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Friday, January 27, 2012

Commissioners reject reorganization plan

DESOTO COUNTY — DeSoto County commissioners voted down a staff reorganization proposal made by County Administrator C. Guy Maxcy Tuesday. The plan would have created another county coordinator position, increased the pay of an unknown number of employees and cost taxpayers $85,000. Maxcy said the reorganization would offer him more … Find out how to read more Online.

LATEST LOCAL NEWS

Blue jeans and country things
Thu Jan 26 2012 09:25AM

Here’s just a sneak peek at all the 2012 DeSoto County Fair had to offer. There are still four days left — the fair closes on Sunday, so if you … Find out how to read more Online.

Free legal services available through Pro se program
Thu Jan 26 2012 09:25AM

DESOTO COUNTY — Every year, according to county records, hundreds of cases are brought before DeSoto County Family Court. Many of those cases required lawyers, but families and individuals who … Find out how to read more Online.

Riverside RV Park raises $7,000 toward cancer cure
Thu Jan 26 2012 09:25AM

Riverside RV Resort and Campground held an art exhibit last week and raised more than $7,000 for the Pink Daisy Breast Cancer Support Group and the American Cancer Society for … Find out how to read more Online.

Cafes may see regulation
Mon Jan 23 2012 08:09AM

Internet sweepstakes cafes may soon face tougher regulations, but considering the alternative they may not complain. A Florida Senate committee last week tabled a bill that would have banned the … Find out how to read more Online.

State, National and World News

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.

Administration unveils new plan for national forests
Thu Jan 26 2012 05:54PM

LOS ANGELES (LA Times) — New guidelines to manage some 193 million acres of national forest lands will focus on protecting watersheds and wildlife and will require a tougher scientific standard in balancing the competing demands of industry and conservation … Find out how to read more Online.

Bill Gates pledges $750 million for global AIDS fund
Thu Jan 26 2012 05:54PM

DAVOS, Switzerland (Deutsch Presse-Agentur) — Software billionaire Bill Gates announced Thursday that his foundation would give $750 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The pledge, made in Davos, Switzerland, came after the fund’s director Michel … Find out how to read more Online.

Calif. poised to vote on new ‘clean car’ regs
Thu Jan 26 2012 05:54PM

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The head of California’s air quality board on Thursday called proposed rules that would require automakers to build less-polluting cars and trucks by 2025 a historic move for a cleaner environment. California Air Resources Board Chairman … Find out how to read more Online.

Public needs to back austerity, EU leaders say
Thu Jan 26 2012 05:34PM

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — Cash-strapped governments in Europe must persuade skeptical citizens to accept severe austerity measures if their countries are to recover and thrive in an increasingly tough global economic environment, European leaders said Thursday. They warned at the … Find out how to read more Online.

Egypt bans travel for US official’s son, 9 others
Thu Jan 26 2012 05:33PM

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt banned at least 10 Americans and Europeans from leaving the country, including the son of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood, hiking tensions with Washington over a campaign by Egypt’s military against groups promoting democracy and human … Find out how to read more Online.

Officials: Captain lost precious time
Thu Jan 26 2012 05:33PM

ROME (Deutsch Presse-Agentur) — The wasting of a “precious hour” by the captain of the Costa Concordia jeopardized the timely evacuation of all those aboard the stricken cruise liner, a top Italian coast guard officer said Thursday. The head of … Find out how to read more Online.

Security contractors see opportunities, and limits, in Mexico
Thu Jan 26 2012 05:33PM

MEXICO CITY (Washington Post) — With the Iraq war over and the American presence waning in Afghanistan, U.S. security contractors are looking for new prospects in Mexico, where spreading criminal violence has created a growing demand for battle-ready professionals. After … Find out how to read more Online.

Pakistan accuses Iran of killing 6 on border
Thu Jan 26 2012 05:33PM

QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — A Pakistani government official says Iranian security forces have killed six Pakistani traders taking goats into Iran. Abdur Rehman said the incident happened Thursday on the Iranian side of the border near the Pakistani town of … Find out how to read more Online.

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More Local News

Children’s ID program offered at fair
Thu Jan 26 2012 09:25AM

Gathering vital information in a time of crisis is very difficult. In cooperation with the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office, the Masonic Lodge of Arcadia is providing a free service to parents and caregivers for children from birth through 16 years … Find out how to read more Online.

Arcadia City Council hosts weekend visioning session
Thu Jan 26 2012 09:25AM

ARCADIA — Arcadia City Council is holding a special meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Margaret Way Building. The unusual weekend meeting was called so Mayor Keith Keene, who has been working out of town and attending council meetings … Find out how to read more Online.

Live Oak RV Report rallies for the cure
Thu Jan 26 2012 09:25AM

There is no stopping the giving at Live Oak RV Report. This year, members raised more than $9,300 by holding a bake sale, selling T-shirts, playing Wacky Golf and holding a Happy Helper auction. Each year the annual parade grows … Find out how to read more Online.

Sen. Bill Nelson pays a visit to Arcadia
Thu Jan 26 2012 09:25AM