http://naplesnews.com/news/florida/?partner=RSSnaplesnews.com Stories: Florida newsen-usflorida/news/florida/?partner=RSShttp://naplesnews.com/feeds/headlines/florida/2008-11-20T22:30:52.917866Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/governor-wants-floridas-state-universities-be-able/?partner=RSSTuition at Florida Gulf Coast University and the other 10 state universities could be going up by as much as 15 percent every year. This is part of a proposal by Gov. Charlie Crist to give each state university more power in making administrative decisions such as setting tuition prices and budgets, hiring the school’s president and growth plans. A tuition increase would have to be approved by a university’s board of trustees and the state Board of Governors, which oversees all the schools, Crist said Thursday. Thirty percent of the tuition differential would go toward need-based aid, Crist said. johnaosborne@hotmail.com (JOHN OSBORNE)Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:55:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/governor-wants-floridas-state-universities-be-able/?partner=RSSeducation1867292008-11-20T20:47:002008-11-20T09:55:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Tuition at Florida Gulf Coast University and the other 10 state universities could be going up by as much as 15 percent every year. This is part of a proposal by Gov. Charlie Crist to give each state university more power in making administrative decisions such as setting tuition prices and budgets, hiring the school’s president and growth plans. A tuition increase would have to be approved by a university’s board of trustees and the state Board of Governors, which oversees all the schools, Crist said Thursday. Thirty percent of the tuition differential would go toward need-based aid, Crist said.TALLAHASSEEJOHN OSBORNEPOLL: Gov. Crist suggests giving state universities tuition hike powernaplesnews.comgovernor-wants-floridas-state-universities-be-ablehttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/farming-company-offers-buy-us-sugar/?partner=RSSA farming company out of Tennessee has made a move to acquire U.S. Sugar Corp. in Clewiston. Earlier this year, U.S. Sugar, one of the nation’s largest sugar cane producers, entered into a deal to sell most of its land for Everglades restoration. But the Lawrence Group says it has a better plan that would save taxpayers money and save local jobs. The group has offered to purchase the company for $300 a share. This is the third time it’s made a bid for U.S. Sugar. The other proposals _ made in 2005 and 2007 _ were rejected by the board of directors and never brought to shareholders. Those offers were both for $293 a share. lllayden@naplesnews.com (LAURA LAYDEN)Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:24:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/farming-company-offers-buy-us-sugar/?partner=RSSbusiness1867562008-11-20T19:47:002008-11-20T15:24:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008A farming company out of Tennessee has made a move to acquire U.S. Sugar Corp. in Clewiston. Earlier this year, U.S. Sugar, one of the nation’s largest sugar cane producers, entered into a deal to sell most of its land for Everglades restoration. But the Lawrence Group says it has a better plan that would save taxpayers money and save local jobs. The group has offered to purchase the company for $300 a share. This is the third time it’s made a bid for U.S. Sugar. The other proposals _ made in 2005 and 2007 _ were rejected by the board of directors and never brought to shareholders. Those offers were both for $293 a share.NAPLESLAURA LAYDENTenn. company wants to buy U.S. Sugarnaplesnews.comfarming-company-offers-buy-us-sugarhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/early-absentee-voting-pushed-obama-win-fla/?partner=RSSMore Floridians voted for John McCain than Barack Obama on Election Day, but the Democrat sealed his victory in the state by winning more early and absentee votes. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:27:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/early-absentee-voting-pushed-obama-win-fla/?partner=RSSelection1867572008-11-20T15:27:002008-11-20T15:27:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008More Floridians voted for John McCain than Barack Obama on Election Day, but the Democrat sealed his victory in the state by winning more early and absentee votes.MIAMIEarly, absentee voting pushed Obama to win in Fla.naplesnews.comearly-absentee-voting-pushed-obama-win-flahttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/astronauts-venture-out-spacewalk-no-2/?partner=RSSAstronauts ventured back outside the international space station to perform more repair work on a jammed joint Thursday and promised to keep a tight grip on all their tools so nothing would get away this time. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:20:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/astronauts-venture-out-spacewalk-no-2/?partner=RSSflorida1867472008-11-20T14:20:002008-11-20T14:20:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Astronauts ventured back outside the international space station to perform more repair work on a jammed joint Thursday and promised to keep a tight grip on all their tools so nothing would get away this time.CAPE CANAVERALAstronauts venture out for spacewalk No. 2naplesnews.comastronauts-venture-out-spacewalk-no-2http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/ap-obama-won-florida-early-absentee-voting/?partner=RSSMany more Floridians voted for John McCain on Election Day, but Barack Obama sealed his victory in the state by winning more early and absentee votes. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:19:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/ap-obama-won-florida-early-absentee-voting/?partner=RSSelection1867312008-11-20T10:19:002008-11-20T10:19:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Many more Floridians voted for John McCain on Election Day, but Barack Obama sealed his victory in the state by winning more early and absentee votes.MIAMIAP: Obama won Florida on early, absentee votingnaplesnews.comap-obama-won-florida-early-absentee-votinghttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/19/poll-survey-reports-floridians-plan-reduce-holiday/?partner=RSS'Twas the month before Christmas and all through the mall, not many Floridians were shopping, their wallets were small. Tough economic times are forcing Florida consumers to drastically cut back on plans for holiday spending, according to surveys conducted in September and October by the University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:12:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/19/poll-survey-reports-floridians-plan-reduce-holiday/?partner=RSSflorida1866372008-11-19T12:12:002008-11-19T12:12:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008'Twas the month before Christmas and all through the mall, not many Floridians were shopping, their wallets were small. Tough economic times are forcing Florida consumers to drastically cut back on plans for holiday spending, according to surveys conducted in September and October by the University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research. GAINESVILLEPOLL: Survey reports Floridians plan to reduce holiday spendingnaplesnews.compoll-survey-reports-floridians-plan-reduce-holidayhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/19/lost-tool-bag-forces-changes-mission-spacewalks/?partner=RSSFlight controllers were revamping plans Wednesday for the remaining spacewalks during space shuttle Endeavour's visit to the international space station, after a crucial tool bag floated away during repair work. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:09:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/19/lost-tool-bag-forces-changes-mission-spacewalks/?partner=RSSflorida1866362008-11-19T12:09:002008-11-19T12:09:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Flight controllers were revamping plans Wednesday for the remaining spacewalks during space shuttle Endeavour's visit to the international space station, after a crucial tool bag floated away during repair work.HOUSTONLost tool bag forces changes to mission spacewalksnaplesnews.comlost-tool-bag-forces-changes-mission-spacewalkshttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/19/florida-kindergarten-teacher-suspended-allowing-cl/?partner=RSSA Port St. Lucie elementary school teacher has been suspended without pay after she allowed her kindergartners to openly vote on whether a 5-year-old student could remain in class. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:27:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/19/florida-kindergarten-teacher-suspended-allowing-cl/?partner=RSSeducation1866062008-11-19T09:16:002008-11-19T08:27:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008A Port St. Lucie elementary school teacher has been suspended without pay after she allowed her kindergartners to openly vote on whether a 5-year-old student could remain in class.PORT ST. LUCIEFlorida kindergarten teacher suspended for allowing class to vote on kicking out studentnaplesnews.comflorida-kindergarten-teacher-suspended-allowing-clhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/19/florida-gop-legislators-begin-retreat-upscale-reso/?partner=RSSFlorida's Republican legislators will begin a three-day retreat at an upscale Panhandle resort. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:24:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/19/florida-gop-legislators-begin-retreat-upscale-reso/?partner=RSSall1866052008-11-19T08:24:002008-11-19T08:24:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Florida's Republican legislators will begin a three-day retreat at an upscale Panhandle resort.SEAGROVE BEACH, Fla.Florida GOP legislators begin retreat at upscale resortnaplesnews.comflorida-gop-legislators-begin-retreat-upscale-resohttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/18/report-mccready-not-proud-ties-clemens/?partner=RSSCountry singer and North Fort Myers native Mindy McCready claims she broke off her relationship with Roger Clemens when the former baseball star wouldn’t marry her, according to an interview broadcast Monday by the syndicated show “Inside Edition.” McCready, however, was quoted on the Web site of the New York Daily News on Monday as saying she didn’t want to marry Clemens.McCready told “Inside Edition” she met Clemens when she was 16, not 15, as reported by the New York Daily News last April. She told the news magazine they met in a Lee County karaoke bar, that her relationship with the pitcher didn’t turn sexual until several years later and the relationship lasted for a decade. Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:51:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/18/report-mccready-not-proud-ties-clemens/?partner=RSSbonita_news1865392008-11-18T19:57:002008-11-18T14:51:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Country singer and North Fort Myers native Mindy McCready claims she broke off her relationship with Roger Clemens when the former baseball star wouldn’t marry her, according to an interview broadcast Monday by the syndicated show “Inside Edition.” McCready, however, was quoted on the Web site of the New York Daily News on Monday as saying she didn’t want to marry Clemens.McCready told “Inside Edition” she met Clemens when she was 16, not 15, as reported by the New York Daily News last April. She told the news magazine they met in a Lee County karaoke bar, that her relationship with the pitcher didn’t turn sexual until several years later and the relationship lasted for a decade.NEW YORK Mindy McCready makes conflicting statements in medianaplesnews.comreport-mccready-not-proud-ties-clemenshttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/18/ap-study-estimates-diabetes-cost-218-billion-annua/?partner=RSSAs diabetes is rapidly becoming one of the world's most common diseases, its financial cost is mounting, too, to well over $200 billion a year in the U.S. alone. A new study, released Tuesday exclusively to The Associated Press, puts the total at $218 billion last year — the first comprehensive estimate of the financial toll diabetes takes, according to Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk A/S, which paid for the study. Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:20:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/18/ap-study-estimates-diabetes-cost-218-billion-annua/?partner=RSSall1865212008-11-18T10:20:002008-11-18T10:20:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008As diabetes is rapidly becoming one of the world's most common diseases, its financial cost is mounting, too, to well over $200 billion a year in the U.S. alone. A new study, released Tuesday exclusively to The Associated Press, puts the total at $218 billion last year — the first comprehensive estimate of the financial toll diabetes takes, according to Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk A/S, which paid for the study.TRENTON, N.J.AP: Study estimates diabetes cost at $218 billion annually in U.S.naplesnews.comap-study-estimates-diabetes-cost-218-billion-annuahttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/17/state-report-has-good-news-bad-news-about-youth-su/?partner=RSSThe annual Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey shows continuing declines in binge drinking, smoking — both tobacco and marijuana — and most other drug use. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:39:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/17/state-report-has-good-news-bad-news-about-youth-su/?partner=RSSlocal1864622008-11-17T20:19:002008-11-17T11:39:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008The annual Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey shows continuing declines in binge drinking, smoking — both tobacco and marijuana — and most other drug use.Bonita Springs, FLFlorida youth survey shows substance abuse dropnaplesnews.comstate-report-has-good-news-bad-news-about-youth-suhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/17/panel-makes-obamas-fla-victory-official/?partner=RSSThe state Elections Canvassing Commission made President-elect Barack Obama's victory in Florida official right on schedule Monday, just 13 days after a nearly glitch-free election. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:18:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/17/panel-makes-obamas-fla-victory-official/?partner=RSSelection1864752008-11-17T17:42:002008-11-17T16:18:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008The state Elections Canvassing Commission made President-elect Barack Obama's victory in Florida official right on schedule Monday, just 13 days after a nearly glitch-free election.TALLAHASSEEPanel makes Obama's Fla. victory officialnaplesnews.companel-makes-obamas-fla-victory-officialhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/17/astronauts-hitch-giant-crate-space-station/?partner=RSSAstronauts hitched a giant shipping crate full of home improvement "goodies" to the international space station on Monday, a critical step for boosting the population in orbit. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:21:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/17/astronauts-hitch-giant-crate-space-station/?partner=RSSflorida1864772008-11-17T16:21:002008-11-17T16:21:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Astronauts hitched a giant shipping crate full of home improvement "goodies" to the international space station on Monday, a critical step for boosting the population in orbit.CAPE CANAVERALAstronauts hitch giant crate to space stationnaplesnews.comastronauts-hitch-giant-crate-space-stationhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/17/florida-pension-fund-loses-quarter-its-value/?partner=RSSFlorida's public employee pension plan has lost more than a quarter of its peak value, but Gov. Charlie Crist and other officials Monday said the fund is built for the long haul and there's no need to panic. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:20:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/17/florida-pension-fund-loses-quarter-its-value/?partner=RSSflorida1864762008-11-17T16:20:002008-11-17T16:20:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Florida's public employee pension plan has lost more than a quarter of its peak value, but Gov. Charlie Crist and other officials Monday said the fund is built for the long haul and there's no need to panic.TALLAHASSEEFlorida pension fund loses a quarter its valuenaplesnews.comflorida-pension-fund-loses-quarter-its-valuehttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/17/us-sugar-coskata-explore-ethanol-plant-fla/?partner=RSSU.S. Sugar Corp. will consider building an ethanol facility in the Everglades, a move that might help the nation's largest producer of cane sugar stay in business. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:13:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/17/us-sugar-coskata-explore-ethanol-plant-fla/?partner=RSSlocal1864742008-11-17T16:13:002008-11-17T16:13:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008U.S. Sugar Corp. will consider building an ethanol facility in the Everglades, a move that might help the nation's largest producer of cane sugar stay in business.CLEWISTONUS Sugar, Coskata to explore ethanol plant in Fla.naplesnews.comus-sugar-coskata-explore-ethanol-plant-flahttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/16/shuttle-endeavour-links-space-station/?partner=RSSSpace shuttle Endeavour linked with the international space station on Sunday, kicking off a huge home makeover that will allow twice as many astronauts to live up there beginning next year. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:10:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/16/shuttle-endeavour-links-space-station/?partner=RSSflorida1864282008-11-16T19:10:002008-11-16T19:10:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Space shuttle Endeavour linked with the international space station on Sunday, kicking off a huge home makeover that will allow twice as many astronauts to live up there beginning next year.CAPE CANAVERALShuttle Endeavour links with space stationnaplesnews.comshuttle-endeavour-links-space-stationhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/16/conditions-south-fla-favorable-wildfires/?partner=RSSForecasters say conditions in South Florida are favorable to spark wildfires. Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:08:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/16/conditions-south-fla-favorable-wildfires/?partner=RSSlocal1864272008-11-16T18:08:002008-11-16T18:08:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Forecasters say conditions in South Florida are favorable to spark wildfires.MIAMIConditions in South Fla. favorable for wildfiresnaplesnews.comconditions-south-fla-favorable-wildfireshttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/15/burt-saunders-steps-out-public-service-spotlight-h/?partner=RSSYears of public service have brought him to this: Assistant Scout Master of Naples Boy Scout Troop 165. For former state Sen. Burt Saunders, the moniker is as important, if not more so, than any the Naples Republican has ever held. And the list is pretty lengthy: Collier County attorney, Collier County commissioner, state representative, state senator, committee chairman and Congressional candidate. As the Nov. 4 election ushered in a new legion of leaders from the nation’s first black president to a Republican banker from Naples who will take over his Senate seat, Saunders said he’s looking forward to spending more time with his boys, including twins he is helping become Eagle Scouts. mpeltier1234@comcast.net (MICHAEL PELTIER)Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/15/burt-saunders-steps-out-public-service-spotlight-h/?partner=RSSlocal/election/20071863452008-11-15T19:41:002008-11-15T17:00:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Years of public service have brought him to this: Assistant Scout Master of Naples Boy Scout Troop 165. For former state Sen. Burt Saunders, the moniker is as important, if not more so, than any the Naples Republican has ever held. And the list is pretty lengthy: Collier County attorney, Collier County commissioner, state representative, state senator, committee chairman and Congressional candidate. As the Nov. 4 election ushered in a new legion of leaders from the nation’s first black president to a Republican banker from Naples who will take over his Senate seat, Saunders said he’s looking forward to spending more time with his boys, including twins he is helping become Eagle Scouts.Bonita Springs, FLMICHAEL PELTIERBurt Saunders steps out of public service spotlight, but for how long?naplesnews.comburt-saunders-steps-out-public-service-spotlight-hhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/14/recount-confirms-incumbents-win-golden-gate-fire-c/?partner=RSSWith more than 20,000 ballots to recount, it was a two-day process, but by the end of Friday evening, Collier County elections officials were able to determine a winner in the race for Seat 1 on the Golden Gate Fire Rescue and Control Commission. Incumbent Commissioner Robert “Rob” Stoneburner held on to his narrow lead. imstackel@naplesnews.com (I.M. STACKEL)Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:31:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/14/recount-confirms-incumbents-win-golden-gate-fire-c/?partner=RSSelection1863282008-11-14T21:31:002008-11-14T21:31:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008With more than 20,000 ballots to recount, it was a two-day process, but by the end of Friday evening, Collier County elections officials were able to determine a winner in the race for Seat 1 on the Golden Gate Fire Rescue and Control Commission. Incumbent Commissioner Robert “Rob” Stoneburner held on to his narrow lead.NAPLESI.M. STACKELRecount confirms incumbent’s win for Golden Gate fire commissionnaplesnews.comrecount-confirms-incumbents-win-golden-gate-fire-c