WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 -- The American Farmland Trust issued the following news release: Len Doran has joined the staff of American Farmland Trust (AFT) as the Director of Major Gifts. Producers and conservationists founded AFT in 1980 to work with communities and individuals to protect land, plan for agriculture and keep the land healthy. AFT is currently leading two comprehensive campaigns: Agriculture and Environment, focused on the role of agriculture in improving water quality and reducing   more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 11 -- The Florida Department of Lottery has issued the following news release: The Florida Lottery today announced that 12 television stations throughout the state will broadcast the winning numbers for POWERBALL, FLORIDA LOTTO, MEGA MONEY, FANTASY 5, PLAY 4 and CASH 3 drawings beginning Tuesday, January 6, 2009. The Florida Lottery's re-establishment of television carrier stations comes just in time for the first POWERBALL drawing in Florida, to be held on Wednesday,   more

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The city of Port St. Lucie issued the following news release: At its regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 8, Port St. Lucie City Council authorized City Manager Donald Cooper to enter into a deed of conservation easement between the city and the South Florida Management District that will further the city's plans to build its Botanical Gardens. The easement will allow the 20-acre site to retain its natural state, thereby maintaining an environment hospitable to nat  more

CONWAY, S.C., Dec. 12 -- Coastal Carolina University issued the following press release: Kenneth J. Martin, associate professor and chair of Coastal Carolina University's Department of Theatre, has been named the exhibit tour director for the next Prague Quadrennial scheduled for the summer of 2011. The Prague Quadrennial, held every four years in the capitol city of the Czech Republic, is one of the world's most prestigious competitive theatre art exhibitions. The United States Institute   more

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The city of Port St. Lucie issued the following news release: It only took two days for Port St. Lucie city employees and the community to donate 97 units of blood and raise $675, all in the name of a two-year-old boy fighting a brain tumor. On Wednesday, Dec. 10 and Thursday, Dec. 11, the St. Lucie County division of Florida's Blood Centers parked two "big red" buses in front of City Hall. Despite the stormy weather on the second day, a steady stream of pe  more

DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The city of Delray Beach issued the following news release: The City of Delray Beach is seeking volunteers to serve on the Code Enforcement Board and the Neighborhood Advisory Council. The purpose of the Code Enforcement Board is to hear alleged municipal code violations and render a decision. The Code Enforcement Board is a quasi-judicial body, created in accordance with Florida State law. Membership consists of 7 regular members and 2 alternate members. Mee  more

NAPLES, Fla., Dec. 12 -- Collier County issued the following news release: This ROAD ALERT UPDATE was prepared by the Collier County Transportation Division to inform the community about scheduled road construction and road maintenance projects along major roadways in Collier County where lane closures are planned or traffic flow may be affected. WORK BY OTHERS: Golden Gate Parkway between 41st Street S.W. and 42nd Street S.W. - On Golden Gate Parkway westbound expect traffic to be div  more

HATTIESBURG, Miss., Dec. 12 -- The University of Southern Mississippi issued the following news release: Kennesaw State University President Emeritus Dr. Betty Siegel begs to differ with the popular opinion about graduation ceremonies -that they are routine, predictable affairs. "They're all different, each has its own personality," insisted Siegel, the University of Southern Mississippi's fall commencement speaker. "Some are quite lofty, some are more down to earth, others are solemn or a  more

DELAND, Fla., Dec. 12 -- Volusia County issued the following news release: The University of Florida/Volusia County Extension is presenting three classes to help homeowners get ready for spring gardening. "Turf for the Cheap and Lazy" will be offered from 9 a.m. - noon Saturday, Jan. 10. The class is designed for homeowners who want to learn how to grow turf with minimal effort and expense. Speakers include Mark Garrett and Dwight Raymond from Kirkland Sod and Tony Owen from Sunniland Corp  more

TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Hillsborough County School District has issued the following news release: In accordance with Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law, the Hillsborough County School Board announces that Members Doretha Edgecomb, Jennifer Faliero, April Griffin, Carol Kurdell, and Jack Lamb will attend the Transportation Department's annual holiday luncheon 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at the Transportation Department.  more

DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The city of Delray Beach issued the following news release: The Delray Beach Historical Society (DBHS) presents its 2009 schedule of Lectures Series - Presenting Florida History. All lectures are free and the public is encouraged to attend these informative and interesting discussions on Florida's history. The Historical Society's goal is to offer a variety of spirited topics in order to reach new people in town who want to learn more about Florida history so  more

ATHENS, Ga., Dec. 12 -- The University of Georgia issued the following news release: William Underwood Eiland, director of the Georgia Museum of Art, recently received the James R. Short award for service to the museum profession from the Southeastern Museums Conference. Established by SEMC in 1981, the purpose of this award is to recognize individuals who have given a lifetime (20 years or more) of distinguished service to the museum profession, with a significant portion of that service   more

Washington, Dec. 12 -- (IANS) The tonnes of money that flood disaster relief operations open the floodgates of corruption and self-aggrandisement. Federal prosecutors have thus far charged 700 individuals with crimes related to the nearly $33 billion FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) allocated to deal with the disasters, according to the study. "Our findings suggest that notoriously corrupt regions of the US, such as the Gulf Coast, are in part notoriously corrupt because natural disa  more

BROOKSVILLE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Southwest Florida Water Management District issued the following news release: Southwest Florida Water Management District Executive Director David Moore modified a water shortage emergency order Wednesday that allows Tampa Bay Water to withdraw additional water from the Tampa Bypass Canal to help the City of Tampa meet its demand for potable water. The modified executive order, which is in effect until July 31, 2009, allows Tampa Bay Water to temporarily   more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation issued the following news release: The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) today announced that Administrative Law Judge Daniel Manry of the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) late Friday afternoon issued a Recommended Order denying State Farm's indicated statewide average rate increase of 67.0 percent and its requested increase of 47.1 percent. The Judge's Order states: "State Farm Florida did not  more

DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The city of Delray Beach issued the following news release: The Downtown Roundabout Shuttle Bus has expanded service to include Pineapple Grove. Bus #1B incorporates Pineapple Grove Way (NE 2nd Avenue) into its normal route between the hours of 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, seven days a week, traveling north and south between Atlantic Avenue and NE 3rd Street. Initially, the additional service will be in effect through the winter season but may become a permanent route   more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles issued the following news release: The holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year's is one of the deadliest and most dangerous times on America's roadways due to an increase in drunk driving. Since 1981, every President of the United States has proclaimed December as National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month. In an effort to get impaired drivers off of the roads, the Florida Highway Pa  more

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 11 -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools issued the following news release: There is nothing like a special recognition from the community to brighten up your day especially on a cloudy day, according to Laurie Fazio. V101.9 FM radio personality Preston Miles surprised Fazio and her students Dec. 9 to announce she was this month's winner of Terrific Teacher Tuesday. "I feel like I'm having an out of body experience," Fazio said. "This is the most special experience for   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Food & Drug Administration issued the following press release: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning retailers and food service operators not to offer for sale ungutted, salt-cured alewives (also called gaspereaux fish) from Michel & Charles LeBlanc Fisheries Ltd., CAP-PELÈ, New Brunswick, Canada, because the fish may contain the Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum) toxin. Consumers should not consume the produc  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- The Health Forum issued the following news release: Beginning Jan. 5, six insurance companies will offer "affordable" health plans to uninsured Floridians under the Cover Florida Health Care Access Program, Gov. Charlie Crist announced Wednesday. Selected through a competitive bidding process, the companies will offer a choice of preventive and catastrophic/hospital coverage through 25 plan options. The companies are United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida,  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 -- The Florida Democratic Party issued the following news release: Responding to RPOF Spokeswoman Erin VanSickle's statement on Governor Charlie Crist allowing Republican corruption fester under his watch, Florida Democratic Party Spokesman Eric Jotkoff released the following statement: "It is telling that the Republican Party of Florida does not rebut the charges of corruption or defend Gov. Charlie Crist's lack of courage to root out corruption in the Republican Party  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 -- The Florida Democratic Party issued the following memorandum: To: Interested Parties From: Eric Jotkoff, Florida Democratic Party Communications Director Date: December 11, 2008 Re: Charlie Crist's Ethics Problem; Governor Lets Republican Corruption Fester Under His Watch Everyone who has followed Florida politics for any length of time knows that Charlie Crist has had his own ethic problems involving questionable fundraising and travel, but recently Florida  more

FORT MYERS, Fla., Dec. 11 -- Florida Gulf Coast University, a component of the Florida state university system, issued the following news release: Florida Gulf Coast University Art Gallery invites the public and media to an opening reception for "Man Made" exhibition featuring the environmental art of Mary Ellen Croteau, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 8 at the Art Gallery. The exhibition runs through Feb. 7, and is free and open to the public. Croteau has exhibited and lectured internati  more

FORT MYERS, Fla., Dec. 10 -- Florida Gulf Coast University, a component of the Florida state university system, issued the following news release: The Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation Board of Directors meets 4 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 10, in the Student Union Senate Chambers. The Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation Inc. is the nonprofit, fundraising arm of FGCU. For more information, contact executive assistant Carol Deluccia at (239) 590-1067. Agenda: 1. Welcome and Call  more

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 12 -- Peggy Marie Stumer of Boca Raton, Fla., has developed a method for optimally interworking network. The patent has been assigned to Siemens Communications Inc., Boca Raton. According to the abstract released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "Under the present invention, resources such as gateways which interconnect usually disparate networks are released for processes which, while originally being inter-network, become intra-network, and the resource (e.g.,  more

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 12 -- Donal P. Inman of Coral Springs, Fla., has developed an ornamental design for a dental clasp, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office announced. The inventor was issued U.S. Patent No. D582,557 on Dec. 9. The original application was filed on May 13, 2008, and is available at: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=D582,557.PN.&OS=PN/D582,557&RS=PN/D582,557.  more

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 12 -- Thomas P. Osypka of Palm Harbor, Fla., has developed an ornamental design for an extension cable separator, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office announced. The patent has been assigned to Oscor Inc., Palm Harbor. The inventor was issued U.S. Patent No. D582,555 on Dec. 9. The original application was filed on Nov. 1, 2007, and is available at: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&  more

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec 11 -- Corey James Alley of Madeira Beach, Fla., has developed an ornamental design for a portable four-rod fishing pole holder/organizer, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office announced. The inventor was issued U.S. Patent No. D582,508 on Dec 9. The original application was filed on , and is available at: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=D582,508.PN.&OS=PN/D582,508&RS=PN/D582,508  more

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec 11 -- Corey James Alley of Madeira Beach, Fla., has developed an ornamental design for a portable three-rod fishing pole holder/organizer, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office announced. The inventor was issued U.S. Patent No. D582,508 on Dec 9. The original application was filed on June 6, 2008, and is available at: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=D582,507.PN.&OS=PN/D582,507&R  more

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 12 -- Ivey Burns of Kissimmee, Fla., Thoram Charanda of Mount Dora, Fla., Thomas J. Nicodemo of Clermont, Fla., Richard Davis of St. Cloud, Fla., and Janell Crowder of Celebration, Fla., have developed a systemm for controlling water oxidation. The patent has been assigned to Disney Enterprises Inc., Burbank, Calif. According to the abstract released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "The present disclosure provides for a system and method that intensely oxidizes  more

SALEM, Mass., Dec. 12 -- The Massachusetts Attorney General issued the following news release: Today, a Florida man pled guilty in Essex Superior Court in connection with filing false motor vehicle insurance and personal property claims, forgery of a police report, larceny, and filing false police reports with the Beverly Police Department. Tyler Parrish, age 31, formerly of Peabody, pled guilty to charges of Larceny over $250 (4 counts), Motor Vehicle Insurance Fraud, Filing a False Police R  more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Florida Public Service Commission issued the following news release: The following items are among those scheduled for consideration by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) at the Tuesday, December 16, Agenda Conference: ITEM 4: Docket No. 080278-TL - Joint Petition for show cause proceedings against Verizon Florida LLC for apparent violation of Rule 25-4.070, F.A.C., Customer Trouble Reports, and impose fines, by the Office of the Attorney General,  more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 11 -- Florida State University issued the following news release: With help from Florida State University, some 700 public school principals from throughout Florida are learning more about the state's new math and science education standards - and discovering new techniques regarding the teaching of "STEM" (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects that they can implement in their schools. Laura Hassler Lang"I can clearly say that the Principal PR  more

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 12 -- John A. Biewer and Rick Gilbert, both of Palm Harbor, Fla., Shahid Din of Clearwater, Fla., David Do of Valrico, Fla., James J. Alberti of St. Petersburg, Fla., Joe Romack of Clearwater, Fla., David W. Pennington of Fox Lake, Ill., Frank J. Landherr of Cary, Ill., have developed a method for connecting/disconnecting flexible tubing. The patent has been assigned to Baxter International Inc., Deerfield, Ill., and Baxter Healthcare SA, Zurich, Switzerland. Accordin  more

FORT VALLEY, Ga., Dec. 10 -- Fort Valley State University issued the following news release: Fort Valley State University scholarship shared the spotlight this week at Florida's annual United Judicial Conference. Dr. Canter Brown, Jr. addressed the topic "The Law's Delay in Florida: Ex Parte Influences in Florida Appellate Practice and the Ku Klux Klan Flogging Cases of 1935-1938." The event was held at Jacksonville's Hyatt Regency Waterfront Center Dec. 8 and 9. Present were members of th  more

FRANKFORT, Ky., Dec. 12 -- Gov. Steve Beshear, D-Ky., issued the following news release: Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear today announced he and members of his staff and senior leadership will participate in the Capitol Steps Challenge, the first phase of Virgin HealthMiles' yearlong initiative created to draw attention to the growing issue of obesity in America. In October, Gov. Beshear and the Personnel Cabinet announced a partnership with Virgin HealthMiles, becoming the first state in the n  more

RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 12 -- Gov. Mike Easley, D-N.C., issued the following press release: Gov. Mike Easley has appointed Thomas E. Gettelman of Charlotte to the North Carolina Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services. Gettelman is the assistant vice-president for behavioral health at Carolinas Medical Center in Randolph. He is a member of the Society of Psychologists in Management. Gettelman received his Bachelor's degree in psychology from the Un  more

RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 12 -- Gov. Mike Easley, D-N.C., issued the following press release: Gov. Mike Easley has reappointed Howard L. Burchette and Janis Holder, both of Durham, and appointed Robert James of Cary to the North Carolina State Historical Records Advisory Board. Burchette is a hardware planner at IBM in Research Triangle Park. He is a member of the Orange County Recreation and Parks Board. Burchette received the President's Volunteer Award in 2007. Burchette received his Bachelo  more

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The South Florida Water Management District issued the following news release: WHAT: The South Florida Water Management District's (SFWMD) Governing Board will continue its review of the sale and purchase agreement, lease agreement and due diligence results regarding the acquisition of lands from the United States Sugar Corporation. Presentations and discussion concerning the proposed River of Grass acquisition are scheduled to begin at approximately 1 p.  more

BROOKSVILLE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Southwest Florida Water Management District issued the following news release: Governor Charlie Crist recently appointed two members to two of the eight Basin Boards of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Michael P. McCoy of Bradenton has been appointed to the Manasota Basin Board, which includes Manatee and Sarasota counties. He is the president of the Community Bank of Manatee. McCoy succeeds Richard H. Meyers. His term ends March 1, 2010.   more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Florida Department of Corrections issued the following news release: More than 220 Gulf county children are in for a pleasant surprise this Christmas, thanks to a partnership between Gulf Correctional Institution's staff and inmates, the Gulf County Fire Department and North Florida Child Development Inc. (NFCD). Those kids will be getting bikes and trikes that have been collected by the Fire Departments countywide, repaired by inmates at Gulf Forestry Camp a  more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The office of the Florida Attorney General issued the following news release: Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that a Hillsborough County man has been taken into custody on charges of possession of child pornography. Investigators with the Attorney General's CyberCrime Unit discovered Michael Frederick Weber's massive collection of images of child pornography during a routine investigation. Frederick was arrested by law enforcement with the CyberCri  more

MIAMI, Dec. 11 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued the following press release: Five members of a counterfeit document ring operating out of the Homestead area were arrested Tuesday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents as part of a continuing ICE investigation into identity and benefit document fraud. All five defendants had their initial court appearances Wednesday on federal criminal charges. The defen  more

MIAMI, Dec. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Justice's U.S. Attorney's office for the Southern District of Florida issued the following press release: R. Alexander Acosta, Fiscal General del Sur de la Florida, y Jonathan I. Solomon, Agente Especial encargado de la Oficina del Buro de Investigaciones Federales (FBI) en Miami, anunciaron hoy la extradición de Diego Montoya Sánchez, también conocido como "Don Diego." Montoya Sánchez, listado como uno de los 10 fugitivos más buscado y líder princi  more

MIAMI, Dec. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Justice's U.S. Attorney's office for the Southern District of Florida issued the following press release: R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Jonathan I. Solomon, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Division, announced today the successful extradition of Diego Montoya Sanchez, a/k/a "Don Diego." Montoya Sanchez, a former FBI top-ten most wanted fugitive and principal  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following press release: The Department of Justice today filed a lawsuit against the City of Bonita Springs, Fla., alleging that the City discriminated against an African-American employee, Joseph W. Johnson, by subjecting him to a racially hostile work environment. The Department's complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, alleges that the City violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act   more

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., Dec. 11 -- Purdue University issued the following news release: The executive MBA at Purdue University's Krannert School of Management offers one of the highest returns on investment, according to a new ranking by the Wall Street Journal. Five years after graduation, the value of the Krannert degree ranked 14th when factoring in the cost of education. The WSJ article also noted that for public universities, low tuition and a cost-efficient approach often bring more v  more

BUNNELL, Fla., Dec. 12 -- Flagler County issued the following news release: County and state officials will gather at 3:30 p.m. Monday near the intersection of Belle Terre and Royal Palms parkways to officially dedicate the new Lehigh Trail. The Lehigh Trail follows an old railroad spur that connected the Florida East Coast Railway to the former Lehigh Portland Cement Plant. A cement smoke stack is all that remains of the once thriving cement plant but pedestrians and cyclist are delighted  more

SANTA FE, N.M., Dec. 11 -- The city of Santa Fe issued the following news release: Owings-Dewey Fine Art sculptor Peter Woytuk and the City of Santa Fe are pleased to announce the installation Woytuk's sculptures at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. On Wednesday, crews installed Great Geese Pair in the Center's Marcy Street courtyard entrance. Great Raven Drum Pair was then installed on the building's northwest side at the corner of Grant Avenue and Federal Place. The sculptures are o  more

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The city of Orlando issued the following news release: Mayor Buddy Dyer called on President-elect Obama and the incoming Congress to invest stimulus dollars in local climate action as a quick and effective way to create new green jobs, revitalize the economy and promote energy independence. "We were pleased that during his campaign, President-elect Obama indicated support for investment in energy saving projects to help create jobs and spur economic recovery," sai  more

MONTGOMERY, Ala., Dec. 12 -- Alabama State University issued the following news release: Chato McCormick has been the professor of low brass at Florida A&M University since the fall of 2005. A native of Valdosta, Ga., he received his Bachelor of Music Education from Alabama State University in 2002. He studied euphonium with Demondrae Thurman, one of the most recognized euphonium players in the world. While under the tutelage of Thurman, Chato co-founded Steel, a tuba/euphonium quartet   more

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 12 -- Allalaghatta Pavan, Srivatsan Varadarajan and Lee B. Graba, all from Minneapolis, and Ionut E.Cardei of Boca Raton, Fla., have developed a ad hoc wireless networks resource managing method. The patent has been assigned to Honeywell International Inc., Morristown, N.J. According to the abstract released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "An initiator node in a local cluster included in a wireless network receives an admission request to execute an applicati  more

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Fort Lauderdale Police Department issued the following news release: UPDATE: The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has received numerous tips from callers stating they have seen Tammy Kongham throughout Broward County. Yesterday evening was the last reported sighting of Kongham in the area of the Festival Flea Market located on Sample Road in Pompano Beach. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is involved in this case and federal charges are pending   more

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Nature Conservancy issued the following news release: The Nature Conservancy is advocating for funds to restore ecosystems, initiate green infrastructure construction and create much-needed jobs in the process through a "green" economic stimulus package. The package will be discussed with Capitol Hill lawmakers, agency staff and members of President-elect Obama's transition team. "Conservation offers us one of the best opportunities to produce a sust  more

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Nature Conservancy issued the following news release: A high-priority conservation parcel of more than a thousand acres, located just 15 miles east of the Florida Capitol, was transferred to the state today by The Nature Conservancy. The 1,057-acre parcel called Wood Sink connects existing conservation lands north and south of U.S. Highway 27 and adds to a conservation corridor extending from just south of Interstate 10 and the headwaters of the St. Mar  more

HERSHEY, Pa., Dec. 11 -- Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine issued the following news release: Following a national search, Janet Crawford, R.N., C.R.N.P., M.B.A., M.S.N., C.C.R.N., C.F.R.N., C.E.N. was appointed chief flight nurse for Penn State Hershey Life Lion Critical Care Transport, Department of Emergency Medicine, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. As chief flight nurse and an active member of the flight team, Crawford oversees clinical care provided by the  more

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Dec. 11 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Coast Guard, 7th District, issued the following press release pertaining to the Southeastern part of the U.S.: The Coast Guard initiated enforcement of the Northern Right Whale strike reduction rule Tuesday to ensure that all vessels greater than or equal to 65 feet and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are required to operate at speeds no greater than 10 knots in seasonal management areas. This i  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following press release: Diego Montoya-Sanchez, a/k/a Don Diego, a former FBI top-ten most wanted fugitive and principal leader of the Norte Valle Cartel (NVC), has been extradited from Colombia to the United States to face federal charges, the Department of Justice announced today. Montoya-Sanchez faces drug-trafficking related charges in the Southern District of Florida and the District of Columbia. Montoya-Sanchez arrived   more

BELLINGHAM, Wash., Dec. 12 -- The International Society for Optical Engineering issued the following news release: SPIE announced today the launch in mid-2009 of the new open-access journal SPIE Reviews under the editorship of William T. Rhodes. The new journal will publish original, in-depth review articles on emerging and evolving fields in applied optics and photonics of use to researchers as well as industry innovators. "Articles will serve both as valuable overviews of significant new  more

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The city of West Palm Beach issued the following news release: Palm Beach County traffic will be affected this week by ongoing construction projects and maintenance work, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officials report. Weather permitting; closures will be in effect on I-95, Southern Blvd. (SR80) and in other areas throughout Palm Beach County for construction activities. Click http://www.wpb.org/traffic/files/Palm%20Beach%20County%20Traffic%20  more

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., Dec. 12 -- Pennsylvania State University issued the following news release: Penn State head coach Joe Paterno has been named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). Paterno is one of nine candidates nominated for the honor, which has been presented annually to the nation's top major-college coach since 1957. The FWAA/Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award is the third national coaching honor for   more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Florida Public Service Commission issued the following news release: Florida's Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold a workshop on Monday, December 15, 2008, to discuss the development of conservation and efficiency goals for Florida's electric utilities subject to the Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (FEECA). At a November workshop, the utility companies reported on the status of the Technical Potential Study, which identifies all available  more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Florida Department of Corrections issued the following news release: For several years River Junction Work Camp (RJWC) Correctional Officer Bonnie Jones and her crew of elves work diligently collecting old and seemingly non-repairable toys at RJWC. With donations from the Sneads Police Department, various members of the local community and staff members, Officer Jones and her crew refurbish to a like new condition bicycles and toys for distribution to needy c  more

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla., Dec. 12 -- Collier County issued the following news release: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Lands Stewardship Review Committee will meet Thursday, December 18, at 9 a.m., at the North Collier Regional Park Administration Building, Conference Room A, located at 15000 Livingston Road, Naples, Florida 34119. The agenda includes, the review of the "draft" Phase 2 Report of the Rural Lands Stewardship Area Overlay Review Committee, to make recommendations to increa  more

MELBOURNE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- Florida Institute of Technology issued the following news release: The investiture of Catharina Haynes, a 1980 graduate of Satellite High School, was recently held, making her a Judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The court hears appeals from the federal district courts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Her formal appointment came earlier in the year from President George W. Bush. Haynes was born and raised in Brevard County and gradua  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission received the following information (Form 4s) from companies based in Florida involving changes in beneficial interest held by major shareholders: *** WORLD FUEL SERVICES REPORTS MULTIPLE TRANSACTIONS BY PRESIDENT KASBAR World Fuel Services Corp. (INT), Miami, has filed a Form 4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission noting the change in the beneficial interest held by President, Director and Chief Operating Officer Michael J.   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following press release: A second U.S. citizen charged in connection with the operation of a series of fraudulent business opportunities was arrested on Friday, Dec. 12, in Costa Rica following his indictment by a Miami federal grand jury on Nov. 20, 2008, the Justice Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service announced today. Stephen Schultz was arrested based on charges that he and a co-conspirator, Jeffrey Pearson,   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- The office of Sen. Mel F. Martinez, R-Fla., issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) today announced two staff changes. The senator has promoted Jessica Garcia from deputy press secretary to press secretary. Replacing Garcia as deputy press secretary is Erin Sayago. "Jessica has been a key member of my communications team and has served me well as deputy press secretary. When it came to fill the role of press secretary, she was the natural  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- The office of Sen. Mel F. Martinez, R-Fla., issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated agriculture disaster areas in North Florida. The counties include Baker, Columbia, Hamilton, Madison, Nassau and parts of Jefferson and Leon. "This gives producers some relief from a difficult farming production season," Martinez said. "These emergency loans will help farmers recoup losses a  more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Florida Department of Lottery has issued the following news release: The Florida Lottery announced today that six players matched all five winning numbers in the Thursday, December 11, FANTASY 5 drawing and will share a $215,111.16 top prize. The lucky winners will each receive $35,851.86 The winning FANTASY 5 numbers were: 01 - 05 - 07 - 17 - 26 The winning tickets was sold at the following locations: Publix 1920 W. Avenue Miami Beach (Miami  more

CARBONDALE, Ill., Dec. 12 -- Southern Illinois University issued the following news release: The success of Southern Illinois University Carbondale's military programs in providing off-campus educational opportunities to the nation's military is attracting national attention. Military Advanced Education magazine lists SIUC as one of the nation's 2008 top 20 military friendly colleges and universities in its December 2008 issue. Because of ties, 22 schools are in the top 20 in the publicati  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- NASA issued the following media advisory: Today's arrival of space shuttle Endeavour at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida will be seen only on NASA Television's Public Channel (101) and NASA's Web site. System maintenance is being performed on the media (103) and education (102) channels. Mounted atop a modified Boeing 747 shuttle carrier aircraft, Endeavour is scheduled to land at Kennedy at 2:30 p.m. EST after a three-day cross-country ferry flight from NASA's  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation's Surface Transportation Board issued the following decision: Decision Information Docket Number: NOR_42110_0 Case Title: SEMINOLE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. V. CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC. Decision Type: Decision Deciding Body: Entire Board Decision Summary Decision Notes: DECISION ESTABLISHED A MODIFIED PROCEDURAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS PROCEEDING. Decision Attachments 39552.pdf: http://www.stb.dot.gov/decision  more

ALPHARETTA, Ga., Dec. 12 -- The city of Alpharetta issued the following press release: A tropical island party benefiting Alpharetta's Police Athletic League will take place Friday, Feb. 6, at the Metropolitan Club on Windward Parkway. "Endless Summer," as the 13th annual PAL Ball is called, will take place from 7 p.m. to midnight. And unlike previous years, a black tie is not expected or required. In fact, the suggested attire is downright "beachey," or Caribbean-comfortable, if you will.  more

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 12 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in California. *** California Inventors Develop Data Managing Software Program ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 11 -- Jason Caulkins and Michael Richard Beyer, both of Redding, Calif., have developed a software program for managing and protecting data. The patent has been assigned to Dataram Inc., West Windsor, N.J. According to the abstract released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A machine-readable medium   more

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 12 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in Florida. *** Florida Inventor Develops Ornamental Design for Portable Four-Rod Fishing Pole Holder/Organizer ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec 11 -- Corey James Alley of Madeira Beach, Fla., has developed an ornamental design for a portable four-rod fishing pole holder/organizer, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office announced. The inventor was issued U.S. Patent No. D582,508 on Dec 9. The original application was filed   more

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 12 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in Illinois. *** Illinois Inventor Develops Ornamental Design for Absorbent Padding For Absorbing Body Fluid Excretions ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec 11 -- James Morgan Sr. of Chicago has developed an ornamental design for an absorbent padding for absorbing body fluid excretions, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office announced. The inventor was issued U.S. Patent No. D582,549 on Dec 9. The original application was filed  more

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 12 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in Minnesota. *** Minnesota Inventors Develop Computer Program Configuration Setting Method ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 11 -- Steven Joseph Branda and John Joseph Stecher, both of Rochester, Minn., have developed a logically-partitioned computer systems. The patent has been assigned to International Business Machines Corp., Armonk, N.Y. According to the abstract released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office:   more

LAWRENCE, Kan., Dec. 12 -- The University of Kansas issued the following news release: Army, Marine, Naval and Air Force ROTC units at the University of Kansas have announced the names of about 120 student members who took part in the traditional 24-hour Veterans Day vigils from 7 p.m. Nov. 7 through 7 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Korean and Vietnam war memorials and World War II Memorial Campanile, all located along KU's Memorial Drive. KU's Arnold Air Society, Ennis C. Whitehead Squadron, affilia  more

CORAL GABLES, Fla., Dec. 12 -- University of Miami issued the following news release: The University of Miami School of Law's Visiting Committee recently convenedwith members ranging from the arts industry to the government sector. The purpose of the Visiting Committee, which is comprised of distinguished alumni and friends of the law school, is to provide feedback regarding the school's strategic plan, support the administration and faculty in its work, and encourage philanthropic support.   more

WILMINGTON, N.C., Dec. 11 -- The University of North Carolina-Wilmington issued the following press release: Glen Harris, University of North Carolina Wilmington associate professor of history, has been appointed to the board of the North Carolina Humanities Council. NCHC is a 37-year-old statewide nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities that nurtures the cultures and heritage of North Carolina. One of six new members to join the Council board, Harris has taught i  more

PENSACOLA, Fla., Dec. 11 -- The University of West Florida, a component of the Florida state university system, issued the following news release: The University of West Florida Intensive English Program will offer two seven-week classes for non-native English speakers who wish to improve their proficiency of the English language. Both courses will be offered Fridays at 9 a.m. beginning Jan. 16 through Feb. 27. The cost for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) preparation course   more

FORT VALLEY, Ga., Dec. 10 -- Fort Valley State University issued the following news release: Dr. Valerie D. White joins Fort Valley State University's mass communications department as an adjunct professor. She works with the staff of the campus newspaper, the Peachite and teaches a publication design course. "I hope to enhance the experience of students and broaden their knowledge base for journalism and the media profession, and give them experience through workshops and conferences, at   more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 11 -- The Florida Department of Lottery has issued the following news release: The Florida Lottery today announced that 12 television stations throughout the state will broadcast the winning numbers for POWERBALL, FLORIDA LOTTO, MEGA MONEY, FANTASY 5, PLAY 4 and CASH 3 drawings beginning Tuesday, January 6, 2009. The Florida Lottery's re-establishment of television carrier stations comes just in time for the first POWERBALL drawing in Florida, to be held on Wednesday,   more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation issued the following news release: The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) today announced that Administrative Law Judge Daniel Manry of the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) late Friday afternoon issued a Recommended Order denying State Farm's indicated statewide average rate increase of 67.0 percent and its requested increase of 47.1 percent. The Judge's Order states: "State Farm Florida did not  more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles issued the following news release: The holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year's is one of the deadliest and most dangerous times on America's roadways due to an increase in drunk driving. Since 1981, every President of the United States has proclaimed December as National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month. In an effort to get impaired drivers off of the roads, the Florida Highway Pa  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 -- The Florida Democratic Party issued the following memorandum: To: Interested Parties From: Eric Jotkoff, Florida Democratic Party Communications Director Date: December 11, 2008 Re: Charlie Crist's Ethics Problem; Governor Lets Republican Corruption Fester Under His Watch Everyone who has followed Florida politics for any length of time knows that Charlie Crist has had his own ethic problems involving questionable fundraising and travel, but recently Florida  more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Florida Public Service Commission issued the following news release: The following items are among those scheduled for consideration by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) at the Tuesday, December 16, Agenda Conference: ITEM 4: Docket No. 080278-TL - Joint Petition for show cause proceedings against Verizon Florida LLC for apparent violation of Rule 25-4.070, F.A.C., Customer Trouble Reports, and impose fines, by the Office of the Attorney General,  more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 11 -- Florida State University issued the following news release: With help from Florida State University, some 700 public school principals from throughout Florida are learning more about the state's new math and science education standards - and discovering new techniques regarding the teaching of "STEM" (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects that they can implement in their schools. Laura Hassler Lang"I can clearly say that the Principal PR  more

FORT VALLEY, Ga., Dec. 10 -- Fort Valley State University issued the following news release: Fort Valley State University scholarship shared the spotlight this week at Florida's annual United Judicial Conference. Dr. Canter Brown, Jr. addressed the topic "The Law's Delay in Florida: Ex Parte Influences in Florida Appellate Practice and the Ku Klux Klan Flogging Cases of 1935-1938." The event was held at Jacksonville's Hyatt Regency Waterfront Center Dec. 8 and 9. Present were members of th  more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Florida Department of Corrections issued the following news release: More than 220 Gulf county children are in for a pleasant surprise this Christmas, thanks to a partnership between Gulf Correctional Institution's staff and inmates, the Gulf County Fire Department and North Florida Child Development Inc. (NFCD). Those kids will be getting bikes and trikes that have been collected by the Fire Departments countywide, repaired by inmates at Gulf Forestry Camp a  more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The office of the Florida Attorney General issued the following news release: Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that a Hillsborough County man has been taken into custody on charges of possession of child pornography. Investigators with the Attorney General's CyberCrime Unit discovered Michael Frederick Weber's massive collection of images of child pornography during a routine investigation. Frederick was arrested by law enforcement with the CyberCri  more

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Nature Conservancy issued the following news release: A high-priority conservation parcel of more than a thousand acres, located just 15 miles east of the Florida Capitol, was transferred to the state today by The Nature Conservancy. The 1,057-acre parcel called Wood Sink connects existing conservation lands north and south of U.S. Highway 27 and adds to a conservation corridor extending from just south of Interstate 10 and the headwaters of the St. Mar  more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Florida Public Service Commission issued the following news release: Florida's Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold a workshop on Monday, December 15, 2008, to discuss the development of conservation and efficiency goals for Florida's electric utilities subject to the Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (FEECA). At a November workshop, the utility companies reported on the status of the Technical Potential Study, which identifies all available  more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Florida Department of Corrections issued the following news release: For several years River Junction Work Camp (RJWC) Correctional Officer Bonnie Jones and her crew of elves work diligently collecting old and seemingly non-repairable toys at RJWC. With donations from the Sneads Police Department, various members of the local community and staff members, Officer Jones and her crew refurbish to a like new condition bicycles and toys for distribution to needy c  more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 12 -- The Florida Department of Lottery has issued the following news release: The Florida Lottery announced today that six players matched all five winning numbers in the Thursday, December 11, FANTASY 5 drawing and will share a $215,111.16 top prize. The lucky winners will each receive $35,851.86 The winning FANTASY 5 numbers were: 01 - 05 - 07 - 17 - 26 The winning tickets was sold at the following locations: Publix 1920 W. Avenue Miami Beach (Miami  more