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Today's Top Stories

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Monday, May 20, 2013

Student won’t face criminal charges

With the state attorney’s office not planning to file criminal charges against Kiera Rosalyn Wilmot, it is likely she won’t be expelled from school and will probably return to Bartow High School for her senior year next year. “They are considering something other than expulsion,” her attorney, Larry Hardaway said … read more.

LATEST LOCAL NEWS

Battle signs to play at Missouri Valley College
Sun May 19 2013 08:03AM

Another standout player from the Bartow High School football program will be taking his talents to the college ranks. Defensive back Jonathan Battle has signed a letter, giving him a … 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 … read more.

Main Street Bartow director resigns
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

With a heavy heart, Mikel Dorminy resigned this week after being Main Street Bartow’s director for almost eight years. “I absolutely love Main Street and love downtown Bartow,” she said. … read more.

Bell and Edwards entertain the Crickettes
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

Crickette’s own County Commissioner Melody Bell inspired all as she gave the her background in becoming a county commissioner. She was a wife and mother juggling a career with the … read more.

More Local News

Businesses needed to help the youth
Fri May 17 2013 01:10PM

More than 200 local employers are needed to provide work experience opportunities for youth in the Polk Works Summer Youth Employment Program. The program will provide critical job skills, mentoring, and wages to more than 300 youth ages 16-21 from … read more.

Thin work session Monday, public meeting city agenda
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

Other than what City Attorney Sean Parker and City Manager George A. Long will say during the Reports of Officers portion of the Bartow City Commission work session, only one item is slated to be discussed at the Monday, May 20 … read more.

Business professionals learn benefits of ‘Servant-Leadership’
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

Ask Bridget Kennedy-Hull, head of human resources for PalletOne, what is servant-leadership. “It’s a way of being in a relationship with others,” she told members of the business community at the May 2 Engage luncheon; Engage is the young professionals’ … read more.

A-C-T Hires nine in Spring Recruiting Class
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc. hired nine new employees as part of their self-designated Spring Recruiting Class. The new hires fill a variety of positions required to sustain the organization’s current operations and help ensure continued growth. Some of the … read more.

Many spirits in Bartow and a few surprises
Fri May 17 2013 07:17AM

There were a few surprise spirits Thursday at the annual ceremony at the Bartow Civic Center. The big one went went to John Hutto who sort of figured something was in store at the Spirit of Bartow ceremony. “I got … read more.

Student won’t face criminal charges
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

The women tee off Wednesday
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

The Youth Villa Women’s Team Tournament is a large part of the Youth Villa tournament week. It precedes the men’s three-day tournament over the Memorial Day weekend. It is a two-day tournament starting on Wednesday May 22. The tournament has … read more.

Stewart named Teacher of the Year
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

A Bartow High School graduate has been named the Educator of the Year at Snohomish High School in Snohomish, Wash. Jennifer Blum Stewart, who graduated from Bartow High School in 1987 is the daughter of Al and Cathy Palmer of … read more.

Board cuts budget by more than $2 million
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

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

Citrus Commission budget expected to fall
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

Like oranges in groves this growing season, the Florida Citrus Commission budget is falling. At least that’s the expectation following a meeting Wednesday in Bartow when commission members and staff reviewed a preliminary budget for the 2013-14 growing season, projecting … read more.

Interim superintendent’s resignation a surprise
Mon May 20 2013 11:23AM

No money, no more waiting
Wed May 15 2013 08:02AM

As far as the Bartow Airport Authority is concerned, there is a facility that does not have a new tenant coming in. That is the hangar that Florida Aircraft Painting is in. And, for the time being, the $13,477 the … read more.

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State, National and World News

Oklahoma tornado tragedy
Mon May 20 2013 10:50PM

More Obama aides knew of IRS audit; Obama not told
Mon May 20 2013 10:50PM

WASHINGTON — White House chief of staff Denis McDonough and other senior advisers knew in late April that an impending report was likely to say the IRS had inappropriately targeted conservative groups, President Barack Obama’s spokesman disclosed Monday, expanding the … read more.

Budget vetoes: $400M
Mon May 20 2013 10:50PM

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who had a tough time winning cooperation this past year from the Republican-led Legislature, struck back on Monday by vetoing nearly $400 million from the state’s new budget. Scott praised the overall budget — … read more.

Yahoo makes $1.1B deal for Tumblr
Mon May 20 2013 10:50PM

SAN FRANCISCO — Yahoo is buying online blogging forum Tumblr for $1.1 billion as CEO Marissa Mayer tries to rejuvenate an Internet pioneer that had fallen behind the times. The deal announced Monday is Mayer’s boldest move since she left … read more.

Arias attorneys will have 1 witness: Arias
Mon May 20 2013 10:48PM

PHOENIX (AP) — Complaining that Jodi Arias’ sensational murder case has become a modern-day “witch trial,” her lawyers tried to quit in the middle of the death-penalty phase Monday, then said they will call only one witness: Arias. When Arias … read more.

Did you just win $590M? Get a good team in place
Mon May 20 2013 10:48PM

TALLAHASSEE, (AP) — So you have a lottery ticket worth $590.5 million. Now what? If you won Saturday’s historic Powerball jackpot and you haven’t already done so, sign the ticket. Now. Finished? Now call a lawyer — even before your … read more.

Hezbollah pulled into Syria civil war
Mon May 20 2013 10:48PM

BEIRUT (AP) — Hezbollah was pulled more deeply into Syria’s civil war as 28 guerrillas from the Lebanese Shiite militant group were killed and dozens more wounded while fighting rebels, Syria activists said Monday. The intense battle drove rebels from … read more.

Wave of Iraq attacks kills 86
Mon May 20 2013 10:48PM

BAGHDAD (AP) — A wave of attacks killed at least 86 people in Shiite and Sunni areas of Iraq on Monday, officials said, pushing the death toll over the past week to more than 230 and extending one of the … read more.

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.

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