Senate Passes Campaign Finance Bill, Sends to Crist
If campaign finance is going to be ugly – people should at least see who is making that way. That was essentially the argument from Republican backers of a wide-ranging campaign finance bill passed Wednesday evening by the Senate and sent to Gov. Charlie Crist. The bill returns to law something akin to leadership funds [...]
Raunchy ‘Hot Tub’ Bubbles Up Nostalgia for ’80s Comedy
By BILL GOODYKOONTZ Gannett Chief Film Critic It is a question that has vexed lovers of fine cinema for years: What if you made a teen sex comedy with grownups? And now, thanks to “Hot Tube Time Machine,” we have our answer: It would be pretty cool. Not only that, but we have a “real” [...]
Comic Strip Lances Enlisted Life
If you’ve been smoked by a master sergeant, frustrated by wannabe grunts or dazed by ridiculous Marine Corps policy, “Terminal Lance” was created for you. The edgy Web-based comic strip penned by Lance Cpl. Maximilian Uriarte pokes fun at enlisted life in the Corps and has become a viral smash by garnering almost 80,000 hits [...]
New Ben & Jerry’s CEO Promises to Keep Company in Vermont
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Ben & Jerry’s chief executive, in Burlington for Free Cone Day, said corporate owner Unilever is “100 percent committed” to having Ben & Jerry’s in the state where it began. Ben & Jerry’s is and will remain anchored in Vermont, the ice cream maker’s new chief executive, Jostein Solheim, promised Tuesday after [...]
Haridopolos Wants Voters to Cap Spending
Strict new limits on state spending could be enacted by voters under a measure pushed Tuesday for the November ballot by incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos. The Merritt Island Republican acknowledged rising opposition from cities and counties by rewriting his proposal to exclude local governments from the spending cap. But he insisted the state action [...]
Panel Approves U-Turn on Driver Fee Hikes
A bill that would reverse several fee increases on driver licenses and vehicle taxes that were used last year by lawmakers to pave over a $3 billion hole in the state budget was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee Wednesday. The measure (SB 2036), sponsored by Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, was approved by the panel [...]
Mystery of Missing Teens Solved After 31 Years
Anthony Ambrose remembers his parents’ fear 31 years ago, when five teenagers close to his age disappeared in Newark, his hometown. “Our parents were wondering, ‘Was this a random act? Was it targeted?’ ” Ambrose says. “In my area there was concern by my parents, ‘Is there someone going around kidnapping kids?’ ” Ambrose, chief [...]
‘Dragon’ Lacks Fiery Character
By BILL GOODYKOONTZ Gannett Chief Film Critic The best kids’ films depend upon relationships. Think of the relationship between Buzz Lightyear and Woody in the “Toy Story” movies, Carl and Russell in “Up,” Marlin and Dory in “Finding Nemo.” They are pretty much equal partners in terms of our affections and attention. That’s not quite [...]
Losing Nets are NBA’s Lost Cause
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – With the games dwindling as the New Jersey Nets steer toward NBA-record futility, the tension mounts for players, fans and management alike. In the locker room, there doesn’t appear to be denial or anger. Only acceptance of what could be the inevitable. “It’s very realistic we might go down as the [...]
Bottled Water Tax is Back
Despite Senate President Jeff Atwater’s pledge that the chamber will not increase taxes on Floridians, the Senate Commerce Committee raced ahead Wednesday and approved a new, 6 percent tax on bottled water. The move – likely short-lived – resurrected an effort that convulsed lawmakers last year after Gov. Charlie Crist proposed making Florida the first [...]
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