Metro I-4 News

“Hillsborough residents with homes built before June 18, 1980, can get reduced flood insurance rates if they hurry.” — FEMA Updates Flood Maps

“Teachers in Central Florida public schools are headed back to the classroom this year without a pay raise.” — Teachers ‘not going to get a penny’ in raises

“Gov. Charlie Crist told state agency heads Thursday that he wants construction projects sped up so more money can be pumped into the sluggish state economy.” — ‘Accelerate Florida’ With Construction, Crist Says

Bonus:

Now the true costs start… “The construction of two new roads that could help relieve traffic problems that the planned CSX rail freight terminal will make worse should be top priorities for seeking state road funds, the Polk Transportation Planning Organization agreed Thursday.” — CSX Project Pushes 2 Roads Higher on Construction Request

“On Aug. 29, Garcia and thousands of other Spanish-speaking Hispanics in Central Florida will read El Nuevo Dia for the last time.” — Spanish daily El Nuevo Dia Orlando about to fold

One of the sillier editorials you’ll read. Don’t miss the reader comments. “District 19 deserves better than Mr. Siplin. But a weak opponent compels us to endorse Gary Siplin in the Aug. 26 Democratic primary.” — A weak primary opponent compels us to endorse the senator

Note: MI4’s Don’t Miss column will be missing in action this weekend. See you Monday.

“Florida voters can cast early ballots for the Aug. 26 Republican and Democratic primaries starting Monday. Many will be greeted by changes since 2006. Statewide, 15 counties — including Lake in Central Florida — are switching from touch-screen technology to paper, optical-scan ballots.” — Expect some changes at Florida polls when casting early votes

So many reasons why you should oppose Amendment 5 and Homebuyers, Beware: Tax Aid Is Loan

“Nagging complaints about some generic drugs are casting doubt on one of medicine’s most widely held assumptions: that generics are just as good as brand-name versions, only cheaper.” — Rx for trouble? Generics don’t always work as well as brand names, critics say. The FDA disagrees. We take a look.

“In 2015, just a few years from now, Florida will be in deep trouble. Who wants the dubious notoriety of “last in the nation?”" — Florida’s Coming Medical Disaster

Bonus:

The Sentinel is still mad at Paula Dockery

(Note: Yesterday’s Don’t Miss column was missing. We apologize for the mix up.)

“If you get blood at Lakeland Regional Medical Center after 7 a.m. Monday, it won’t be coming from BloodNet USA. LRMC’s blood and blood products, like platelets or plasma, will come instead from Florida Blood Services, which officially starts providing LRMC’s blood supplies that day. The two signed a contract three months ago and have spent the time since then finalizing arrangements.” — LRMC Taps Into New Supply of Blood

“Publix Super Markets has long stressed its customer service and cleanliness, but with rising food and gas costs it’s now courting a lower-priced image. The Lakeland-based grocery chain has started a program of deep discounts on certain staple items, starting with milk and soon expanding to other products, company spokeswoman Shannon Patten said.” — Publix Grocery Bill May Be Less

“Orlando officials say they have little choice but to raise property taxes because city government is run as efficiently as possible. But records show that the Orlando Police Department — with a $111 million budget that amounts to nearly a third of the city’s general spending — has seen its overtime pay nearly triple in the past four years as the city deals with a wave of violent crime.” — Overtime could tax Orlando Police budget to tune of $4 million

Bonus:

“With John McCain likely only days from announcing his running mate, the chances of his choosing Florida Gov. Charlie Crist took three hits this week: a poll, a controversy over campaign contributions and an important newspaper non-endorsement. Recent speculation about Crist has put him in the lower tier of potential running mates and focused more on former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.” — Governor May Have Faded As VP Choice

“Thus, he shared this bit of bad news. “As crude-oil prices go down, we may not see gasoline prices go down as much, because they didn’t go up as much.”" — Oil is getting cheaper - then why is gas still so expensive?

“Orange County commissioners enlisted as allies Tuesday, approving a resolution that backs up Lake’s opposition to a permit for Niagara Bottling to withdraw 177 million gallons of water a year.” — Orange County, Groveland join Lake County’s fight against water-bottling plant

“But in the past nine months, carriers, software developers and cell phone makers have embraced a new attitude of openness toward consumers.” — Wireless Providers Grudgingly Accept Open Networks

Bonus:

PCC Considers Three Sites For New Campus

Sentinel help team: How to avoid foreclosure

Pop & Circumstance: Moviegoing Gets More Costly

“About 150,000 people nationwide have been affected by the theft of laptops with personal information about current and former employees of Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc.” — Busch Tracking Laptop Thefts

“”I have XM radio, a roomy CRV, and I promise not to talk unless you want to have a conversation,” read a recent Orlando plea on Craigslist.com. “Please help! The cost of gas is killing me!”" — Save gas: How to find a carpool buddy

“The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit board agreed Monday to raise fares across the board and gave tentative backing to a property tax increase to pay for more buses and a long-range transit study. The tax increase must survive two public hearings and be passed by a super-majority of the board before becoming reality.” — Bus Fares Going Up, Maybe Tax Too

“Florida’s sagging economy will push state government back into the red this month and force Gov. Charlie Crist to either further cut spending or tap deeper into the state’s reserves.” — ‘Big’ budget deficit ahead for Florida

Bonus:

“The federal government on Monday barred a registered-traveler service launched three years ago at Orlando International Airport from enrolling new members after an unencrypted company laptop containing personal information for about 33,000 prospective customers was stolen from a locked office.” – ‘Clear’ registration halted after laptop theft

I have to ask, What kind of loon puts that kind of data on a laptop??

“Restaurant industry experts say they don’t expect a wave of shutdowns of other national chain restaurants, noting that Bennigan’s and Steak & Ale had been struggling for years. But Florida is in the midst of a shakeout among small chains and independent restaurants, and that could lead to more job losses, experts warn.” — Restaurant Industry In Midst Of Shakeout

“Hundreds of houses in Greater Orlando are bought each week for just $100 apiece — even in upscale subdivisions such as Baldwin Park. But don’t run to the ATM just yet. There’s a catch.” — Houses sold for just $100! But banks’ deals short taxes

“About 300,000 students in Florida attend private schools in kindergarten through 12th grade, according to the state Education Department. If all became eligible for tuition reimbursement — or vouchers — districts could lose as much as $2.3 billion in state and local revenue, said Wayne Blanton, executive director of the Florida School Boards Association.” — Proposal ties school vouchers to more popular issue

“She is one of 70 volunteers with Hillsborough County’s Citizen Patrol Program and one of 18 who take to Bloomingdale streets to help the sheriff’s office keep the neighborhood safe. Volunteers also patrol in Apollo Beach, Westchase and Town ‘N Country.” — Citizen Patrols

“Heart of Florida United Way is radically changing the way it does business: going after “root causes” of hunger, homelessness, crime and family violence instead of “putting a Band-Aid” on the problems, leaders say.” — No more ‘Band-Aid’ approaches, Heart of Florida United Way vows

“Home builders demanded answers Saturday to questions about a proposed constitutional tax amendment that voters will decide on the Nov. 4 ballot. While state leaders who favored the tax-swapping Amendment 5 promised builders their tax bills would drop, opponents assured an audience of about 100 that their taxes would increase.” — Rival claims of tax-swap backers and foes baffle Florida home builders group

Editorials:

“Someone in state government needs to step up and address the standoff over the proposed commuter-rail project in Orlando.” — DOT Should Review Other Options To Build Commuter Rail In Orlando

“The old maxim that Central Florida officials couldn’t care less about conserving resources no longer holds water — especially when you consider how so many of them literally are now working to change the landscape.” — Smarter landscaping could help relieve water crisis

Bonus:

“He was a playboy bachelor, the first Republican governor of Florida since Reconstruction and a promising candidate for the vice presidency. His name was Claude Kirk Jr.” — ‘Claudius Maximus’ Blazed Trail Followed By Crist

Check out the headline and sub-head for this article. Growing Deltona bills $83M to owners then Growing Deltona may bill Owners $83 Million. Well, the truth is the city hasn’t finalized the vote.

Careful at the beach again this summer. Fish Kill Zone Widens; Algal Bloom Suspected

What have your neighbors done for you lately? For millionaire, $100k small price to pay for less-cluttered neighborhood

Bonus:

Economists have realized Florida is in a recession. “Analysts predict that the state will lose momentum through 2008, then bottom out late this year or in early 2009.” There’s not much else to the story here.

Starting high school later to save money: After a long and bumpy ride, Orange School Board signs off on schedule swap

Who ever accused drivers of gas guzzlers as being courteous? Drivers show little respect for hybrid-only parking spaces

Orlando jumps the gun and wants a project that isn’t regional. Tampa’s response? Try to do the same thing. Iorio Wants Tampa’s Train Plans To Move Forward

Want to make sure your money actually helps people? Charitable Bang Per Buck Biggest Here

Bonus:

If you want to see Obama tomorrow, get your tickets tonight.

Polk Indigent Care Plan Faces Deep Cuts and The Sentinel thinks: Providing basic services is essential as the needy population rises in Central Florida

Because having your gun with you at all times is so important, we have two articles today: U.S. Judge Upholds Guns-at-Work Law and Take guns to work - but don’t stop on way?

This isn’t for the reason you think… State shuts down FPL’s renewable energy program

Bonus:

School boards in Central Florida move toward taking meetings online

If this bleeding doesn’t stop your local newspaper will be a weekly. And that might be a bad idea. Sentinel eliminates 52 newsroom jobs

Meanwhile, the Ledger is going hourly. Ledger News Now

An author the Sentinel fails to name believes a Shorter workweek can pay huge dividends. (By the way, his name is Timothy Ferriss.)

Bonus:

The Sentinel: We think: State Farm’s rate hike request for homeowners seems unreasonable. You think? 47%. Who wouldn’t think?

Tribune: Gas Prices Drive Demand For Downtown Dwellings

A sign of the times: Cheap eats: Food bargains can hide in unlikely places

A sign of the season: Can your home weather storms? If not, listen up

A sign of how far we’re gone since 2000: Shielding Press Empowers The Public

Bonus:

If you still can’t recount them do they exist? New voting machines: Paper trail to nowhere?

Is the News Chief next? Cypress Gardens to Test Weekends-Only

Presented without any comment whatsoever: Amtgard! Battles Begin With Swords Of Foam

If Orlando is truly built on a base of tourism, then what happens if the tourists start staying home? Will tourists keep coming? Industry fears future

The dream was to live in a quiet suburb and commute to work. Is that dream turning into a nightmare? Bedroom Community Affected by Gas Costs

Students are finding that they don’t have to drive to class. What will that do to the give-and-take many students need to learn? Online-Class Enrollment Accelerates Into Fall

Bonus:

The Ledger asks Can a Black Man Win Florida?

The Sentinal thinks State leaders need to get their commuter-rail act together now

If you’re near Valencia Community College on Tuesday you can attend a public forum hosted by Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Indialantic to Learn about proposal to drop Florida school tax

Another reminder not to leave packages in your unlocked car: Are AP Car Burglaries Organized?

Of course, there is little you can do about someone ripping the gutters off your house: Thieves Target Metal Items For Cash

When I was a kid these were called “You Can’t Afford to Take a Vacation”: Less money, all of the fun: Families try ’stay-cations’

Bonus:

A pair of Editorials from the Sentinel: We think: City, counties can’t leave businesses on hook to fund homeless cause and We think: Orlando’s use of red-light cameras is progress, but state law is what’s needed

Where are the Ledger stories?

Well, as is too often the case…I couldn’t get TheLedger.com to load. I’ll try again later.

Existing-home sales inch ahead in Orlando area, but Bay Area Foreclosures Skyrocket

Florida seniors tap jobs for extra cash, to relieve boredom — Wait until the Boomers start retiring. There are going to be a lot of grumpy “friendly greeters” at Wal-Mart.

It’s time the USA drop tips and simply pay servers a decent wage. LongHorn Tips Part Of Economic Strain Onto Servers’ Plates

Bonus:

Publix recalls some no-sugar-added cherry pies

Want to vote? Register by Monday night or the Polk County Voter Services FAQ