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Today's Top Stories

News Alerts:

Monday, May 20, 2013

Church, 30, and pastor, 60, celebrate birthdays

PUNTA GORDA — Burnt Store Presbyterian Church in Punta Gorda was having a birthday party Sunday. In fact, there were two birthdays. The church recently turned 30, and its pastor turns 60 today. “We’ll just enjoy this wonderful coincidence as God has given it to us this time around,” said … Find out how to read more online.

LATEST LOCAL NEWS

Stump Pass Beach offers beauty all around
Mon May 20 2013 08:03AM

ENGLEWOOD — Georgina McCurley looked down as she walked along the water’s edge at Stump Pass Beach State Park. The black specks in the sand captured McCurley’s attention on a … Find out how to read more online.

Support sought to light up the 4th
Mon May 20 2013 08:03AM

Chris Evans is proud that the 4th Fest fireworks display on the Fourth of July in Punta Gorda has grown every year to become what he believes is the biggest … Find out how to read more online.

Leadership Charlotte: Masks on for Mardi Gras benefit
Mon May 20 2013 08:03AM

Find out how to read more online.

Tarpon tourney draws protest
Mon May 20 2013 08:03AM

Save the Tarpon protesters watch, photograph and heckle Professional Tarpon Tournament Series anglers during their protest of Sunday’s PTTS season opener tournament in Boca Grande Pass. … Find out how to read more online.

State, National and World News

Small Fla. city wonders who won Powerball jackpot
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. (AP) — Some lucky person walked into a Publix supermarket in suburban Florida over the past few days and bought a ticket now worth an estimated $590.5 million — the highest Powerball jackpot in history. But it wasn’t … read more.

Honeybees trained in Croatia to find land mines
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Mirjana Filipovic is still haunted by the land mine blast that killed her boyfriend and blew off her left leg while on a fishing trip nearly a decade ago. It happened in a field that was … read more.

AP CEO calls records seizure unconstitutional
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The president and chief executive officer of The Associated Press on Sunday called the government’s secret seizure of two months of reporters’ phone records “unconstitutional” and said the news cooperative had not ruled out legal action against … read more.

Fla. Gov. will veto 3 percent college tuition hike
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who has maintained steadfast opposition to raising the cost of college for students, will veto a proposed 3 percent tuition hike. The Republican-led Florida Legislature included the hike in a $74.5 billion … read more.

Slim, broadcasters take fight to soccer field
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexicans often feel that billionaire Carlos Slim owns everything in their country, from telephone and Internet companies to banks and chain stores, but his latest acquisitive foray is meeting resistance after touching a national passion: soccer. … read more.

Chinese premier heads to India to boost ties
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

NEW DELHI (AP) — Just weeks after a tense border standoff, China’s new premier headed to India on Sunday for his first foreign trip as the neighboring giants look to speed up efforts to settle a decades-old boundary dispute and … read more.

Pakistan repeats vote in Karachi despite killing
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan held a repeat election on Sunday in an upscale area of the southern city of Karachi that was plagued with allegations of vote-rigging, despite the shooting death of a senior member of former cricket star … read more.

Syrian army pushes assault on rebel-held town
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Syrian troops backed by tanks and warplanes launched an assault Sunday on a strategic rebel-held town near the Lebanese border, pounding the area with airstrikes and artillery salvos that killed at least 30 people and forced … read more.

Israeli seeks interim deal with Palestinians
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

JERUSALEM (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s senior coalition partner says that reaching a final peace agreement with the Palestinians is unrealistic at the current time and the sides should instead pursue an interim arrangement. Finance Minister Yair Lapid’s assessment, … read more.

Hofstra student killed by police during break-in
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) — In what police are describing as a crime of opportunity, a wanted man with a criminal history dating nearly 15 years entered a front door that had been left open at a New York home near … read more.

Robber steals off-duty deputy’s purse, gun
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) — Authorities are searching for the man they say stole an off-duty deputy’s purse that held her badge and gun at a central Florida grocery store. Winter Haven Police say the Polk County Sheriff’s deputy was … read more.

Female bottlenose dolphin born at Fla. park
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A Panhandle marine park has a new addition to its family — a baby bottlenose dolphin. And it’s a girl. Gulf World officials said the calf was born Thursday and is about three-feet long … read more.

Charter bus hits, killed victim at Fla. airport
Sun May 19 2013 08:22PM

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Authorities are investigating after a pedestrian was hit by a bus and killed at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport. Broward Sheriff’s officials said 68-year-old Cheryl Bazilius exited her vehicle Saturday afternoon and was walking to … read more.

Body of autistic boy vacationing in Fla. is found
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

PERDIDO KEY, Fla. (AP) — Authorities say they have found the body of an 8-year-old autistic boy who went missing while vacationing in the Florida Panhandle. Owen Elliot Black was on the beaches of Perdido Key with his mother when … read more.

Official: Va. driver likely had medical condition
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

DAMASCUS, Va. (AP) — Authorities believe the driver who plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Virginia mountain town parade suffered from a medical condition and did not cause the crash intentionally, an emergency official said Sunday. Officials did … read more.

Fight between neighbors leads to shooting in Fla.
Sun May 19 2013 08:22PM

LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. (AP) — Authorities are investigating after they say a fight erupted between two neighbors over their dogs led to a shooting in South Florida. Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies said the two fought over their dogs on Friday. … read more.

Man falls 16 floors from hotel balcony, dies
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A man has died after authorities say he fell from a 16th floor balcony of a downtown Jacksonville hotel. Sheriff’s officials said the man, who is in his 40s, checked into the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville around … read more.

Metro-North: Conn. train outage expected for days
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — Commuters are bracing for a difficult trip around southwest Connecticut and to New York City beginning Monday as workers repair the Metro-North commuter rail line crippled by a derailment and crash. Crews will spend days rebuilding … read more.

What do we eat? New food map will tell us
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Do your kids love chocolate milk? It may have more calories on average than you thought. Same goes for soda. Until now, the only way to find out what people in the United States eat … read more.

Fla. girl who lost feet in lawnmower meets dolphin
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A toddler whose feet were amputated after her father accidentally backed over her with a riding lawnmower had a special meeting with her hero. Ireland Nugent has often been seen clutching a stuffed animal of Winter, … read more.

Obama urged to make economy a bigger, bolder topic
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — Five months into President Barack Obama’s second term, allies and former top aides worry that his overarching goal of economic opportunity has been diminished, partly drowned out by controversies seized upon by Republicans in an effort to … read more.

Tea party looks to take advantage of moment
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Is the tea party getting its groove back? Shouts of vindication from around the country suggest the movement’s leaders certainly think so. They say the IRS acknowledgement that it had targeted their groups for extra … read more.

Obama exhorts good deeds by Morehouse graduates
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

ATLANTA (AP) — President Barack Obama, in a soaring commencement address on work, sacrifice and opportunity, on Sunday told graduates of historically black Morehouse College to seize the power of their example as black men graduating from college and use … read more.

Fla. gov. steps up pace on signing death warrants
Mon May 20 2013 01:19AM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Gov. Rick Scott is signing death warrants at a pace rarely seen in Florida since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. Scott already has signed five death warrants this year, including three in a recent … read more.

Obama exhorts good deeds by Morehouse graduates
Sun May 19 2013 02:00PM

ATLANTA (AP) — President Barack Obama is telling graduates of Morehouse College to take the power of their example — as black men graduating from college — and use it to improve people’s lives. He’s asking those headed to law … read more.

Small Fla. city wonders who won Powerball jackpot
Sun May 19 2013 02:00PM

ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. (AP) — Some lucky person walked into a Publix supermarket in suburban Florida over the past few days and bought a winning Powerball ticket now worth an estimated $590.5 million. The jackpot is the highest in Powerball history. … read more.

Medical emergency eyed in Va. parade crash
Sun May 19 2013 02:00PM

DAMASCUS, Va. (AP) — An emergency official says authorities believe the driver who plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Virginia mountain town parade suffered from a medical condition and did not cause the crash intentionally. The director of … read more.

Metro-North: Conn. train outage expected for days
Sun May 19 2013 02:00PM

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — The Metro-North commuter rail line says crews will spend days rebuilding 2,000 feet of track, overhead wires and signals damaged in a derailment and crash in Connecticut. Metro-North President Howard Permut said Sunday that the two-track … read more.

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More Local News

Dog days
Mon May 20 2013 11:32AM

Camp Bow Wow held on Saturday a free grand opening and bark-b-que and adoption festival at its location in Port Charlotte. Throughout the day, tours of the facility were provided, with raffles, free food, drinks, a bounce house for the … Find out how to read more online.

Puppy love
Mon May 20 2013 11:24AM

World War II was almost over when Philip Merrill got aboard the USS Hornet
Mon May 20 2013 08:03AM

Philip Merrill almost missed World War II. Two weeks before graduating from high school at 17, he was sworn into the Navy on May 17, 1943. “I joined the V-12 Program. I was sent to Stevens Institute of Technology in … Find out how to read more online.

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 their proud families, friends and teachers, descended upon the Charlotte … Find out how to read more online.

Culver’s breaks ground
Mon May 20 2013 08:03AM

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.

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 June 1 and lasts through Nov. 30. That’s the message … Find out how to read more online.

Re-enactor brings Black Seminole history to life
Mon May 20 2013 06:25AM

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 to the history of Florida — he was hooked. For … 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 of Sea Breeze Electric of Port Charlotte, said there is … 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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