discovery of a 200-year-old shipwreck in a little-charted stretch of the Gulf of Mexico is yielding a trove of new information to scientists who say it’s one of the most well-preserved … read more.

Fla. mom who killed self, 4 kids endured violence
Fri May 18 2012 10:00PM

MIAMI (AP) — A child welfare investigator who spoke with Tonya Thomas in the weeks before she fatally shot herself and her four children said there were no signs that the children were in distress or felt unsafe. But hundreds … read more.

Self-defense evidence mixed for Zimmerman
Fri May 18 2012 10:00PM

ORLANDO (AP) — When George Zimmerman tries to convince a judge or jury that he shot Trayvon Martin in self-defense, the evidence he’ll be able to call on appears to be a mixed bag. More than 200 pages of photos … read more.

Rocket, weather look good on eve of new space era
Fri May 18 2012 10:00PM

CAPE CANAVERAL (AP) — NASA hasn’t seen this much prelaunch jitters since the space shuttle program ended last summer. On Saturday, a private company is set to make history by launching a supply ship to the International Space Station. The … read more.

Greece, Spain issues test eurozone
Fri May 18 2012 09:58PM

MADRID (AP) — Chaos in Greek politics and Spanish banking combined this week to underscore just how fragile Europe’s economy remains after an eviscerating austerity regime that has spawned unemployment, desperation and misery. And there is no respite in sight, … read more.

Facebook stock up slightly in public debut
Fri May 18 2012 04:26PM

NEW YORK (AP) — Facebook updated its status to “public company” on Friday. After an anxiety-filled half-hour delay, its stock began trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market for the first time as investors were finally able to put a dollar … read more.

Georgia woman learns toll of flesh-eating bacteria
Fri May 18 2012 04:22PM

By JEFF MARTIN Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — Faced with the prospect of losing both hands and her one remaining foot, a young Georgia woman battling to survive a case of flesh-eating bacteria that has already claimed one leg mouthed … read more.

Autopsy: Evidence of marijuana in Martin’s blood
Thu May 17 2012 08:37PM

ORLANDO (AP) — Medical examiners found evidence of marijuana in Trayvon Martin’s system after he was fatally shot by a neighborhood watch volunteer, an autopsy report released Thursday shows. The report was included in a large amount of evidence released … read more.

Rural homeless shelters in Fla. to get $2 million
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — Homeless shelters across the state will receive more than $2 million dollars in federal grants. The Department of Children and Families says the money will go to 25 emergency homeless shelters in rural areas. The money will … read more.

Woman foils would-be robbery by chasing suspects
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

HOBE SOUND (AP) — A Hobe Sound woman chased after four would-be robbers when she returned home from taking her husband to work and saw them climbing out of her window. Renee Granlund told Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers she saw … read more.

Central Fla. woman gives birth at gas station
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

LONGWOOD (AP) — A Florida woman has made what can certainly be called a speedy delivery: She gave birth at a gas station. Orlando’s WKMG reports Shelly Tester gave birth with the help of her husband early Wednesday at a … read more.

Man pleads guilty to pointing laser at planes
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

ORLANDO (AP) — The U.S. Attorney’s Office says a 49-year-old man faces up to five years in prison after pleading guilty to aiming a laser pointer at a plane departing from Orlando International Airport. Prosecutors say Glenn Stephen Hansen pointed … read more.

Fla. tourism numbers show slight gain in 2012
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — Florida tourism officials say numbers for the first quarter of the year are up slightly over the same period a year ago. Visit Florida, the state’s marketing division, released numbers Wednesday showing a 2.4 percent boost for … read more.

Polk Co. confirms 6th positive rabies case
Fri May 18 2012 03:40PM

FORT MEADE (AP) — Polk County has confirmed its sixth positive rabies case this year. A Fort Meade resident found his two dogs with a dead raccoon. The raccoon was tested for rabies, and it was confirmed positive for rabies … Find out how to read more online.

Agency for disabled people rates Fla. providers
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — The state has updated its Medicaid provider ratings for Floridians with developmental disabilities. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities posted the new rankings on its website Wednesday. They are part of an effort by all state agencies … read more.

Workshops set for gopher tortoise conservation
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

MIAMI (AP) — Wildlife officials will be conducting regional workshops for gopher tortoise conservation. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission made the announcement Wednesday. The workshops will present information on the management plan and permitting guidelines for gopher tortoises. … read more.

Prosecutor: Plea deals set in Fla. A&M hazing case %reldate(2012-05-17T14:09:43
Thu May 17 2012 08:37PM

BC-FL--FAMU Arrests,129 Prosecutor: Plea deals set in Fla. A&M hazing case %reldate(2012-05-17T14:09:43 Eds: APNewsNow. Will be updated. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A prosecutor says two defendants accused of hazing a Florida A&M University band member are expected to plead guilty … read more.

Student to plead guilty to Obama threat
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

MIAMI (AP) — Court records show a Miami college student intends to plead guilty to making threatening posts against President Barack Obama on Facebook. A change of plea hearing is set for Wednesday for 20-year-old Joaquin Amador Serrapio Jr. He … read more.

Maas named executive editor of Tampa Tribune
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

TAMPA (AP) — A longtime news manager at The Tampa Tribune has been chosen as the new executive editor. The newspaper reported the appointment of Richard “Duke” Maas on Thursday. The 59-year-old Maas has been managing editor of the Tribune … read more.

Ed secretary questions Fla. law on tutoring
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

MIAMI (AP) — U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan questioned Thursday why the Florida Legislature passed a law requiring districts to continue tutoring services that have not proven effective. Florida was one of nearly a dozen states that received a waiver … read more.

Citizens board chair urges caution
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — Citizens Property Insurance Corp. could face dire consequences if it fails to involve Florida lawmakers before deciding whether to approve a dramatic rate increase for new policyholders, the state-backed firm’s board president warned Thursday. The corporation’s Board … read more.

US ready to strike Iran
Thu May 17 2012 08:37PM

JERUSALEM — The U.S. has plans in place to attack Iran if necessary to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons, Washington’s envoy to Israel said, days ahead of a crucial round of nuclear talks with Tehran. Dan Shapiro’s message resonated … read more.

Greek Cabinet, legislators sworn in
Thu May 17 2012 08:37PM

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece on Thursday swore in 300 legislators for just one day before it dissolves Parliament and calls new elections, among them 21 lawmakers from Golden Dawn — arguably the most far-right party to be involved in … read more.

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More Local News

Jobless numbers improve
Fri May 18 2012 09:02PM

Charlotte High graduates dream of bright future
Fri May 18 2012 09:02PM

FORT MYERS — It was a bittersweet evening for the seniors of Charlotte High School as they walked across the stage and one step closer to their dreams at their graduation ceremony Thursday night at the Lee Civic Center. The … Find out how to read more online.

Four caught in prostitution net
Fri May 18 2012 01:28PM

PUNTA GORDA — Charlotte County Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit detectives, assisted by the Street Crimes Unit, set up a sting operation at a Punta Gorda motel and made four arrests Thursday evening. Undercover detectives located an ad on a website in … Find out how to read more online.

Tarpons walk with pride
Fri May 18 2012 11:36AM

Charlotte High School holds its graduation Thursday evening at the Lee Civic Center in Fort Myers. … Find out how to read more online.

Financial strain to trickle down to students
Fri May 18 2012 08:00AM

While the school district faces more than $5 million in budget cuts, students in Charlotte County will be feeling an extra strain on their own pockets as well. School lunch prices are set to increase in elementary and high schools … Find out how to read more online.

SWAT team stays sharp with training
Fri May 18 2012 09:02PM

PORT CHARLOTTE — The hostages had been removed successfully, but there was still one bad guy left; he was holed up inside a professional medical building off Collingswood Boulevard, and authorities were worried that the worst-case scenario was the only … Find out how to read more online.

Port Charlotte graduates celebrate ‘new start’
Fri May 18 2012 08:00AM

FORT MYERS — The phrase “new start” was on every senior’s lips at the Port Charlotte High School graduation Wednesday night at the Lee Civic Center. Still, as they celebrated the culmination of their high school careers, the graduates couldn’t … Find out how to read more online.

Council deadlocked on Harborwalk funding
Fri May 18 2012 11:36AM

PUNTA GORDA — The City Council became deadlocked Wednesday over a decision whether to postpone one segment of the city’s “ring-around-the-city” bike and pedestrian trail network in order to fund the completion of another segment. Two council members, Harvey Goldberg … Find out how to read more online.

Candidate forum addresses budget, policing
Fri May 18 2012 08:00AM

ENGLEWOOD — “Community policing” was the catch phrase most used by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s candidates during a forum hosted by the Englewood East Homeowner’s Association on Wednesday night. But it was a phrase that connected with many in attendance … Find out how to read more online.

Gymnasts team up to win state title
Thu May 17 2012 07:54PM

It has been an unforgettable month for Horizon Gymnastics & Dance Academy in Port Charlotte. First, Level 9 gymnast Caitlin Elsadek earned the right to compete nationally. Now, four other gymnasts, including Caitlin’s sister, teamed up to win the state … Find out how to read more online.

Second arrest in homicide
Fri May 18 2012 11:36AM

PUNTA GORDA — Authorities have made a second arrest in the death of a Port Charlotte man found buried in his own yard. Anna Marie Nangle, 50, was charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder in connection with … Find out how to read more online.

District to work with North Port principal
Fri May 18 2012 08:00AM

SARASOTA COUNTY — The outcome of a meeting regarding an October incident between Lamarque Elementary School principal Sally Mancheno and a Lamarque teacher was unknown Thursday evening. However a letter to Mancheno from Mike Jones, executive director of Human Resources … Find out how to read more online.

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