WASHINGTON | President Barack Obama's election-year jobs agenda suffered a new setback Thursday when Senate Republicans blocked a bill creating a $30 billion government fund to help open up lending for credit-starved small businesses. Published July 29, 2010
PHOENIX | The U.S. Air Force has chosen bases in Arizona, Florida, Utah and Vermont as homes for the military's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, prompting applause from officials banking on the pricey new combat jets to supercharge their communities' economies. Published July 29, 2010
WASHINGTON | House investigators accused longtime New York Rep. Charles Rangel of 13 violations of congressional ethics standards on Thursday, throwing a cloud over his 4-decade political career and raising worries for fellow Democrats about the fall elections. Published July 29, 2010
A University of Central Florida economist says that the Gulf of Mexico oil spill has delayed the Sunshine State's recovery from the Great Recession by at least a year. Published July 29, 2010
PHILADELPHIA Forget the still-sputtering economy, tight credit and all the other reasons not to take that giant leap of real estate faith right now. For some people, now is precisely the right time to build the house they want. Published July 29, 2010
The following businesses or individuals filed bankruptcy petitions in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Tampa from May 20-26, 2010. Chapter 7 filings are for companies and/or individuals whose assets are being liquidated to pay creditors. CHAPTER 7 Freeman, Temperance Bennett, 2894 Dudley Drive, Bartow, (10-12010). Published July 29, 2010
NEW YORK | Toyota is recalling nearly half a million cars, most of them large sedans sold in the U.S., for problems that can cause the steering wheel to lock up. It's the latest indication that the automaker is still struggling with vehicle problems even as it works to overhaul quality control. Published July 29, 2010
PHOENIX | Arizona asked an appeals court Thursday to lift a judge's order blocking most of the state's immigration law as the city of Phoenix filled with protesters, including about 50 who were arrested for confronting officers in riot gear. Published July 29, 2010
David Price became the AL's first 14-game winner, Carlos Pena had four RBIs and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Detroit Tigers 4-2 Thursday to complete a four-game sweep. Published July 29, 2010
LAKELAND | The Polk County Charter School Association filed a lawsuit today against the Polk County School District, asking a Circuit Court judge to stop the district’s plans to cut certain services to charter schools. Published July 29, 2010
BARTOW | Severe winds from an afternoon thunderstorm Wednesday caused more than $1 million in damage to more than two dozen RV trailers at Dusty's Camper World, said general manager Jeff Crum. Some of the recreational vehicles, some weighing nearly 14,000 pounds, were catapulted nearly 500 feet across the parking lot. Published July 29, 2010
POINCIANA | A Winn-Dixie store in Poinciana is among 30 locations being closed by the Jacksonville-based supermarket chain. The store at 900 Cypress Parkway and other targeted locations were described as "underperforming" and are scheduled to close by Sept. 22, Winn-Dixie officials said. Published July 29, 2010
TAMPA | LeRoy Collins Jr., a former U.S. Senate candidate, retired two-star Navy admiral, and son of a former Florida governor, was killed early today when an SUV hit him as he rode his bicycle in South Tampa. Collins, 75, was pedaling across a pedestrian crosswalk when a vehicle driven by Margaux Manuel, 27, hit him, police said. Published July 29, 2010
TAMPA | USF's athletic department is facing allegations of racial discrimination and covering up NCAA violations from an African-American academic adviser who was fired last week after committing a secondary NCAA violation this spring. Published July 29, 2010
WASHINGTON | New jobless claims fell last week for the third time in four weeks but remain elevated. The Labor Department said today that first-time claims for unemployment insurance dropped by 11,000 to a seasonally adjusted 457,000. Published July 29, 2010
ORLANDO | Two men are on the run today in Central Florida after police say they shot a 16-year-old Orange County boy in the face. Published July 29, 2010
PHEONIX, Ariz. | Zach Bonner is at it again. While most kids his age are reveling in the last few weeks of summer vacation, Zach is trudging across the Arizona desert — wearing out his shoes and his tiny body in the name of charity. Published July 29, 2010
COOKE CITY, Mont. | A mother grizzly and two of her three cubs have been captured after killing a Michigan man and injuring two other people during an overnight rampage through a campground near Yellowstone National Park. Published July 29, 2010
TOKYO | Toyota is recalling 412,000 passenger cars, mostly the Avalon model, in the U.S., and another 16,420 vehicles in Japan for steering problems, the automaker said today. Published July 29, 2010
Manager Jim Leyland is not really upset about it. Neither is general manager Dave Dombrowski. It is what it is. And right now, it isn't very good. Published July 29, 2010
An Arizona morgue is running out of space as a growing number of border crossers have been found dead in the deserts around Tucson. Published July 29, 2010
The government plans to sell only minority stakes in the companies, retaining control while letting investors share a larger part of the risks and profits. Published July 29, 2010
Wednesday’s immigration ruling may halt, at least temporarily, a movement by states to make it a crime to be an immigrant without legal documents. Published July 29, 2010
The Swiss drug giant will give away up to 250,000 bottles of a liquid medicine to woo parents frustrated by the recall of liquid children’s Tylenol. Published July 29, 2010
A preliminary injunction was issued against parts of the law, including the sections that called for officers to check a person’s immigration status while enforcing other laws. Published July 29, 2010
Two Americans were among the 152 people killed when a jetliner slammed into wooded hills near Islamabad amid dense fog and heavy rain on Wednesday, officials said. Published July 29, 2010
The $9.75 billion deal should end a dispute between Telefónica and Portugal Telecom over their joint cellphone operation in Brazil. Published July 29, 2010
Amazon.com, the maker of the Kindle e-reader, is introducing two new smaller, lighter versions with high-contrast screens and crisper text. Published July 29, 2010
Some of the documents released by WikiLeaks contain the names of Afghans who provided credible information to U.S. and NATO troops. Published July 29, 2010
There is no closer bond than to have been in combat defending your own and others' lives. War is hell. There is no greater reason to have peace than to have faced that hell and want none of it again for any other human on this or any other planet. Published July 29, 2010
Recently, The Ledger saw fit to give two paragraphs on page A3 to a story that the NAACP passed a resolution condemning the tea party for racism - just enough to report the resolution without having to add anything to back it up. Published July 29, 2010
Maybe we have found the answer to why we have a city of Lakeland Commission that doesn't heed the voice of the people who put them there. I read in a recent survey by the Brookings Institute, whose data show that out of the least educated cities [measured by four-year college degrees, for the whole of Polk County], Lakeland came in fifth with 18.7... Published July 29, 2010
Why isn't Polk City concentrating on the more important issues going on in their area? The time spent over a cellular phone debate is laughable, and they all should be embarrassed. The officials have too many issues to resolve, and wasting precious time and energy is proving to be why the city is in dire straits. Published July 29, 2010
The U.S. economic recovery will remain slow deep into next year, held back by shoppers reluctant to spend and employers hesitant to hire, according to an Associated Press survey of leading economists. Published July 29, 2010
A sheriff's deputy was arrested and is facing charges of aggravated battery on a child and child neglect. Authorities said the deputy was arrested Wednesday after his 3-month-old son was taken to the hospital Sunday and diagnosed with a fractured skull and femur. Published July 29, 2010
The following businesses or individuals filed bankruptcy petitions in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Tampa from May 20-26, 2010. Chapter 7 filings are for companies and/or individuals whose assets are being liquidated to pay creditors. Chapter 11 is for companies seeking to reorganize while under bankruptcy court protection; and Chapter 13... Published July 29, 2010
Before swiping that credit card at the gas pump, consider going inside to pay for the purchase. It may be a bit inconvenient, but it might provide a trouble-free future. Published July 28, 2010
Peter Parcek is no youngster — the New England native is a contemporary of Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck. 'The Mathematics of Love,' however, is the singer-guitarist's first nationally distributed album. Playing both acoustic and electric, Parcek spikes his blues with touches of jazz, rock, and country as he masterfully mixes tones to convey... Published July 28, 2010
Like Frank Sinatra, Garth Brooks and Jay-Z before him, Terius 'The-Dream' Nash claims to be preparing for retirement with this, his alleged last album. I wouldn't count on the superslick minor genius producer following through on it, but if he did, the auteur responsible for Rihanna's 'Umbrella' and Beyonce's 'Single Ladies' would never want for... Published July 28, 2010
On 'The Imagine Project,' Herbie Hancock goes global, and while the message of peace and international fellowship is well and good, the result sounds like channel-surfing. Published July 28, 2010
CAR WASH Magnify Credit Union will hold a car wash 9 a.m. to noon Saturday to benefit the families of Tampa Police officers Jeffrey Kocab and David Curtis and Polk Sheriff deputies Mike Braswell and Paul Fairbanks III. Magnify Credit Union is at 961 E. 540A in Lakeland. ROCKIN' FOR THE DOGS Published July 28, 2010
This listing for senior citizens appears on the last Thursday of each month. The following is a list of events and activities geared toward senior citizens. MISCELLANEOUS LINE DANCING Lakeland 10 a.m. Thursdays. Lake Morton Senior Center, 803 E. Palmetto St. OPEN COMPUTER LAB & CLASSES Lakeland Published July 28, 2010
For a starlet with a record deal, one last season of her Disney Channel series ('The Wizards of Waverly Place'), her own clothing line and a much-imitated hairdo, Selena Gomez, who stars in 'Ramona and Beezus,' puts a lot of effort into keeping things on the down-low. The 18-year-old is 'the kind of teen idol who doesn't give parents nightmares,'... Published July 28, 2010
Each week, check here for hours, days and specials at area farmers' markets. INTERNATIONAL MARKET WORLD Auburndale 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. 1052 U.S. 92 W. 863-665-0062. At Michael's Produce: six Georgia peaches for $3; an eggplant for $.75; three cucumbers for $1. FARMERS' MARKET Haines City Published July 28, 2010
The movie 'Dinner for Schmucks' kills an awful lot of time getting around to its titular dinner. Like the French film ('The Dinner Game') it is based on, it takes a leisurely gambol up to the party in which a bunch of arrogant rich twits each bring a dolt to dinner so that they can mock them. Published July 28, 2010
Have your cake and drink it too!" says one cookbook author. "When the going gets rough, the tough make booze cakes," says another. Kids don't have to have all the fun when it comes to sweets. Even without the oven, chefs are finding ingenious ways to add spirits to our sweets. Published July 28, 2010
Marriage license applications filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Bartow for the period of Feb. 20 to June 4. Phenis, Shawn, 1978, Lakeland to Stagg, Karen, 1977, Lakeland, 3/27 Phillipe, Gordon, 1967, Davenport to Reed, Deborah, 1971, Davenport, 3/4 Published July 28, 2010
Remember Munchos? That's what the all-natural "never fried, never baked" Popchips remind us of. Both are airy, a bit porous. Popchips, however, literally pressure potato slices into chips - they are popped using pressure and heat. The flavors available are tasty, and when they clock in with a fraction of the fat of most fried chips ... what's not... Published July 28, 2010
Service to community is at the core of the 100-year-old organization created by Luther Gulick, a medical doctor, and his wife, Charlotte, as a girl-friendly embodiment of Boy Scouts of America. Published July 28, 2010
Dogs and cats, living together ... mass hysteria? Maybe not so much. While these animals were resourceful and well-equipped enemies in the original 'Cats & Dogs' from 2001, now they're forced to band together to fight a common foe in the sequel 'Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore.' Published July 28, 2010
Lisa Cholodenko's wonderful 'The Kids Are All Right' is about many things, but at its heart it's about a girl who's ready to fly away from her family's cozy L.A. nest. Published July 28, 2010
TODAY ZUMBA CLASSES Haines City WHEN: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursdays at Haines City Community Center; 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at Bethune Neighborhood Center COST: $7 per class, $25 per month or $40 per month for two in family PHONE: 421-9963 LAKELAND SENIOR RECREATION CLUB CANCELLED Published July 28, 2010
His latest film marks a rise, and a dip, on Zac Efron's creative trajectory. Moving beyond high-school roles and away from the song-and-dance silliness of 'Hairspray' and 'High School Musical,' he takes a confident half-step toward becoming a mature romantic lead. The film itself? Not so good. Published July 28, 2010
Aaron Kelly finally is in his element. Kelly, a former Polk County resident who finished fifth on "American Idol" this season, has been touring the country for the past month with the other top 10 "Idol" contestants. And on tour, he gets to pick his own music. Published July 28, 2010
Sometimes writing restaurant reviews is like composing valedictorian speeches, "One restaurant closes and another one opens." Joshua's Kitchen, in the Publix plaza on Shepherd Road, is where Cherry's used to be. The space had been vacant more than three years. Published July 27, 2010
Well, it's finally here. "StarCraft II" (PC, Mac; rated Teen) is out this week, and if you care about real-time strategy games whatsoever you probably don't need a reminder or encouragement to buy. Published July 27, 2010
CASSIE MUSIC ● 28 ● LAKELAND ● "OVER UNDERNEATH" ● 10TH AVENUE NORTH What do they sound like? They sound like the band Sidewalk Prophets. The main guy plays acoustic guitar, and there is electric guitar and bass. What's your favorite song? Published July 27, 2010
Sugarland With Little Big Town, Randy Montana. WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15. LOCATION: Gary Amphitheatre, Tampa. TICKETS: $49.75-$25. On sale 10 a.m. Saturday. So You Think You Can Dance Live Tour WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30. LOCATION: Amway Arena, Orlando. TICKETS: $54-$36.50. On sale 10 a.m. Friday. Published July 27, 2010
Dani Thompson is rather busy these days. This 24-year-old full time bartender at Smokey Bones Barbecue and Grill also attends college part time. And when she's not working or in school, Thompson is a mom to a boy, 4, and a girl, 5 months. When not working, she enjoys playing outside with her children and drawing or painting. Her future plans... Published July 27, 2010
The first American beer to be canned was Krueger's Cream Ale, which debuted on store shelves in 1935. But the style, a quirky hybrid that ferments warm like an ale but ages cold like a lager, never really went mainstream. Today, in the hands of some craft brewers like Erie Brewing Company, cream ales are enjoying a comeback. Published July 27, 2010
TUESDAY: After.Life Kick-Ass A Prophet Diary of a Wimpy Kid Sweetgrass To Save a Life AUGUST: 10: Date Night 10: Death at a Funeral 10: La Mission 10: My Name is Khan 17: The Last Song 24: Ajami 24: The Back-up Plan 24: The Square 24: Survival of the Dead 31: Harry Brown 31: OSS 117: Lost in Rio Published July 26, 2010
Confused by the title? Don't be: This is the special that originally aired on "Sesame Street's" actual 20th anniversary in 1989 - which means this is, in fact, the 21st anniversary of this 20th anniversary celebration. Bill Cosby and Kermit the Frog host. No extras. Published July 26, 2010
The Performance Royalty Act (HR 848/S 379), continues to cause much debate throughout the nation, because of the impact that it will have on small and minority-owned radio stations. The Performance Royalty Act, if enacted, would charge all radio stations a fee for songs played over the airwaves. Published July 24, 2010
78° SUNNY,