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Today's Top Stories

News Alerts:

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Death and destruction

PORT CHARLOTTE — Authorities found a man’s body Tuesday in the garage of a Port Charlotte home that had been the site of an attempted shooting and arson hours earlier. Donald Hierspiel, 51, allegedly broke into a home on the 700 block of Riviera Lane around 2:47 a.m., threatening a woman … Find out how to read more online.

LATEST LOCAL NEWS

Body from Riviera Lane house fire identified
Wed Jun 19 2013 11:20AM

PORT CHARLOTTE — The body of the man found in the burned garage of a home in the 700 block of Riviera Lane Tuesday has been identified as that of … Find out how to read more online.

Silver alert canceled
Wed Jun 19 2013 09:22AM

A Florida Silver Alert was issued Tuesday for a 63-year-old woman who left her residence in Punta Gorda. Tuesday night, Linda Howard was discovered by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office … Find out how to read more online.

Attorneys may testify over murder-trial coercion claims
Wed Jun 19 2013 09:46AM

SARASOTA COUNTY — Convicted killer John Allen Lee’s attorney said she may withdraw as his counsel and testify that he didn’t concoct the story of who really murdered his estranged … Find out how to read more online.

Angry crowd argues against sewers
Wed Jun 19 2013 09:46AM

MURDOCK — An angry, rowdy crowd of some 300 residents opposed to a proposed sewer project in their Spring Lake neighborhoods filled the Charlotte County Commission chambers Monday evening, insisting … Find out how to read more online.

State, National and World News

US, Taliban to start talks
Wed Jun 19 2013 01:19AM

KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban and the U.S. said Tuesday they will hold talks on finding a political solution to ending nearly 12 years of war in Afghanistan, as the international coalition formally handed over control of the country’s security … read more.

Chrysler agrees to recall of 2.7M Jeeps
Wed Jun 19 2013 01:19AM

DETROIT — Chrysler abruptly agreed to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps Tuesday, reversing a defiant stance and avoiding a possible public relations nightmare over fuel tanks that can rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions. In deciding on the … read more.

NSA: Plot against Wall Street foiled
Wed Jun 19 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON — The U.S. foiled a plot to bomb the New York Stock Exchange because of the sweeping surveillance programs at the heart of a debate over national security and personal privacy, officials said Tuesday at a rare open hearing … read more.

House passes far-reaching anti-abortion bill
Wed Jun 19 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican-led House on Tuesday passed a far-reaching anti-abortion bill that conservatives saw as a milestone in their 40-year campaign against legalized abortion and Democrats condemned as yet another example of the GOP war on women. The … read more.

Lost city found in Cambodia
Wed Jun 19 2013 01:19AM

SYDNEY — Airborne laser technology has uncovered a network of roadways and canals, illustrating a bustling ancient city linking Cambodia’s famed Angkor Wat temples complex. The discovery was announced late Monday in a peer-reviewed paper released early by the journal … read more.

Zimmerman trial attorneys pick 40 potential jurors
Wed Jun 19 2013 01:19AM

G-8 advances on Syrian peace talks, tax evasion
Wed Jun 19 2013 01:19AM

ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland (AP) — President Barack Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other G-8 leaders took a united stance Tuesday on seeking a negotiated Syrian peace settlement to forge a “united, inclusive and democratic” government — but couldn’t agree … read more.

Turkey’s ‘standing man’ launches new protest wave
Wed Jun 19 2013 01:19AM

ISTANBUL (AP) — After weeks of sometimes violent confrontation with police, protesters in Turkey have found what could be a more potent form of resistance: standing still. The trend was launched by performance artist Erdem Gunduz, who stood silently for … read more.

Governor Scott’s job approval up to 43 percent
Wed Jun 19 2013 01:19AM

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s approval rating is improving, a poll released Tuesday shows, though not to the point that it’s likely to deter any potential challengers in 2014. The Quinnipiac University poll shows 43 percent of voters … read more.

Citizenship proof law illegal
Tue Jun 18 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court ruled Monday that states cannot on their own require would-be voters to prove they are U.S. citizens before using a federal registration system designed to make signing up easier. The justices voted 7-2 to throw … read more.

Food companies work to make it look natural
Tue Jun 18 2013 01:19AM

NEW YORK (AP) — Here’s the latest goal for food makers: Perfect the art of imperfection. When stretching out the dough for its premium “Artisan Pizzas,” Domino’s workers are instructed not to worry about making the rectangles too perfect: The … read more.

EU, US agree to start free-trade talks at G-8
Tue Jun 18 2013 01:19AM

ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland — The European Union and the United States will open negotiations next month on a long-sought deal to create free trade between the world’s two mightiest economic regions — an effort that could create millions of jobs … read more.

Women get combat-ready
Tue Jun 18 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON — Women may be able to start training as Army Rangers by mid-2015 and as Navy SEALs a year later under plans set to be announced by the Pentagon that would slowly bring women into thousands of combat jobs, … read more.

Growing human organs
Tue Jun 18 2013 01:19AM

NEW YORK — By the time 10-year-old Sarah Murnaghan finally got a lung transplant last week, she’d been waiting for months, and her parents had sued to give her a better shot at surgery. Her cystic fibrosis was threatening her … read more.

Rowhani’s ‘path of moderation’ also shows limits
Tue Jun 18 2013 01:19AM

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s newly elected president showcased his reform-leaning image Monday by promising a “path of moderation” that includes greater openness on Tehran’s nuclear program and overtures to Washington. He also made clear where he draws the line: … read more.

Iraq no-fly zone viewed as symbol for one in Syria
Mon Jun 17 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration, trying to avoid getting drawn deeper into Syria’s civil war, has pointed to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 as a symbol of what can go wrong when America’s military wades into Middle … read more.

Affirmative action ruling contest: race vs. class
Mon Jun 17 2013 01:19AM

(AP) — In post-Great Recession America, which is the bigger barrier to opportunity — race or class? A decade ago, the U.S. Supreme Court kept the focus on race as a barrier, upholding the right of colleges to make limited … read more.

Beyond NYC: Other places adapting to climate, too
Mon Jun 17 2013 01:19AM

BONN, Germany (AP) — From Bangkok to Miami, cities and coastal areas across the globe are already building or planning defenses to protect millions of people and key infrastructure from more powerful storm surges and other effects of global warming. … read more.

Glasnost on the Potomac under Obama? Not quite
Mon Jun 17 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s as if the United States has two governments, one open and one very much not. President Barack Obama leads both, trying not to butt heads with himself. Since becoming president, Obama has churned out an impressive … read more.

IRS supervisor in DC scrutinized tea party cases
Mon Jun 17 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — An Internal Revenue Service supervisor in Washington says she was personally involved in scrutinizing some of the earliest applications from tea party groups seeking tax-exempt status, including some requests that languished for more than a year without … read more.

SW Florida home to many young farmers
Sun Jun 16 2013 09:28PM

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Some mornings, Lara Collier dons rubber boots to walk the farm, snapping pictures of vegetables to share on social media and bundling bunches of leeks, strawberries and watermelon for customers. The 24-year old helped Collier … read more.

G8 faces uncertain recoveries, turbulent markets
Sun Jun 16 2013 09:28PM

ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland (AP) — Europe is mired in debt and recession. Financial markets have hit violent ups and downs on fears that U.S. stimulus efforts may soon be scaled back. Japan is finally looking up after years of stagnation … read more.

‘Man of Steel’ takes flight with $125M debut
Sun Jun 16 2013 09:28PM

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Man of Steel” leaped over box office expectations in a single weekend. The Warner Bros. superhero film earned $113 million in its opening weekend at the box office, according to studio estimates Sunday. The retelling of … read more.

Egypt seen to give nod toward jihadis on Syria
Sun Jun 16 2013 09:28PM

CAIRO (AP) — Under Hosni Mubarak’s rule, Egypt’s authorities took a tough line on Egyptians coming home after waging “jihad” in places like Afghanistan, Chechnya or the Balkans, fearing they would bring back extremist ideology, combat experience and a thirst … read more.

Fracking fuels water fights in nation’s dry spots
Mon Jun 17 2013 01:19AM

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The latest domestic energy boom is sweeping through some of the nation’s driest pockets, drawing millions of gallons of water to unlock oil and gas reserves from beneath the Earth’s surface. Hydraulic fracturing, or the drilling … read more.

Ohio man charged in $10M real estate scam
Mon Jun 17 2013 01:19AM

MIAMI (AP) — A Pakistan native has been charged with bilking a wealthy Washington businessman out of nearly $10 million, but it’s the flashy way prosecutors allege Haider Zafar spent the money that’s also getting attention. There were bodyguards, diamonds, … read more.

Residents anxious to return to Colorado fire zone
Mon Jun 17 2013 01:19AM

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — With evacuees anxious to return, firefighters worked Sunday to dig up and extinguish hot spots to protect homes spared by the most destructive wildfire in Colorado’s history. The labor-intensive work is necessary because extremely dry … read more.

North Korea proposes high-level talks with US
Mon Jun 17 2013 01:19AM

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — North Korea’s top governing body on Sunday proposed high-level nuclear and security talks with the United States in an appeal sent just days after calling off talks with rival South Korea. The powerful National Defense … read more.

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More Local News

School district promotes administrator
Wed Jun 19 2013 08:01AM

Chuck Bradley has been promoted to the role of assistant superintendent for learning for Charlotte County Public Schools. “There is a great deal of respect (for the job) that I bring coming into the position,” said Bradley. Superintendent Doug Whittaker … Find out how to read more online.

Bayshore Park adds historic playground
Wed Jun 19 2013 08:01AM

PORT CHARLOTTE — Charlotte County is giving Bayshore Live Oak Park a substantial makeover that is in keeping with the area’s historical significance. With a new playground and restroom, at a total cost of around $650,000, the park will continue … Find out how to read more online.

Sarasota gives nod to Little Salt addition
Tue Jun 18 2013 07:33PM

SARASOTA COUNTY — Two weeks after initially discussing the possible acquisition of Little Salt Spring in North Port, Sarasota County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to begin negotiations with the University of Miami to add the 112-acre property in North Port … Find out how to read more online.

Silver Alert issued for missing PGI woman
Tue Jun 18 2013 03:50PM

A Florida Silver Alert has been issued for a 63-year-old woman who left her residence in Punta Gorda on Monday. Linda Howard of the 3300 block of Sandpiper Drive has been reported missing by a family member who last had … Find out how to read more online.

More iPads equals more ‘1-to-1’ classes
Tue Jun 18 2013 08:01AM

Fifth-graders in Kristina Kelch’s class at East Elementary School last year found themselves in one of four pilot “1-to-1” classrooms in the district. That is, each student was assigned an iPad to use for learning and research. Principal Lori Carr … Find out how to read more online.

Street Crimes Unit arrests Tampa men on drug charges
Mon Jun 17 2013 01:36PM

PUNTA GORDA — On Friday, the Street Crimes Unit arrested two Tampa men on charges of possession of marijuana with the intent to sell after they were stopped on I-75 for exceeding the speed limit. At about 5 p.m., Street … Find out how to read more online.

Local Scout joins ranks of elite
Tue Jun 18 2013 12:30PM

PORT CHARLOTTE — Twelve years ago, Chris and Ellen La Plante encouraged their son, Aaron, to join scouting. The Port Charlotte High School senior said that they thought it was a “good idea,” and eventually he became a member of … Find out how to read more online.

Three arrested in connection with theft of appliances
Mon Jun 17 2013 12:54PM

PORT CHARLOTTE — Three Port Charlotte residents were arrested early this morning after the owner of an appliance business caught them taking appliances from beside his business Sunday night. Detectives arrested Keith Joseph Carmello, 44, Tiffany Marie Carmello, 26, and … Find out how to read more online.

He who laughs first
Wed Jun 19 2013 08:01AM

The Charlotte Players held an improvisational comedy night on Monday at the Charlotte Players Langdon Theater in Port Charlotte to kick off an upcoming event, Comedy for a Cause, A Night of Improvisational Laughs, which will be held on Aug. … Find out how to read more online.

Picnic on the Peace River
Wed Jun 19 2013 08:01AM

Punta Gorda Elks Lodge 2606 held a Father’s Day picnic on the Peace River on Sunday. … Find out how to read more online.

Cops on doughnut shops and car show
Mon Jun 17 2013 11:24AM

PORT CHARLOTTE — Cops and doughnuts. Cops and cars. They are stereotypes, but if you can use them to raise money for Special Olympics, why not? On Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., members of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s … Find out how to read more online.

Punta Gorda Pathways to add self-service, bike-repair stand
Tue Jun 18 2013 08:01AM

PUNTA GORDA — You’re riding along on the Punta Gorda Pathways, without a care in the world, when suddenly one presents itself. Your rear tire is low, very low. So, miles from your house and with no bicycle shops in … Find out how to read more online.

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