attemptattorneys

Swedish auto industry supplier goes bankrupt

2012-03-15T05:53:00.000-07:00

Swedish auto industry supplier Plastal Holding AB said Thursday it has been forced to file for bankruptcy due to the sharp decline in demand in the carmaking industry.

The company said it has been hurt by reductions in its customers' production volumes, as well as by problems in the credit market, which has made it impossible to finance customer debt.

Plastal spokesman Tunde Oyedeji declined to give further details about the cause of the bankruptcy or whether outstanding payments from carmakers were part of the problem.

The company _ owned by Swedish private equity firm Nordic capital _ supplies engineered plastics to the automotive industry and …

Voting record is staunchly conservative

2012-03-15T03:27:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON Vice presidential nominee Dan Quayle has one of themost conservative voting records in the Senate and brings to theRepublican ticket negative ratings from a host of special interestgroups, including those representing civil rights, senior citizens,labor, environmental and veterans organizations.

Quayle was a member of the House from 1977-81 and has served inthe Senate since then.

Here are his votes on key issues in five areas: Civil rights (including women's rights). He voted this year againstlegislation to counteract the Supreme Court's Grove City decisionthat limited the impact of anti-discrimination laws on schoolsreceiving federal funds.

…

Iraqi-born Islamist cleric in Norway terror trial

2012-03-15T01:03:00.000-07:00

OSLO, Norway (AP) — An Iraqi-born cleric pleaded not guilty in a Norwegian court Wednesday to charges of making death threats against politicians and encouraging suicide bombings.

Prosecutors said Mullah Krekar, a 55-year-old Islamist who came to Norway as a refugee in 1991, faces several years in prison if found guilty.

Since his arrival, Krekar has made frequent trips to Iraq where he founded the Kurdish Ansar al-Islam, listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and other nations. It is suspected of organizing suicide bombings against coalition forces in Iraq.

In 2005, a Norwegian court declared him a national security threat and ordered him deported, but …

UN: Once-secret Iran nuclear site to start in 2011

2012-03-14T22:43:00.000-07:00

Iranian technicians have moved highly sophisticated technical equipment into a previously secret uranium enrichment site in preparation for starting it up in 2011, the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a new report Monday.

The report offered no estimate of the new plant's capabilities but a senior international official familiar with the watchdog agency's work in Iran said that it appeared designed to produce about a ton of enriched uranium a year. That would be enough for a nuclear warhead but too little to fuel the nearly finished plant at the southern port of Bushehr and other civilian reactors Iran is planning to bring on line in the coming years.

…

Movie premiere

2012-03-14T20:22:00.000-07:00

Former Charleston resident Jennifer Garner and her co-star EllenPage arrive at the premiere of "Juno" at the Village Theater in …

Melanoma: Improving the odds

2012-03-14T18:02:00.000-07:00

INFO

Several new biotech therapies in development could bring hope to the thousands of people who suffer and die from melanoma every year. Although much less common than basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers, advanced melanoma is the deadliest skin cancer because of its propensity to metastasize. There are no established standards of care, and cancer rates are growing fast in the developed world. The American Cancer St (www.cancer.org) estimates that nearly 54,000 melanoma cases were diagnosed in 2002, with more than 7,000 deaths. Every year in the UK, around 5,500 people are diagnosed with malignant melanoma, and more than 1,600 people die from it. But those numbers may be …

Petr Cech leads Czechs to victory over Switzerland at Euro 2008

2012-03-14T15:42:00.000-07:00

When it comes to saving his country, it was business as usual for Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech on Saturday.

The Czechs had a lucky 1-0 win over co-host Switzerland in the European Championship's opening game, and Cech was one of the few to emerge with credit from the underperforming visiting team.

The Swiss outplayed the more experienced and favored Czechs for large parts of the Group A match, putting them under pressure and forcing Cech to show why he is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

Czech made his first world-class save in the 21st minute.

A long kick from Swiss goalkeeper Diego Benaglio was collected in …

Vent line

2012-03-14T13:21:00.000-07:00

* Legislators have not had a pay raise since 1994. I think itsabout time they got one. n They got Prince Harry home about as quickas George W. Bush got out of the Vietnam War in 1972. * Remember thelegislative pay raises on Election Day. Dont re-elect any of them.Sooner or later, theyll get the message. Knowing this bunch, itmight take a few years. * The Legislature gave themselves a yearlyraise, a raise on food and lodging and they are cheating other stateemployees by getting insurance at a reduced rate by saying they workyear round, which they dont. See how much of a raise other stateemployees get. * Just a few months ago Sean Hannity complained thatthe religious scrutiny Mitt …

Bar, baseball help sell buildings

2012-03-14T11:01:00.000-07:00

A dark-green Audi sedan pulled up as Ed Drogaris stood in front of two former tobacco warehouses on North Prince Street in Lancaster. The driver rolled down his window and asked Drogaris which of the red-brick buildings was going to house the sports bar.

Drogaris pointed to the Buckwalter tobacco warehouse at 415 N. Prince St. In mid-July two entrepreneurs announced plans to open The Brickyard Restaurant and Sports Pub on the buildings ground floor. The restaurant is expected to open later this year.

After expressing excitement about the project and wishing Drogaris good luck, the man drove off. "That's not the only time that's happened," Drogaris said.

The driver's …

GMAC files with Fed for bank holding status

2012-03-14T08:40:00.000-07:00

GMAC Financial Services has applied to the Federal Reserve to become a bank holding company, which would allow General Motors' financing arm to be eligible for aid under the Treasury's $700 billion bank rescue plan.

GMAC says the change in status would shore up its capital position and allow it to continue providing automotive and mortgage financing.

GMAC is majority …

Showtime unpacks old trunk of jokes

2012-03-14T06:20:00.000-07:00

The Showtime pay channel kicks off its comedy month from 6 to 11tonight with "TV the Way It Was," a fond look back at some of theclassics from the 1950s and 1960s.

A vintage "Jackie Gleason Show" includes a "lost" "Honeymooners"sketch, plus Reginald Van Gleason and Poor Soul installments. Asalways, Gleason is in top and well-rounded form.

Next comes a "Colgate Comedy Hour" starring Dean Martin andJerry Lewis as two bumbling soda jerks.

Perhaps the highlight of the evening is the first televisedFriars Roast, a 1958 harpooning of Ed Sullivan. The late comic JackE. Leonard is terrific as he continually breaks up Walter Cronkite'ssincere attempt to recap …

The Bard goes global with 37 plays in 37 languages

2012-03-14T04:00:00.000-07:00

LONDON (AP) — All the world's onstage — a single stage — as theater troupes from around the globe perform all of Shakespeare's plays in three dozen languages in the Bard's symbolic London home.

Shakespeare's Globe theater announced details Tuesday of a festival that will see all 37 of William Shakespeare's plays performed in 37 languages, from Urdu to Swahili, over six weeks in 2012.

The "Globe to Globe" festival includes companies from six continents, including the world's most populous countries, China and India, and the youngest — South Sudan, which became an independent nation in July.

Globe artistic director Dominic Dromgoole said a production of "Cymbeline" …

D.J. Rivera cops plea in theft

2012-03-14T01:06:00.000-07:00

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (AP) — Former Binghamton University basketball standout D.J. Rivera has pleaded guilty to one felony count of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

Rivera admitted Monday in Broome County Court that he used a debit card that another student lost at a party in 2009 to buy a television, underwear, socks, and cigars.

The 22-year-old Rivera is due back in court May 5 and will be sentenced to interim probation for nine months. He also has to make $374 in restitution to the victim.

Defense attorney Mark Rappaport says if Rivera stays out of trouble while on probation, he'll be allowed to return to court and plead guilty to a misdemeanor count of criminal possession of stolen property.

Rappaport says Rivera is back home in Philadelphia and intends to finish his degree at the university and become a teacher. Rivera also hopes to play pro basketball in Europe, but would be unable to do either with a felony conviction.

Storms heading south after overnight deluge

2012-03-13T22:14:00.000-07:00

The flood watch for Chicago was expected to be canceled thisafternoon, as heavy thunderstorms moved slowly south toward Kankakee.

Pockets of rain are still expected for the Chicago area, which wasbattered overnight with 4.44 inches of rain reported at O'HareInternational Airport, the National Weather Service said. But theflood watch, initially in effect until Friday night, was expected tobe canceled as of 4 p.m.

In its wake, the storm forced small closures of area expresswaysto close, flooding on major arterial roads in the suburbs and havocon the CTA. Some city streets and viaducts also flooded, and streetlights were out in areas.

Workers from the city's fire, police and sewer departments werecalled to the Millennium Park construction site this morning whereabout 25 feet of water had collected around a massive crane threelevels below the street, threatening the crane's stability. No damageto the site was reported, and the water was drained out of the areathrough massive hoses hooked into the sewer system.

The operating portion of the Millennium Park parking garage wasclosed for several hours this morning due to some surface-level waterseepage, Chicago Police Sgt. Dan Sopcak said. He added that there wasno reported damage to the garage, which reopened around noon.

Many officials seemed to be breathing a bit easier by mid-afternoon.

"Right now, it's fine," said Matt Smith, spokesman for the city'sDepartment of Streets and Sanitation. "Until the weather is clear andperfect, we're going to remain vigilant."

The rain that fell overnight flooded roads from Galena to Chicagoand parts of two Chicago area expressways--Interstates 290 and 94--were closed. Flooding at the Winnetka Road underpass forced theclosure of part of the Edens for about 41/2 hours.

Trains on Chicago's subway system also had to be rerouted becauseof the storms. The CTA restored service on the Red Line subway underthe Loop about 9 a.m. after shutting it down for most of the morningrush hour, a CTA spokeswoman said. Two to 3 inches of water hadseeped onto the tracks, resulting in trains on the Red Line beingrerouted to the elevated track.

The Blue Line subway closed at about 11:45 a.m. due to flooding atLake and Wacker, spokeswoman Noelle Gaffney said, but reopened bymidafternoon.

Contributing: AP

US Embassy: Philippine President Aquino has visited US carrier where bin Laden buried at sea

2012-03-13T19:24:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — US Embassy: Philippine President Aquino has visited US carrier where bin Laden buried at sea .

Justice moves quickly this time

2012-03-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON The transparency and speed with which the JusticeDepartment last week sought an investigation of star Whitewaterwitness David Hale contrasted with its usual secrecy andsluggishness. With good reason. Hale represents a potentially farmore serious threat to President Clinton than Monica Lewinsky.

Independent counsel Kenneth Starr's anticipated report to theHouse of Representatives, likely to start impeachment proceedings,will emphasize a disputed $300,000 government loan in the Whitewateraffair. The allegation that Bill Clinton, as president, lied aboutit under oath is buttressed by testimony from former Little RockMunicipal Judge Hale (who accepted 28 months in prison in return forcooperating with Starr). Accordingly, discrediting Hale is a primeClinton defense goal.

That explains Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder'sextraordinary letter last Thursday to Starr asking the specialprosecutor to investigate a charge - from a single, dubious,unconfirmed source - that Hale was paid off by conservative activistRichard Mellon Scaife through the American Spectator magazine.Holder suggested "a conflict of interest or an appearance ofconflict" by Starr because of his association with Scaife.If Starr agrees that a conflict exists, Clinton's principalaccuser would be handed over to a highly politicized JusticeDepartment. This remarkable process violates the practices andprinciples so often piously invoked by Attorney General Janet Reno.Attempts to silence Hale began in 1996. Pulaski County (LittleRock) prosecuting attorney Mark Stodola, a cohort in the localDemocratic political machine, sought to thwart Starr by bringing acriminal case against Hale. He failed. Jim Guy Tucker was convictedand ousted as governor of Arkansas, and James and Susan McDougal werealso convicted - all because of leads from Hale.Hale remains a threat to the president - more now than ever,considering the imminence of Starr's impeachment report. Clinton'sdefenders allege that Hale was paid off by a "vast right-wingconspiracy." In the online magazine Salon, free-lance journalistMurray Waas quoted a funeral home worker from Bentonville, Ark.,Caryn Mann, as saying her then-live-in boyfriend, Parker Dozhier,paid Hale for secret information with funds from the AmericanSpectator provided by Scaife.These charges are refuted by Terry Eastland, who served withhonor and courage in the Reagan Justice Department and was namedinterim publisher to straighten out the conservative magazine'sfinances last year. He learned that to fund the now-discontinued"Arkansas Project" investigating Clinton, Scaife paid the magazine$2.4 million, of which $1.8 million went to a lawyer and investigatorwith connections in the state. They, in turn, paid $1,000 a monthfor clipping newspapers and running errands to Dozhier, who operatesa bait shop and marina."I didn't give David (Hale) any money," Dozhier told me.Eastland said he found "no evidence" of such payments and added, "Idon't think they were made." Hale told me: "They'd have had a fit ifI bought a Coke. I didn't."Apart from Mann's dubious credibility, the speed with which theJustice Department transformed her claims into insinuations aboutStarr is in contrast to Reno's usual languorous pace.While the attorney general normally is adamant against talkingabout ongoing investigations, at her April 3 press conference, shesaid of the accusations against Hale: "I think it must be pursued."Starr's lawyers, though declining to comment, were in factincensed by the Justice Department. They might well be tempted toask these questions: Why was the letter signed by Holder, not Reno?Indeed, did the attorney general herself pay close attention to theextraordinary language of her deputy's letter? Whether she did ornot, the message is sent of a highly politicized Justice Departmentintent above all on protecting Bill Clinton.Robert Novak is a nationally syndicated columnist of theSun-Times.

No. 23 K-State hands No. 7 Missouri its first loss

2012-03-13T13:37:00.000-07:00

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — It wasn't just Missouri's first loss of the season that had coach Frank Haith so upset. It was the way in which it happened to the Tigers.

"As a coach, what you really hate is to get your butt kicked," Haith said. "They were tougher. They kicked our butt."

Kansas State ran into surprisingly little resistance in a 75-59 win over the Tigers, leading by at least a dozen for the game's final 27 minutes on Saturday.

For Missouri (14-1, 1-1), it was eye-opening to see an offense that came in averaging a Big 12-best 86.2 points shoot 32.7 percent from the floor.

"We weren't able to make our cuts freely, so we couldn't get guys open," said Tigers guard Marcus Denmon, who led his team with 17 points. "We just weren't as efficient as we needed to be."

Rodney McGruder led K-State (12-2, 1-1 Big 12) with 20 points. Will Spradling had 14 for the Wildcats, and Jordan Henriquez added 10 points and eight rebounds.

Michael Dixon scored 16 and Matt Pressey had 11 for Missouri, which struggled in a conference road atmosphere according to Haith.

"We turned it over on three of our first four possessions," he said. "We don't turn it over much, but we were gambling with passes."

Denmon's second 3-pointers cut K-State's advantage to 16-10 with 12:15 remaining in the half.

But Missouri would not make another field goal for more than eight minutes. That allowed the Wildcats to methodically build their lead. A 6-0 run capped by Thomas Gipson's interior basket made it 30-15 Wildcats with 6:23 before halftime. Spradling made a 3-pointer two minutes later that had K-State leading 38-19.

"Missouri really likes to move the ball, but when we got in their passing lanes, they settled for pick and roll," Spradling said. "And then we had (Henriquez) back there guarding the rim."

K-State led by 21 before two Denmon free throws narrowed Missouri's halftime deficit to 44-25. Missouri was just 5 of 22 from the floor in the half, scoring 12 of its points at the free throw line.

And the Tigers' hopes of making a comeback took a hit when Ricardo Ratliffe, the lone big man in the starting lineup, was called for a technical in the opening minutes of the second half. Ratliffe played just 14 minutes due to foul trouble.

"We don't have a lot of physicality in the post already," Haith said. "We need Ricardo's energy."

Missouri finally showed signs of life midway through the second half. The Tigers went on a 7-0 run that included consecutive driving layups, slicing K-State's lead to 52-39 with 11:47 remaining.

K-State coach Frank Martin was so concerned, he called two time-outs in 65 seconds.

But McGruder took over, scoring six points in an 8-0 run. That included a driving runner and a slam, part of McGruder's aggressive mentality Saturday.

"I needed to have a different mindset in this game," McGruder said, "not settle for 3-pointers."

Just like that, the Wildcats led 60-39 with 8:51 remaining, and Haith was now forced to take a time-out.

Both teams were emptying their benches with two minutes remaining, and Martin — who can go beyond gruff — was thrilled. Afterward, he kept referencing K-State's 18-point loss Wednesday at Kansas.

"After you get embarrassed, your team can go one of two ways," he said. "You can come apart at the seams or the seams get tighter. I was proud of these guys tonight."

Letter from the President

2012-03-13T10:37:00.000-07:00

Dear Fellow section Members:

This letter continues the dialogue regarding postprofessional residency and fellowship education. As it turns out, this topic is timely given 2 recent events. First, the 2006 House of Delegates approved the Women's Health specialty petition, paving the way for development of a specialist examination process and postprofessional residency and fellowship program development. second, Duke University has announced the opening of a cardiovascular and pulmonary residency program.

I believe there are a number of facilities, academic programs, clinicians, and faculty who have the expertise to develop additional residency and fellowship programs in cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy. The information below is for you prospective program developers. My hope is that the material will stimulate your interest enough to consider attending the variety of educational sessions provided at both Combined sections Meeting and Annual Conference. These sessions provide additional detail to help those interested in developing programs get on track with their efforts.

Of course, everyone is encouraged to contact the Committee on Clinical Residency & Fellowship Credentialing. As I mentioned previously, I serve on that committee until July 2007 so I can help you sort out issues related to the type of programming you might offer, what type of resources you may need, and where to look for resources you do not have. I'm just an email away (dvjewell@vcu. edu), so give me a jingle!

CLINICAL RESIDENCY AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM FAQS - PART Il

How does a residency or fellowship program decide what it will teach?

Residency and fellowship programs must be based on a recognized practice analysis to be credentialed by APTA. Such patterning ensures consistent standards of instruction for prospective residents, their future employers, and even their future patients. A clinical residency curriculum may be based on part or all of the most recent Description of Specialty Practice (DSP) (formerly Description of Advanced Clinical Practice or DACP) in the related specialty area (eg, orthopedics, cardiopulmonary, etc). For areas of practice where a DACP or DSP does not exist, a practice analysis must be submitted to the Committee for approval to become the basis of the curriculum. Guidelines for conducting a practice analysis are available from the Clinical Residency and Fellowship Program Credentialing web page.

Because fellowship programs are always in subspecialty areas, a DACP or DSP is too broad to serve as an acceptable practice analysis. Therefore, a fellowship program must submit an equally acceptable practice analysis in the subspecialty.

Within a program's total hours, how many of these hours should be devoted to clinical practice?

The amount of time devoted to clinical practice should be determined according to what is necessary to achieve the Program's curricular outcomes. For example, programs in orthopaedics allocate approximately 10% of their overall hours to clinical practice.

In addition to determining the appropriate number of practice hours, the program must also decide how many of these hours will be spent in one-to-one mentoring. It should be noted that some practice areas, such as manual therapy fellowships and sports residencies, have additional requirements for credential ing.

Will APTA credential clinical residency or fellowship programs in subspecialty areas or other special interest areas that currently do not have a specific ABPTS-approved specialty exam, such as Performing Arts Physical Therapy, Brain Injury, Occupational Health, Neonatal Physical Therapy, or Foot and Ankle Physical Therapy?

Yes, programs have the option of submitting a curriculum in a specialty or subspecialty area, or in other special interest areas, as long as the curriculum is based on a valid practice analysis. The curriculum must also have a well-defined, systematic process for establishing its content validity that describes practice in a defined area. Residencies may be created in a specialty or subspecialty area; fellowships should have a curriculum based in one or more subspecialty areas. Specialized and subspecialized programs must include postprofessional education and training in the scientific principles underlying practice applications. In specialty areas where validated competencies have been identified, the curriculum should be based on those competencies. In addition, the curriculum should be consistent with the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice.

How would subspecialty areas develop a curriculum and set up a clinical residency or fellowship?

First, the program should check for a valid practice analysis that details the intended subspecialty area. If there is none, the program must engage in a practice analysis. Contacting the Committee on Clinical Residency and Fellowship Program Credentialing is a critical first step to assure that the practice analysis is conducted to meet Committee requirements. By way of example, suppose an early intervention physical therapy residency program in pediatrics wanted to develop a curriculum. The program could use the Pediatrie DSP as the basis for the curriculum. A fellowship program could use an already published and accepted practice analysis or develop their own practice analysis using the early intervention component of the pediatrie DSP as a guideline. The fellowship is challenged to focus its curriculum on the proficiency of advanced clinical and didactic knowledge and skills for clinicians who already possess specialization.

The terms "practice analysis" and "standardized curriculum" seem to be recurring themes. Why are they so important?

It is a fundamental consumer protection and payer/policymaker survival issue. Physical therapists and consumers need to know that a residency or fellowship graduate can perform a minimally acceptable standard of care for a particular diagnosis. A system of standardized residency or fellowship curricula would indicate that all graduates of a residency or fellowship program should be able to perform the standard care for patients as described in the DACP or DSP or through a clear and sound practice analysis. It is essential that the practice analysis be valid and early discussion with the Committee is essential.

Our clinical staff wants to start a clinical residency or fellowship and be credentialed by the APIA. What are the requirements of the clinical faculty?

Collectively, the clinical faculty must possess the following qualifications in order to effectively conduct all of the necessary activities of a residency or fellowship program: (1) advanced clinical skills, with at least one faculty member who is ABPTS-certified in the content area; (2) expertise in teaching; and (3) involvement in scholarly and professional activities.

We have the clinical faculty necessary to start a program. But what other types of training do we need to provide in order to fulfill APTA's credentialing requirements?

Clinical supervision of the residents or fellows by the clinical faculty, while they are performing patient care, is critical. Other aspects of the curriculum should include classroom and lab training relevant to specialty or subspecialty area of physical therapy, and clinical practice hours. Other options can include academic courses, study groups, case presentations, clinical research, supervision of staff, and community service. Many credentialed programs partner with nearby physical therapist professional education programs that provide academic expertise and assist with classroom and laboratory teaching.

Are the "other options" you mentioned required for credentialing?

The residency or fellowship program should be consistent with the program's overall mission and philosophy and should include activities that promote residents' or fellows' continued integration of practice, research, and scholarly inquiry into their personal career objectives.

Could you summarize what is required for APTA credentialing?

The prospective program must provide evidence that the residency or fellowship program and its institution meet specified requirements with regard to organization, resources, curriculum, and performance measures, all of which are necessary to conduct a residency or fellowship. Such evidence is evaluated through: (1) a review of the application materials, and (2) an on-site visit. The application packet and a helpful Application Resource Manual are available on line. The application packet contains the policies and procedures related to the credentialing process, the application fee information, the application and forms, and description of evidence requirements.

Once credentialed, how long before the next review or re-application?

The initial credentialing is valid for 5 years. Re-credentialing is also for 5 years. The Committee on Clinical Residency and Fellowship Credentialing requires an annual review of each credentialed program to ensure that the credentialing standards are maintained.

What financial considerations are associated with the credentialing process?

There is a graduated fee schedule that is dependent on numbers of residents or fellows in the program. For programs enrolling up to 5 residents/fellows, the application fee is $1500. Programs of 6 to 10 residents/fellows must pay $2000, and programs of 11 or more residents/fellows are charged a fee of $2500. Additionally, the program is responsible for the travel costs and expenses incurred by those individuals performing the site visit (approximately $800 to $2000). The annual fee is also graduated and is one-half the amount of the application fee.

How do I obtain a copy of the Description of Specialty Practice!

Call APTA's Service Center at 800-999-2782, x3395, or accesses the online store.

How does a prospective program obtain more information regarding the requirements for credentialing?

Information-including a downloadable version of the most current application-can be obtained from the APTA's Professional Development Department at 800-999-APTA, x8514.

[Author Affiliation]

Respectfully submitted,

Dianne V. Jewell, PT, PhD, CCS, FAACVPR

President

Windfarm objection dropped

2012-03-13T07:12:00.000-07:00

Aberdeenshire Council has withdrawn its objection to a windfarmplan.

A public inquiry was held into the council's rejection of four256ft turbines at Clochnahill, four miles south of Stonehaven.

It was thrown out amid safety concerns that turbines couldinterfere with aircraft heading for Aberdeen Airport.

Just weeks before the appeal was due to be heard however, BAAwithdrew their objection.

As a result Aberdeenshire Council elected not to speak at theinquiry.

But it stated in a letter to the government reporter that it nolonger wished to oppose the scheme.

Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman: 5 slain in southern Tennessee; ...

2012-03-13T03:24:00.000-07:00

Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman: 5 slain in southern Tennessee; suspect in custody

Gold, silver climb on European debt concerns

2012-03-13T00:21:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK (AP) — Precious metals are at their highest prices in two weeks as Portugal's debt woes add to Europe's financial problems.

Gold for August delivery rose $16.50 Wednesday to settle at $1,529.20 an ounce. September silver climbed 50.6 cents to settle at $35.916 an ounce.

Gold and silver are seen as stable stores of value. Many investors buy them when they're concerned about instability in other financial markets.

Portugal's borrowing rates rose after Moody's downgraded the government's debt. The ratings agency says there are concerns that Portugal may be unable to meet debt reduction targets.

European government leaders are trying to finalize a second installment of emergency loans for Greece by September.

Other commodity prices are mixed.

The critical masses

2012-03-12T21:24:00.000-07:00

Whatever the Farmer's Almanac may forecast for the coming year, it's safe to predict a chilly November for Canadian business. This is the month when Canada's chartered banks report their year-end financial results. And in another year of record corporate profits, it is certain to kick off a season of Big Business Backlash.

Although the recession has been over for some time, the economy has regained its momentum and stock markets are soaring, North America is paradoxically mired in an antibusiness mood. The publication of executive pay sparks an annual eruption of righteous outrage. Many of the hot corporate governance issues, like shareholder rights, stockoption awards and succession planning, are grounded in cynicism about the motivation and competence of senior executives and their directors.

In a growing number of precincts, there are calls to re-regulate certain sectors, including financial services and airlines. Debate about the social responsibility of companies toward the community and their workers has become increasingly intense.

Entrepreneurs may be hailed as heroes these days. But in part, that's because they are perceived to have triumphed in a system that is stacked against them by big business. Furthermore, despite the slide in union membership, there has been a rebound in popular support for striking workers, especially when they confront management over outsourcing, job security and the rights of part-time employees.

The media have also jumped on the bandwagon: there has been a flurry of books that challenge the new economic order. One World, Ready or Not disputes the merit of globalized markets. Dangerous Company attacks management consultants and denounces their trendy tyranny over senior executives. The Judas Economy maintains that the elite, highlytrained workers of developed nations will eventually be dislocated by rivals in emerging economies. In the daily business press, there is a churlish tone that events like the Bre-X Minerals scandal have reinforced. A September issue of The Economist pontificated at length about the resurgence of left-wing sentiment among Americans.

Although it's simplest for executives to blame the media, it is imperative for them to listen and respond to the rumbling. In the end, public opinion directly influences future policy and legislation. Vocal resentment of bank profits, for example, contributed to Ottawa's decision to deny their access to both insurance and auto leasing. The overhaul of the federal Bank Act has been stalled, in part, because of Ottawa's reluctance to antagonize voters close to an election. In a 1997 budget that otherwise cut taxes, Ontario's Conservative government increased the banks' tax load, confident of voter support.

But while the banks may be the most obvious focus of anti-business attitude, they are not alone. There is lingering bitterness toward the broad range of companies that have "downsized" their workforce or "re-engineered" their operations. In Canada, that backlash is especially acute for two reasons. First, Canadian companies were especially hard hit by the convergence of free trade with the United States, increased global competition and a deep economic recession in the early 1990s. The ensuing pressure resulted in an extreme approach to cost cutting and layoffs. Second, those actions abruptly severed the implicit bond that existed between employers and employees.

That rupture was especially shocking in Canada because of the strong tradition of dependency on big government and big business. At the same time that deficit-conscious bureaucrats were decentralizing government's established role, Canadians were thrust into unprecedented uncertainty in the workplace. The resulting sense of betrayal and abandonment - heightened by income inequalities and soaring unemployment - was, in retrospect, inevitable.

Some companies have recently started to address negative public perceptions. The banks, for example, have hired a Small Business Ombudsman to act as an advocate. They've also started to release information about their loans to the small-business sector although details on servicecharge profit margins remain off limits. Corporate donations to charity have increased and have become more populist; instead of sticking to elite cultural and sports sponsorships, companies are focusing on basic social needs like health care and education. In August, a group of companies developed and signed a voluntary International Code of Ethics.

So far, however, these efforts have had a limited impact. And as the rosy economic forecasts unfold and companies continue to generate sturdy profits, corporate leaders should not be surprised if workers demand a greater share. Neither should they be surprised by the icy blasts of public opinion until that happens.

[Author Affiliation]

Deirdre McMurdy is business editor for CTV's Canada AM and a columnist for Maclean's magazine.

Fed sets payment services fee schedules

2012-03-12T17:52:00.000-07:00

Fee schedules for Federal Reserve Bank payment services for depository institutions have been approved by the Federal Reserve Board. The fees are effective Jan. 3, 2006.

The Reserve Banks project that they will recover 102.5 percent of all their priced services costs in 2006 and estimate that they will recover 103.6 percent of these costs in 2005.

Overall, die price level for Federal Reserve priced services will increase about 3 percent in 2006 from 2005. This increase, the Fed said, reflects an approximately 5 percent rise in paper check service fees combined with a 1 percent decrease in fees for the Reserve Banks' electronic payment services. Fee schedules for all priced services are available on the Federal Reserve Banks' financial services Web site at www.frbservices.org.

In addition, the Fed approved the 2006 private-sector adjustment factor for Reserve Bank priced services of $117.7 million. The PSAF is an allowance for income taxes and other imputed expenses that would have to be paid and profits that would have to be earned if the Reserve Banks' priced services were provided by a private business. The Monetary Control Act of 1980 requires that die Federal Reserve establish fees to recover the costs of providing priced services, including the PSAF, over the long run, to promote competition between the Reserve Banks and private-sector service providers.

Wallace ranks 2nd among Nitro scorers

2012-03-12T14:07:00.000-07:00

Junior All-Stater Kendra Wallace scored 22 points to lead Nitro toa 55-42 win at Parkersburg in girls high school basketball action onWednesday evening.

With her performance, Wallace moved into second place behind MeganWithrow on the Wildcats' career scoring list with 1,465 points.

Withrow finished with a seemingly untouchable 2,685 career points.

Olivia McCuskey added 12 points for Nitro (9-8).

For Parkersburg (6-10), Kim Dent led the way with 15 points.

In other girls basketball action Wednesday:

Winfield 77, Point Pleasant 28 - The third-ranked Generalsimproved to 12-3 with the easy road win.

Kelsey Griffith led Winfield with 14 points, while Brittany Leeand Ali Young added 12 points apiece.

Katie Cloxton had 10 points and 10 assists for the Generals.

For Point Pleasant (7-8), Liz Sommerville scored seven points.

Charleston Catholic 72, Fayetteville 56 - Mackenzie Maier scored31 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and collected fives steals and fourblocks in leading the Class A top-ranked Irish to the road win.

It was the Irish's second win over the Pirates this season.

Kim Abcouwer added 15 points, eight assists and five boards forCatholic (14-2).

For Fayetteville, Kayla Rhodes netted a team-high 20 points.

Capital 69, Cabell Midland 36 - Shawnita Garland's 23 points ledthe Class AAA No. 2 Cougars to the easy home win.

Jessie Adams led Midland with 13 points.

Sherman 31, Valley 21 - The Tide pulled away for the road win byoutscoring Valley 17-7 in the second half.

Sherman blanked the Greyhounds 8-0 in the decisive fourth quarter.

Megan Williams led Sherman with eight points.

Spring Valley 49, St. Albans 28 - Alix Pulley scored 25 points tolead the Timberwolves at home.

Sarah Adkins added 11 points for Spring Valley (11-5).

For St. Albans (6-11), Rachel Viglianco netted 14 points.

In boys basketball action Wednesday:

Herbert Hoover 43, Roane County 33 - The Huskies, ranked No. 8 inClass AA, trailed at the half, but rallied for the road win.

Josh Stricker and Travis Cunningham led Hoover with 12 pointsapiece.

The Huskies were playing without the team's second-leading scorer,Ben Shannon (16.8 points per game), who's out with a foot injury.

Channing Benson led Roane County with 11 points.

Coalition files FTA complaint vs. MBTA

2012-03-12T10:37:00.000-07:00

Coalition files FTA complaint vs. MBTA

A coalition of environmental groups has escalated its longstanding dispute with the MBTA with a formal complaint to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater alleging that the transit agency has violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by disinvesting in transportation in minority communities.

The complaint, filed last week, targets the agency's spending on the Big Dig project, the South Boston transitway and commuter rail projects underway and recently completed in the area.

While the MBTA has spent $537 million on its Old Colony commuter rail line, which opened in 1997, and plans to spend in excess of $600 million on the South Boston Transitway, a four-mile dedicated right-of-way bus line along the waterfront, spending in the inner cities has been minimal, said NAACP Boston Branch president Leonard Alkins.

"When you look at the dollars they have spent just on suburban commuter rail lines," he said, "once again you see that the communities of color are taking a back seat to the suburbs."

The complaint alleges that the MBTA concealed "a pattern of unequal service on the basis of race and income" by not providing information comparing service to different neighborhoods in reports the authority must file with the federal government under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Robert Prince denied there were any disparities in to minority communities.

"Trying to turn the wheel on this stuff is not as easy as it looks, but by no stretch of the imagination are we not putting forward a balanced system," Prince said. "It's difficult because everyone wants it yesterday. But we have well-planned capital investments and we're tweaking the existing system for better service every day."

Alkins and others in the coalition complain that while riders from more affluent communities like Newton and Brookline are assured a one-fare, one-seat connection to downtown, riders from inner city communities are forced to rely on a network of diesel buses that pollute their neighborhoods, require transfers and multiple fares.

"Fifteen years after the elevated Orange Line came down, we still don't have a replacement service," he said. "This wouldn't happen in Brookline or Newton."

The complaint comes after the coalition of activists, which includes the NAACP, the Roxbury Based Alternatives for Communities and Environment and the Conservation Law Foundation, called on the FTA to reconsider a ruling that the MBTA was in compliance with federal laws mandating that it take steps to mitigate pollution from the central artery/third harbor tunnel project.

While the project is expected to increase auto traffic and, therefore, pollution in the area, the state's department of transportation is required to take steps to encourage the use of mass transit and thereby reduce the amount of auto traffic and pollution in the area.

MBTA officials have pointed to the Old Colony line and their fledgling steps to introduce alternative fuel buses in the inner cities. But Alkins and others say the FTA laws mandate that the state apply mitigation in the inner city, as well as in the suburbs.

Activists in the black community have long sought a light rail vehicle, or trolly service, as a replacement for the Orange Line. But instead, the MBTA plans to run a bus line -- that would not have a dedicated right of way -- in the place of the Orange Line.

Currently, passengers travelling from Dudley Station to downtown can take the 49 bus, which runs along Washington Street to Chauncey Street. The route provides no connection to downtown.

MBTA officials allege that the new bus line, dubbed the Silver Line, will eventually provide an underground connection to the subway. By the year 2008, MBTA officials say, the line will connect with the South Boston Transitway and provide riders with a one-fare, one-seat connection to Logan Airport.

Material from the Associated Press

Photo (Robert Prince)