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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Mine settlement includes 4,400-acre park

The phosphate strip-mining company Mosaic has agreed to donate a 4,400-acre tract known as Peaceful Horse Ranch in DeSoto County for a state park, as part of the settlement of a lawsuit with Sierra Club and two other organizations, officials announced Tuesday. In exchange, Sierra Club, Protecting the Peace River … Find out how to read more Online.

LATEST LOCAL NEWS

Art auction to include award-winning student photos
Wed Feb 22 2012 03:52PM

Art lovers, take notice. The upcoming Young Life Charlotte Harbor Art Auction will be a prime opportunity for collectors to snatch up artwork by some of the area’s greatest up-and-coming … Find out how to read more Online.

Cummings bids for elections supervisor post
Wed Feb 22 2012 09:14AM

PUNTA GORDA — Citing a need to “restore integrity” to the Charlotte County Elections Supervisor’s Office, longtime former county commissioner Adam Cummings announced his candidacy for the office Tuesday. Cummings … Find out how to read more Online.

Authorities investigate shooting, slashing
Tue Feb 21 2012 12:58PM

Charlotte County Sheriff’s detectives continue their investigations into two incidents, one a stabbing and the other a shooting early Saturday morning in Port Charlotte. Deputies responded to Peace River Regional … Find out how to read more Online.

Report: Man tried to cash refund check with fake license
Tue Feb 21 2012 12:55PM

Charlotte County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Deep Creek man for trying to pass a $9,659 tax refund check with a fake driver’s license at an Englewood business. This is the … Find out how to read more Online.

State, National and World News

Jurors get murder case of ex-Va. lacrosse player
Wed Feb 22 2012 11:00AM

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Jurors in the murder trial of a former University of Virginia lacrosse player began deliberations Wednesday, deciding whether he battered his ex-girlfriend to death in a drunken, jealous rage or if his intent to simply talk … Find out how to read more Online.

Court says man responsible for campaign violations
Wed Feb 22 2012 11:00AM

BRADENTON (AP) — A former business partner of State Rep. Vern Buchanan says he was responsible for improperly reimbursing employees for contributions they made to Buchanan’s congressional campaigns. The Bradenton Herald (http://bit.ly/xwBww6) reports a federal court in Jacksonville said Sam … Find out how to read more Online.

Citigroup ‘Defrauded’ Fannie, Freddie, Whistle-Blower Says
Wed Feb 22 2012 11:00AM

NEW YORK — Citigroup, which last week admitted breaking FHA rules and paid a fine, also violated regulations for home loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, according to a whistle-blower’s complaint. The bank “defrauded, falsified information or misled … Find out how to read more Online.

Ex-NY Giant Carson says no to NJ bid for Congress
Wed Feb 22 2012 11:00AM

ess TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Harry Carson has ruled out running for Congress as a Democrat in New Jersey. The 58-year-old retired New York Giant tells The Associated Press on Wednesday that he just … Find out how to read more Online.

Angry Afghans rally over Quran disposal at US base
Tue Feb 21 2012 09:28AM

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — More than 2,000 angry Afghans rallied Tuesday against the inadvertent burning of Qurans and other Islamic religious materials during trash disposal at an American air base. They demanded to meet the country’s president over the issue … Find out how to read more Online.

Pastor found dead 5 months after church shooting
Tue Feb 21 2012 09:28AM

LAKELAND (AP) — A Florida pastor was found dead in his home five months after a shooting at a central Florida church that also wounded another pastor. Polk County Sheriff’s officials say a friend became worried last week after he … Find out how to read more Online.

Pakistan to ask Interpol to arrest ex-president
Tue Feb 21 2012 09:28AM

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan will ask Interpol to arrest ex-President Pervez Musharraf for his failure to prevent the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, the interior minister said Tuesday. Rehman Malik said the government was seeking Musharraf’s arrest because … Find out how to read more Online.

Fla. teacher dies during Pres. Day fishing outing
Tue Feb 21 2012 09:24AM

SARASOTA (AP) — Police say a 54-year-old elementary school teacher died during a President’s Day fishing trip. Sarasota police spokesman Paul Sutton says Calvin Esaw and a relative were wading in Sarasota Bay Monday afternoon when they began yelling for … Find out how to read more Online.

UN nuclear inspectors to press Iran on weapons
Mon Feb 20 2012 09:44AM

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — U.N. nuclear inspectors starting a two-day visit to Tehran on Monday sought to meet Iranian nuclear scientists and visit a key military facility as they try to gauge allegations that Iran is pushing toward making an … Find out how to read more Online.

Oil jumps to 9-month high after Iran cuts supply
Mon Feb 20 2012 09:44AM

Oil prices jumped to a nine-month high above $105 a barrel on Monday after Iran said it halted crude exports to Britain and France in an escalation of a dispute over the Middle Eastern country’s nuclear program. By early afternoon … Find out how to read more Online.

Seoul holds military drills despite NKorea threat
Mon Feb 20 2012 09:44AM

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea conducted live-fire military drills near its disputed sea boundary with North Korea on Monday despite Pyongyang’s threat to respond with a “merciless” attack. North Korea did not carry out the threat as it … Find out how to read more Online.

Student Loans Near $1 Trillion Hurting Young Buyers
Mon Feb 20 2012 09:44AM

WASHINGTON — Roshell Schenck has a PhD in pharmacy and earns $125,000 a year, yet can’t qualify for a mortgage for a house for herself and her 9-year-old daughter. The 2008 graduate of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, in … Find out how to read more Online.

Britain, France urge help for Syrian opposition
Fri Feb 17 2012 09:26AM

PARIS (AP) — Britain and France urged the Syrian opposition to unite and said Friday it needs more international support to resist a deadly government crackdown. In Syria, government troops intensively shelled rebel-held neighborhoods in the restive central city of … Find out how to read more Online.

Deal trims maximum jobless benefits to 73 weeks
Fri Feb 17 2012 09:26AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — Unemployed workers would no longer be able claim 99 weeks of benefit checks by this summer under a deal being worked out in Congress. Under this week’s compromise for extending a Social Security tax cut through the … Find out how to read more Online.

On birth control, Santorum out of step with nation
Fri Feb 17 2012 09:26AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — Most Americans don’t share Rick Santorum’s absolutist take on abortion. He’s out of step on women in combat. He questions the values of the two-thirds of mothers who work. He’s even troubled by something as commonplace as … Find out how to read more Online.

Fla. meth case involves 3 generations of 1 family
Fri Feb 17 2012 09:26AM

CROSS CITY (AP) — It’s a generational thing: Deputies in Florida say a man, his daughter and his grandson, along with a fourth person said to be a family relative, are accused of working together to manufacture methamphetamine. Dixie County … Find out how to read more Online.

GM records its highest profit ever: $7.6 billion
Thu Feb 16 2012 09:32AM

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors earned its largest profit ever in 2011, two years after it nearly collapsed into financial ruin. Strong sales in the U.S. and China helped the 103-year-old carmaker turn a profit of $7.6 billion, beating its … Find out how to read more Online.

Judge acquits 4 in Florida insurance fraud case
Thu Feb 16 2012 09:32AM

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — A federal judge has acquitted four former insurance company executives on charges of defrauding $20 million from the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. A court clerk on Thursday confirmed that U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ordered the verdict … Find out how to read more Online.

Unemployment applications drop to a 4-year low
Thu Feb 16 2012 09:32AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell to the lowest point in almost four years last week, the latest signal that the job market is steadily improving. The Labor Department says weekly applications for unemployment benefits … Find out how to read more Online.

Probe finds Iraqi VP behind death squads
Thu Feb 16 2012 09:32AM

BAGHDAD (AP) — An Iraqi investigation panel says the country’s Sunni vice president and his employees were behind years of deadly attacks on security officials and Shiite pilgrims. Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council spokesman Abdul-Sattar Bayrkdar did not offer any evidence … Find out how to read more Online.

Rolex stolen during South Fla. airport screening
Wed Feb 15 2012 09:36AM

FORT LAUDERDALE (AP) — Authorities are looking for a man who took a $6,500 Rolex watch from a plastic bin as he passed through a security checkpoint at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Officials say the theft happened Jan. 18 as … Find out how to read more Online.

Iran says using new advanced uranium centrifuges
Wed Feb 15 2012 09:36AM

s TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — An Iranian news agency says that the country has started using new advanced centrifuges at its main uranium enrichment site. The semiofficial Fars agency reported Wednesday that a “new generation of Iranian centrifuges” had been … Find out how to read more Online.

Threatened butterfly vanishes from Florida refuge
Wed Feb 15 2012 09:36AM

BAHIA HONDA KEY, Fla. (AP) — For more than a year, Bahia Honda State Park biologist Jim Duquesnel traversed the nature sanctuary with two hopes. He wanted to see a Miami blue butterfly and rid the Florida Keys outpost of … Find out how to read more Online.

His Airness’ hand gives cops clue about fake shoes
Wed Feb 15 2012 09:36AM

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Police say one of the first clues the Nike shoes might be fake was the logo of Michael Jordan. The former NBA star had too many fingers, an officer wrote in his report. WSB-TV reports (http://bit.ly/yKtkCA) … Find out how to read more Online.

Fresh violence in Syria as UN warns of civil war
Tue Feb 14 2012 09:34AM

BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian government forces renewed their assault on the rebellious city of Homs on Tuesday in what activists described as the heaviest shelling in days, as the U.N. human rights chief raised fears of civil war. Troops loyal … Find out how to read more Online.

Awaiting pope: New Castro, same mess of an economy
Tue Feb 14 2012 09:34AM

MIAMI — Two years before Pope John Paul II visited Cuba in 1998, then-Defense Minister Raul Castro cracked down on a half-dozen young academics who had dared propose market reforms for the island’s Soviet-styled economy. The Center for the Study … Find out how to read more Online.

40 couples plan to marry at West Palm Beach event
Tue Feb 14 2012 09:34AM

WEST PALM BEACH (AP) — Dozens of South Florida couples are planning to tie the knot in a Valentine’s Day ceremony in West Palm Beach. About 40 couples are expected to marry at the National Croquet Center in a free … Find out how to read more Online.

Grammy sales bump for Civil Wars, Bruno Mars, others
Tue Feb 14 2012 09:34AM

LOS ANGELES — The return of Adele and a tribute to Whitney Houston helped drive the Grammy Awards to its second-biggest audience ever, but it will still be a few days before the ultimate winners are revealed. With 40 million … Find out how to read more Online.

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More Local News

Getting a leg up
Wed Feb 22 2012 12:22PM

Rehearsing for Dancing with the Charlotte Stars are Stacy Jones of Punta Gorda and her professional dance partner, Louis Brady, also from Punta Gorda. Stacy is the community relations director for Kays, Ponger and Uselton Funeral Home and is very … Find out how to read more Online.

Officials: Privatization not working
Wed Feb 22 2012 09:14AM

MURDOCK — Two years ago, the Charlotte County Commission approved an outsourcing plan that resulted in the layoff of several part-time county custodians. Today, officials are rethinking the effectiveness of that move. “I’m a big fan of privatizing functions,” Commissioner … Find out how to read more Online.

Turtle trial ends in guilty verdict
Wed Feb 22 2012 09:14AM

PUNTA GORDA — An Englewood woman was found guilty Tuesday of knowingly disturbing a loggerhead sea turtle nest, a third-degree felony. A six-member jury took less than an hour to convict 76-year-old Juanita Schultz. The loggerhead sea turtle is an … Find out how to read more Online.

Tennis with a Heart benefits homeless
Wed Feb 22 2012 09:14AM

The ninth annual Tennis with a Heart tournament took place over the past two weekends at the Punta Gorda Club. Proceeds benefited the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition. Forty-nine matches took place last weekend and 85 matches took place this past … Find out how to read more Online.

Boca Grande artist takes home the top honors in VAC show
Wed Feb 22 2012 09:14AM

At a gala reception on Feb. 10, the Visual Arts Center announced awards for its eighth biennial National Art Exhibition. Five hundred renowned artists from across the nation entered works of art, which were juried by one of America’s greatest … Find out how to read more Online.

A birthday to remember
Wed Feb 22 2012 09:14AM

Virgil Cline reclined in his favorite chair while family and friends filled his Deep Creek home with love in celebration of his 100th birthday on Feb. 18. During the festivity, Cline was presented a special award from Rev. Duane Waters, pastor … Find out how to read more Online.

SPORTS
Wed Feb 22 2012 09:14AM

In a vacant field, a group of kids in football gear slam into each other during a practice; the coach prods them on with intensity. Meanwhile, a young girl on a horse flies down a dirt-covered ring before slamming the … Find out how to read more Online.

Dart tourney helps Special Olympians
Wed Feb 22 2012 09:14AM

The IceHouse Pub and owner John Berry hosted a dart tournament for the Special Olympics Charlotte County on Feb. 12, and eight teams of two competed. Family, friends and supporters of the Special Olympics came out to either participate or … Find out how to read more Online.

Donors pitch in to save injured dog
Tue Feb 21 2012 08:04AM

Things were not looking good for Rosie. The 2-year-old giant schnauzer was hit by a car and her owner couldn’t afford the surgery to fix a broken femur, a costly procedure. Rosie was surrendered to Sunnybrook Animal Hospital in Englewood, … Find out how to read more Online.

Gallery Walk celebrates the arts
Wed Feb 22 2012 09:14AM

The Gallery Walk on Feb. 16 was a celebration of the arts. In addition to live music and galleries displaying the works of local artists, the February event featured five of the stars for the upcoming Dancing with the Charlotte … Find out how to read more Online.

The boys are back in town
Tue Feb 21 2012 08:04AM

Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon stretches after getting off a stool following a news conference as pitchers and catchers officially report to baseball spring training Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Port Charlotte, Fla. (AP Photo/David Goldman) … Find out how to read more Online.

‘Cancer sucks!’
Wed Feb 22 2012 09:14AM

Auctioneer/Realtor Phil Wilson has just about seen it all in his years heading up the 4-H livestock auction at the Charlotte County Fair. This year though, a special letter someone put in the door of his office tugged at his … Find out how to read more Online.

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