KISSIMMEE | A Kissimmee man has been charged with child abuse for forcing a 6-year-old boy to kneel on bottle caps as punishment for bad behavior at school. The 41-year-old man was also charged with domestic violence. He was arrested Tuesday and taken to the Osceola County jail, where he's being held without bond. Published March 18, 2010
Here are my Best Bargains for March 18 and what to do with some of them. Publix: Asparagus for $1.99 a pound Winn-Dixie: Asparagus for $1.99 a pound It’s not a great week for bargain hunters at either chain. Go for the Buy-One-Get-Ones. Published March 18, 2010
POINCIANA -- At just 16 years old, Amalia “Mali” Fredericksen of Poinciana has become an accomplished graphics designer, illustrator, painter and photographer. Her artwork has been featured at the Polk Museum of Art and in the movie “Letters to God,” which opens in theatres on April 9. Published March 18, 2010
In a House hearing, Ben S. Bernanke, the Federal Reserve chairman, waged a fresh battle against efforts to scale back the Fed’s role in overseeing banks. Published March 18, 2010
The move would be a risky one for President Obama at a time when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government is fragile and Palestinians are deeply divided. Published March 18, 2010
Myanmar may be slowly moving away from years of authoritarianism and Soviet-style economic policies that have left most of its people in dire poverty. Published March 18, 2010
In the Senate, Alan K. Simpson, a Republican, treated serious issues with folksy phrases and stinging humor. He now brings that to the task of reducing the federal debt. Published March 18, 2010
Representative Mark Steven Kirk said that if he won the president’s old Senate seat, he would work to repeal any health care legislation. Published March 18, 2010
Democrats hope the measure, approved on a bipartisan vote of 68 to 29, will be the first in a series of bills spurring employment by providing hiring incentives to businesses. Published March 18, 2010
House Democrats moved toward the majority they need to pass health care legislation, giving them confidence as they worked out details and girded for a historic showdown. Published March 18, 2010
Cruelty toward animals can often be a warning sign for other types of violence and neglect, so more states are keeping closer track. Published March 18, 2010
The law signed by Gov. David A. Paterson ranks spouses and domestic partners first in a hierarchy of surrogates responsible for making life-and-death choices. Published March 18, 2010
Some argue that severe cuts in public spending to whittle down euro-zone deficits could send unemployment rates surging and bring down governments. Published March 18, 2010
Several police officials said they knew of no specific way of dealing with a runaway car, as opposed to any other high-speed pursuit. Published March 18, 2010
Though fighters have left the Afghan town, agitators have remained as part of an effort to undermine U.S. attempts to establish a strong local government. Published March 18, 2010
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission cited an “unprecedented number” of mistakes by the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center in treating prostate cancer patients. Published March 18, 2010
Giving insurance companies an incentive to reduce fees is the only way to reduce fees. An opt-in for Medicare regardless of age would be a strong incentive for big insurance to start treating people humanely and compete for customers. JAMES MOOHAN Valrico Published March 18, 2010
Will someone please tell President Barack Obama that he won in 2008. He's the president. He got the job, so he can stop campaigning and get to work. Or could it be that he lied on his job application and doesn't have a clue as to what to do? CHARLES A. BRANDRETH Winter Haven Published March 18, 2010
I am a newly relocated legal citizen to Winter Haven. I spent one hitch in the U.S. Navy and 48 years as a contractor supporting the Department of Defense. I retired at age 73 on Jan. 2, 2009. Published March 18, 2010
At this time we can be sure that at least one American will benefit from the Obama presidency. That person is Jimmy Carter, who will no longer be known as the worst president of all time. Published March 18, 2010
[ COLLEGE BASEBALL ]Mocs Hold OnFor 3-2 Victory LAKELAND | Top-ranked Florida Southern (22-2) withstood a ninth-inning rally by Minnesota-Duluth (4-8) to post a 3-2 victory at Henley Field Wednesday night. Tucker Pryor worked eight scoreless innings and left with a 3-0 lead and closer Daniel Tillman on the mound. Published March 18, 2010
The competition between Wade Davis and Andy Sonnanstine for the open spot in the Rays' pitching rotation is "a proverbial flip of the coin right now," manager Joe Maddon said before Wednesday's 5-2 exhibition victory over the Minnesota Twins. Published March 18, 2010
Jayson Werth hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning to break open a tie game, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Yankees 6-2 on Wednesday. Published March 18, 2010
GAINESVILLE | Florida coach Urban Meyer is back at practice after his leave of absence. Not for just a day, not for just a few weeks, not for just the spring. When asked if he was was back for good now, Meyer said, "Yeah. ... yep." Published March 18, 2010
NEWARK, N.J. | Patrik Elias scored a breakaway goal and set up another for the New Jersey Devils, who beat the sloppy Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 on Wednesday night and completed a six-game season sweep of their Atlantic Division rivals. Published March 18, 2010
BRADENTON | Detroit Tigers left-hander Nate Robertson worked four innings and allowed two runs on four hits in Detroit's 6-3 win over Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Robertson walked one and struck out three. Published March 18, 2010
NEW YORK | The First Fan appears to be a big fan of basketball programs from Kansas. President Barack Obama predicted Kansas and Kansas State to join Kentucky and Villanova in the men's basketball Final Four this season, with the Jayhawks defeating Kentucky for the title. Published March 18, 2010
It hasn't always been pretty. Winning games with defense and scraping past opponents by scoring in the 50s and low 60s aren't works of art. Published March 18, 2010
The former Florida center jumped out of bed early Wednesday, put on some tunes and jammed with his twin brother, Mike, in excitement for an event that had long been marked on the calendar - UF's Pro Day at The Swamp. Published March 18, 2010
Whether it helped him or not, former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow unveiled his new throwing motion for representatives of all 32 NFL teams at University of Florida's Pro Day on Wednesday. Published March 18, 2010
This past Sunday was "Sunshine Sunday," a day set aside by the journalistic community to celebrate Florida's tradition of open government. Problem is, most sessions, state lawmakers introduce and pass more bills that instill secrecy rather than openness in government. Published March 17, 2010
2008 St. Michael-Eppan Pinot Grigio ($20) Here's a lively, fresh Pinot Grigio from the Alto Adige region of Italy. I'm taken with its bright acidity, along with its notes of pear and ripe apple. Pinot Grigio can go with all sorts of dishes. — S. IRENE VIRBILA/Los Angeles Times Published March 17, 2010
Ernest van den Haag, in a brilliant defense of the death penalty in the Harvard Law Review (1986), pointed out that most opponents of capital punishment say they would favor abolishing it even if it was proved that the death penalty is the best deterrent to further crime. For such people the argument of deterrence holds no merit; they are against... Published March 17, 2010
Busch Gardens (Regularly $74.95 adults, $64.95 ages 3-9) Military Discount. Extended through 2010: Here's to the Heroes special offer. Admission free for service members and as many as three dependents. Register at www.herosalute.com or at a participating park. Show ID. Dinosaur World Published March 17, 2010
Kevin O'Brien • 30 • Lakeland • 'Beautiful Things' • Gungor What style of music is this? Liturgical post-rock. What is 'Beautiful Things' about? Even in our darkest despair and the chaos of life, God can create beautiful things. What makes the song unique? Published March 17, 2010
The pretend Was siblings (producers Don Fagenson and David Weiss) concocted music that seemed to have emanated from some evil lab in Dr. Funkenstein's basement. Their parodic pop was a cheesy yet oddly danceable pileup of jazz, funk, New Wave, and disco, punctuated with beatnik poetry. Published March 17, 2010
'Happiness is what we all want,' proclaim London's Hot Chip at the start of their fourth album, 'One Life Stand.' From a band that once celebrated 'the joy of repetition' with a meta-pop wink (on the great indie dance single 'Over and Over'), 'One Life Stand' is full of subtle variations and sincere declarations of fidelity. Rather than look for... Published March 17, 2010
British pianist and vocalist Jamie Cullum has built a career on performing clever jazz standards and surprising pop-rock covers, with his own compositions thrown in for good measure. 'The Pursuit' finds him taking on more original compositions and fewer covers, but with mixed results. His song 'You and Me Are Gone' is a lively combination of show... Published March 17, 2010
Frankie Avalon was one of the original teen idols, leading a generation into the idealistic fantasies of young love in movies like 'Beach Party' and songs like 'Why.' As they got bored of high school and started looking into starting their careers, he sympathized with the struggles with 'Beauty School Dropout,' and encouraged them to go back to... Published March 17, 2010
Emilie de Ravin of the TV series 'Lost' stars in 'Remember Me,' playing a troubled young woman. 'I am always trying to do characters that challenge me in different ways,' she says. 'This movie definitely did that.' — The Los Angeles Daily News Published March 17, 2010
Jeff Kinney had a clear template when it came time to adapt his wildly successful 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' children's books to the big screen. 'I think of my books as a joke-delivery system,' he continues. 'I'm not too focused on the narrative or on emotions. I'm focused on the gag writing. The movie is different. You have to feel connected to the... Published March 17, 2010
Irish actor Pierce Brosnan plays an ex-prime minister from Great Britain in 'The Ghost Writer.' He jokes about director Roman Polanski's sense of humor: 'Oh, that's the Polanski sense of humor, an Irishman playing the ex-prime minister. That didn't get beyond me. But I'm not sure why he wanted me, and I didn't ask. I thought, let sleeping dogs... Published March 17, 2010
Roman Polanski's been in the news ately but not for the best of reasons. Between his September arrest in Switzerland and the media rehashing of the case that made him flee the U.S. in the first place, it's been possible to forget that his powerful gifts as a filmmaker were what made him famous in the first place. Published March 17, 2010
Celebrate the arrival of spring outdoors amid paintings, sculpture, photographs and other creative pieces this weekend in Winter Haven. The 32nd annual Central Park Art Festival will occur Saturday and Sunday in Central Park in downtown Winter Haven. Published March 16, 2010
There's no doubt that you can sidle up to a Golden Corral and leave full. There are two franchise locations in Lakeland - one north and one south - so you're never far from a fill-up of comfort food, and comfort food is what Golden Corral is all about. And has been since 1973. Published March 16, 2010
There's an unmistakable whiff of brine from a glass of Harpoon Brewery's Island Creek Oyster Stout. And there's a mineral-like quality in the finish. Just don't expect this garnet-colored stout to be redolent of oysters, even though it was brewed using fresh-shucked bivalves plucked from Duxbury Bay, just south of Boston. Published March 16, 2010
Erin Aycock believes the best part of her job is spending time with the clientele. As a bartender at the Terrace Grille for a year and a half, this 25-year-old says a slow day can turn fun when her regular customers come in for a visit. When not working behind the bar, Aycock is an elementary education major at the University of Phoenix. After her... Published March 16, 2010
Local musicians are banding together for a concert today to benefit earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Kathy Smith-Barsotti, an organizer of the event, called Music for Haiti, said she was spurred to action by the televised images of the destruction. Published March 16, 2010
Well this is a nice surprise. It's a random week in mid-March and we're getting several tantalizing new releases. Now I'm starting to regret spending $500 on car repairs last week. What do we need rotors and brake pads for, anyway? On to the games! Published March 16, 2010
'YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU' Opens Today, Winter Haven Alice Sycamore, the only normal person from a zany family, falls in love with her boss, but the relationship fails when her family is arrested on suspicion of anarchism. Presented by Polk State College's Players. Published March 16, 2010
Country Throwdown Tour Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town, Jack Ingram, Eric Church, Eli Young Band, Emily West, others. WHEN: 1 p.m. May 14. LOCATION: Ford Amphitheatre, Tampa. TICKETS: $38, $28 reserved, $23 festival lawn. On sale 10 a.m. Friday. Summer of Love Classic Albums live Published March 16, 2010
Question: Midlife dating has its ups and downs. If you're not into your first date, what's the best thing a guy can say to exit reasonably quickly, while being respectful about it? What's the best way for a woman to do the same? Steve: Published March 15, 2010
TUESDAY: The Blind Side Brothers Damage Fantastic Mr. Fox The Men Who Stare at Goats The Prisoner MARCH: 30: Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel 30: An Education 30: Imax Under the Sea 30: Sherlock Holmes APRIL: 6: Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans 6: The Collector 13: Defendor Published March 15, 2010
52° CLOUDY,