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Saturday, January 28, 2012

Incumbents in flux

The Florida House’s redistricting committee passed its plan for redrawing the boundaries of state House and U.S. Congressional districts Friday, and the result is sure to set off an unprecedented game of musical chairs for incumbents across the state. Some three dozen incumbents, in fact, will find themselves facing neighboring … Find out how to read more Online.

LATEST LOCAL NEWS

League of Women Voters presses on
Fri Jan 27 2012 08:31PM

With all deference to American writer and humorist Mark Twain, the reports of the death of the Charlotte County chapter of the League of Women Voters are greatly exaggerated. Not … Find out how to read more Online.

Students to display art at fair
Fri Jan 27 2012 08:31PM

Senior art students excitedly were finishing up and framing their best pieces earlier this week in Renee Massolio’s advanced-placement art class at Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda. The pieces … Find out how to read more Online.

Wrongful death suit moves forward
Fri Jan 27 2012 12:44AM

A judge has set a timeline for Nathan Lee’s wrongful death lawsuit against the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office in the 2008 murder of his 21-year-old wife. This week, 20th Circuit … Find out how to read more Online.

Wreck closes part of U.S. 17
Wed Jan 25 2012 04:14PM

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is on scene of a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 17 at Regents Road, just east of I-75/Exit-164. Southbound U.S. 17 is closed at that intersection. … Find out how to read more Online.

State, National and World News

Utah police probe school bombing plot
Fri Jan 27 2012 10:14PM

ROY, Utah — The two teens had a detailed plot, blueprints of the school and security systems, but no explosives. They had hours of flight simulator training on a home computer and a plan to flee the country, but no … Find out how to read more Online.

Poll: Romney in Fla. lead
Fri Jan 27 2012 10:12PM

TALLAHASSEE — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has increased his lead over former House Speaker Newt Gingrich among likely Republican voters going into Florida’s presidential preference primary on Tuesday, a new poll shows. Romney was favored by 38 percent compared … Find out how to read more Online.

Economy unhealthy, healing
Fri Jan 27 2012 10:12PM

WASHINGTON — The American economy may not be truly healthy yet, but it’s healing. The 2.8 percent annual growth rate reported Friday for the fourth quarter was the fastest since spring 2010 and was the third straight quarter that growth … Find out how to read more Online.

Twitter’s censorship plan rouses furor
Fri Jan 27 2012 10:12PM

NEW YORK — Twitter, a tool of choice for dissidents and activists around the world, found itself the target of global outrage Friday after unveiling plans to allow country-specific censorship of tweets that might break local laws. It was a … Find out how to read more Online.

Dow slips to first losing week of 2012
Fri Jan 27 2012 10:12PM

NEW YORK (AP) — The stock market closed mostly lower Friday, sending the Dow Jones industrial average to its first losing week of 2012, after the government reported that economic growth was slower at the end of last year than … Find out how to read more Online.

Grandmother’s remains found inside storage unit
Fri Jan 27 2012 10:12PM

CLEARWATER — The manager of U-Stor Self Storage heard a bizarre tale when he notified a woman that the items stored in Unit B8 would be auctioned because she’d fallen behind on rent. Manager Kevin McKeon says the woman told … Find out how to read more Online.

Prison nurses sue over planned outsourcing
Fri Jan 27 2012 10:10PM

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — The union representing Florida’s prison nurses is suing the state over the planned outsourcing of inmate health care. The Florida Nurses Association filed its suit against the Department of Corrections in Tallahassee earlier this week. It represents … Find out how to read more Online.

Candidate roots don’t much matter in diverse Fla.
Fri Jan 27 2012 10:08PM

WEST PALM BEACH (AP) — Mitt Romney’s ties to the Northeast gave him a boost on the way to winning the New Hampshire primary. Newt Gingrich’s roots in the South probably had at least a little to do with his … Find out how to read more Online.

Cruise ship victims mull $14,460 compensation deal
Fri Jan 27 2012 10:06PM

ROME (AP) — How much is it worth to suffer through a terrifying cruise ship grounding? Italian ship operator Costa Crociere SpA on Friday put the figure at (euro) 11,000 ($14,460) plus reimbursement for the cost of cruise tickets and … Find out how to read more Online.

Bullied student gets $100,000 settlement
Fri Jan 27 2012 10:06PM

SEATTLE (Seattle Times) — As people grow older and look back at years spent in high school, they can often find pleasant memories lurking there — of lifelong friends they made, or of fun times they had. When Russell Dickerson … Find out how to read more Online.

Barefoot Bandit gets 6½ years federal sentence
Fri Jan 27 2012 10:06PM

SEATTLE (Seattle Times) — The exploits of Colton Harris-Moore, the gangly “Barefoot Bandit” who as a wily thief and self-taught pilot managed to elude police with aplomb from Washington to the Bahamas for two years, ended Friday in a federal … Find out how to read more Online.

Man finds $8,000 cash, returns it to owners
Fri Jan 27 2012 10:06PM

TAMPA(AP) — A Tampa man is being called a Good Samaritan after he found a briefcase full of cash and returned it to its owner. Frank Colla spotted the black briefcase lying in the road. Inside, he found papers, a … Find out how to read more Online.

Grandmother’s remains found inside storage unit
Fri Jan 27 2012 09:38AM

CLEARWATER (AP) — The manager of U-Stor Self Storage heard a bizarre tale when he notified a woman that the items stored in Unit B8 would be auctioned because she’d fallen behind on rent. Manager Kevin McKeon says the woman … Find out how to read more Online.

Tired and broke, Santorum heads home to do taxes
Fri Jan 27 2012 09:38AM

PUNTA GORDA (AP) — Rick Santorum is tired, almost broke — and going home. The former Pennsylvania senator is taking a pause from Florida campaigning just days before the Tuesday primary that even he expects to deal him a third … Find out how to read more Online.

Economy grew modest 2.8 pct. in Q4, best in 2011
Fri Jan 27 2012 09:38AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy grew at a 2.8 percent annual rate in the final three months of last year, the fastest growth in 2011. Americans spent more on cars and trucks, and companies restocked their shelves at the … Find out how to read more Online.

Women, children killed in violence-torn Syria city
Fri Jan 27 2012 09:38AM

BEIRUT (AP) — Fresh violence erupted Friday in the besieged Syrian city of Homs, a day after armed forces loyal to President Bashar Assad barraged residential buildings with mortars and machine-gun fire, killing at least 30 people including a family … Find out how to read more Online.

Thu Jan 26 2012 10:14PM

JACKSONVILLE — Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich sparred over illegal immigration here Thursday night, with the former Massachusetts governor saying it was “repulsive” for the former House speaker to have characterized him as “the most anti-immigrant” candidate in the GOP … Find out how to read more Online.

Iran is ready to return to nuclear talks
Thu Jan 26 2012 10:14PM

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran is ready to revive talks with the U.S. and other world powers, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Thursday, but suggested that Tehran’s foes will have to make compromises to prevent negotiations from again collapsing in stalemate. Iran’s … Find out how to read more Online.

User-friendly health plan summaries at risk
Thu Jan 26 2012 10:14PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — One of the most popular provisions of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul — consumer-friendly summaries of what your insurance plan covers — suddenly seems to be at risk. Consumer groups say it’s not Republican opposition they’re … Find out how to read more Online.

Why is investment income taxed less than wages?
Thu Jan 26 2012 07:36PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — Why do Mitt Romney and other wealthy investors pay lower taxes on the income they make from investments than they would if they earned their millions from wages? Because the tax code, has long treated investment more … Find out how to read more Online.

Prison privatization headed to senate floor
Thu Jan 26 2012 10:14PM

TALLAHASSEE — A legislative proposal to privatize about 30 prisons in most of the southern part of the state is headed for the Senate floor after a vote in the Budget Committee that angered prison guards who feel they’re not … Find out how to read more Online.

Study: 7 percent of US adults, teens carry HPV in mouths
Thu Jan 26 2012 10:14PM

LOS ANGELES — An estimated 7 percent of American teens and adults carry the human papilloma virus in their mouths, an infection that puts them at heightened risk of developing cancer of the mouth and throat, researchers said Thursday. Their … Find out how to read more Online.

Taxpayers still owed $133B
Thu Jan 26 2012 10:14PM

WASHINGTON — Companies that were bailed out during the financial crisis still owe U.S. taxpayers nearly $133 billion. Treasury’s plans to recoup that money have been slowed by the volatile stock market and weakness among smaller banks. Some of the … Find out how to read more Online.

Workforce board bill gives Scott firing authority
Thu Jan 26 2012 09:25PM

TALLAHASSEE (News Service of Florida) — A bill giving Gov. Rick Scott and future governors more control over regional workforce boards passed its first Senate stop on Thursday in response to a series of embarrassing incidents regarding mismanagement at the … Find out how to read more Online.

Panetta: US ground forces would be cut by 100,000
Thu Jan 26 2012 05:56PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pentagon leaders outlined a plan Thursday for absorbing $487 billion in defense cuts over the coming decade by shrinking U.S. ground forces, slowing the purchase of a next-generation stealth fighter and retiring older planes and ships. In … Find out how to read more Online.

Gold Advances to Seven-Week High on Fed Statement
Thu Jan 26 2012 07:36PM

(Bloomberg) — Gold futures rose to a seven-week high Thursday as the Federal Reserve’s pledge to keep U.S. borrowing costs low drove the dollar down, boosting demand for precious metals as alternative assets. Silver jumped to a two-month high. The … Find out how to read more Online.

Dow opens near post-crisis peak but ends lower
Thu Jan 26 2012 07:36PM

(AP) — A brief morning rally Thursday pushed the Dow Jones industrial average above its highest close since the financial crisis of 2008, but disappointing economic data tempered traders’ optimism later in the day, and stocks finished lower. Solid news … Find out how to read more Online.

No backing for the word ‘fracking’
Thu Jan 26 2012 05:54PM

NEW YORK (AP) — A different kind of F-word is stirring a linguistic and political debate as controversial as what it defines. The word is “fracking” — as in hydraulic fracturing, a technique long used by the oil and gas … Find out how to read more Online.

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More Local News

Man charged in mobile home arsons
Thu Jan 26 2012 08:09AM

PUNTA GORDA — Arson suspect Phillip George Mullin, 46, was arrested Tuesday in connection with two mobile home fires Nov. 12 at the Peace River Fish Camp, off U.S. 17 near the DeSoto County line, according to a Charlotte County … Find out how to read more Online.

Teddy bears to help deputies help kids
Fri Jan 27 2012 04:52PM

ENGLEWOOD — Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Cameron and sheriff’s deputies rounded up 500 teddy bears Thursday and enjoyed a barbecue lunch, thanks to the efforts of managers at Quality Self Storage. Manager Kathy Kalvan and Assistant Manager Jerry Stetter collected … Find out how to read more Online.

Charlotte man charged with arson in November home fire
Wed Jan 25 2012 11:00AM

From the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office: “Charlotte County Sheriff’s detectives and the State Fire Marshal arrested Phillip George Mullin, 46, in connection with two mobile home fires Nov. 12 at the Peace River Fish Camp, off U.S. 17 near the … Find out how to read more Online.

RELIGION BRIEFS
Fri Jan 27 2012 08:24PM

Pancake Brunch The Englewood United Methodist Men’s Fellowship Pancake Brunch, a 39-year tradition, takes place from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. select Saturdays in the church’s Fellowship Hall, 700 E. Dearborn St. This season’s future brunch dates are: today; … Find out how to read more Online.

Pup Crawl gets to heart of matter
Fri Jan 27 2012 02:16PM

The Charlotte County Cultural Center held its January Puppy Crawl on Thursday. The January Puppy Crawl benefits Gulf Coast Pet Partners. The event was hosted by Pampered Pet Health Center, and it celebrated Valentine’s Day. Pets were dressed in all … Find out how to read more Online.

Santorum touts values in Punta Gorda visit
Wed Jan 25 2012 08:09AM

PUNTA GORDA — To bring about America’s recovery, the country must end corporate bailouts, repeal costly regulations and “Obamacare,” support offshore oil drilling and get government out of affairs best left to families, Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum told an … Find out how to read more Online.

Boca Grande talking property tax to fund causeway
Fri Jan 27 2012 12:44AM

BOCA GRANDE — Motorists soon can expect to see at least a $1 hike to the $5 toll for passenger vehicles on the Boca Grande Causeway. The bigger question is whether property owners within the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority special … Find out how to read more Online.

Fawcett chiefs now lead Englewood hospital
Fri Jan 27 2012 12:44AM

ENGLEWOOD — Englewood Community and Fawcett Memorial hospitals both will be headed up by Fawcett CEO Tom Rice and CFO Mike Wyers. Both Englewood Community and Fawcett Memorial in Port Charlotte are in the HCA of West Florida network of … Find out how to read more Online.

Port Charlotte woman killed in wreck
Fri Jan 27 2012 01:34PM

A Port Charlotte woman was killed Friday morning in a two car accident on I-75 in Collier County. Percide Augustin, 58, of Port Charlotte, died at North Collier Hospital as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. According to … Find out how to read more Online.

Local woman wins trip
Fri Jan 27 2012 12:44AM

Amy Walker, 29, of Port Charlotte recently became Anderson Cooper’s two-millionth Twitter follower and as a result won a trip to New York City to appear on “Anderson” and participate on a panel about current events with “Watch What Happens … Find out how to read more Online.

$10K gift boosts learning
Fri Jan 27 2012 12:44AM

Chinese language learning will get a boost with a $10,000 grant Charlotte County Public Schools has received from the Asia Society for a Confucius Classroom. Confucius Classrooms are internationally recognized exemplary classrooms that teach Chinese language and culture to students. … Find out how to read more Online.

Fugitive suspect in drive-by shooting arrested
Thu Jan 26 2012 12:54PM

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit reported the arrest by U.S. Marshal agents in Miami this morning of a man wanted in connection with a drive-by car shooting Nov. 20 in Port Charlotte. Following up on CCSO leads supplied … Find out how to read more Online.

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