The Fort Meade Leader

Residents who want to use city recreation facilities, like the pavilion at the Fort Meade Outdoor Recreation area, might get a case of sticker shock. That’s because the rates to use such sites took a dramatic jump last week when the Fort Meade Commission approved new fees that are in … read more.

LATEST LOCAL NEWS

Dockery: Leadership needed at Polytech
Sun May 13 2012 08:02AM

Swan songs were heard in the Lakeland Center’s Youkey Theater a week ago when both USF Polytechnic in Lakeland and State Sen. Paula Dockery took their final bows. Dockery, who … read more.

No emphasis for physical education
Thu May 10 2012 08:01AM

Polk County Commissioner Ed Smith wants to know where the activity went and whether that can deal with the obesity problem he says this country has been facing. “We don’t … read more.

English: Education is economic development tool
Thu May 10 2012 08:01AM

Education and business should be tied together, one county commissioner suggested at a joint county commission and school board meeting last week. He said a good educational system can not … read more.

No more early learning money
Thu May 10 2012 08:01AM

Polk County Commissioner Bob English wondered why the county has been spending nearly a half-million a year for the Early Learning Coalition and why that isn’t something the school district … read more.

More Local News

$15,000 raised for Hutto family
Thu May 17 2012 08:00AM

The Brady Hutto Memorial Benefit was a fundraiser Saturday at The First Baptist Church in Auburndale. The benefit organized by Spradlen Promotions was held in Brady Hutto’s memory to help the Hutto’s family with expenses. Brady was a 21-month-old who … read more.

MOSI has mummies
Thu May 17 2012 08:00AM

Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry may have taken “creepy in a good way” to new heights with their latest exhibit “Mummies of the World.” More than 150 artifacts including the mummies, one of which dates from more than 6,000 … read more.

Schools to respond to bullying lawsuit
Thu May 17 2012 08:00AM

The Polk County School Board is “mounting a vigorous response” to a bullying lawsuit filed against recently it by the parents of a former Palmetto Elementary School student, according to the board’s District Counsel Wes Bridges. “We are readying our … read more.

Vendors sought for Hurricane Expo
Thu May 17 2012 04:47PM

Polk County Fire Rescue is looking for vendors for the annual Polk County Hurricane Expo planned June 2 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Lake Eva Banquet Hall in Haines City. The expo offers residents an opportunity to educate and prepare … read more.

New SA center called ‘unprecedented’
Sun May 6 2012 08:00AM

The Salvation Army recently launched a massive fundraising campaign to build a $27.5 million facility in north Lakeland to serve homeless families with children. Kicking off fundraising for the new George Jenkins Community of Hope were Salvation Army leaders, Lakeland … read more.

Golden Anniversary for Kitty and Leroy Hurst
Wed May 9 2012 08:01AM

Leroy and Kitty Hurst of Mulberry, are celebrated their 50th anniversary on Saturday, May 5, 2012. Leroy is originally from Mulberry and Kitty is a Fort Meade native. They were married on May 5, 1962, in Nahunta, Ga. He retired … read more.

Donations needed for Polk homeless graduating seniors
Thu May 3 2012 08:00AM

Crossing that stage and getting a high school diploma is an accomplishment for any teen that meets that milestone. But, for the 100 graduating seniors who may not have family to live with and often make their home in parking … read more.

School Board pulls charter resolution
Tue May 8 2012 03:45PM

In the continuing saga of Lakeland High School and Harrison School of the Arts — will they become charters, whether as separate schools or one — Polk County School Board members are concerned that what’s best for the kids will … read more.

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State, National and World News

Autopsy: Evidence of marijuana in Martin’s blood
Thu May 17 2012 08:37PM

ORLANDO (AP) — Medical examiners found evidence of marijuana in Trayvon Martin’s system after he was fatally shot by a neighborhood watch volunteer, an autopsy report released Thursday shows. The report was included in a large amount of evidence released … read more.

Rural homeless shelters in Fla. to get $2 million
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — Homeless shelters across the state will receive more than $2 million dollars in federal grants. The Department of Children and Families says the money will go to 25 emergency homeless shelters in rural areas. The money will … read more.

Woman foils would-be robbery by chasing suspects
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

HOBE SOUND (AP) — A Hobe Sound woman chased after four would-be robbers when she returned home from taking her husband to work and saw them climbing out of her window. Renee Granlund told Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers she saw … read more.

Central Fla. woman gives birth at gas station
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

LONGWOOD (AP) — A Florida woman has made what can certainly be called a speedy delivery: She gave birth at a gas station. Orlando’s WKMG reports Shelly Tester gave birth with the help of her husband early Wednesday at a … read more.

Man pleads guilty to pointing laser at planes
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

ORLANDO (AP) — The U.S. Attorney’s Office says a 49-year-old man faces up to five years in prison after pleading guilty to aiming a laser pointer at a plane departing from Orlando International Airport. Prosecutors say Glenn Stephen Hansen pointed … read more.

Fla. tourism numbers show slight gain in 2012
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — Florida tourism officials say numbers for the first quarter of the year are up slightly over the same period a year ago. Visit Florida, the state’s marketing division, released numbers Wednesday showing a 2.4 percent boost for … read more.

Polk Co. confirms 6th positive rabies case
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

FORT MEADE (AP) — Polk County has confirmed its sixth positive rabies case this year. A Fort Meade resident found his two dogs with a dead raccoon. The raccoon was tested for rabies, and it was confirmed positive for rabies … read more.

Agency for disabled people rates Fla. providers
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — The state has updated its Medicaid provider ratings for Floridians with developmental disabilities. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities posted the new rankings on its website Wednesday. They are part of an effort by all state agencies … read more.

Workshops set for gopher tortoise conservation
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

MIAMI (AP) — Wildlife officials will be conducting regional workshops for gopher tortoise conservation. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission made the announcement Wednesday. The workshops will present information on the management plan and permitting guidelines for gopher tortoises. … read more.

Prosecutor: Plea deals set in Fla. A&M hazing case %reldate(2012-05-17T14:09:43
Thu May 17 2012 08:37PM

BC-FL--FAMU Arrests,129 Prosecutor: Plea deals set in Fla. A&M hazing case %reldate(2012-05-17T14:09:43 Eds: APNewsNow. Will be updated. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A prosecutor says two defendants accused of hazing a Florida A&M University band member are expected to plead guilty … read more.

Student to plead guilty to Obama threat
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

MIAMI (AP) — Court records show a Miami college student intends to plead guilty to making threatening posts against President Barack Obama on Facebook. A change of plea hearing is set for Wednesday for 20-year-old Joaquin Amador Serrapio Jr. He … read more.

Maas named executive editor of Tampa Tribune
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

TAMPA (AP) — A longtime news manager at The Tampa Tribune has been chosen as the new executive editor. The newspaper reported the appointment of Richard “Duke” Maas on Thursday. The 59-year-old Maas has been managing editor of the Tribune … read more.

Ed secretary questions Fla. law on tutoring
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

MIAMI (AP) — U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan questioned Thursday why the Florida Legislature passed a law requiring districts to continue tutoring services that have not proven effective. Florida was one of nearly a dozen states that received a waiver … read more.

Citizens board chair urges caution
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — Citizens Property Insurance Corp. could face dire consequences if it fails to involve Florida lawmakers before deciding whether to approve a dramatic rate increase for new policyholders, the state-backed firm’s board president warned Thursday. The corporation’s Board … read more.

US ready to strike Iran
Thu May 17 2012 08:37PM

JERUSALEM — The U.S. has plans in place to attack Iran if necessary to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons, Washington’s envoy to Israel said, days ahead of a crucial round of nuclear talks with Tehran. Dan Shapiro’s message resonated … read more.

Greek Cabinet, legislators sworn in
Thu May 17 2012 08:37PM

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece on Thursday swore in 300 legislators for just one day before it dissolves Parliament and calls new elections, among them 21 lawmakers from Golden Dawn — arguably the most far-right party to be involved in … read more.

Buffett buys 63 Media General papers
Thu May 17 2012 08:06PM

LOS ANGELES (LA Times) — Former paperboy and current Omaha, Neb., billionaire Warren Buffett is throwing the weight of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. behind the newspaper industry, buying the majority of Media General Inc.’s papers months after picking up his hometown … read more.

Stocks slump again
Thu May 17 2012 08:06PM

NEW YORK (AP) — Unable to shake their worries about Europe, investors drove stocks to a four-month low Thursday and piled into bonds, sending the yield on the 10-year Treasury note close to an all-time low. The Dow Jones industrial … read more.

Senators want to stop Saverin from dodging taxes
Thu May 17 2012 08:06PM

WASHINGTON (LA Times) — Two senators on Thursday denounced Facebook Inc. co-founder Eduardo Saverin as a tax dodger for renouncing his U.S. citizenship ahead of the company’s initial public offering and introduced legislation to punish him and others who leave … read more.

Fate of ‘uninsurables’ hinges on Supreme Court
Thu May 17 2012 08:37PM

WASHINGTON — Cancer patient Kathy Watson voted Republican in 2008 and believes the government has no right telling Americans to get health insurance. Nonetheless, she says she’d be dead if it weren’t for President Barack Obama’s health care law. Now … read more.

Cellphone disaster alert system to start soon
Thu May 17 2012 08:06PM

DAYTON, Ohio (Cox Newspapers) — Major U.S. wireless carriers will go live this month with an emergency disaster alert system broadcasting free text messages warning of tornadoes, flash floods, earthquakes and other emergencies. Major carriers AT&T, Cellcom, Cricket, Sprint Nextel, … read more.

US unemployment aid applications stay at 370,000
Thu May 17 2012 08:06PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits was unchanged last week, suggesting modest but steady gains in the job market. The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly unemployment aid applications stayed at a seasonally adjusted 370,000, … read more.

Facebook IPO set at $38
Thu May 17 2012 08:37PM

NEW YORK — Facebook’s initial public offering of stock is shaping up to be one of the largest ever. The world’s definitive online social network is raising at least $16 billion, a big windfall for a company that began eight … read more.

Cuban president’s daughter gets US travel visa
Thu May 17 2012 08:06PM

HAVANA (AP) — Cuban first daughter Mariela Castro has been granted a U.S. visa to attend events in San Francisco and New York, one of her associates confirmed Thursday. The travel permission sparked a firestorm of criticism from Cuban-American politicians … read more.

Postal Service to begin closing plants this summer
Thu May 17 2012 08:06PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nearly bankrupt U.S. Postal Service is moving ahead with plans to close dozens of mail processing centers, saying on Thursday it can no longer wait as Congress remains deadlocked over how to help. At a news … read more.

Prisons to step up anti-rape efforts
Thu May 17 2012 08:37PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Thursday ordered federal, state and local prisons, jails and detention facilities to step up the fight against prison rape, issuing mandatory screening, enforcement and prevention regulations in hopes of reducing sexual victimization behind … read more.

Census Bureau: Minority births outnumbered whites for first time
Thu May 17 2012 08:06PM

LOS ANGELES (LA Times) — The United States has reached a historic tipping point — with Latino, Asian, mixed-race and African-American births constituting a majority of births for the first time, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Thursday. Minorities made up … read more.

RFK Jr.’s estranged wife hanged herself
Thu May 17 2012 08:06PM

BEDFORD, N.Y. (AP) — The Kennedy family, so practiced at public mourning, is grieving again after the estranged wife of Robert Kennedy Jr. hanged herself at her home in suburban New York. Mary Richardson Kennedy, 52, an architect known for … read more.

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