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Today's Top Stories

News Alerts:

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Experts ‘tweet’ storm warnings

PUNTA GORDA — Over the past 25 years that he’s served as Charlotte County’s Emergency Management director, Wayne Sallade, 57, has worked with newspapers, lectured to elementary school kids, and networked with radio and TV stations to warn residents to prepare for hurricane season. Now, Sallade’s office also is utilizing … Find out how to read more online.

LATEST LOCAL NEWS

Academy grads reap rewards of perseverance
Sat May 19 2012 04:40PM

The Academy at Charlotte Technical Center held its graduation Friday afternoon at The Center for Performing Arts & Education in Punta Gorda. … Find out how to read more online.

Academy grads reap rewards of perseverance
Sat May 19 2012 08:29PM

The Academy at Charlotte Technical Center held its graduation Friday afternoon at The Center for Performing Arts & Education in Punta Gorda. … Find out how to read more online.

Ordinance changes anger residents
Sat May 19 2012 08:29PM

After publicly and repeatedly expressing their disdain for Municipal Service Benefit Units, Charlotte County commissioners are under fire for unanimously approving sweeping changes to an ordinance that expands the use … Find out how to read more online.

30-year staffer sees airport progress
Sat May 19 2012 08:29PM

PUNTA GORDA — When Gary Queior, 63, started working as a lineman at what was then the Charlotte County Airport in 1982, its only commercial airline used a twin-engine Cessna, … Find out how to read more online.

State, National and World News

World leaders confront Afghan withdrawal strategy
Sat May 19 2012 09:44PM

KABUL, Afghanistan — It was what President Barack Obama called a “war of necessity,” a conflict thrust upon America by the 9/11 attacks. As NATO’s mission here winds down nearly 11 years later, the insurgents remain undefeated, corruption runs rife … read more.

Tropical storm forms off SC
Sat May 19 2012 09:44PM

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The first tropical storm of the season formed Saturday off the coast of South Carolina with top winds of 45 mph, but it wasn’t threatening land. Forecasters say tropical storm Alberto was centered about 140 miles … read more.

Debate grows over DNA disclosure
Sat May 19 2012 09:44PM

Camilla Grondahl asked genetics researcher Gholson Lyon a simple, heartbreaking question: Was she carrying a lethal gene that might kill her unborn baby? Grondahl, 29, didn’t want to terminate her pregnancy, which began in 2010. She just wanted to know … read more.

Woman gets 20 years for firing warning shot
Sat May 19 2012 09:44PM

TAMPA, Fla. — Marissa Alexander had never been arrested before she fired a bullet at a wall one day in 2010 to scare off her husband when she felt he was threatening her. Nobody got hurt, but this month a … read more.

SpaceX rocket launch aborted in last half-second
Sat May 19 2012 09:42PM

CAPE CANAVERAL (AP) — A new private supply ship for the International Space Station remained stuck on the ground Saturday after rocket engine trouble led to a last-second abort of the historic flight. All nine engines for the SpaceX Falcon … read more.

Skeletons in Sen. Rubio’s closet?
Sat May 19 2012 09:42PM

MIAMI — For freshman Sen. Marco Rubio, a rising GOP figure seen as a possible Mitt Romney running mate, there are questions about whether potential vulnerabilities in his personal and political background might hold him back. The 40-year-old Florida lawmaker … read more.

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
Sat May 19 2012 10:02AM

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.

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More Local News

Volunteers replace worn flags on veterans’ graves
Sat May 19 2012 08:30PM

ENGLEWOOD — Members of the Rotonda West VFW Ladies Auxiliary invited volunteers to spend some time replacing worn flags on veterans’ graves at the Lemon Bay Historical Cemetery Saturday, in celebration of Armed Forces Day. About a dozen members of … Find out how to read more online.

With a flower in her hair ...
Sat May 19 2012 08:29PM

The seventh annual Hibiscus Festival started out with the return of the Lil’ Miss Hibiscus Pageant, held Saturday morning in Laishley Park in Punta Gorda. Crowned Precious Miss for the ages 4-7 division was 6-year-old Ameri Smith; the ages 8-11 … Find out how to read more online.

Charlotte Harbor holds 2012 commencement
Sat May 19 2012 08:29PM

Eight of nine graduates were present at the Charlotte Harbor School’s 2012 commencement exercises Friday morning in the school’s gymnasium. … Find out how to read more online.

Lawmakers aim to stop Crossroads closure
Sat May 19 2012 08:00AM

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 for troubled teenage boys. However their efforts may be for … Find out how to read more online.

Officials fight Crossroads closure
Sat May 19 2012 08:00AM

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 residential rehabilitation center for troubled teenage boys. However their efforts … Find out how to read more online.

United Way celebrates partnerships
Sat May 19 2012 08:30PM

PUNTA GORDA — It’s been a year of changes for the United Way of Charlotte County. The agency opened a new Senior Resource Center at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County in March. It welcomed a new CEO, Carrie Blackwell … Find out how to read more online.

Jobless numbers improve
Sat May 19 2012 08:00AM

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 the economy is gaining momentum steadily. But economists and local … Find out how to read more online.

Winners Circle
Sat May 19 2012 08:30PM

Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club • Couples Bridge winners May 10: 1-Lila and Fred Jameson; 2-Maria Couper, Jane Forte; 3-Irene Runkle, Jean Baker; 3-Diane and Chuck Floramo. • Ladies Bridge winners May 15: 1-Lila Jameson; 2-Virginia Martin; 3-Frances Dumke. • Slam … Find out how to read more online.

Sheriff’s Office seeks missing, endangered woman
Sat May 19 2012 11:36AM

NORTHEAST OF PUNTA GORDA — The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a 27-year-old Tampa woman who is considered missing and endangered, according to a sheriff’s report. Ellen Anne Quinlan’s car was found abandoned Friday, “parked in the middle … Find out how to read more online.

Weekly Record
Sat May 19 2012 08:30PM

Charlotte County births • Melah Elizabeth Howard, to Elizabeth Varner and Jordan Howard of Port Charlotte, at 6:07 p.m. May 8. She weighed 8 pounds, 2.3 ounces. • Jaxson James Ray Woodward, to Sarah and Adam Woodward of Port Charlotte, … Find out how to read more online.

Punta Gorda man indicted in Minnesota assisted-suicide case
Sat May 19 2012 08:00AM

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 Goodwin, 65, was one of four men named in the … Find out how to read more online.

Jobless numbers improve
Sat May 19 2012 08:00AM

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