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Today's Top Stories

News Alerts:

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Edison Collegiate salutes first grads

PUNTA GORDA — Edison State College honored its first family Friday evening during ceremonies at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center in Punta Gorda. The “family,” as three student speakers referred to themselves, consisted of 77 graduates of the inaugural class of Edison Collegiate High School. “We were all … Find out how to read more online.

LATEST LOCAL NEWS

Academy Class of 2013 triumphs
Sun May 19 2013 08:03AM

PUNTA GORDA — It’s hard to beat The Academy at Charlotte Technical Center for a commencement ceremony steeped in the power of perseverance. The Wolfpack — 71 strong — along with … Find out how to read more online.

Expo crowd urged to learn, prep
Sun May 19 2013 08:03AM

PUNTA GORDA — There shouldn’t be any hesitation on the part of local residents and business owners when it comes to preparing for the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season, which begins … Find out how to read more online.

Re-enactor brings Black Seminole history to life
Sun May 19 2013 08:03AM

PUNTA GORDA — When John Griffin learned that his great-great-grandmother was full-blooded Seminole — and he began to learn more about the Black Seminoles and the valuable contributions they made … Find out how to read more online.

Nailing down skilled labor
Sun May 19 2013 08:03AM

Every time Mike Kozenieski works with any of the big, top 10 contractors, they always ask him the same question: How’s the labor there? The answer: Not so good. Kozenieski, president … Find out how to read more online.

State, National and World News

Official: Broken rail eyed in Conn. train crash
Sun May 19 2013 01:19AM

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — The commuter train derailment and collision that left dozens injured outside New York City was not the result of foul play, officials said Saturday, but a fractured section of rail is being studied to determine if it … read more.

After pill mills dry up, addicts turn to heroin
Sun May 19 2013 01:19AM

MIAMI — Kevin Foley stood before a judge in Broward County’s drug court — fellow abusers sitting behind him in the benches — talking about the fitful life of a recovering addict, the random drug tests, the counseling and what … read more.

Last-minute fortune seekers buy Powerball tickets
Sun May 19 2013 01:19AM

DES MOINES, Iowa — It’s all about the odds. With the majority of possible combinations of Powerball numbers in play, someone is almost sure to win the game’s highest jackpot during Saturday night’s drawing, a windfall of hundreds of millions … read more.

IRS probe ignored most influential groups
Sun May 19 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON — There’s an irony in the Internal Revenue Service’s crackdown on conservative groups. The nation’s tax agency has admitted to inappropriately scrutinizing smaller tea party organizations that applied for tax-exempt status, and senior Treasury Department officials were notified in … read more.

Syria’s Assad says he won’t step down
Sun May 19 2013 01:19AM

BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad said in a newspaper interview Saturday he won’t step down and will instead “face the storm,” raising new doubts about a U.S-Russian effort to get Assad and his opponents to negotiate an end … read more.

Victims: Marines failed to safeguard water supply
Sun May 19 2013 01:19AM

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (AP) — A simple test could have alerted officials that the drinking water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated, long before authorities determined that as many as a million Marines and their families were exposed to a witch’s … read more.

Egyptians targeted with blasphemy charges
Sun May 19 2013 01:19AM

CAIRO (AP) — The pale, young Christian woman sat handcuffed in the courtroom, accused of insulting Islam while teaching history of religions to fourth-graders. A team of Islamist lawyers with long beards sang in unison, “All except the Prophet Muhammad.” … read more.

Treasury officials told of IRS probe in June 2012
Sat May 18 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON — Senior Treasury officials were made aware in June 2012 that investigators were looking into complaints from tea party groups that they were being harassed by the Internal Revenue Service, a Treasury inspector general said Friday, disclosing that Obama … read more.

Dirty war inside Syria?
Sat May 18 2013 01:19AM

BEIRUT — About 30 security agents showed up just after midnight, breaking down the door to an apartment in the town of Daraya near the Syrian capital of Damascus. They grabbed a 24-year-old university student and drove off. That was … read more.

Danger in office Powerball pools
Sat May 18 2013 01:19AM

In workplaces across the nation, Americans are inviting their colleagues to chip in $2 for a Powerball ticket and a shared daydream. The office lottery pool is a way to improve your odds and have a little fun with co-workers. … read more.

Woman tells of Berlusconi’s wild parties
Sat May 18 2013 01:19AM

MILAN — Silvio Berlusconi’s private disco featured not only aspiring showgirls performing striptease acts as sexy nuns and nurses, but one woman dressed up as President Barack Obama and a prominent Milan prosecutor whom the billionaire media mogul has accused … read more.

Canada abuzz over purported crack video of mayor
Sat May 18 2013 01:19AM

TORONTO (AP) — A video purportedly of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack has caused an uproar in Canada. Ford on Friday called the allegations “ridiculous.” The video has not been released publicly, and there is no way to verify … read more.

Benghazi probe co-chair subpoenaed
Sat May 18 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The chairman of the House Oversight committee has issued a subpoena to compel the co-chairman of the independent review board that investigated last year’s attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, to answer questions about … read more.

Florida insurance fund robust as storm season looms
Thu May 16 2013 01:19AM

TALLAHASSEE — Florida is heading into a new storm season with some good news for once. The state-created fund that backs up private insurers in Florida is in the best financial shape it has been in years — maybe the … read more.

Ex-death row inmates: Veto Timely Justice Act
Thu May 16 2013 01:19AM

MIAMI — Two former death row inmates who have since been exonerated urged Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday to veto legislation that would expedite the state’s capital punishment process, worrying it will condemn some innocent people to death. “If … read more.

Hackers seek paydays on smartphones
Thu May 16 2013 01:19AM

MIAMI — Smartphones are increasingly popular not only with consumers, but also with thieves who see the devices as another way to tap into bank accounts and other sensitive information, experts say. Many consumers simply don’t realize how vulnerable their … read more.

IRS commissioner quits
Thu May 16 2013 08:02AM

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama announced the resignation of the top official at the federal tax agency following a controversy over the targeting of conservative political groups for extra scrutiny, moving aggressively to respond to one of several scandals plaguing … read more.

OJ Simpson testifies in bid for new trial
Thu May 16 2013 01:19AM

LAS VEGAS (AP) — His leg shackles rattling as he shuffled to the witness stand, a grayer, bulkier O.J. Simpson made his case for a new trial on armed robbery charges Wednesday, saying he was relying on the advice of … read more.

GOP, Dems challenge Holder over subpoenas to AP
Thu May 16 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Republicans and Democrats on Wednesday challenged Attorney General Eric Holder over the Justice Department’s handling of the investigation of national security leaks and its failure to talk to The Associated Press before issuing subpoenas for the … read more.

Stocks reach all-time highs
Thu May 16 2013 01:19AM

NEW YORK (AP) — Investors nudged the stock market to all-time highs Wednesday despite a handful of disappointing economic reports. Google’s stock topped $900 for the first time after the company announced several upgrades to its Android software for smartphones, … read more.

Jolie admired for bravery in mastectomy revelation
Wed May 15 2013 01:19AM

NEW YORK — “I hope that other women can benefit from my experience,” Angelina Jolie wrote in a powerful op-ed article Tuesday, explaining her decision to go public with having her breasts removed to avoid cancer. But amid the accolades … read more.

Mega Millions comes to Florida
Wed May 15 2013 01:19AM

TALLAHASSEE — No one is quite sure if the numbers will add up, but the Florida Lottery will start selling tickets to the popular Mega Millions lottery game today. Lottery officials are launching the multi-game state with a bit of … read more.

Pentagon poised to furlough 680,000 civilian employees
Wed May 15 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — After weeks of debate and number-crunching, the Defense Department announced plans Tuesday to furlough about 680,000 of its civilian employees for 11 days through the end of this fiscal year, allowing only limited exceptions for the military … read more.

89 charged in Medicare fraud busts in 8 cities
Wed May 15 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 100 people, including 14 doctors and nurses, were charged for their roles in separate Medicare scams that collectively billed the taxpayer-funded program for roughly $223 million in bogus charges in a massive bust spanning eight cities, … read more.

Study questions how sharply Americans should cut the salt
Wed May 15 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — A surprising new report questions efforts to get Americans to sharply cut back on salt, saying getting to super-low levels may not be worth the struggle. Make no mistake: Most Americans eat way too much, not just … read more.

Safety Board: Lower DUI mark to .05
Wed May 15 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON — States should lower the definition of drunken driving to a blood-alcohol reading of no more than .05 percent, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended Tuesday, saying the United States is too tolerant of impairment behind the wheel. The … read more.

Gov’t probe gets swath of AP phone records
Wed May 15 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department secretly obtained two months of telephone records of reporters and editors for The Associated Press in what the news cooperative’s top executive called a “massive and unprecedented intrusion” into how news organizations gather the … read more.

Hospitals could lose $500M in federal funds
Tue May 14 2013 01:19AM

MIAMI — Hospitals nationwide could lose half a billion dollars in federal funding for uninsured patients next year under the national health overhaul — a loss that will hit especially hard in states that decided against expanding Medicaid coverage. Cuts … read more.

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More Local News

Festival flaunts local flora
Sun May 19 2013 08:03AM

The 2013 Hibiscus Festival is being held this weekend in Punta Gorda, the City of Hibiscus. … Find out how to read more online.

Springs agreement ready for joint commission decision
Sun May 19 2013 08:03AM

NORTH PORT — In an effort to keep the Warm Mineral Springs Day Spa open after the June 30 deadline passes, an interlocal agreement is awaiting signatures of the heads of the North Port City and Sarasota County commissions. At 6 p.m. … Find out how to read more online.

First Panthers blaze a trail
Sun May 19 2013 08:03AM

Edison Collegiate High School, located at Edison State College Charlotte Campus in Punta Gorda, held its inaugural commencement ceremonies Friday evening at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, also in Punta Gorda. … Find out how to read more online.

Wolfpack howls with pride
Sun May 19 2013 08:03AM

The Academy at Charlotte Technical Center, located in Murdock, held its class of 2013 graduation Friday afternoon at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center in Punta Gorda. … Find out how to read more online.

Weekly Record
Sun May 19 2013 08:03AM

Charlotte County births • Avelyn Reagan Gardner, to Johana and Justin Gardner of Port Charlotte, at 9:10 a.m. May 10. She weighed 7 pounds,15 ounces. • Davis Patrick Rooney, to Julie Abbott and Derek Rooney of Punta Gorda, at 12:40 a.m. May 15. He weighed 7 pounds, … Find out how to read more online.

Winners Circle
Sun May 19 2013 08:03AM

American Legion Post 103 • Sunday Darts winners May 12: Round 1: 1-Paul Martin, Ron Hickson; 2-Sarah Ingels, Mike Hannagan; 3-Bruce Buzzell, Dick Braun. Round 2: 1-Dick Braun, Bruce Buzzell; 2-Christy Buzzell, Sarah Ingels; 3-Nancy Gant, Joey Siracusa. Charlotte Harbor Yacht … Find out how to read more online.

Englewood couple charged in federal court
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

Two Englewood doctors were indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury in Fort Myers on conspiracy charges after authorities claim they used dummy companies, off-shore bank accounts and Caribbean-based medical schools to hide millions in undeclared income over the last … Find out how to read more online.

Culver’s breaks ground
Fri May 17 2013 02:30PM

A Culver’s Restaurant is coming to town this fall. It will be the first in Florida for the Wisconsin-based chain. On Thursday, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to start the construction on Kings Highway in front of the Walmart with … Find out how to read more online.

CCSO seeks to unlock safe mystery
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

CHARLOTTE HARBOR — It will take a combination of luck and old-fashioned gumshoe work to unlock the mystery of the safe. The safe, a gray 2-foot-by-2-foot Hayman, magically appeared Monday in the Charlotte Harbor area. It was locked and did … Find out how to read more online.

CCSO serves second search warrant in Parkside; one arrested
Fri May 17 2013 04:44PM

PORT CHARLOTTE — Sheriff’s Office Narcotics detectives served a search warrant Friday morning at Sunshine Villas in Port Charlotte and arrested a man on charges of sale and delivery of cocaine and possession of marijuana. On April 29, undercover detectives … Find out how to read more online.

Casino deals losing hand to Knights
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

NORTH PORT — This roll of the dice is coming up snake eyes for the Knights of Columbus, as well as the area charities it supports. After May 20, the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa will put an end … Find out how to read more online.

Locked safe found near Peace River
Fri May 17 2013 04:10PM

CHARLOTTE HARBOR — On Monday, a locked Hayman drop safe was found in the Charlotte Harbor area and turned in to the Sheriff’s Office. The safe is described as gray and about 2 feet by 2 feet. The safe did … Find out how to read more online.

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