The Ocala Star-Banner

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  • Global warming may require higher dams, stilts

    The Ocala Star-Banner – 1 hr 57 mins ago  

    The Associated Press With the world losing the battle against global warming so far, experts are warning that humans need to follow nature's example: Adapt or die. Full Story »

  • Pelosi: Bailout money to fund jobs initiative

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Thu Dec 3, 9:57 pm ET  

    The Associated Press Democrats are looking to tap as much as $70 billion in unused funds from the Wall Street bailout to pay for new spending on roads and bridges and to save the jobs of firefighters, teachers and other public employees, officials said Thursday. Full Story »

  • FedEx to raise Ground, Home Delivery rates

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Thu Dec 3, 9:56 pm ET  

    The Associated Press FedEx Corp. said Thursday it will raise shipping rates for its Ground and Home Delivery units by an average of 4.9 percent in 2010 - 1 percentage point less than this year's rate hike. Full Story »

  • WWII vet fights homeowners group over Va. flagpole

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Thu Dec 3, 9:56 pm ET  

    The Associated Press One of the nation's oldest Medal of Honor winners was back in the fight Thursday, this time against a neighborhood association that wants him to take down a front-yard flagpole. Full Story »

  • Woods' fall from grace rekindles role-model debate

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Thu Dec 3, 9:56 pm ET  

    The Associated Press Tiger Woods was different, or so he seemed, with his unmatchable talent and carefully burnished image. Unlike some pro athletes, he had welcomed being a role model. He was, it turns out, too good to be true. Full Story »

  • Student art on display in Belleview

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Thu Dec 3, 6:41 pm ET  

    By Jackie Alexander Staff writer BELLEVIEW — More than 500 art pieces, created by Marion County children, will be displayed today at the Art Club of Belleview’s International Students Art Exhibition, “ Colorful World Around Us.” Full Story »

  • Parade weather for Saturday? Dry --- we hope

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Thu Dec 3, 2:41 pm ET  

    By Joe Callahan Staff writer Rain, rain, go away. The forecast calls for 36 hours of drizzle today through Saturday afternoon, but it may quit just in time for the annual Ocala/Marion County Christmas Parade. As it stands, it looks like there’s a better-than-average chance that it won’t rain on the parade. Full Story »

  • Four crimes might be connected

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Thu Dec 3, 2:26 pm ET  

    By Austin L. Miller Staff writer There were four robberies or attempted robberies of convenience store committed Wednesday in the same general area just east of Ocala. Authorities say the same man might be responsible. Full Story »

  • Utilities, environmentalists unhappy with PSC goals

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Thu Dec 3, 6:42 am ET  

    By Fred Hiers Staff writer The Florida Public Service Commission's new 10-year energy conservation goals for the state's five investor-owned utility companies have garnered mixed reviews. The utilities suggested much more modest reductions. Full Story »

  • Stearns, Grayson duel over health care study

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Thu Dec 3, 6:42 am ET  

    By Bill Thompson Staff writer U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson has touted a widely quoted Harvard University study of the uninsured to argue for health care reform, and to pillory Republicans for blocking access to coverage for 46 million Americans without health insurance. Full Story »

  • Heinbockel lone holdout on funds for 'CHRISTmas'

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Thu Dec 3, 6:42 am ET  

    By Susan Latham Carr Staff writer Newly elected Ocala City Councilwoman Suzy Heinbockel stood alone Tuesday night in her objection to spending $2,000 of taxpayer money to support Compassion Alliance Inc.'s "CHRISTmas for Ocala" event. Full Story »

  • UF expert predicts 8% unemployment in Marion by 2013

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Thu Dec 3, 6:42 am ET  

    By Richard Anguiano Ocala Business Journal Are you worried about the prospects for a W-shaped double-dip recession? A University of Florida economist says you should think more in terms of a U- or L-shaped "sideways" recovery. Full Story »

  • Cyber Zone ex-owner spurns a plea offer

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Thu Dec 3, 6:42 am ET  

    By Suevon Lee Staff writer After an appellate court refused to take up his case for review Wednesday, Jeffrey Reed heads to trial next week to defend himself against charges of state gambling violations. The former owner of Cyber Zone E Cafes is so convinced that he did nothing illegal, he walked away from a "very favorable" plea deal previously extended by the state, says... Full Story »

  • Man arrested in armed robbery, gun threat

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Thu Dec 3, 6:41 am ET  

    By Austin L. Miller Staff writer A man wanted by Ocala police detectives on charges including armed robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon was arrested Tuesday night, according to officials. Full Story »

  • Belleview seeks applicants for vacant commission seat

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Thu Dec 3, 6:41 am ET  

    By Jackie Alexander Staff writer Wanted: young person, no job experience necessary, must be civic-minded. Send resume and application to Belleview City Hall. Full Story »

  • Police Beat and Community Briefs for Thursday, Dec. 3

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Thu Dec 3, 6:41 am ET  

    Staff reports A 10-month-old boy was found sweating and wearing a soiled diaper inside a locked luxury car Wednesday. After investigating, Marion County Sheriff's deputies arrested the child's mother on a charge of child neglect. Full Story »

  • Utility investigates crack in containment wall at nuclear plant

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Thu Dec 3, 6:41 am ET  

    By Fred Hiers Staff writer Progress Energy continues to investigate what caused a 2-inch wide and at least 30-foot-long crack in the containment wall of its Crystal River Nuclear Power Plant. Full Story »

  • School District cancels programs due to storm

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Wed Dec 2, 5:41 pm ET  

    By Joe Callahan Staff writer All after-school programs that include School District bus transportation have been canceled for today only in the wake of a line of severe thunderstorms expected to impact the area this afternoon. Full Story »

  • Mom arrested, charged with child neglect

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Wed Dec 2, 5:41 pm ET  

    Staff report OCALA -- A 10-month-old boy was found sweating and wearing a soiled diaper inside a locked luxury car Wednesday. After investigating, Marion County Sheriff's deputies arrested the child's mother on a charge of child neglect. Full Story »

  • Belleview seeks to fill open commission seat

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Wed Dec 2, 5:41 pm ET  

    By Jackie Alexander Staff writer BELLEVIEW — Wanted: young person, no job experience necessary, must be civic-minded. Send resume and application to Belleview City Hall. The City Commission decided Tuesday to accept applications for the open commission seat, vacated Nov. 17 by Michael Goldman. Full Story »

  • Local authorities begin details to cut down on robberies

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Wed Dec 2, 2:56 pm ET  

    Staff report OCALA - During the holiday shopping season, the Marion County Sheriff's Office and the Ocala Police Department are conducting special details to help cut down on robberies. Full Story »

  • Internet cafe wants gambling charges dropped

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Wed Dec 2, 2:28 pm ET  

    By Suevon Lee Staff Writer The owner of the Cyber Zone E Cafes that authorities shuttered earlier this year for allegedly violating state gambling laws is petitioning the 5th District Court of Appeal to order the trial judge overseeing his case to dismiss all charges. Full Story »

  • Detectives believe two early morning robberies are connected

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Wed Dec 2, 2:28 pm ET  

    Staff report OCALA - Sheriff’s detectives believe two early morning robberies at convenience stores Wednesday may be connected. At the Kangaroo station at 6820 S.E. Maricamp Road, deputies received a call at 3:37 a.m. about the store being robbed. Full Story »

  • Ocala man arrested, accused of sexual battery on teenage boy

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Wed Dec 2, 2:27 pm ET  

    Staff report OCALA - A 27-year-old Ocala man accused of having inappropriate relations with a teenage boy was taken into custody Tuesday, according to officials. Late last month, authorities were notified by a relative of the teen that he had been sexually battered at their Reddick residence. Full Story »

  • Fire at Ocala residence being investigated

    The Ocala Star-Banner – Wed Dec 2, 2:26 pm ET  

    Staff report OCALA - Ocala Fire Rescue responded Wednesday morning to a fire at 3901 S.E. 17th Ave. According to Battalion Chief Brian Stoothoff, a passerby called 911 at 10:31 a.m. Fire Rescue was at the home four minutes later. Full Story »

Photo Highlight

Photo Highlight Slideshow

A young boy looks at a model of a dinosaur on display in Bonn, Germany. AFP/DDP/Lennart Preiss

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