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Saturday, May 18, 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
Sat May 18 2013 10:04AM

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
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

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

Treasury officials told of IRS probe in June 2012
Sat May 18 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON — Senior Treasury officials were made aware in June 2012 that investigators were looking into complaints from tea party groups that they were being harassed by the Internal Revenue Service, a Treasury inspector general said Friday, disclosing that Obama … read more.

Dirty war inside Syria?
Sat May 18 2013 01:19AM

BEIRUT — About 30 security agents showed up just after midnight, breaking down the door to an apartment in the town of Daraya near the Syrian capital of Damascus. They grabbed a 24-year-old university student and drove off. That was … read more.

Danger in office Powerball pools
Sat May 18 2013 01:19AM

In workplaces across the nation, Americans are inviting their colleagues to chip in $2 for a Powerball ticket and a shared daydream. The office lottery pool is a way to improve your odds and have a little fun with co-workers. … read more.

Woman tells of Berlusconi’s wild parties
Sat May 18 2013 01:19AM

MILAN — Silvio Berlusconi’s private disco featured not only aspiring showgirls performing striptease acts as sexy nuns and nurses, but one woman dressed up as President Barack Obama and a prominent Milan prosecutor whom the billionaire media mogul has accused … read more.

Canada abuzz over purported crack video of mayor
Sat May 18 2013 01:19AM

TORONTO (AP) — A video purportedly of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack has caused an uproar in Canada. Ford on Friday called the allegations “ridiculous.” The video has not been released publicly, and there is no way to verify … read more.

Benghazi probe co-chair subpoenaed
Sat May 18 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The chairman of the House Oversight committee has issued a subpoena to compel the co-chairman of the independent review board that investigated last year’s attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, to answer questions about … read more.

NASA: New pump resolves big space station leak
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — An impromptu spacewalk over the weekend seems to have fixed a big ammonia leak at the International Space Station, NASA said Thursday. The “gusher” erupted a week ago, prompting the hastiest repair job ever by … read more.

Florida’s crime rate dropped 6.5 percent in 2012
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s crime rate dropped 6.5 percent in 2012, including a significant decrease in thefts, robberies and burglaries, according to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner released Thursday. It’s the lowest crime rate since the state … read more.

Fla. Gov. reappoints 3 passed over agency heads
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Rick Scott is reappointing three agency heads passed over by the Florida Senate. Scott on Thursday announced he was reappointing State Surgeon General John Armstrong along with Michael Crews and Jesse Panuccio. Crews is … read more.

Authorities arrest man in Idaho in terrorism case
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Federal authorities in Idaho said Thursday they have arrested an Uzbekistan national accused of conspiring with a designated terrorist organization in his home country and helping scheme to use a weapon of mass destruction. The U.S. … read more.

Panther kitten rescued, recovering from surgery
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — A 9-month-old Florida panther has been rescued after a man spotted the injured kitten on his way to work. Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission say a homeowner in Collier County saw the … read more.

TSA stops Fla. man, 19, with loaded gun in bag
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A 19-year-old with a loaded gun he says he inherited from his grandfather was stopped by Transportation Safety Administration officers at Daytona Beach International Airport. The incident happened Wednesday morning as Thomas Suddard tried to … read more.

2 killed while crossing State Road 7 in South Fla.
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

MARGATE, Fla. (AP) — Two pedestrians died when a minivan hit them as the crossed State Road 7 near Fort Lauderdale. Margate police say the crash happened just early Thursday morning as the man and woman walked across the street. … read more.

Obama picks budget official to run troubled IRS
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama picked a senior White House budget official to become the acting head of the Internal Revenue Service on Thursday, the same day another top official announced plans to leave the agency amid the controversy … read more.

Obama acts, but Republicans unsatisfied
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama, seeking to regain his footing amid controversies hammering the White House, named a temporary chief for the scandal-marred Internal Revenue Service Thursday and pressed Congress to approve new security money to prevent another Benghazi-style … read more.

Fla. gov. rejects Amazon deal
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who has made job creation his top priority since coming into office, has rejected a proposed deal to bring major Internet retailer Amazon to the state. After months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, Scott … read more.

Tornadoes whip through North Texas; 6 dead
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

GRANBURY, Texas (AP) — Habitat for Humanity spent years in a North Texas subdivision, helping build many of the 110 homes in the low-income area. But its work was largely undone during an outbreak of 13 tornadoes Wednesday night that … read more.

California fuels $550 million Powerball jackpot
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The numbers sum up the frenzy that has taken over the Golden State since it became the newest in the nation to join the madness over Powerball, which saw its jackpot soar Thursday to $550 million. … read more.

Justice Dept. faulted over terrorist identities
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The government allowed “a small but significant number” of terrorists into America’s witness protection program and then failed to provide the names of some of them for a watch list that’s used to keep dangerous people off … read more.

Feds propose overhaul for child care centers
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

(AP) — Federal health officials proposed Thursday to overhaul 500,000 child care centers across the country, beefing up safety standards including background and fingerprint checks for employees and requiring states to better monitor the facilities. Roughly 1.6 million U.S. children … read more.

Teary testimony from victim’s family in Arias case
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

By BRIAN SKOLOFF Associated Press PHOENIX (AP) — Jurors deciding the fate of convicted murderer Jodi Arias were brought to tears Thursday, visibly shaken by dramatic statements from the victim’s family members as they described how their lives were ripped … read more.

Watchdog: Israel trying to legalize settlements
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli watchdog group on Thursday accused the government of taking steps to legalize four unauthorized settlement outposts in the West Bank, days before the U.S. secretary of state is set to arrive on a new peace … read more.

Obama calls on Congress to fund embassy security
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Thursday tried to turn the tables on Republicans who have criticized his administration’s response to last year’s deadly attack in Benghazi, Libya, calling on lawmakers to approve his request to increase funding for … read more.

A late fade on Wall Street; Wal-Mart, Disney slump
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

NEW YORK (AP) — Signs of a slowing economy combined with comments from a Federal Reserve official helped pull the stock market down Thursday. The news on the U.S. economy gave investors little to get excited about. Applications for unemployment … read more.

Afghanistan: Bomb kills 15, including 6 Americans
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A suicide car bombing tore through a U.S. convoy in Kabul on Thursday, killing at least 15 people including six Americans in a blast so powerful it rattled the other side of the Afghan capital. U.S. … read more.

Obama vows sustained effort on military sex abuse
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

BC-US--Military Sexual Assault, 7th Ld-Writethru,1205 AP Photo WX103 Eds: Restores background. With AP Photos. With BC-US--Military Sexual Assault-Glance, BC-US--Military Sexual Assault-Numbers. By ROBERT BURNS and LOLITA C. BALDOR Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama said Thursday the nation’s … read more.

Refugees fleeing Syrian city of Qusayr say rebels dug in, preparing for government onslaught
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

AARSAL, Lebanon (MCT) — The Syrian city of Qusayr lies just 10 miles over the border from Aarsal in northern Lebanon. But the Syrians now crowding into Aarsal said the trip to get here from Qusayr required walking for days. … read more.

Senate committee approves 3 judicial nominees
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved three of President Barack Obama’s judicial nominees, including one for an influential appeals court, for a full Senate vote. Senators voted 18-0 to move forward with nomination of Sri Srinivasan … read more.

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