Jim Snodgrass has been promoted to Director of Corporate Performance for the Ronco Group, 3400 Agricultural Center Drive, St. Augustine. He currently serves as an internal consultant for all companies and business units with the Ronco Group.
Handmade signs point to area's history to area's history
Glenn Maurer's love of history has led him to his lifelong career: building historical markers and signs.
Southwest disputes FAA safety ruling
FORT WORTH, Texas -- A "twofold breakdown" in safety procedures at Southwest Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration resulted in airplanes flying without being inspected for potentially dangerous fuselage cracks last year, FAA officials said.
Jobs report sends market tumbling
NEW YORK -- Stocks tumbled for a second consecutive session Friday after the government's February jobs report revealed employers slashed payrolls last month, compounding fears that the U.S. economy is succumbing to recession. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 146 points, bringing its two-day slide to 370.
Shifting mortgage rates baffle brokers
WASHINGTON -- In the words of more than one mortgage broker, fluctuating interest rates on traditional fixed-rate home loans have been "crazy" this week.
Corporate execs defend their high pay
WASHINGTON -- Three corporate executives called in for a shaming by Democratic lawmakers Friday defended raking in hundreds of millions of dollars despite contributing to the subprime mortgage crisis that has their companies reeling from losses and the nation on the edge of recession.
Boeing may file protest
WASHINGTON -- After being briefed by the Air Force, The Boeing Co. said Friday that it had "significant concerns" about a Pentagon decision to award a $40 billion contract to a team that will use a European airplane to replace its fleet of Eisenhower-era aerial refueling tankers.
Mortgage sector strongholds show weakness
WASHINGTON -- As the business of making and trading mortgages has deteriorated over the past year, one of the few market segments still functioning smoothly was that managed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two companies chartered by the government to keep mortgage money flowing.
AOL Internet radio inks deal with CBS
WASHINGTON -- AOL's Internet radio division and CBS Radio this week announced a content and advertising partnership that will allow AOL's listeners to access CBS content.
Florida jobless rate climbs
TALLAHASSEE -- Florida's economy worsened in January when 7,300 workers lost their jobs, resulting mostly from a construction industry bogged down as a result of a plunging housing market.
Q: What are LEAPs? -- T.C., Oxnard, Calif.
Renee Marie DuFresne and Donald Patrick Taylor were united in marriage Feb. 23 during a 6 p.m. double-ring ceremony performed at the St. Francis Barracks Officers Club by Allen Crosby, notary.
Agustin Inn was the setting at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 for the marriage of Tammy Marie Sagona and John Dauban Campbell. Allen Crosby officiated at the double-ring nuptials.
The engagement and approaching marriage of Mary Frances Elkins, St. Augustine, and Alexander P. Matisco Sr., Jacksonville, are announced by her mother, Marjorie Ennis, St. Augustine.
Mr. and Mrs. James W. Morse, Palm Coast, announce the birth of a daughter, Alina Ester, 7 pounds, 3 ounces, Feb. 1 at Flagler Hospital. She joins, Caitlynn, 9 and Brianne, 3.
Angela Denise French and Tony Eugene Lynch were united in marriage Feb. 23 during a poolside double ring ceremony performed in St. Augustine by Jackie Patterson, notary. The bride is the daughter of Lois French, St. Augustine, and the bridegroom is the son of Skip and Rona Lynch, St. Augustine, and the late Carol Lynch.
Mr. and Mrs. Dillion J. Hansen, St. Augustine, announce the birth of a daughter, Julia Marie, 7 pounds, 13 ounces, Feb. 24 at Flagler Hospital. She joins, Ryan, 2.
Nicolas and Gale Angelastro, St. Augustine, announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Ann L., to Casey Parker, son of Pamela Parker, Jacksonville. Vows are planned at 2 p.m. March 29 at the Riverview Club.
Collins child baptized at San Sebastian Catholic Church
Moira Ann Collins, infant daughter of Laura Marie Collins and Daniel Collins of St. Augustine, was baptized March 1 at San Sebastian Catholic Church, The Rev. Thomas P. Walsh officiated.
Mr. and Mrs. Rocco Esposito celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Dec. 20.
Kathryn Leigh Bland and Jordan Michael Johnson exchanged wedding vows Dec. 31 during a 5:30 p.m. double ring ceremony performed in the Oldest House Gardens by Allen Crosby, notary.
Jay D. Warner and Amber J. McIntyre, St. Augustine, announce the birth of a daughter, Ella Jean Warner, 6 pounds, 12 ounces, Feb. 28 at Flagler Hospital. She joins, Daniel Warner, 3.
Go & Do
St. Ambrose Fair: The area's longest running country fair is now in its 127th year. Games, Menorcan chowder and Southern-style foods, arts and crafts, a rummage sale, live music and other activities are scheduled throughout the day.
For The Record
The Humane Society of Northeast Florida Mobile pet adoption unit will be in St. Augustine this weekend across the street from the Seafood Festival.
Go & Do
27th annual Lions Seafood & Music Festival Seafood, hot air balloon rides, music, games, arts and crafts and more will be available at this three-day event.
JACKSONVILLE -- Polka dots, stripes and animal prints are just some of the hot 2008 swimsuit designs from Venus. And for tamer tastes, there are nautical and classical colors as well.
As a teen-ager, fashion designer Christian Siriano left an Annapolis, Md., mall hair salon for London and dreams of making it big in the industry.
Be a good neighbor to threatened Gopher Tortoise
It's March, and with warm days, we'll be seeing Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus), emerge from their burrows. I've lived around Gopher Tortoises all my life, but for those new to Florida, these land turtles are novelties.
Q & A
Q. When should I apply Ironite to my lawn?
Tip of the Week
Warm season vegetables such as cucumbers, peppers, lettuce and especially tomatoes should be planted by mid-March to assure good production before heat stress occurs, advises the St. Johns County Extension Service.
Achatz landscape wins
The Alicante Road landscape of Wilma and Walter Achatz has been selected by Shamrock Circle as its Garden of the Month recipient.
McCain rejects televangelist's anti-Catholic views
NEW ORLEANS -- Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Friday repudiated any views of a prominent televangelist who endorsed him last month "if they are anti-Catholic or offensive to Catholics."
Ohio, Tenn. residents dig out of snow drifts
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A foot of snow buried parts of the Ohio and Tennessee valleys early Saturday, shutting down travel and many public events.
Will Clinton-Obama fight injure Democrats?
WASHINGTON-- Let Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama rip each other apart. It's really no problem for the Democratic Party, veteran California Democratic strategist Bob Mulholland said.
Wireless companies vs. FCC
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- When Hurricane Katrina assaulted the Gulf Coast in 2005, wind and flooding knocked out hundreds of cell towers and cell sites, silencing wireless communication exactly when emergency crews and victims needed it.
High-tech gadget's failure puts 2010 census at risk
WASHINGTON -- The 2010 census is already in trouble.
Fishery council approves coral reef habitat plan
JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga. -- The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council on Friday approved plans that will ban deep sea bottom trawling from 23,000 square miles of coral habitat.
New monuments planned for Normandy, Cantigny
FAIRHOPE, Ala. -- Sculptor Stephen Spears is turning history into bronze with the first monument to the Navy's D-Day heroes at Normandy and a statue of a World War I doughboy at the site of a landmark American victory in Cantigny, France.
As of Saturday,at least 3,974 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes eight military civilians. At least 3,237 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.
Tips for saving for retirement
The U.S. Department of Labor offers the following tips for saving for retirement:
Study: Placebo effect may have financial component
For years, experts have known that placebos fake injections and pills with no real medication can improve the health of people with pain, asthma, high blood pressure and angina.
Obama wins in Wyoming
CASPER, Wyo. -- Sen. Barack Obama captured the Wyoming Democratic caucuses Saturday, seizing a bit of momentum in the close, hard-fought race with rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton for the party's presidential nomination.
'Naked City' writer dies
LOS ANGELES -- Malvin Wald, a prolific writer for film and television best known for co-writing the Academy Award-nominated screenplay for the 1948 film "The Naked City," died Thursday of age-related causes at Sherman Oaks Hospital, his son Alan said. He was 90.
Jobless rate sparks political debate
WASHINGTON -- A surprisingly bleak new employment report sent tremors through Washington and roiled the presidential campaign this week, infusing new urgency into the debate over how to reverse an accelerating economic slide and fueling a political contest over who to blame for it.
WASHINGTON -- At a cost of nearly $42 million, the IRS wants you to know: Your check is almost in the mail.
Swing states send inconsistent signals
WASHINGTON -- Hillary Rodham Clinton's big victory in Ohio has given her fresh ammunition in the running debate over which Democrat would be stronger in the fall battlegrounds against Republican John McCain.
Troops suffering hearing damage
SAN DIEGO -- Soldiers and Marines caught in roadside bombings and firefights in Iraq and Afghanistan are coming home in epidemic numbers with permanent hearing loss and ringing in their ears, prompting the military to redouble its efforts to protect the troops from noise.
Bush vetoes waterboarding ban
WASHINGTON -- President Bush said Saturday that he has vetoed legislation meant to ban the CIA from using waterboarding and other harsh interrogation tactics because it "would take away one of the most valuable tools on the war on terror."
President Bush pushes democracy for Cuba
WASHINGTON -- President Bush chastised most other countries Friday for "a sad and curious pattern" of doing little to speak out against human rights and political abuses in Cuba.
Vaccine-autism case has Feds in scramble mode
Officials with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scrambled this week to reassure the public that that childhood vaccines are safe after news spread that another agency had acknowledged a link between a child's autism and the shots she received as a toddler.
Hundreds mourn slain Auburn freshman
MARIETTA, Ga. -- One of the more familiar images of Lauren Burk was of a young woman with twinkling eyes, a broad, beaming smile and an arm thrown around a friend.
Killer charged in brother's death, 5 others
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A convicted killer recently released from prison was charged Saturday in the deaths of six people, including his brother and two children, authorities said.
Photos of UNC suspect released
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Detectives are searching for a man photographed using the ATM card of the University of North Carolina student body president found shot to death on a city street, police said Saturday.
Springing forward tied to car crashes
DETROIT -- Our watches and wall clocks will be springing forward Sunday with daylight saving time, but our biological clocks will be lagging behind.
A look behind the annual spring time change
Twice a year, Americans reset their clocks to reconcile shifting sunlight to time of day. The ritual starts again Sunday morning, with the clock change that hurts most, when time springs forward from 1:59 to 3 a.m., making for a 23-hour day and costing an hour of snoozing. That extra hour is on loan until Nov. 4, when standard time returns and clocks can fall back from 1:59 to 1 a.m.
Obama adviser calls Clinton 'monster,' resigns
WASHINGTON -- A former adviser to Barack Obama who resigned Friday after calling rival Hillary Rodham Clinton "a monster" said Obama may not be able to withdraw all U.S. combat troops from Iraq within a year as he has promised on the campaign trail.
State lawmakers around country propose more immigration bills
State lawmakers around the country are proposing hundreds of bills this year aimed at curbing illegal immigration, but experts say the cost and public opposition will keep many from becoming law.
The following was compiled from police reports collected from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office (SJCSO), St. Augustine Police Department (SAPD), Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and St. Augustine Beach Police Department (SABPD)
Rescue at sea
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued five men in 10-foot seas with 40-knot winds who were stranded on a gambling ship Saturday 17 miles off St. Augustine's coast.
Storms strike state
Although St. Johns County spent Friday under tornado and thunderstorm warnings, the area escaped with only slight flooding, unlike elsewhere in the state where a tornado killed two people.
Vilano town center on hold
Redevelopment of Vilano Beach's Town Center has stopped because the state's collapsed real estate market has essentially frozen commercial lending and dropped property values.
Winds rip through county
Heavy winds that tore through St. Johns County on Saturday knocked down trees, caused power outages and scattered debris on roadways.
The following was compiled from police reports collected from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office (SJCSO), St. Augustine Police Department (SAPD), Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and St. Augustine Beach Police Department (SABPD)
In NE Florida, Supervisor Bradshaw is on the front lines of stopping contraband
BLOUNT ISLAND -- When she's off duty, even Jennifer Bradshaw forgets from time to time to think about how much her profession affects everyday American life.
Road Construction Report
The following lane closures are scheduled for next week on road construction projects in Clay, Putnam and St. Johns counties.
Local woman out of money and, increasingly, out of luck
It's been almost a year since we reported that Beryl Harris was out of money at 73.
Famous poet once described local sugar plantation
The intersection of County Road 214 and Holmes Boulevard made the front page recently with the relocation of the Florida Memorial College arch.
Cyclist killed in Putnam County
A St. Augustine man was killed late Friday in Putnam County when he was hit by a car on S.R. 15.
Customs takes higher profile
The same agency that makes headlines for finding huge quantities of drugs and intercepting would-be illegal immigrants elsewhere in Florida is quietly guarding the coast of St. Johns County.
Karen (Dynamite) Newstadt, 56, passed away on Feb. 27, 2008, at Pasadena Hospital, St. Petersburg, Fla., after a lengthy illness. Mrs. Newstadt was a former resident of St. Augustine for many years.
Kay Green, 60, of Elkton, died Friday, March 7, at Flagler Hospital.
Betty Jane Carter
Betty Jane Carter, 72, of the Southwood community in St. Augustine, died Saturday, March 8, 2008, at Kindred Hospital of North Florida in Green Cove Springs.
George Nathaniel Roberts
George Nathaniel Roberts, 89, of St. Augustine, died March 5, 2008, at Flagler Hospital. Mr. Roberts was a native and lifelong resident of St. Augustine.
Joyce Ann "Nana" Fritzsch
Joyce Ann "Nana" Fritzsch, 69, of St. Augustine, died March 4, 2008, at her residence in St. Augustine.
Joyce Ann Fritzsch
oyce Ann "Nana" Fritzsch, 69, of St. Augustine, died on March 4, 2008, at her residence in St. Augustine.
Working mother on cover
Ponte Vedra Beach woman who balances business, family will be featured in magazine's April issue
Parenting: Sharing a few real-life parenting success stories
It's one thing to give advice on the rearing of children, which is what I do through this column. It's quite another to share inspiring, real-life stories from parents who have "been there, done that." The following three stories demonstrate that good things eventually come to parents who will dispense tough love and stay the course.
Benefit poker run, lots more planned this month
March 22 is the date for a benefit poker run to lend a helping hand to Stephanie Stallman, who is battling cancer.
Maritime archaelogoy symposium this week
For the second year maritime archaeologists from all over the country will come together for show and tell at the GTM Research Reserve.
News & Notes
Is your organization planning a summer program? We'd like to know about it.
Celtic band entertains at Osceola Elementary
Students at Osceola Elementary School were entertained last month by the Celtic band The Muses. The concert was made possible through the generosity of the St. Johns Cultural Council, Southern Horticulture and John Birney of First Coast Financial Advisors.
Lots of Easter egg hunts planned around the First Coast
Egg hunts and spring celebrations will delight young and old in coming weeks.
Birds, garbage, kayak tours, it's all at area parks
Fort Matanzas offers a birds, beach, botany and butterflies walk from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Meet at the visitors Center, A1A South. Joe Shannon will guide the tour.
Students invited to enter PSA water video competition
Students who attend high schools located within the watershed of the St. Johns River can begin submitting their PSA ("Public Service Announcements") video entries in the St. Johns Riverkeeper "Conserving Water To Save Our Rivers" PSA Contest.
Life has not been easy for Youth of Year finalist
A St. Augustine High School student who credits the St. Augustine Boys and Girls Club with helping him to avoid of a life of crime was recognized Feb. 28, when the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida hosted the 2008 Youth of the Year gathering at San Jose Country Club, Jacksonville.
St. Johns Junior Miss Kayla Loveday takes state title
It was a dream come true for 18-year-old Kayla Loveday who was named Florida Junior Miss March 1 in Perry.
The following are the menu listings for St. Johns County elementary, middle and high school cafeterias for the week of March 10.
Column: Thank you, thank you very much
I have good news. Manners are not a thing of the past.
In the winners circle
Cathedral Parish School Cub Scout Pack 63 members raced their way into the winners circle at a recent pack meeting. The Pinewood Derby was enjoyed by race fans of all ages, including Boy Scout Troop 63 who also brought their own creations to race.
Annual genealogy seminar Saturday
The St. Augustine Genealogical Society presents Robert "Bob" Scott Davis Jr., noted genealogist and author at their annual seminar Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 500 Deltona Blvd, St. Augustine Shores.
Menendez production Thursday
The auditorium at Pedro Menendez High School, State Road 206, will be the setting at 7 p.m. Thursday for a presentation to help raise funds for students to go to competition in Tampa in May.
n Volunteers are needed in COA's Travel Office Monday through Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. Travel volunteers should have knowledge of computer and organizational skills as well as excellent customer service skills. Some physical activity is needed.
Senior Men's Club will be sponsoring a garage sale at the Nease student parking lot in front of the football stadium from 8 a.m. to noon March 15.
Archaeology program all about Florida's forts
When is a fort not a fort?
First Coast Tech helps St. Jude's
First Coast Technical College's Tech Tots and Early Childhood Education programs will conduct a Trike-a-Thon fundraiser March 28 to benefit St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. "Children are never too young to begin learning the rewards of community service," said Teresa Woodward, Tech Tots director.
Write a book in 60 days
Coach, author, publisher and entrepreneur Rik Feeney will present his 90-minute workshop, "How to Write a Book in 60 Days" to the Ancient City Chapter of the Florida Writers Association Saturday at the Main Branch of the Library, 1960 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd.
Stuart R. Powers was named to the dean's list for the 2007 fall term and to the president's list for the 2007 spring term at Daytona Beach College.
Children's museum plans roundtable discussions
The board of directors of a newly formed not-for-profit Children's Museum of St. Johns will host a series of roundtable discussions this spring throughout the county.
Tutoring program joins Bartram, Julington Creek students
Julington Creek third graders are participating in the tutoring program Teen Trendsetters Reading Mentors (TTRM) pairing high school students from Bartram Trail with third graders at Julington Creek.
Blessing of the Fleet March 16
The annual Blessing of the Fleet will once again be offered to local boaters during a ceremony that follows the 11 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Augsutine on March 16.
Hoedown at Nease
The Nease High School NJROTC had its first-ever hoedown last month.
Mardi Gras celebration
Ray and Michelle Holloway were crowned prince and princess at the recent German-American Club of St. Augustine Mardi Gras (German fasching) celebration. The well-attended event featured dinner and a variety of festivities, including the crowning of the prince and princess.
Perspective: The look of love
On Feb. 2, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, 53, freshly divorced from his second wife in October, married supermodel and singer Carla Bruni, whom he met in November.
Letter: Taxpayers need lawmakers watching out for them
Editor: The Florida Legislature convened Tuesday with the assignment of cutting $500 million from the state's current $70 billion budget.
Letter: State education budget confusing to readers
Editor: In yet another instance of our esteemed "Fourth Estate'' abandoning its responsibility and parroting the hyperbole spewed by our bloated state government, an Associated Press article on March 4 in The St. Augustine Record was headlined "Education facing huge cuts.''
Column: Crime and punishment
If an author can't make the Oprah cut, the next best thing may be getting censured by a university.
Editorial: Proctor still wears two heavy hats
St. Augustine's Bill Proctor is down to two hats: Chancellor of Flagler College and District 20 state representative.
Column: Check contractor before entering building contract
It saddened me greatly to read "Revoke Florida's Mechanics Lien Law" in the Letters to the Editor on Feb. 20. It was about the financial nightmare of a neighbor of the writer and the unwarranted burden and stress caused by a contractor who did not finish the project or pay his subcontractors.
Letter: Confederate flag is not an American swastika
Editor: There was an article in The St. Augustine Record on March 5, page 8A, written by Leonard Pitts Jr. titled, "Flag flyers remember: Nazis have a heritage, too."
To Letter Writers
Until further notice, please e-mail all Letters to the Editor to firstname.lastname@example.org.
Editorial: Cracker animals deserve statewide recognition
Florida's Cracker Horses are vying for state recognition this year by the Florida Legislature as Official State Horse.
Letter: American government avoids helping Iraq war veterans
Editor: We are now approaching the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war, and also the death of 4,000 U.S. soldiers. Big numbers, but they do not tell the whole story.
Perspective: Mortgage meltdown and help for homeowners
How should the government respond to the home foreclosure crisis?
Globetrotters still seek just one thing: A smile
"Sweet" Lou Dunbar said there is no secret to the longevity of the Harlem Globetrotters.
NHL: Panthers, Hurricanes each win in overtime
BOSTON -- Marco Sturm scored the second of Boston's two 5-on-3 power-play goals late in the third period to lift the Bruins to a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday.
NBA: Blazers top Knicks in OT
NEW YORK -- Brandon Roy scored eight of his 27 points in overtime, and the Portland Trail Blazers overcame Nate Robinson's career-high 45 points Saturday night to beat the New York Knicks 120-114.
Roundup: Yellow Jackets win in weightlifting
St. Augustine won its first weightlifting meet of the season in a rout.
Rough wind, strong turnout at River Run
JACKSONVILLE -- Andrew Carlson chased down Deena Kastor and became the first runner to win the Gate River Run in Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Carlson, 25, erased the elite women's five-minute head start Saturday morning to win the U.S. 15K national championship's equalizer challenge in 44 minutes, 12 seconds.
National roundup: Jones begins prison stint
ORLANDO -- Pro golfer Tripp Isenhour said it was a "one-in-a-million" golf shot that killed a protected hawk and that he was only trying to scare the bird he now faces criminal charges for killing.
NFL's Goodell seeks more inspections
NEW YORK -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wants to crack down on spying next season with more inspections and harsher penalties, steps that follow the disciplining of the New England Patriots for taping opponents' signals.
NBA: Heat get clobbered by Warriors
PHILADELPHIA -- Samuel Dalembert had 22 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to their eighth straight home victory, 117-83 over the Seattle SuperSonics on Friday night.
Sore Gordon rebounds to take pole
HAMPTON, Ga. -- Jeff Gordon, bouncing back from a hard crash in Las Vegas, felt a whole lot better Friday night after winning the pole for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Memphis sweeps CUSA
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Joey Dorsey had 16 points and 12 rebounds to lead No. 2 Memphis to a 94-56 victory over UAB on Saturday and a second straight perfect season in Conference USA.
Today on TV
ARENA FOOTBALL -- 1 p.m. ESPN2 Philadelphia at Chicago
National roundup: Roddick wins in Dubai
DURHAM, N.C. -- Danny Green had 18 points and top-ranked North Carolina scored the final 10 points of its 76-68 victory over No. 6 Duke on Saturday night to give the Tar Heels the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title.
Boxing: Nate Campbell upsets unbeaten lightweight champ
CANCUN, Mexico -- Jacksonville boxer Nate Campbell won a stunning split decision over Juan Diaz on Saturday night, battering the previously unbeaten lightweight champion and claiming his three title belts.
New school Creekside adds 3 more coaches
The athletic department at Creekside High School is beginning to take shape.
Maggert up by 3 when rain arrives
PALM HARBOR -- The wind was blowing hard enough to sweep sand out of the bunkers and knock down scores Friday at the PODS Championship. Jeff Maggert used it to his advantage.
HAMPTON, Ga. -- Car owner Jack Roush strongly denied any intentional wrongdoing Friday in the wake of NASCAR penalties that knocked driver Carl Edwards out of first place in the Sprint Cup points and put crew chief Bob Osborne on a six-week suspension.
Haye, Maccarinelli meet tonight in cruiserweight unification fight
LONDON -- David Haye aims to unify three world titles and prove himself the best cruiserweight around before moving up to make his mark as a heavyweight.
Braves' Cox will not ease out of dugout
KISSIMMEE -- Bobby Cox spent the first few days of spring training trying to fight off a cold. And what about the future? He'll shoo away those questions with even more fervor.
Women: Duke stuns Maryland
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Wanisha Smith matched a career-high with 22 points Saturday and No. 12 Duke upset fifth-ranked Maryland 74-63 in the semifinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.
Reality catches up with Gators
GAINESVILLE -- It was Senior Night at the O'Connell Center on Wednesday. The only thing missing was the guests of honor.
NFL: Packers' Rodgers ready to play
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Aaron Rodgers has a message for Green Bay Packers fans.
COLLEGE BASEBALL: Nova Southeastern at Flagler, 1 p.m. (doubleheader)
Heavyweights Maskaev, Peter bullish about fight
CANCUN, Mexico --The matadors are getting the night off, yet there are plenty of fearless deeds still to be done at the Plaza de Toros tonight.
Today on TV
9 a.m. SPEED NASCAR, Nationwide Series, pole qualifying for Nicorette 300, at Hampton, Ga.
Fine, distractions don't follow Edwards on to the race track
HAMPTON, Ga. -- There are no distractions for Carl Edwards inside his race car.
Busch wins second straight truck race
HAMPTON, Ga. -- So far this year, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series has been Kyle Busch's playground.
Rare must win for Gators
Usually when Kentucky and Florida meet the last weekend of the regular season, it's for Southeastern Conference bragging rights.
Women: UNC crushes Clemson
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Erlana Larkins scored 25 points and LaToya Pringle added 16 to help No. 2 North Carolina beat Clemson 97-77 Friday in the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament.
Column: Another football league bites the dust
ORLANDO -- Another alphabet league appears to be finished.
Padres' Young shines in return
San Diego Padres starter Chris Young pitched three hitless innings and scored all the way from first on a double, sliding in ahead of the throw.
Kenseth breaks 18-race winless string in Atlanta
HAMPTON, Ga. -- It wasn't pretty, but Matt Kenseth was just happy to be in a NASCAR Nationwide Series Victory Circle after nearly a year.
Panel OKs elected ed commissioner amendment
TALLAHASSEE -- Voters would get a chance to change who sets tuition and controls the education system in Florida under a proposed constitutional amendment approved Friday by a House panel.
FLA. DEM 'REVOTE' CONSIDERED
TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Charlie Crist said Friday he'll lobby fellow Republicans this weekend to help the Democratic Party out of its latest elections snafu with a "blended" revote plan in which the party would pay for vote-by-mail balloting while the state would oversee it.
Key West resident wins annual conch blowing contest
KEY WEST -- A man who began blowing conch shells as a toddler took top honors at the annual Key West conch shell blowing contest Saturday.
Countdown to Endeavor liftoff begins
MIAMI -- Mission managers began the countdown Saturday for next week's launch of shuttle Endeavour and a crew led by a one-time South Floridian.
Florida: In Brief
LAKELAND -- A central Florida man once rescued from an alligator is now in protective custody after he was found standing naked in a pond.
Preservation program running low on money as land prices drop
TALLAHASSEE -- An Indiana developer has more than 6,000 acres in Marion County that he's willing to sell to the state for preservation, but the state is short on money and homes and a golf course could wind up on the land instead.
Panel urges state to review sales tax
TALLAHASSEE -- Florida's tax commissioners Friday urged lawmakers to set up a special committee that would draft repeal bills for sales tax exemptions if they fail to serve a public purpose or meet other criteria.
Buying travel insurance in case of bad weather, like a hurricane in the Caribbean?
The week's best travel bargains around the globe, by land, sea and air:
FAIRBANKS, Alaska -- Fairbanks is hosting the 18th annual World Ice Art Championships through March 23.
New art center opens in Madrid
MADRID, Spain -- Madrid's thriving world of art got a new addition with the inauguration of the CaixaForum cultural center, a seven-story brick and cast iron complex located in the heart of the city's art triangle.
New life of the party
HONOLULU --When dancing lions snaked through the streets of Chinatown last month, it was in celebration of Chinese New Year, an event feted here annually for generations.
Death toll rises in Iraqi bombings
BAGHDAD -- The death toll rose Friday to 68 from twin bombings whose blow also reverberated beyond the body count: showing that insurgents can still bring bloodshed into the heart of Baghdad and rattle the fragile confidence that is returning nightlife and commerce to parts of the battered city.
Newness of Raul Castro's election segues into weary watch for promised changes
HAVANA -- Now that the fanfare has ended over Raul Castro's selection as Cuba's new leader, he faces two distinct, yet equally demanding, audiences.
Spain polarized before vote today
MADRID -- Four years ago Tuesday, Islamic extremists detonated 10 bombs aboard four commuter trains in Madrid, killing 191 people in Spain's worst-ever terrorist attack. Coming three days before national elections, the explosions sparked a surprise voter backlash against the sitting conservative government, which botched its response to the terrorists and was unexpectedly thrown out of office.
Putin: Medvedev hard to deal with
NOVO-OGARYOVO, Russia -- President Vladimir Putin said Saturday that the West should not expect relations with Russia to be any easier under his newly elected successor, who is "no less of a Russian nationalist" than Putin.
Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela agree to end crisis
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- South American presidents reached a testy compromise Friday to resolve a dangerous crisis triggered by a Colombian military attack in Ecuador, stepping back from a week of insults, troop movements and talk of war.
China works on Darfur diplomacy
BEIJING -- When filmmaker Steven Spielberg announced in February that he was withdrawing as an artistic adviser to the 2008 Olympics over violence in Darfur, the reaction in Beijing was righteous indignation.
MINSK, Belarus -- The Belarusian Foreign Ministry told the U.S. ambassador on Friday to leave the country and recalled its own ambassador from the U.S. over economic sanctions Washington imposed on the former Soviet nation last year.
South America moves away from talk of war
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- South America moved away from talk of war as the presidents of Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador agreed to end a bitter dispute triggered by a Colombian cross-border raid with testy handshakes and an apology.
Superstores affect Latin American farmers
SAN PEDRO SACATEPEQUEZ, Guatemala -- Perched on less than an acre of land off an unpaved road in a hardscrabble rural area, farmer Gumercindo Ajanel would hardly seem like a Wal-Mart regular. But in fact, he's working for the American retailing giant.
BELGRADE, Serbia -- Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica on Saturday called for new elections to replace the ruling coalition, citing untenable discord inside the government over Kosovo's secession and Serbia's own alliances with Europe.
Malaysia's ruling party suffers election setback
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Malaysia's ruling coalition suffered its biggest electoral upset in nearly four decades Saturday, losing control of three state governments and many parliamentary seats in a show of frustration over racial tensions, crime and corruption.