Across the USA

News from every state

vitalization Alabama: group Athens is — planning A downtown the “Ath- reens fried Grease foods, for Festival,” Sept. 29. a Spirit celebration of Athens of director Courier the Trisha group Black wants told to The bring News- people namesake downtown Athens, and Greece. to celebrate the

pulled Alaska: from Juneau Gastineau — Two Channel men were after getting KINY-AM in said a fight the over Coast a whiskey Guard was bottle. notified fallen from late Tuesday a pier near that the the library. men One had man was swimming was clinging in to the the channel. pier. The other

Arizona: Phoenix — President Obama executive has named of the the Phoenix president Zoo to and the chief National Board. Museum Bert Castro and will Library continue Services to direct firm the his zoo nomination. should the The U.S. board Senate advises conleaders and Library of the Services Institute on general of Museums policy, practices and award selections.

Arkansas: Little Rock — Gov. Beebe said two Chinese companies are close to relocating to Arkansas following his 12-day trade mission to China. The governor, a Democrat, didn’t name the companies but said one is timber-related and one involves retailing.

California: Menlo Park — The city council approved a deal that will allow Facebook to bring in thousands more employees to its new headquarters. The social networking giant make annual payments totaling nearly $10 million to cover the impact that the influx of new workers will have on city infrastructure. Facebook will also pay for more than $1 million in capital improvements, such as pedestrian and bicycle paths, and set up high school internship and job training programs.

Colorado: Boulder — City Council members voted 7-2 to support the University of Colorado’s efforts to stop one of the nation’s largest marijuana smoke-outs. The smoke-out is planned for Friday, the unofficial holiday celebrating the drug nationwide. The campus will be closed to visitors. The school is also shutting down the quad where the rally is traditionally held to spread fish fertilizer. More than 10,000 gathered for last year’s event.

Connecticut: Farmington — Otis Elevator will install 21 elevators and escalators at the Rio de Janeiro stadium hosting the 2014 World Cup soccer tournament. The Farmington-based firm said the equipment will be installed at Maracan Stadium, also site of the 2016 Summer Olympics opening and closing ceremonies.

Delaware: Wilmington — More than a dozen Christina School District elementary school teachers are being laid off, bumped by Bancroft Elementary School teachers. Bancroft has struggled with low student performance on math and reading assessments. As a result, teachers were given the chance to transfer or reapply for their jobs.

D.C.: Metro is sidelining its 94 Orion VI diesel buses after two caught fire in the past week, The Washington Post reported. Those buses are a small part of its fleet of 1,492, and the agency noted that customers should see little impact. The transit agency’s safety department is investigating the fires.

Florida: Tallahassee — Democrats and a coalition that backed anti-gerrymandering standards want Circuit Judge Terry Lewis to reject the Legislature’s redistricting for Florida’s 27 congressional districts. Lawyers for the state and Republican-led Legislature, is pushing for a trial. That likely would delay any potential court-ordered revisions until after the elections.

Georgia: Columbus — Columbus High School Principal Marvin Crumbs has been reassigned after a comedian’s routine shown during a faculty meeting drew complaints. The video features comedian Ron White commenting on female anatomy and plastic surgery, saying there’s one deficiency no operation can repair: “You can’t fix stupid. … Stupid is forever.”

Hawaii: Honolulu — Experts are puzzled over an ahi shortage that’s making it more expensive for residents to enjoy sashimi and poke, an appetizer of raw, marinated tuna cut in cubes. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Pacific Islands Regional Administrator Michael Tosatto says there have been higher prices at the fish auction because of a lower volume of fish caught. The price for a pound of ahi poke at Young’s Fish Market in Honolulu is $16, up $6 since the shortage.

Idaho: Caldwell — High school students are protesting a dress code next year that would restrict students to wearing solid-colored polo shirts without logos and dark pants or skirts. The rules have already been implemented in the district’s elementary and middle schools. But more than 1,000 students signed a petition opposing it and several spoke out at a Caldwell School Board meeting, prompting the district to re-examine the issue.

Illinois: Chicago — The City Council voted 33-14 on Wednesday to approve Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s ordinance to install speed cameras throughout the city and fine violators up to $100. The

cameras would be installed near parks and schools. Warnings will be issued for the first 30 days and first-time violators will get one warning ticket before they are fined.

Indiana:

Terre Haute — An effort is underway to raise $20,000 to move a Vietnam War memorial next to the main veterans monument. The Vigo County Veterans Memorial Plaza was dedicated in 2003 on the county courthouse lawn, but the Vietnam memorial

was built 15 years earlier on the other side of the courthouse.

Iowa: Des Moines — A financially troubled ape sanctuary will move its seven bonobos unless $25,000 in donations is received by May 15. The Bonobo Hope Great Ape Sanctuary, originally a research institution, was converted to a sanctuary after founder Ted Townsend ended financing last year. Board Chairman Kenneth Schweller said the center has raised half its immediate goal of $50,000.

Kansas: Lawrence — Saturday’s Kansas Relays will include a different kind of competition. While track and field events go on around Memorial Stadium, a food vendor will try to build a world-record nacho plate. Rick Brown, of Centerplate, says the goal is to build a plate that is 80 feet long, 3 feet wide and 4,600 pounds. That will require 1,200 pounds of beans, 860 pounds of beef, 860 pounds of nacho cheese and 600 pounds of tortilla chips.

Kentucky: Corbin — Dennis Reynolds, his wife, Billie, and their 3-yearold son, Grabrille, plan to move into an energy-efficient prototype home built by a houseboat manufacturer. Stardust Cruisers built two modular homes as a test to help an industry that was nearly wiped out during the recession.

Louisiana: Opelousas — The St. Landry Parish School Board will lay off 182 workers because of budget difficulties. Interim Superintendent Joseph Cassimere said 71 positions will be eliminated by April 30 and an additional 111 will be cut by May 22. Finance Director Tressa Miller said that in the short term, the move will save about $290,000, and the long-term effect will be savings of about $6.7 million.

Maine:

East Machias — The Downeast Salmon Federation’s Aquatic Research Center reopened after renovations at the solar- and wind-powered facility’s hatchery and visitor center. Students from the University of Maine helped to release young salmon into the East Machias River.

Maryland:

Baltimore — Heavy rains and a hot summer harmed the Chesapeake Bay’s health last year, earning it

a D-plus on a report card issued by the University of Maryland’s Center for Environmental Science. Floodwaters from Tropical Storm Lee brought 1.5 inches of sediment into the upper bay.

Massachusetts: Boston — The Massachusetts Medical Society planned to announce its Disclosure, Apology and Offer initiative to promote a less confrontational atmosphere between patients and doctors when medical mistakes occur and speed resolution of disputes. The initiative will be piloted by Massachusetts General Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, and Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.

Michigan: Traverse City — The state appeals court ruled the 2008 medical marijuana law doesn’t shield people from prosecution if they are caught driving after using pot. A three-judge panel ruled in favor of the prosecutor in Grand Traverse County and restored a criminal case against Rodney Koon.

Minnesota: Virginia — A hospital has changed its policies after mixing up two newborns. A nurse at Regional Medical Center brought a newborn to a mother to breast-feed, but it was later discovered that the child wasn’t that mother’s baby. An ID card for the baby included the mother’s room number, but the mother had changed rooms. The card system has been abolished.

Mississippi: Jackson — The state Court of Appeals upheld the capital murder conviction of Barry Love, a Kosciusko man sentenced to life without parole for the shooting death of Jessie Earl Hill at a store in Attala County. Love was one of four men arrested and convicted for the robbery at Hill Brothers Logging Shop in 2008. Hill

was found dead at the scene with a gunshot wound to the chest. On appeal, Love said he was under duress at the time and his attorney failed to pursue the issue in instructions to the jury.

Missouri:

Kansas City — A promoter hopes to break a Guinness world record by parading at least 700 costumed dogs, mostly Chihuahuas, down a city street on Cinco de Mayo. Mark Valentine said the parade will introduce Chihuahuas to their cultural heritage

while helping the Pet Connection, a nokill shelter on the Kansas side of the metro area. Parade participants will pay a $5 entry fee to benefit the shelter.

Montana: Helena — The Travel Channel has ordered a one-hour TV pilot featuring state photographer and author Kevin Michael Connolly, who was born without legs. The Kevin Mi

chael Connolly Project will follow him as he travels the world, experiencing new cultures, meeting people and tackling difficult physical challenges.

Nebraska: North Platte — A plane had to make an emergency landing because a pregnant passenger went into labor. The woman was taken by ambulance to a hospital, and the plane continued on to Salt Lake City.

Nevada: Las Vegas — County officials want to triple the number of parking spaces in front of the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign. The Las Ve

gas Sun reported the county commission plans to pay $500,000 to add parking to the 53-year-old sign on the Strip. The popular picture-taking destination became easier to access after a parking lot was added to the median.

New Hampshire: Merrimack — Some police departments are warning residents to beware of callers seeking donations to help the family of Greenland Chief Michael Maloney, who was killed last week. The callers say they’re calling on behalf of the New Hampshire Chiefs of Police, but no solicitation of donations has been approved.

New Jersey: New Brunswick — Rutgers University reported it has set a fundraising record for a capital campaign: $626 million in the drive that was launched in 2010. The campaign’s

goal is $1 billion to be used for faculty research, student scholarships, campus construction and other projects.

New Mexico:

Santa Fe — The city has hired a law firm to determine whether Councilwoman Patti Bushee failed to disclose a conflict of interest with a developer, Steve Duran, whose company has been in a dispute with the city over a $14 million parking garage contract. Bushee said the allegations are false and politically motivated.

New York: Rye Neck — Residents are rallying around the Tompkins Farm Oak that has stood since before the American Revolution. Neighbors fear a flood-mitigating plan could damage its root system. Village Manager Richard Slingerland said the village will retain an arborist who will visit the site before construction begins.

North Carolina: Mount Olive — Andy’s Burgers Shakes & Fries has changed its name to Highway 55 Burgers Shakes and Fries as part of its plans for a major expansion in Florida, South Carolina and Virginia. Andy’s first opened in Goldsboro in 1991.

North Dakota: Grand Forks — A man pleaded not guilty to misspending more than $45,000 belonging to his father, who lives in a nursing home. Court documents show Leo Toay Jr., 47, of Maple Grove, Minn., gained power of attorney over his father in December 2009, had access to his bank accounts and was responsible for paying bills. The nursing home administrator here contacted police last November to report alleged misspending.

Ohio: Columbus — Gov. Kasich, a Republican, said he wants construction of a Holocaust memorial at the Statehouse to be completed by 2013. The legislation to create the memorial appoints the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board to work with the Ohio Arts Council to determine the location and design.

Oklahoma: Anadarko — A police officer shot and killed himself inside the city’s police department. Ashley Burris, 34, walked into the department, sat in a chair in the lobby and shot himself in the chest. Burris died at the scene. Oregon: naked at Portland Portland International — A man stripped Airport as screeners. a protest A police against incident airport report security said John passengers Brennan’s to cover actions their caused eyes some and their lanes were children’s temporarily eyes. Two closed. screening The 49year-old cent exposure man and was disorderly arrested for conduct. inde-Pennsylvania: Harrisburg — Secretary can use of State long-expired Carol Aichele state said driver’s voters licenses a free photo or non-driver ID card ID through cards to the obtain Department of Transportation. The state’s new law requires all voters to show photo ID before they may cast ballots in the Nov. 6 general election.

Rhode Island: Woonsocket — Robert Flanders Jr., the state-appointed receiver who filed for bankruptcy on behalf of Central Falls, is the guest speaker at the Woonsocket Taxpayer Coalition meeting April 26. The town has a $10 million schools deficit and has approved a supplemental tax increase.

South Carolina: Charleston — Container volume at the Port of Charleston has reached its highest level since the fall of 2008. The State Ports Authority announced that almost 135,000 of the 20-foot units moved through the port last month, an increase of 13% from February and 12% from March 2011.

South Dakota: Mitchell — A jury will determine the amount of compensation for a Kansas couple hit by a city bus while they navigated a downtown crosswalk. The attorney for tourists Richard and Mary Russell seeks $100,000, while the lawyer representing the city and the former bus driver wants the amount for medical bills and pain and suffering capped at about $38,000. The Russells were hit near the Corn Palace tourist attraction in June 2009. The bus driver, Julie Payne, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor careless driving and was fined about $100.

Tennessee: Chattanooga — TennCare, the state’s federally funded health care program, has blocked three providers from billing the system. Physician’s assistant Thomas Esser, physician Allen Foster and nurse practitioner Maimoune Wright were banned after prescribing large amounts of psychiatric drugs and addictive painkillers

Texas: Houston — Four teens are accused of killing a homeless man for a dollar. Capital murder charges were filed against two 18-year-old suspects and one who is 17. A 16-year-old girl was held in juvenile custody on a capital murder count. The body of Miguel Ramos, 32, was found April 4 in an alley. He had been robbed and shot.

Utah: Salt Lake City — The state’s median wage climbed 2.4% in 2011, according to data from the state Department of Workforce Services. The statewide median is $32,050. Greater Salt Lake City had the highest median wage at $34,210, while rural southwest counties posted the lowest at $27,430.

Vermont: South Burlington — Trader Joe’s grocery store has applied for a zoning permit to open but must convince the City Council that its building warrants an exception to the city’s interim zoning regulation. Officials are opposed to plans for a one-story building within 5 feet of Dorset Street — which isn’t allowed by the city’s zoning regulations without a waiver.

Virginia: Williamsburg — The College of William and Mary has opened the Confucius Institute, which promotes Chinese language and culture, in partnership with Beijing Normal University and the Office of Chinese Language Council International.

Washington: Tacoma — Two area teens are competing on MTV’S reality dance competition show. Alex Porter, 13, and Bailey Anderson, 15, are in Los Angeles taping this week for America’s

Best Dance Crew. Ten dance teams are competing for a $100,000 prize.

West Virginia: Morgantown — The owner of two paraphernalia shops and three employees have been indicted on charges of selling bath salts and synthetic marijuana. The indictment targets owner Jeffrey Paglia, his companies, a manager and two employees. Each is charged with eight counts of drug conspiracy and two counts of maintaining a drug-involved property.

Wisconsin: Reedsburg — The police department posts mug shots of suspects on its Facebook page before they’ve been found guilty of an offense. Chief Tim Becker said he’s using the department’s Facebook page to inform the public and remain transparent.

Wyoming: Cheyenne — The Air National Guard is preparing for wildfire season by practicing aerial firefighting. Guard members planned to drop loads of water from C-130 transport planes at the Camp Guernsey Training Center.

U.S. territory: Puerto Rico — U.S. scientists using sonar and submersibles to map a reef off the northeastern coast found a 12-foot hammerhead shark, an undersea canyon that suddenly plunges 900 feet and an enormous orange-and-brown barrel sponge.