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Friday, December 6, 2013

Chopping trees

Over the river and through the woods they came — not heading for Grandma’s house, but the Arbuckle Tract of the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest. By the car and truckload they came to hike into the woods, hatchet or saw in hand to get their prize — a fresh … read more.

LATEST LOCAL NEWS

Christmas trees for sale
Tue Dec 3 2013 03:50PM

To pick up a live tree, there are several options available Publix, trees from 5 feet to 9 feet range in cost from $49.99 to $110.99 Walmart, trees from 6 … read more.

Ray of hope lights the way to a new start
Wed Dec 4 2013 08:00AM

When Dorothy Davis arrived at the Women’s Care Center this past September, she was, by her own admission, at the end. Two years earlier, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies had … read more.

Fun and games is what they want
Wed Dec 4 2013 08:00AM

Members of the Community Redevelopment Agency Wednesday will hear that the city needs more nightlife, more sidewalks, street lighting and has to draw younger people downtown. That’s going to be … read more.

Citrus officials happy with first industry summit
Tue Dec 3 2013 03:42PM

Officials with the Florida Citrus Commission say they were pleased with a first-ever marketing summit that brought together industry stakeholders like growers, processors and drink companies concerned about a dwindling … read more.

More Local News

Back in time
Sat Nov 30 2013 08:00AM

Walking into the Polk County History Center, one can almost hear the jingle of cavalry horses, the echoes of gunfire and smell the acrid stench of the battlefield. But, it’s only a step back in time to the horrific days … read more.

Women’s Care Center gets Music
Sat Nov 30 2013 08:00AM

On Nov. 4, Rusty Music, executive director of the Bartow Church Service Center, took on the added responsibility of becoming the executive director of the Women’s Care Center. According to Music, however, this is not a merger of the two … read more.

Brown House could provide economic impact
Sat Nov 30 2013 08:00AM

In the effort to get more people to come to town to help its economy, Bartow may have the start of that with the acceptance of the L.B. Brown House as an exhibit in the Smithsonian Institution. Restoring and maintaining … read more.

Sat Nov 30 2013 08:00AM

“Where you from?” is a question we usually ask when we meet someone new. With a new, albeit brief, exhibit from the Smithsonian Institute in Washington at the Polk County History Center, the answer may become clear even for ourselves. … read more.

Farm Bureau wants to put you on a hayride
Wed Dec 4 2013 08:00AM

Polk County Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Rancher Committee wants you to take a hayride in the lights and visit Santa and help the organization raise money for scholarships. The annual hayride through the lights of George Street in Bartow … read more.

Foundation Financial Group donates $15K to Wounded Warrior Project
Wed Dec 4 2013 08:00AM

Foundation Financial Group supported the Wounded Warrior Project through the Atlanta Area Chivers’ charity drive. With corporate and individual donations, the Atlanta Area Chivers were able to donate nearly $15,000 to assist the people who are injured while serving in … read more.

FPRA recruits volunteers to help media Covering at Sun ‘n Fun
Wed Dec 4 2013 08:00AM

For the sixth consecutive year, the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association is recruiting volunteers to work with members of the media who will cover the annual Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In & Expo. The 2014 … read more.

SALT gives a gift from a wish list
Wed Dec 4 2013 08:00AM

For the eighth straight Christmas season, the Senior and Law Enforcement Organization of Polk County (SALT) donated gifts from a wish list of merchandise for Christmas to the 60 residents of the Rohr Home Nursing Center in Bartow. The Rohr … read more.

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State, National and World News

Obama to feds: Boost renewable power 20 percent
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — Saying the government should lead by example, President Barack Obama on Thursday ordered the federal government to nearly triple its use of renewable sources for electricity by 2020. Obama said the plan to use renewables for 20 … read more.

As unrest shows, France still Africa’s policeman
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

PARIS (AP) — France has long served as Africa’s policeman, sending troops in regularly — and often meddling behind the scenes — to keep the peace and secure its interests on a continent where it was once a major colonial … read more.

Assault on Yemen’s Defense Ministry kills 52
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

ADEN, Yemen (AP) — The Defense Ministry came under attack Thursday from a suicide car bomber and heavily armed gunmen, killing 52 people and wounding 167 in a fierce battle in the heart of Yemen’s capital of Sanaa, the government … read more.

Algerians sent home from Guantanamo against will
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

MIAMI (AP) — Two men who had been held without charge at the Guantanamo Bay for more than a decade have been sent back to their native Algeria against their will as part of a renewed effort to gradually close … read more.

Kerry seeks to soothe Israeli security concerns
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

JERUSALEM (AP) — Looking to soothe irritated relations with Israel, America’s top diplomat on Thursday pledged to support the Jewish state’s security throughout separate negotiations with Iran and the Palestinians — including Israel’s demand that it “defend itself, by itself.” … read more.

Bear suspected in attack is euthanized
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

LONGWOOD, Fla. (AP) — A bear that matched the description of one that injured a Florida woman who was walking her dogs has been captured and euthanized. Florida wildlife officials say the 200-pound bear was captured Wednesday night in the … read more.

Tampa evicting boats in seaplane basin
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The city of Tampa is evicting about 80 boats from the Davis Islands Seaplane Basin, where some have been tied to illegal moorings for years. The Tampa Tribune reports the action follows a request by the … read more.

Man shoots caretaker in Bradenton
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Deputies say a man who was apparently spooked by noises in his house shot one of his caretakers. Manatee County Sheriff’s officials say 48-year-old Charles Fletcher had just gone to sleep Wednesday night when the noise … read more.

Dead dolphins wash up on Florida beaches
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

WILBUR-BY-THE-SEA, Fla. (AP) — Dead bottlenose dolphins are continuing to wash up along beaches along Florida’s east coast. Since Sunday, officials say the Georgia Aquarium’s Conservation Field Station has picked up three dead dolphins along Flagler County beaches. Capt. Tammy … read more.

Railroads to offer health care to same-sex spouses
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

SEATTLE (AP) — A day after being sued by legally married, gay engineers, the nation’s largest freight rail carriers announced they will provide health care benefits to the same-sex spouses of their employees. Gus Melonas, a spokesman for BNSF Railway … read more.

Amur Leopards born at Jacksonville zoo
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is welcoming two endangered Amur leopard cubs. The infant females were born Nov. 16 and given their first checkup by zoo staff on Tuesday. They were each 4 pounds. Zoo officials … read more.

Deputies: Woman injected drugs in jail restroom
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. (AP) — Authorities say a woman was caught injecting cocaine in a public restroom at the Pasco County Jail. Pasco County Sheriff’s officials say 33-year-old Stacy Renee Slabach was at the jail Tuesday to retrieve prescription … read more.

APNewsBreak: Fed site gives unusable Medicaid data
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — People shopping for insurance on the federal marketplace may be informed they’re eligible for Medicaid and that their information is being sent to state officials to sign them up. However, states aren’t able enroll them because … read more.

American teacher shot dead in Libya’s Benghazi
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — An American teacher was shot to death as he was jogging in Benghazi on Thursday, highlighting persistently tenuous security in the eastern Libyan city where the U.S. ambassador was killed last year. There were no credible … read more.

Clashes sweep CAR capital ahead of French troops
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — Armed Christian fighters who support the country’s exiled president assaulted the capital at dawn on Thursday with rifles and machetes, leaving nearly 100 people dead. Shrouded bodies were lined up in a mosque as … read more.

Gold declines third time in four days
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

(Bloomberg) — Gold futures declined Thursday for the third time in four days as U.S. economic data reinforced concern that the Federal Reserve will begin trimming stimulus measures, curbing demand for precious metals as a haven. The U.S. expanded at … read more.

Auction: Springsteen manuscript sells for $197,000
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

NEW YORK (AP) — Tramps like us, baby we were born to bid. A handwritten, working lyric sheet for Bruce Springsteen’s 1975 hit “Born to Run” sold for $197,000 on Thursday at Sotheby’s. The document used to be in the … read more.

Woman charged with DUI, crashing into school bus
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — A St. Petersburg woman has been charged with driving under the influence after authorities say she crashed into a school bus. Police say 31-year-old Nancy Kavallierakis had her 3-year-old son in her car when she … read more.

Medical marijuana question before Supreme Court
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — The Supreme Court listened to 60 minutes of arguments Thursday over 74 words that could let voters decide whether to allow marijuana use for medical reasons. A lawyer for Republican Attorney General Pam Bondi said voters will … read more.

Officials: 35 pilot whales moving in deeper water
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK (AP) — Pods of 35 pilot whales slowly swam Thursday into deeper water off Florida’s southwest coast, raising optimism that the strandings of whales on Everglades National Park beaches may soon end on a positive note. National … read more.

Stocks fall on Wall Street; Retailers slump
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

NEW YORK (AP) — The outlook for hiring is improving and the economy is growing at its fastest pace in more than a year, so what’s the bad news for the stock market? Stocks fell Thursday after the government reported … read more.

Fast-food protests return amid push for wage hikes
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

NEW YORK (AP) — Fast-food workers and labor organizers marched, waved signs and chanted in cities across the country on Thursday in a push for higher wages. Organizers say employees planned to forgo work in 100 cities, with rallies set … read more.

Milk prices could rise if farm bill looms
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — A New Year’s deadline that could send the price of milk skyward looms over congressional negotiators as they try to reach agreement on a five-year farm bill. They’ve been tripped up by differences over the nation’s food … read more.

Jobs report to help show if US economy is for real
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy is growing faster, corporate profits are rising and companies are laying off the fewest workers in six years. The latest government reports point to economic momentum in the midst of the critical holiday shopping … read more.

Pearl Harbor survivor thrives meeting visitors
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — Herb Weatherwax cruises the open-air grounds of the visitors center at Pearl Harbor on a motorized scooter dubbed “Herb’s Hot Rod.” When a woman notices his blue and white cap embroidered with the words “Pearl … read more.

Mandela, anti-apartheid icon, mourned world over
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

In nearly seven decades spent fighting for freedom and equality, Nelson Mandela inspired and challenged the world to stand up for others. As word of Mandela’s death spread Thursday, current and former presidents, athletes and entertainers, and people around the … read more.

Mandela in his own words
Thu Dec 5 2013 09:56PM

(AP) — “During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society … read more.

Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s peacemaker, dies
Fri Dec 6 2013 01:19AM

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Nelson Mandela was a master of forgiveness. South Africa’s first black president spent nearly a third of his life as a prisoner of apartheid, yet he sought to win over its defeated guardians in a relatively peaceful … read more.

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