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LAKE WALES

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Today's Top Stories

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Saturday, May 25, 2013

Kathryn LeRoy chosen as next school superintendent

Kathryn LeRoy, currently the Director of High School Programs with Duval County Public Schools, in Jacksonville, will be the new superintendent for Polk County Public Schools. In two rounds of voting, LeRoy was the top vote-getter. The first vote was to rank the candidates. If there was no clearcut winner, … read more.

LATEST LOCAL NEWS

Kathryn LeRoy named next school superintendent
Sat May 25 2013 08:00AM

An estimated 50 people were present May 22 when Kathryn LeRoy was chosen as the new Polk County Public Schools superintendent. Unlike the two rounds of school superintendent interviews, which … read more.

McCalebb gets a boost from hometown hero
Thu May 23 2013 01:38PM

This is the chain of command in the NFL: All-time great player. Owner. Head coach. Rookie. That was how Auburn rookie Onterio McCalebb’s phone conversation with Bengals great and Ken … read more.

Chamber will host state lawmakers
Thu May 23 2013 01:36PM

If you’d like the chance to visit with two of Fort Meade’s state lawmakers, the chamber of commerce will give you that opportunity June 19. State Sen. Denise Grimsley and … read more.

System investment could pay off
Thu May 23 2013 01:36PM

Fort Meade is thinking that an investment to upgrade its electric line east of the city will benefit customers everywhere. During a special meeting of the Fort Meade commission Saturday … read more.

More Local News

Sweet Caroline to pay tribute to marathon runners
Sat May 25 2013 08:00AM

In tribute to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing and Oklahoma tornado, the 2013 Carillon Classic 5K Run & Walk will begin with a moment of silence followed by strains of “Sweet Caroline” flowing from the world famous carillon … read more.

Commission targeting younger juice drinkers
Fri May 24 2013 03:54PM

The Florida Citrus Commission is hoping younger juice drinkers will mean more sales. Officials of the group outlined plans earlier this month to tweak the demographic it markets to, aiming advertising resources aimed at the traditional 18-49 age group to … read more.

Kathryn LeRoy chosen as next school superintendent
Wed May 22 2013 03:40PM

Board cuts budget by more than $2 million
Thu May 23 2013 01:38PM

By taking a hard look at its staffing, the Polk County School Board has managed to pare some $2.2 from what was a looming $18 million deficit, caused in part by state mandated teachers raises. As of Tuesday’s board meeting,the … read more.

Greening funds in state budget
Thu May 23 2013 01:38PM

The Florida Legislature has agreed to fund $9.5 million in research related activities to combat citrus greening, a problem that one citrus group calls “terrifying” and that threatens to wipe out Florida’s $9 billion citrus industry and its 76,000 jobs. … read more.

School board wraps up final superintendent interview; new one to be picked today
Wed May 22 2013 01:20PM

The second and final interview with Constance Jones, the finale of the three candidate interviews for Polk County Public Schools next superintendent, concluded Wednesday, May 22. Following the interview, which began at 9 a.m., the board plans to reconvene at … read more.

Season of storms
Thu May 23 2013 01:36PM

Batten down the hatches. Experts predict a busy hurricane season beginning June 1 through November 30. Polk County Fire Rescue’s Emergency Management Bureau, along with Tourism and Sports Marketing, want to make sure residents and visitors find out how to … read more.

County hurricane shelter maps now available
Thu May 23 2013 01:36PM

In preparation for hurricane season, which begins on June 1, Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing and Polk County Emergency Management have again partnered with Publix Super Markets to produce and distribute the “Polk County Public Shelters” map for 2013. … read more.

Museum news: Recalling the old high school
Thu May 23 2013 01:36PM

Do you remember the old Fort Meade High School building? It was two, large two-story buildings with an arcade in between. The first building was started in 1912 and both buildings were finished in 1916. There was quite a bit … read more.

Lewis outlines goals for school top spot
Mon May 20 2013 11:24AM

David Lewis used his knowledge of the Polk County School District as much to his advantage during last Wednesday’s interview with the board for the superintendent’s position. He detailed where to look to spend less money, outlined goals and outlined … read more.

Superintendent candidate Leroy meets the public
Mon May 20 2013 11:24AM

Kathryn Leroy, a Duval County educator, bandied questions for more than an hour Thursday, May 9, in her final meet and greet with Polk County residents and school personnel. The 55-year-old Maryland native told an audience of about 75 that … read more.

Interim superintendent’s resignation a surprise
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

In a surprise move that caught even Polk County School Board members off-guard, Interim Superintendent John Stewart will be leaving his temporary job a month ahead of schedule. Stewart resigned on Wednesday, effective the end of May “for personal reasons,” … read more.

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State, National and World News

Rare Superman comic found in house insulation
Sat May 25 2013 01:19AM

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — It’s considered the Holy Grail of comic books: Action Comics No. 1 from 1938, featuring the debut of Superman. And David Gonzales found one mixed in with old newspapers insulating a house he was renovating in a … read more.

Truck causes I-5 bridge collapse
Sat May 25 2013 01:19AM

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — The trucker was hauling a load of drilling equipment when his load bumped against the steel framework over an Interstate 5 bridge. He looked in his rearview mirror and watched in horror as the span collapsed … read more.

Scouts face more turmoil
Sat May 25 2013 01:19AM

(AP) — The Boy Scouts of America will get no reprieve from controversy after a contentious vote to accept openly gay boys as Scouts. Dismayed conservatives are already looking at alternative youth groups as they predict a mass exodus from … read more.

Gov. Scott: Will fight tuition hikes
Sat May 25 2013 01:19AM

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Gov. Rick Scott is strongly warning universities that he will fight against any tuition hikes this year. Scott made the warning in a letter sent out Friday to the heads of the boards that oversee the state’s … read more.

Summer travel forecast: Better, but no blowout
Sat May 25 2013 01:19AM

NEW YORK — This summer, high rollers are flying to lavish vacation hot spots for their vacations. The rest of us are headed to places like nearby campgrounds. The good news: At some U.S. campgrounds these days you get live … read more.

N. Korea courts nuke talks
Sat May 25 2013 01:19AM

BEIJING — A top North Korean envoy delivered a letter from leader Kim Jong Un to Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday and told him Pyongyang would take steps to rejoin stalled nuclear disarmament talks, in an apparent victory for … read more.

Stock market barely budges
Sat May 25 2013 01:19AM

NEW YORK (AP) — Major stock indexes closed out their first weekly loss in a month in quiet trading Friday. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index dropped 0.91 of a point to close at 1,649.60. The Dow Jones industrial average … read more.

Oklahoma gets far more than its share of disasters
Sat May 25 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — Many states get hit frequently with tornadoes and other natural catastrophes, but Oklahoma is Disaster Central. The twister that devastated Moore, Okla., was the 74th presidential disaster declared in the Sooner state in the past 60 years. … read more.

Russia says Syrian regime agrees to peace talks
Sat May 25 2013 01:19AM

BEIRUT (AP) — The Syrian government has agreed to attend a conference proposed by Russia and the United States on ending the country’s civil war, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday, the first sign that President Bashar Assad’s regime would … read more.

Jurors deadlock on Jodi Arias penalty
Fri May 24 2013 01:19AM

PHOENIX (AP) — Jurors have deadlocked on a verdict of life or death for Jodi Arias in the 2008 killing of her one-time boyfriend. The judge declared a mistrial in the penalty phase. Another panel will be seated and the … read more.

Tea party vs. old guard in GOP Senate rift
Fri May 24 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — A long-simmering feud between establishment Republicans and tea partyers broke into full view Thursday, with Sen. John McCain accusing younger colleagues of overplaying their hands and tempting Democrats to change Senate rules that protect the minority party. … read more.

Obama lifts ban on Guantanamo transfers to Yemen
Fri May 24 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is lifting his self-imposed ban on transferring Guantanamo Bay detainees to Yemen, where a leadership upheaval has improved the country’s security but not eliminated a terrorist organization trying to recruit jihadists. Lifting the ban … read more.

Obama defends drone strikes but says no cure-all
Fri May 24 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Thursday defended America’s controversial drone attacks as legal, effective and a necessary linchpin in an evolving U.S. counterterrorism policy. But he acknowledged the targeted strikes are no “cure-all” and said he is haunted … read more.

Report: Nation’s kids need to get more physical
Fri May 24 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — Reading, writing, arithmetic — and PE? The prestigious Institute of Medicine is recommending that schools provide opportunities for at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day for students and that PE become a core subject. The … read more.

Nixon library hosts 40th reunion for Vietnam POWs
Fri May 24 2013 01:19AM

YORBA LINDA, Calif. (AP) — U.S. Navy Lt. Mike McGrath was just 27 years old, with a wife and two toddler sons in the U.S., when he was shot down and taken prisoner on his 179th bombing mission during the … read more.

Mutant cockroaches learn to avoid sugar to outsmart sticky traps
Fri May 24 2013 01:19AM

(Bloomberg) — Roaches that have been hard to trap may be a variety that find sugar doesn’t taste quite so sweet as bait anymore, a study suggests. Most cockroach baits cover poison in a layer of glucose, a sugar. Some … read more.

Obama: Policy in leaks investigations under review
Thu May 23 2013 09:26PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama said Thursday that the Justice Department will review the policy under which it obtains journalists’ records in investigations of the leak of government secrets. Obama acknowledged he is “troubled by the possibility that leaks … read more.

Stocks edge lower as investors reassess Fed fears
Fri May 24 2013 01:19AM

NEW YORK (AP) — Investors recovered their poise after a shaky start to trading on Wall Street that sent stocks sharply lower. U.S. markets plummeted immediately after the opening bell Thursday following a global slump prompted in part by an … read more.

Boy Scouts approve plan to accept openly gay boys
Fri May 24 2013 01:19AM

GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) — In one of their most dramatic choices in a century, local leaders of the Boy Scouts of America voted Thursday to ease a divisive ban and allow openly gay boys to be accepted into the nation’s … read more.

Birth control coverage up for federal appeal
Fri May 24 2013 01:19AM

DENVER (AP) — In the most prominent challenge of its kind, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. is asking a federal appeals court Thursday for an exemption from part of the federal health care law that requires it to offer employees health … read more.

26 killed in 2 simultaneous car bombs in Niger
Fri May 24 2013 01:19AM

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Suicide bombers in Niger detonated two car bombs simultaneously on Thursday, one inside a military camp in the city of Agadez and another in the remote town of Arlit at a French-operated uranium mine, killing a … read more.

Israel says Iran unaffected by world pressure
Fri May 24 2013 01:19AM

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s prime minister says a new report by the U.N. atomic agency shows that international pressure is having no effect on halting Iran’s suspect nuclear program. In a confidential report, the International Atomic Energy Agency said this … read more.

Muslim hardliners ID London terror suspect
Fri May 24 2013 01:19AM

LONDON (AP) — Two Muslim hardliners say the man seen wielding a bloody butcher’s knife after the killing of a British soldier is a Muslim convert who took part in demonstrations with the banned radical group al-Muhajiroun. Meanwhile, British police … read more.

Clashes in Lebanon feed fear of Syria spillover
Fri May 24 2013 01:19AM

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese supporters and opponents of Syrian President Bashar Assad fired heavy machine guns and lobbed mortar shells at each other Thursday in some of the worst fighting in the port city of Tripoli in years. The battles … read more.

House backs variable rate student loans
Fri May 24 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — House lawmakers on Thursday approved legislation that links student loan rates to the ups and downs of the financial markets in spite of a veto threat from President Barack Obama. The Republican-backed the bill would allow students … read more.

Thunderstorms slow Oklahoma tornado cleanup
Thu May 23 2013 09:26PM

MOORE, Okla. (AP) — A band of thunderstorms battered the Oklahoma City area Thursday, slowing cleanup operations in the suburb where a tornado killed 24 people and destroyed thousands of homes this week. The first of the funerals, for a … read more.

8th person pleads in $30M NASA contract fraud
Fri May 24 2013 01:19AM

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — An eighth person has pleaded guilty to his role in a $30 million fraud and bribery scheme that duped NASA into awarding contracts to companies that falsely claimed eligibility for preferences granted to minority-owned businesses. On … read more.

Man charged with selling African elephant tusks
Fri May 24 2013 01:19AM

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) — A New Mexico man is facing federal charges in the Florida Panhandle after authorities say he sold two African elephant tusks. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that a grand jury in Pensacola indicted Charles Kokesh … read more.

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