| Text of Ficano's State of the County address
Our Department of Homeland Security has set up a countywide alert program to notify the public of emergencies and important public safety issues. Last year, we used Countywide Alert for the opening of the Grosse Ile Bridge and snow emergencies in Dearborn and Trenton. We continue to sign up people for this free service at Wayne.getalerts.org. Our nationally recognized Nuisance Abatement Program took legal action to improve more than 800 vacant or blighted properties last year. We're helping rebuild communities, one neighborhood at a time. The health of our communities is critical to our quality of life. Our Department of Public Health last year launched Operation Safe Sleep to save babies from tragic, premature death due to unsafe sleeping conditions. More than 1,600 calls for assistance were answered.
Small businesses chafe at call for $1B life sciences investment
To focus so much of our resources on this particular industry doesn't seem to give us the bang for the buck," said Bill Vernon, state director for the National Federation of Independent Business. Vernon said the state should instead focus on smaller businesses, the true powerhouse of job creation. Small businesses in Massachusetts employ about 1.5 million workers -- nearly half the state's workforce -- and create two-thirds of new jobs, he said. He said the state should spend the money cutting unemployment insurance, business taxes, health insurance, energy, wages, and development costs. "It's not the role of state government to be picking winners and losers," he added. "That's up to the venture capitalists." House lawmakers gave the bill initial approval on a 134-13 vote.
SIRIUS Announces Daytona 500 Broadcast Schedule
NEW YORK, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SIRIUS Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) , the Official Satellite Radio Partner of NASCAR, will provide comprehensive coverage of the Daytona 500, featuring the live race broadcast plus multiple channels carrying in-car audio. SIRIUS NASCAR Radio will feature two new shows: Tradin' Paint, hosted by Danny "Chocolate" Myers and Steve Post and Late Shift, hosted by Rick Benjamin and Buddy Baker. Veteran broadcaster Mike Bagley will be the new daily host of The Morning Drive alongside returning host David Poole. SIRIUS NASCAR Radio channel 128, the only radio channel giving listeners 24/7 coverage of every race and everything in between, will broadcast live from Daytona International Speedway throughout NASCAR Speedweeks with up-to-the-minute news, analysis and interviews.
Kosovo celebrates Independence Day
Under a rather tattered Serbian flag there is some building work going on. I ask a man shovelling bricks into a wheelbarrow what independence will mean for him. He frantically shovels more bricks and says that he will stay and work, work hard. As for independence, he says, it's like him coming to my house and saying that it is his. A teenaged boy interjects: “We may celebrate: with guns". I ask him what he means. He says that if the Albanians try to bring their celebration across the bridge, to taunt them, they will be ready to defend themselves. But I think the Serbian mood is as much sorrow as anger. Today is a big day, an emotional day. But how much difference will independence make? Kosovo will declare independence today, but in a sense that is independence from the United Nations, because in reality it has not been ruled from Belgrade for nine years.
Dollar Thrifty stock plunges
The stock of Tulsa-based Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group plunged Monday, after the company sharply lowered its earnings estimate late Friday. The stock of the rental-car firm had its biggest drop in more than 10 years, falling $9.62 a share to $16.40 in New York Stock Exchange Trading. Dollar Thrifty officials estimated Friday that 2007 profit could be 90 cents to 95 cents a share, down from their November forecast of $1.75 to $1.85. Demand over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays was below expectations, CEO Gary L. Paxton said in a press release Friday. The company will report earnings on Feb. 28. .
Teens plan boycott of Clearview Mall
If 1,000 people don't go to the movies, that's $8.50 per ticket that they're going to be losing," Shaver said. Despite their numbers, the teens may have an uphill battle ahead of them. Approximately 50 malls across the country use similar parental escort policies and have reported decreases in the number of incidents there, according to Erin Hershkowitz, spokeswoman for the International Council of Shopping Centers. No other New Orleans area malls or movie theaters have the policy. But after just one weekend in place, Lubrano said officials have noticed an increase in the number of adults and couples at the mall on Friday and Saturday evenings. The vast majority of feedback she's received has been positive, and tenants in the mall, especially the food court, reported an increase in sales.
Fields of Dreams – A Quick Guide to Spring Training, Part 2: Arizona
The players are in camp, arms have been warmed up, and the bats are starting to pop. Games are just starting to begin, but there is still plenty of time to pack up the family and watch your favorite teams get ready for the season. Last time I ran down the Grapefruit League so here's your guide to the Cactus League in Arizona. And, as always, check with the teams or stadiums first before booking any travel arrangements. Arizona Diamondbacks - Tucson, Ari. The D-backs share their southern Arizona home with the ChiSox, but are much closer to their regular season home. A young team that surprised many last year, the D-backs are built to be good for some time. Being native to Arizona, though, they know more than just baseball - the cheapest seats at their games are $5 on the lawn, but covered mezzanine is $16.
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