TODAY'S DEALS: SARES-REGIS Acquires San Jose Apartments

<Deal Nowp>San Jose, Calif.-SARES-REIGS Multifamily Fund has completed its sixth acquisition with the purchase of Alterra, a 143-unit apartment community in San Jose, Calif. The 5.1-acre gated community at 1640 La Rossa Circle was built in 1988. It is near the Almaden Expressway, Highway 87 and less than one mile from the VTA, Santa Clara's light rail system, and Caltrain.

"Alterra offers a solid value-add opportunity to renovate and reposition the property so it competes with neighboring communities while capitalizing on the region's significant employment and rental growth," says Kenneth Gladstein, Co-Chief Investment Officer of the SARES-REGIS Multifamily Fund. "Alterra is our third acquisition in California since we formed the fund last year."

Although the previous owner completed significant exterior and common-area renovation, the apartment interiors are original, Gladstein says. The value-add program for Alterra includes upgrading of kitchen cabinets, countertops, stainless appliances, flooring, lighting and plumbing fixtures.

"Once completed, the newly renovated apartment homes will offer residents a value alternative to brand-new product coming into the market," Gladstein adds.

The Fund was launched in 2013 by SARES-REGIS Group with more than $100 million in equity commitments, giving it the ability to acquire more than $300 million in assets.

Kiser Group brokers $28.9M Chicago sale

Chicago-Kiser Group represented the seller of an eight-building, 236-unit portfolio of apartment and mixed-use properties on Chicago's North Side. New York-based Pioneer Acquisitions purchased the portfolio for $28.9 million in a sale that closed March 5, 2014.

Family owned for more than 60 years, the portfolio included an apartment building in West Rogers Park; an apartment building and mixed-use retail and apartment property in Lincoln Square; four properties in Ravenswood; and a mixed-use retail and apartment building in Irving Park.

"This rare opportunity attracted several investors," says Lee Kiser, principal of Kiser Group. He and Michael D'Agostino, managing director of Kiser Group, represented the seller in the transaction. "It's an enormous portfolio in a strong location with upside potential.

"Many of the units are rented at below-market levels, so the buyer could immediately reap additional income by increasing rents," Kiser adds. "Also, with some minor renovations, many of the large one-bedroom units could easily be converted into two-bedroom apartments, further adding value and increasing the portfolio's annual income."

The seller regularly made upgrades throughout the past six decades, so the buildings have little to no deferred maintenance. All the buildings include coin-operated washers and dryers, private storage lockers, intercom security and secure bicycle areas.

"These high-quality apartments are located in sought-after neighborhoods on Chicago's North Side," D'Agostino said. "Also, the large rooms, high ceilings, hardwood floors and irreplaceable vintage architectural details made this portfolio enticing to buyers."

The eight-building portfolio included the following properties.

West Rogers Park

-7434-38 N. Artesian / 2432-34 W. Fargo is a corner 12-unit apartment building located immediately south of the Evanston border. It consists entirely of one-bedroom, one-bath units. The property also has a two-car garage.

Lincoln Square

• 4621-25 N. Lincoln / 2259-63 W. Eastwood is a mixed-use building that includes four retail spaces fronting busy Lincoln Avenue and 25 apartments. Long-term commercial tenants occupy three of these units. The apartment mix includes seven one-bedroom, one-bath units; and 18 studios.
• 2243-51 W. Eastwood, a 16-unit apartment building located just off Lincoln Avenue, is a vintage walk-up consisting entirely of one-bedroom, one-bath apartments.

Ravenswood

• 2104-24 W. Foster (40 units) sits across from Winnemac Park and includes two 20-unit buildings consisting entirely of one-bedroom, one-bath apartments. The property also offers 15 parking spaces.
• 5073-75 N. Wolcott / 1825-31 W. Winona (16 units) is a vintage walk-up consisting of 13 one- and three two-bedroom apartments, each with one bath. It has newer porches and windows.
• 2100-12 W. Ainslie / 4904-10 N. Hoyne (46 units) is a vintage courtyard building one block south of Winnemac Park and within walking distance of the Ravenswood Metra Station and the Brown Line 'L' stop at Damen Avenue. It includes 12 studios, 28 one- and six two-bedroom units, each with one bath.
• 4915-19 N. Damen (21 units) is an L-shaped walk-up consisting of 16 one- and three two-bedroom units, each with one bath, and 1,000 square feet of retail currently occupied by two commercial tenants. It is also close to the Metra Station and the Brown Line 'L' stop, as well as a short walk to the new Mariano's.

Irving Park

4101-13 N. Kedzie / 3148-56 W. Belle Plaine (56 units) is a mixed-use courtyard building consisting of three studios, 47 one-bedroom, one-bath units and approximately 3,600 square feet of retail space currently occupied by six commercial tenants. The property is convenient to the Kennedy Expressway.

NorCal apartment portfolio changes hands

Redwood City, Calif.-A 112-unit portfolio on the San Francisco Peninsula in Redwood City, Calif., has traded hands for $23.2 million, or $207,142 per unit. Marcus & Millichap represented the seller, Interstate Equities Corp., in the five-property transaction. The buyer was a private investor in a 1031 exchange.

"The continued creation of high-paying jobs in Silicon Valley is reshaping the San Mateo County apartment market and creating new opportunities for both large institutional investors and smaller private investors," says Adam Levin, a vice president of investments at Marcus & Millichap. "Favorable market conditions in Redwood City allowed us to assemble this portfolio of 1960s-era apartment complexes and for IEC to successfully implement its renovation, stabilization and repositioning strategy."

Levin worked alongside Robert Johnston, a senior associate, in closing the deal. Both are based in the firm's Palo Alto office.

The properties are:

• 152 Lincoln Ave., 18 units
• 180 Buckingham Ave., 48 units
• 755 9th Ave., 8 units
• 775 9th Ave., 8 units
• 1331 Jefferson Ave., 30 units

comments

Garland accuses former fire administrators of cheating on tests

Two former Garland Fire Department administrators accused of cheating on Review exams from 2009 to 2013 are being sued by the city for more than $1 million.

Former Assistant Chief Todd Peele, 43, and former Capt. Michael Cates, 45, are accused of using smartphones and hidden Bluetooth equipment to gain an unfair advantage over others who were testing for departmental promotions.

A third conspirator is not named or included in the suit as part of the city's legal strategy, according to the city attorney's office. All three have resigned from the Garland Fire Department.

Peele could not be reached for comment. Cates did not return a phone message. Both served the department for more than 20 years. Neither has submitted an answer to the lawsuit filed last week in Dallas County.

"By defrauding the city and cheating on their promotional examinations, Peele and Cates were paid tens of thousands of dollars in money they did not deserve," the suit said.

The city also asks that they be denied retirement benefits. The city claims it is also owed exemplary and/or punitive damages because it has suffered injury by promoting Peele and Cates over more deserving candidates.

By state law, promotions are by competitive examinations only. A department must give 90 days' notice before testing and must list source materials from which the questions will be asked. The test results determine who gets promoted.

"Each Garland firefighter has every right to expect that their brother and sister firefighters, the people with whom they entrusted their very lives, would compete for the limited promotional positions honestly and without cheating," the suit says.

Instead, the suit alleges, the three devised a means for a person taking an exam to get help from co-conspirators who had the source materials available outside the testing site.

When promotional exams were announced in early 2009, the suit says, Peele asked Fire Department officials for permission to read questions aloud during the exam, "falsely alleging that it was necessary for him to read aloud to himself to properly understand the questions."

The person taking the test would read the questions while having a cellphone line open to the co-conspirators. They would look up answers and provide them through a small, hidden Bluetooth device in the test taker's ear.

It won't be easy to fix things for those who missed promotions in the five tests in which cheating is alleged. Runners-up who score a passing grade are put on an eligibility list to be promoted in case of a vacancy. But state law also prescribes that those lists are to be kept only one year.

And those who missed the battalion chief spot Peele gained in 2009 wouldn't have the rank to have tested for assistant chief three years later.

Assistant City Attorney Michael Betz said the city is bound to Chapter 143 of the local government code in filling the vacancies.

"Whether anyone would be promoted retroactively is entirely dependent on 143," he said.

Betz said the city is not aware of any qualified potential fire administrators who have since left the department.

The law also states that a person commits an offense by knowingly or intentionally revealing a part of a promotional examination to an unauthorized person or receiving from an authorized or unauthorized person a part of a promotional examination for unfair personal gain or advantage. The penalty is a fine of at least $1,000 and up to a year in county jail.

Prosecution of any crime related to cheating on civil service exams would be separate from Garland's civil case and would be handled by federal or county attorney's offices.

TIMELINE

April 7, 2009: According to the city's suit, the unnamed co-conspirator had outside help from Peele and Cates during a test to earn a promotion to fire driver.

April 8, 2009: The suit alleges Peele had help from the co-conspirator and Cates and scored a 98 on a test to earn a promotion to battalion chief.

May 26, 2010: The suit alleges Cates had help from the co-conspirator and scored a 95 on a test to earn a promotion to fire lieutenant.

May 23, 2012: The suit alleges Peele had help from Cates and/or the co-conspirator and scored a 98 on a test to earn a promotion to assistant chief; Cates called in to work sick that day.

March 5, 2013: The suit alleges Cates had help from Peele and/or the co-conspirator and scored a 96 on a test to earn a promotion to fire captain.

SOURCE: Dallas County court records

TA Plays Live: Another Case of the Mondays

<Coupon Codep>It's Monday, and I feel like I'm going to die because I accidentally drank caffeinated coffee after being caffeine free for close to four months now... But death, or close to it, won't stop me from streaming on Twitch. That's my level of dedication to this dog and pony show we're running here. That, and I finally have a captive audience to discuss True Detective with.

Anyway, if you haven't yet, please follow us as it's the best way to get notified when we're streaming.

To tune into the TA Plays Live stream you've got three options:

• The easiest is to just scroll down to see the embedded video stream and chat below. Make sure to turn the volume slider up if you want to hear game audio and commentary.
• Visit the TouchArcade channel on Twitch directly and watch over there.
• Download the Twitch.TV app [Free] and either hit this link on your device or simply search for the channel TouchArcade.

I usually stream until 6:00 PM Central, at which point (today especially) I'm getting out of here to go play some Titanfall with friends. That's coming out tonight, if you're in to the whole PC/console gaming thing and I hear it's pretty cool.

Memories of Maria von Trapp by a 'Sound of Music' Great-Grandchild

Maria von Trapp, the last surviving member of the seven original Trapp Family Singers, the vocal group made famous by the musical "The sound of music songs of Music," passed away on Tuesday at the age of 99. Speakeasy asked a current member of the Trapp family singers to reflect on Maria's passing.

Our great aunt Maria, sister of my grandfather Werner von Trapp, was the last to pass away of the original seven von Trapp Children on Tuesday Feb 18 th 2014. We will miss her cheerful spirit and infectious laugh. She was portrayed as Louisa from "The Sound Of Music."

Maria was taken from school because she was diagnosed with scarlet fever at a young age. Our great grandfather George von Trapp (a war hero in the Austrian Navy) asked a Salzburg abbey to provide a tutor to take care of the younger Maria. This tutor was none other Maria Kutschera who later became Maria von Trapp, stepmother to the seven children.

Aunt Maria recovered from the fever with a very cheerful disposition, even during troubling times. We remember hearing when her family was no longer able to afford servants, aunt Maria proclaimed "Hurrah! Now we can do our own dishes!"

She toured with her singing family as alto for 20 years all over the world. She was loved dearly by her family was called by the enduring nickname of "Mitzi." I remember my Aunt Agatha say that one of aunt Maria's jobs would be making sandwiches for the family while they were on their bus tours.

The family stopped singing in 1956. Maria's strong faith compelled her to contact a mission in Papua New Guinea, where she served as a missionary for 30 years. When she spoke of those years she would get her signature twinkle in her eye. She then returned to Stowe, Vermont full of joy and with an adopted son named Kikuli Mwanukuzi. Kikuli took great care of her till she passed away.

When the four of us were small Aunt Maria would come visit us in Montana always bringing her accordion. She would teach us Austrian folk songs and how to dance the Landler. In 2008 she translated over 40 Austrian children's songs that she asked us to record for her children's songbook.

Our great aunt Maria influenced everyone she met with such love, joy, and cheerfulness. We can speak for the many who will miss her dearly, especially her humor and her "Mitzi laugh."

Sofia von Trapp is a great-granddaughter of Capt. Georg von Trapp. She performs with her siblings, August, Amanda and Melanie, as the von Trapps. They recently collaborated with the band Pink Martini on "Dream a Little Dream," due March 4.

Disney rolls out discount after recent ticket price increase

Discount-after.html?s=image_gallery">

Walt Disney World announced Tuesday a new ticket discount just days after its second ticket price increase in less than a year.

Disney's discount offers families and groups who purchase at least six Disney World passes valid for four days or more, an extra day for free tacked onto each ticket.

Currently, Disney charges $294 per person for a basic four-day pass and $304 for five days. The Orlando Sentinel reported that if a party spends $1,764, they would save $60, assuming no children under the age of 10.

Disney- which raised its prices by $4 on Sunday, bringing the total cost for entrance into its popular Magic Kingdom park to $99-said the promotional tickets must be purchased by June 14 and that each ticket must be fully used within 14 days after first use.

Check out these other Disney related links:

Walt Disney World cast members want higher pay, better benefits Disney, Publix among world's top 500 brands Disney extends Star Wars Weekends, tweaks event line-up Richardson is a general assignment reporter for online and print.

Ticket Down Slashes Prices on Ringling Bros. Circus Tickets in Florence, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Knoxville, Raleigh, Brooklyn, Fayetville, Richmond, Long Island & Newark

<Couponp>New York, NY (PRWEB) February 16, 2014

Ticket Down announces that they have reduced prices across the board on all Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus tickets. Tickets for the Ringling Bros. circus are generally quite reasonable. This well known secondary ticket exchange has extended their customer appreciation promo code DISCOUNT for added savings.

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is an American based circus company which was formed as a merger between a circus company formed by James Anthony and Barnum and Circus also known as Ringling Brothers Circus. After this merger, one of the Ringling brothers decided that instead of organizing the circus in portable tents, it should be organized in places like sports stadiums that already have sitting capacity and thus can provide better sitting arrangements for spectators.

The history of the circus links back to Dan Castello, who was eager to set up his own circus company for which he wanted Barnum to lend not only his name but also financial backing so that the circus could begin without further delay. Barnum agreed with Castello and as a result, P.T. Barnum's "Greatest Show on Earth" was organized. On the other side, Bailey along with James. E. Cooper joined hands to set up a circus business which soon became one of the top rivals of Barnum. This competition was the result of Columbia's birth which was said to be the first birth of an elephant in the United States. This baby elephant was born to Babe and Mandarin and several people were eager to see Columbia and as a result of this, Bailey's sales went up. Barnum, after all this, decided to buy Columbia and eventually agreed to arrange a combined show in the late 1880s. Barnum & Bailey Circus shows, as it was named at that time, turned out to be successful as people liked the idea.

Below is a list of the cities and venues which will host the Barnum & Bailey Circus through March:

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Florence, South Carolina Florence Civic Center

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wells Fargo Center - PA

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Atlanta, Georgia Philips Arena

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Knoxville, Tennessee Knoxville Civic Coliseum

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Raleigh, North Carolina PNC Arena (Formerly RBC Center)

Ringling Bros And Barnum & Bailey Circus, Brooklyn, New York Barclays Center

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Fayetteville, North Carolina Crown Coliseum - The Crown Center

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Brooklyn, New York Barclays Center

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Richmond, Virginia Richmond Coliseum

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, North Charleston, South Carolina North Charleston Coliseum

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Salisbury, Maryland Wicomico Civic Center

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Uniondale, New York Nassau Coliseum

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Newark, New Jersey Prudential Center

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Chattanooga, Tennessee UTC Mckenzie Arena

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Cincinnati, Ohio US Bank Arena

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, East Rutherford, New Jersey Izod Center (formerly Continental Airlines Arena)

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Jackson, Mississippi Mississippi Coliseum

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Washington, District Of Columbia Verizon Center - DC

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Southaven, Mississippi Landers Center (Formerly Desoto County Civic Center)

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Columbia, South Carolina Colonial Life Arena

About Ticket Down:

Ticket Down delivers tickets to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus along with sold out concerts and events worldwide when no one else can and they do so at discounted prices. As a member of TicketNetworkDirect they can guarantee delivery of tickets on time for sporting events like NASCAR, NBA, NFL AND NHL, and for the hottest theater and concert events too. With Ticket Down, customer service is a priority.

The Best Part of Being the Boss: Offering Balance

Posted:

Coupon Code-part-of-being-th_b_4847519.html?view=print&comm_ref=false">Print Article

GETTING STARTED

The motivation for Steals.com came to Jana Francis right after she had a daughter, her third child, when she had to head back to work in the sales management team for a dotcom at the end of her maternity leave. She realized she was a smart, capable woman who could work from home. Once she started thinking along those lines, the ideas started to flow.

Jana was always the one you could count on for online shopping deals -- her friends called her the dotcom princess. But when it came to online shopping in the baby space, she was disappointed. There was no website that would tell you the story of the product, why you would want it, and what problem it would solve for you. She developed a burning fire to create a new kind of website that would launch new steal deals every day -- a steep 40% to 80 % discount on premium baby products.

With a full-time career and three kids, one of which was a newborn, Jana took 18 months to go from concept to creation. She partnered with Rett Clevenger who at that time was an online media manager for a large e-commerce site, to launch the site in April, 2008. BabySTEALS.com was the first site to be launched and as the business became profitable more sites were launched -- scrapbookSTEALS.com, kidSTEALS.com, and sheSTEALS.com. The revenue in 2012 was $16.4 million.

For five months until the site proved to be a success, Jana continued with her full-time job. She would utilize the breaks and lunchtime to call manufacturers and source products. Post work, she would follow up on emails, place additional purchase orders, check shipments and pack orders.

STEALS.COM TODAY

A month before launching the site, Jana took a two-week vacation to promote the site at a baby expo in Salt Lake City. With just a banner of her logo, a PowerPoint presentation, and some bookmarks she had made, she told every woman who walked by all about the business. She got 160 people to sign up for her email list and just before the launch, she emailed her family and friends as well as everyone on that list to spread the word. Even to this day, Jana says they have very little customer acquisition spending. But today that list has grown to 375,000 emails which are sent every day and the company has shipped 1.7 million orders.

Jana managed to pull all this off without any investor capital. She put in around $5,500 of her own money to get the website built, a logo designed and to pay for the baby expo fees. She covered the first month of product purchase with her credit card and was soon able to pay off the debt.

Jana now has over 70 full-time employees, most of them based out of Salt Lake City. Her webmaster was a former colleague who had left the company after her maternity leave and started freelancing. About 70% of her employees are women and about 25% of them have had a baby in the past two years.

Being a completely bootstrapped company, Steals.com cannot offer its team the best possible pay, but for most of them the flexibility the company provides means a lot. Most of the customer service staff are able to work from home for 30 hours a week.

Jana says, "For me it is very rewarding to know that the situation I dreamed of for myself is being provided for so many moms in Utah who would not have a job if they were not working here."

Amtrak offers discount on midweek NC fares

Feb 4, 2014, 8:12am EST

On Sales-on-mid-week-nc-fares.html?s=image_gallery">

Rebecca Troyer, Triangle Business Journal

Amtrak is offering a 15 percent discount on one-way fares for North Carolina passengers traveling on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through March 27, according to an announcement by the N.C. Department of Transportation.

The discount applies to the Palmetto, Piedmont, Crescent, Silver Meteor, Silver Star and Carolinian routes. The Piedmont route connects Charlotte to Raleigh, while the Carolinian route takes riders from here to New York. Ridership on both routes has been growing.

Reservations must be made at least one day in advance.

To make a reservation, go to ncbytrain.org.

Lone Survivor - review

Adapted from Marcus Luttrell's first-hand account of a disastrous 2005 US navy Seals mission in Afghanistan (the title tells you how it turns out), this gruelling war picture follows four Americans pinned down near the Pakistan border while seeking out a Taliban militia leader. Shot with visceral intensity by cinematographer Tobias Schliessler, the film makes a strong fist of placing the viewer in an oppressive huddle of random gunfire, broken bones and pierced skin, each gut-wrenching wound dramatised with explosive squibs and fleshy sound effects. As the soldiers scrabble for their lives, they tumble painfully down stony inclines, clinging desperately to rocks and twigs, their mortifying injuries worsening by the moment.

There's no doubting the technical skill of this depiction of battle, but writer-director Peter Berg (stripping it back after the bloated catastrophe of Coupon Codes-liam-neeson-rihanna">Battleship) can't quite decide whether he wants the audience to be excited or appalled. While the violence is horrifying, the encasing narrative is perversely "heroic", with corn-fed dialogue presented as solidly non-ironic, and images of the real-life combatants used to stirring, manipulative ends. The result is uncomfortable: physically brutal, philosophically conflicted.

Growing oatmeal sales

Redmond's Straw Propeller available on Promotional Code.com

Published Jan 30, 2014 at 12:01AM

REDMOND - Straw Propeller is turning much faster today than it did when the gourmet oatmeal company lifted off in its founders' kitchen in September 2011.

Now the company, which employs about 20, is poised to climb to higher altitudes online. For about two weeks, its Blueberry Blitz, Peaches & Berry Bramble and Cherry Chia oatmeal flavors, along with its 12 other offerings, have been available through Amazon.com.

Until June 2011, the production line began and ended in Patricia Bartelson's kitchen, where her sons, Caleb and Ethan, worked a DeWalt heat gun to seal the see-through tops of 12-ounce portable cups of gourmet oatmeal. Bartelson started off distributing her product to coffee shops around Central Oregon. Company sales grew another 500 percent in 2013 over the previous year, said Julie Leutschaft, vice president of manufacturing operations.

"People are willing to spend more for good nutrition and low calories; something you don't have to take the time to prepare," she said.

Bartelson said Straw Propeller's largest distributor is a Salem company, Spring Valley Dairy, and its products are still available in local coffee shops. Its distinctive single-serving cups are available in grocery stores like Whole Foods and Ray's, at Harry & David gourmet gift stores, and elsewhere. They're also available through the company website, www.strawpropeller gourmetfoods.com.

But a move to Amazon bodes well.

"In terms of retail, no doubt about it," said Jim Kress, a business professor at Central Oregon Community College. "Amazon has changed the marketplace. Amazon has made it possible for a small company to sell their products to anybody, anywhere."

Straw Propeller started off with one Amazon distribution center in Chattanooga, Tenn., Bartelson said. If sales take off, Amazon will increase its order. She said she's not sure what to expect in terms of sales, but the company is ready if they escalate quickly. Plans are to install the first automated line within weeks and eventually expand into its entire building.

The company, housed in a three-bay space in a business park on Umatilla Avenue, ships 60,000 to 90,000 12-ounce cups every month, Leutschaft said. Straw Propeller, with input from its employees, also developed new products, like gluten-free oatmeal and muesli, and further variations on its staple, gourmet oatmeal.

"We offer a curry oatmeal. New Yorkers love this," she said.

Kress said small businesses also benefit from improvements in online search engines. Ten years ago, an online search for oatmeal might yield a familiar brand like Quaker Oats. But today, a search engine localizes to the Internet service provider and returns results in the local area. "Combined with Amazon, that allowed people like Straw Propeller to play in the game against some major manufacturers, Kraft Foods, or whatever," he said.

- Reporter: 541-617-7815, jditzler@bendbulletin.com

Morning Express: Overheight truck hits sprinklers

The union movement is going strong, says Ged Kearney in an opinion piece for the Herald, but concedes that it's been infiltrated by organised crime.

The president of the ACTU says no one is more outraged than trade unionists by the news of major corruption in the highest ranks relating to lucrative contracts, as revealed by Fairfax and the ABC this week.

"We have the criminal law to deal with criminal behaviour. Allegations such as those raised in the construction industry - with corrupt behaviour alleged against many players including contractors and labour hire firms - should rightly be dealt with by the police," she writes.

It's dry out, but raining inside the Eastern Distributor at Moore Park. An overheight truck damaged the sprinkler system inside the tunnel.

The southbound lanes at Dacey Avenue are shut off and queues have backed into North Sydney. Motorists are being diverted onto South Dowling Street.

Citybound motorists are unaffected, a Transport Management Centre spokesman said.

Overheight truck hit sprinklers inside Eastern Distributor @ Moore Park. Water gushing everywhere. Sthbnd diverted at Dacey Ave off-ramp.

- Paul Latter (@paullatter) January 29, 2014

Short people feel fearful, study says Illustration: Cathy Wilcox

The short man syndrome is real - unfortunately.

Short people are prone to feelings of paranoia, inferiority and excessive mistrust, according to research in a major psychiatry journal.

Scientists showed that making a person's virtual height lower than it actually is can make them feel worse about themselves and more fearful that others are trying to harm them.

"Being tall is associated with greater career and relationship success. Height is taken to convey authority and we feel taller when we feel more powerful," said lead author, Daniel Freeman, of Oxford University.

Remember to say "Happy New Year" tomorrow, because more than a million Australians are preparing to celebrate the start of the Lunar New Year - the Year of the Horse.

Events in Sydney include the Year of the Horse tours at the Opera House, the Galloping Horses exhibition at Customs House and the Our animated chinese new year cards Past bike tour with King Fong. Check out the full calendar here.

Revellers take photos of themselves during Chinese New Year celebrations in Singapore. Photo: Reuters

A politician in the US did his best impression of the Hulk after being asked an unwelcome question by a journalist.

Michael Grimm, subject of a federal investigation related to his fund-raising efforts, became enraged after the television reporter, Michael Scotto of NY1, asked him about the investigation.

Grimm threatened to throw Scotto off a balcony and said "I'll break you in half."

The clip went viral online.

There's been a serious crash on Olympic Drive at Joseph Street in Lidcombe.

Accident - CLEARED - Lidcombe - Olympic Dr at Joseph St, but traffic is a mess both directions

- Paul Latter (@paullatter) January 29, 2014

Do you smoke? Do you have kids in the car? Well, another ban is set to be slapped on British smokers.

A ban on smoking in cars with children present has moved a step closer in the United Kingdom after peers inflicted a defeat on the government in the House of Lords.

"If enacted a ban would help protect the nearly half a million children who are exposed to toxic second-hand smoke in a car every week," British Lung Foundation's Dr Penny Woods said.

No public reaction from local health campaigners yet.

In finance, the Australian dollar is buying 87.42 US cents.

Local stocks are set to open sharply lower as investors worldwide respond to the US Federal Reserve's decision to continue tapering its economic stimulus. At the conclusion of its two-day policy meeting, the central bank reduced its monthly level of bond purchases by $US10 billion to $US65 billion.

The full federal cabinet will debate the $25 million request for taxpayer assistance for struggling fruit grower SPC Ardmona today in Canberra, reports James Massola.

Treasurer Joe Hockey has signalled he will recommend the rejection of the request. "The parent company of SPC Ardmona, Coca-Cola Amatil, which is an Australian company, in the first six months of this year, had a profit of $215 million, for six months, and yet there is a request for $50 million of taxpayers money," he said on 7.30 last night.

Strategic discussion, the government's legislative priorities and the agenda for the year ahead will also be on the table.

As if Barack Obama hasn't got enough on his plate being leader of the free world, now he's got to deal with a petition to deport pop star Justin Bieber.

Over 100,000 people have signed the petition to have Bieber's green card revoked for his "dangerous, reckless, destructive, and drug abusing" behaviour.

No mention of his crimes against music though.

Mug shot ... Canadian teen pop singer Justin Bieber looked unusually happy after being arrested in Miami for drag racing and drink driving. Photo: Reuters

Motorists should be prepared for very slow traffic flow on major citybound roads this morning.

It's particularly slow at Erskine Park on the M4 at Roper Road, Mays Hill also on the M4 at Westmead, Padstow on the M5, and Prestons also on the M5 near the M7 motorway.

There are also roadworks affecting bothways at Atchison Street in St Leonards, and bothways on the M1 Sydney Harbour Tunnel.

They preened, they pranced, they walked among 50 real trees, tangled ivy and giant gold moths perched on sprouting mushrooms.

David Jones enlisted fashion's most beautiful faces and bodies in the form of Jessica Gomes and Cheyenne Tozzi to launch the hottest looks for the next season. Our national fashion editor Georgina Safe gives her verdict here.

Among the star-studded crowd, were Today Show host Lisa Wilkinson and actress Rachel Griffiths who reminisced together - if tweets are anything to go by.

Great chat w fab Rachel Griffiths @ DJs launch. Talk turned to her stint 4 me 20yrs ago as judge on @cleomag Eligible Bachelors List. #funny

- Lisa Wilkinson (@Lisa_Wilkinson) January 29, 2014

The woman struck by a bus in Sydney's CBD yesterday afternoon has died in hospital.

She was pinned under the back wheel of the bus for two hours as paramedics tried to free her.

Footage from the onboard security camera has been passed to investigators.The 70-year-old bus driver was taken to hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing.

A 43-year-old woman will appear at Liverpool Local Court today after being arrested for cultivating 160 cannabis plants with a street value of $530,000 at a Canley Vale property.

It's the latest arrest in the Strike Force Zambesi operation - created in April 2011 to target the hydroponic cultivation of cannabis in the south-west Sydney region.

She was arrested yesterday and taken to Cabramatta Police Station, where she was charged with cultivating a prohibited plant, organising drug premises, using electricity without authority and having goods in custody.

A 70-year-old woman was stabbed in her left arm after she tried to stop two men fighting in a Granville house on Wednesday.

The fight between two men, aged 29 and 30, became physical, with furniture thrown at each other. The 30-year-old had threatened the younger man with a knife.

The woman is being treated at Auburn Hospital, while the men were arrested and taken to Parramatta Police Station.

Leading the other front pages today:

The Australian Financial Review says major business and industry groups have baulked at the prospect of a royal commission into the construction industry, preferring instead the speedy restoration of the industry watchdog, the Australian Building and Construction Commission.

The Australian reports that the national broadcaster's Australia Network Asian broadcasting service, worth $223 million, is likely to be scrapped in the May budget to save money and end the pursuit of ''soft diplomacy'' in the region through television.

The Daily Telegraph also leads with the Prime Minister's attack on the ABC. It says former ABC chairman Maurice Newman supports Mr Abbott's condemnation following the ABC's coverage of claims Australian navy staff tortured asylum seekers.

Front page of The Sydney Morning Herald

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has staunchly defended the ABC's editorial independence in the wake of some public outrage sparked by its reports that asylum seekers were mistreated by the Australian Navy.

That's the lead story on the Herald's front page. While Mr Turnbull conceded Prime Minister Tony Abbott could critique the ABC, he said: ''Politicians, whether prime ministers or communications ministers, will often be unhappy with the ABC ... but you can't tell them what to write.''

Sharing the front page is a story by property reporter Toby Johnstone on Sydney's rocketing house prices. The media house price has jumped by $100,000 in just one year - 2013 was the year of strongest growth in the past decade.

Good morning, Sydney. The clouds scudding across the sky over Sydney will soon clear, with forecasters predicting a sunny day. The city is set to hit 28 degrees and 33 degrees in Penrith.

All in all, expect plenty of sunshine for the next six days.

Why the Super Bowl makes for super TV sales

Shoppers on the hunt for more of an investment set will still find price breaks. Even some cutting-edge ultrahigh-definition set (also called 4K technology) are on sale. At Best Offer Buy, a 55-inch LG LED 4K set with 3-D and Web connectivity is 14 percent off, at $3,000.

But buying may be a bit premature for most shoppers. There's not much 4K content yet to justify the premium. "The prices on those, you're probably not going to see many less than $3,000, although this is an industry that eats its young," Barry said. "You're going to see those prices start to come down."

( Read more: Ultrahigh-definition TVs steal CES spotlight)

A more solid bet: Consider trading up to a "smart" TV that connects to the Internet and, in some cases, your smartphone or tablet. "We're starting to see that's a more sought-after feature," said Arnold. Sets often run $100 or so higher than comparable models without that capability.

The smart TV advantage: Users can access content from the Web and their devices right on the set, as well as sync devices to pull up content related to what's on screen (such as football stats). Some apps also let smart-set owners stream video to their tablet (for crucial snack runs to the kitchen) or set up a virtual gathering (with fans who live elsewhere), said Barry.

If you're in the market for a tablet, some retailers are bundling them with smart TVs. Through Feb. 8, for example, Amazon is offering a free Galaxy Tab 3 (regularly $300) with the purchase of one of nine select Samsung smart TV models. The sets, which start at sale prices of $1,098, are already discounted 35 percent or better.

Sports fans may also want to hunt for a high refresh rate, which better captures on-screen motion, said Arnold. "It provides a little more realistic experience," he said.

20% off Kohl's Coupons 2014 - Online Promo Code and Free Shipping

Newark, DE -- ( SBWIRE) -- 01/23/2014 -- There are some sites that gives a chance to gain money again for buys that people ordinarily make on the web. In place of set straightforwardly to sites, for example, Kohls.com essentially head off to these sites through these sites that offer a chance to procure money back and once a purchase is made, money is gained and in addition appropriate Online kohl's coupons and promo codes of Kohl's coupons when shopping online at top stores.

- Kohls.com: Save 20% OFF Entire Order & Get Free Shipping

- Kohls.com: Get Up to 80% OFF Savings at Kohl's Gold Clearance

- Kohls.com: View All Kohl's Promo Codes & Offers

What could be superior to this? These online venues offer connections to many stores online that offer online coupons and Kohl's promo codes. Extra stores are consistently included an everyday schedule. On top of the coupons or promo codes, which discounts up to 25 percent money on any buys that customer make at these stores. However, most money back chances are typically inside 1 percent to 10 percent which can at present include.

In the event searching for shoddy hardware or renovated gadgets, there are some stores recorded on these websites offering money over and in addition coupon and promos, for example, diminished or free dispatching and rebates. Find auto hardware and get trade back in for spendable dough expansion to any extra Kohl's coupons and promo codes. This implies that customer buy ought to wind up being at a markdown and on top of this; people might get money of up to 25 percent on their buy sum.

Different Stores and Different Offers

The different stores recorded on these destinations normally pay the webpage a haggles requisition for sending customers to their sites and these websites utilise a piece of the requisition to pay. Instalments are normally made on a quarterly support typically to give chance for any client returns. Instalments are made to PayPal record or can be ask for a check for the dispersed sums. Different websites might additionally permit users to give the cash to personal top choice philanthropy.

Provided that there is a chance to shop and recovery the same time, in addition need to purchase extra things for a diminished measure of money, the answer is Kohl's coupons 2014. If its footwear, clothing, frill, choice marks or household apparatuses, can be paid by cash for all and that exorbitantly at grand rates. Kohl's vouchers allows to benefit buyers to profit Kohl's markdown, which shift from 10 to 70 percent on stocks offered in store.

Use of Kohl's Promo Codes

What's more, Kohl's coupons 2014 are realistic which could be used at the store and additionally the MasterCard on purchase using it gets 10 percent off on next purchase. Besides there is 15 to 30 percent cost cut on charges that comprises of freedom and also deals rates professional card clients. Their website presents various qualities like a USD 5 store voucher that could be used for any purchase of above 5 USD. There are normally no focuses to reclaim, no structures to mail in and no expenses. Essentially, en-roll and incorporate message address for any notices when cash is added to the record or when installment has been sent.

Different coupon codes, Kohl's Deal Now and markdown codes are accessible for just about everything without exception that people regularly look for online and are basically holding up to be utilised. To not exploit this is unforgivable since users are essentially leaving cash on the table.

Reputed Brands Also Got Offer

All that is needed is to enlist and visit top stores through a connection at this site. Nothing unheard of is needed. With Kohl's coupon, clients get access to the best brands on the planet and store often runs bargains and rebates on a large portion of their items. Clients get to browse a wide mixed bag of brands incorporating AB studio, Adidas, Elle, Hanes, Fila Sport, Levis, Chaps, Dockers Angels, Vera Wang, Sonoma, Croft&barrow, Skechers, Carters, Reebok, Yankee candle, Conair, food system, Rival, Hoover, Kitchen aid, Black and Decker, Ricardo, Samsonite, Wenger, etc.

Ladies can enjoy some astonishing retail treatment at Kohl's as the store carries an extensive variety of ladies' items going from apparel, aromas, imply clothing, denims, shoes, swimwear, extras, sports or sports attire and considerably more. Men too can make a sprinkle at Kohl's and spoil themselves with the most recent quality marked items in attire, jeweler, hitting the fairway supplies, scents, shoes, watches, sportswear, socks and underpants and significantly more.

The online store additionally stocks high caliber home-mind gear incorporating humidifiers, vacuums, irons, sewing machines and frill, sweepers, hard floor cleaners, cleaning supplies and significantly more. The store likewise offers quality client backing to address any request or item identified inquiries and data on different items and administrations that they offer. The site additionally offers an item guide area that helps the perceiving shopper settle on a generally educated choice when shopping at Kohl's. Their store locator characteristic permits the client to visit their genuine stores spotted over the United States.

Visa, MasterCard Facing New Suit Over Merchant Fees

Law360, New York (January 15, 2014, 8:40 PM ET) -- Visa Inc. and and MasterCard Inc. were hit with a new antitrust suit in New York federal court Tuesday from nearly 30 big-name retailers accusing them of conspiring to fix credit card swipe fees, on the heels of a historic $7.25 billion settlement of similar claims that failed to appease many merchants.

In the new complaint, Hewlett-Packard Co., toys r us credit card R Us Inc., Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., Forever 21 Retail Inc. and many others alleged Visa and MasterCard colluded with banks to manipulate the fees they...

To view the full article, take a free trial now.

Hotelclub Promo Code 2014: 10% off Hotels Worldwide Using Coupon Code

Portland, OR -- ( SBWIRE) -- 01/14/2014 -- HotelClub is a global hotels booking website which is part of the Orbitz Worldwide family of online travel booking sites. Headquartered in Australia and with offices around the world, HotelClub currently offers its customers more than 70,000 hotels in over 7,000 cities across 141 countries. The website is currently offered in 14 languages.

- Hotelclub.com: Coupon-codes/hotelclub">Promo Code for 10% Off All Hotel Bookings Worldwide

- Hotelclub.com: Get Up to 70% Off Last-Minute Hotel Stays

- Hotelclub.com: View All Hotelclub Discount Codes & Offers

In the very competitive online travel space, HotelClub has managed to continue to be one of the industry leaders by providing extremely competitive room rates and focusing on providing last-minute deals to travellers looking to book travel within short notice. On top of this, HotelClub also offers it's more than 5 million members an attractive rewards program which gives up to 7% rebate on the value of completed stays. Members can use rebates in their accounts to offset against future bookings on HotelClub.

Members also enjoy frequent email newsletters with insider deals and special hotel deals only promoted within the newsletters. With these membership benefits, it is no wonder that HotelClub has managed to get over 5 million members to date.

Happiness Guarantee
HotelClub offers members a Happiness Guarantee which claims to ensure that all customers are delighted with their hotel booking experience. If a member experiences otherwise, the company would strive to do the best it can to fix any issues.

Hotel Booking, Anywhere, Anytime
Besides it's website which is available for users to make hotel bookings on 24 hours a day, HotelClub also differentiates itself against other competitors by ensuring the company always has staff available over the phone to assist customers with bookings or queries. Whether it is about a booking cancellation or change of dates, there is always somebody available to assist customers at all times.

No Fees and Best Rate Guarantee
Another factor which sets HotelClub apart from the competition is the company's commitment towards transparent pricing. HotelClub never charges for any booking fees or cancellation fees, which many other hotel booking websites currently do. On top of not charging any fees, HotelClub also offers a Best Rate Guarantee which essentially underlines the company's confidence in the fact that they have the best rates available for booking on their website. If a customer finds a better rate elsewhere, just contact customer service and the difference would be refunded.

Contests and Promotions
From time to time, HotelClub runs special promotions and contests as another added benefit for members. Members are notified of such events over email. These contests or promotions are usually run on platforms like Facebook, or HotelClub's website itself. Members can win free stays, or coupons that would allow them to get discounts off any booking on HotelClub.com.

Here are some of the best deals currently available on Hotelclub:

- The Oriental Residence, Bangkok, is currently offering 1 free night for every 3 nights booked

- The Circus Circus, Las Vegas, is going for 40% off

- Novotel Melbourne has a deal for 30% off regular rates

The list of hotel discounts available are too long to list. HotelClub is a highly reliable and safe website to book on. It allows users to pay using major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, amongst others.

Travellers should also take advantage of the numerous HotelClub promo code and discount codes available from time to time. These coupons allow HotelClub customers to enjoy additional savings of at least 10%, on top of the already low prices that HotelClub guarantees. To ensure that members do not miss out on the latest coupons, it is highly advisable to check the website and email newsletters frequently.

About DiscountCodeHotels.com
Started in 2012, DiscountCodeHotels.com helps users to find discounts and coupons for top online travel booking websites. Start making smarter travel bookings by visiting DiscountCodeHotels.com, and stay connected on Facebook.

Blotter

VICTORIA - A 44-year-old Victoria woman was transported to Citizens Medical Center on Sunday after losing control of her vehicle in the 200 block of East Rio Grande and striking a pole.

VICTORIA - Fred Ray Slavik, 36, of Victoria, by deputies on Friday on a warrant charging him with violation of probation in an assault of a family or household member by impeding their breath or circulation case.

VICTORIA - A 29 year-old Victoria man by officers on Friday on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance less than or about 2 ounces.

VICTORIA - A 28-year-old Victoria woman by officers on Friday on suspicion of theft of property less than $50 with a previous conviction.

VICTORIA - A 21-year-old Victoria man by officers on Saturday on suspicion of possession of marijuana less than or about 2 ounces in a drug-free zone.

VICTORIA - Elizabeth Gilder, 26, of Victoria, by deputies on Monday on a Kerr County warrant charging her with violation of probation in a possession of marijuana less than 2 ounces case.

VICTORIA - Rodger Casas, 27, of Victoria, by deputies on Sunday on a warrant charging him with violation of probation in an assault of a family or household member by impeding their breath or circulation case.

VICTORIA - A 52-year-old Victoria man by officers on Sunday on suspicion of assault causing bodily injury to a family member.

VICTORIA - James Alexander Jones, 44, of Victoria, by deputies on Sunday on a parole violation.

VICTORIA - Scott Ryan Mayne, 38, of Victoria, by officers on Sunday on a warrant charging him with violation of probation in a possession of a controlled substance less than 1 gram case.

VICTORIA - A 20-year-old Victoria man by officers on Saturday on suspicion of possession of marijuana less than or about 2 ounces in a drug-free zone.

VICTORIA - A 32-year-old Victoria man by officers on Sunday on suspicion of assault causing bodily injury, family violence, impede breath and unlawful restraint.

VICTORIA - A 25-year-old Victoria woman by officers on Monday on suspicion of possession of marijuana less than or about 2 ounces in a drug-free zone and possession of a controlled substance less than 28 grams in a drug-free zone.

VICTORIA - A 34-year-old Victoria woman by officers on Monday on suspicion of theft of property between $50 and $500.

VICTORIA - Benjamin James Garcia, 23, of Victoria, by deputies on Monday on a warrant charging him with violation of probation in an assault causing bodily injury to a family member case.

VICTORIA - A 22-year-old Victoria woman by officers on Monday on suspicion of theft of property between $50 and $500.

VICTORIA - A 23-year-old Victoria man by officers on Monday on suspicion of assault causing bodily injury to a family member.

VICTORIA - Richard Lee Quinonez Jr., 20, of Victoria, by deputies on Monday on a warrant charging him with violation of probation in a possession of a controlled substance less than 1 gram case.

VICTORIA - A 34-year-old Victoria woman by officers Monday on suspicion of theft of property.

VICTORIA - Benjamin James Garcia, 23, of Victoria, by deputies Monday on a warrant charging him with violation of probation in an assault causing bodily injury to a family member case.

VICTORIA - A 22-year-old Victoria woman by officers Monday on suspicion of theft of property.

VICTORIA - A 31-year-old Victoria man by officers Monday on suspicion of fleeing a police officer, possession of marijuana in a drug-free zone and tampering with physical evidence with intent to impair.

VICTORIA - Brenda Lee Trevino, 42, of Victoria, by officers Tuesday on a Goliad County warrant charging her with theft of property by check.

VICTORIA - Cesar Zuniga, 19, of Victoria, by officers Tuesday on a Class C misdemeanor warrant and on suspicion of possession of marijuana.

VICTORIA - A 28-year-old Victoria man and a 21-year-old Victoria woman in the 2700 block of Cardinal Street on Sunday.

VICTORIA - A 28-year-old Victoria man at a gaming center in the 1200 block of Southwest Moody Street on Sunday of $55 worth of free credits.

VICTORIA - A 44-year-old Victoria woman at a home in the 3500 block of Linda Drive on Saturday.

VICTORIA - A building in the 1200 block of Levi Street on Friday. Copper wire, valued at $300, and a trash can, valued at $20, were reported missing.

VICTORIA - A rental storage facility in the 4000 block of U.S. Highway 59 North on Saturday. A Wet Sounds stereo system, valued at $1,500, two power poles, valued at $3,600, and two batteries, valued at $160, were reported missing.

VICTORIA - A home in the 300 block of North West Street on Sunday. A gold Garcia 6000 Bass fishing rod and reel, valued at $110, was reported missing. Two locks were also damaged. The damage was valued at $50.

VICTORIA - A home in the 1200 block of Locust Avenue on Friday. A Sony Vio laptop, valued at $2,000, and a Dell laptop, valued at $500, were reported missing.

VICTORIA - A home in the 600 block of South Wheeler Street on Saturday. Speakers with amps, valued at $500, an AC unit, valued at $25, and wire, valued at $50, were reported missing.

VICTORIA - A 2002 green Dodge Durango in the 5600 block of North John Stockbauer Drive on Thursday. A GPS, valued at $80, and $304 in cash were reported missing.

VICTORIA - A 2005 white Chevrolet Trailblazer in the 300 block of Charleston Drive on Thursday. An air freshner, valued at $4.10, was reported missing. The center console latch was damaged. The damage was valued at $50.

VICTORIA - A 1999 Chevrolet in the 1900 bock of East Guadalupe Street on Thursday. A Pioneer Radio, valued at $120, and an iPod, valued at $60, were reported missing.

VICTORIA - A 2012 white Dodge Durango in the 3600 block of North Navarro Street on Saturday. A TDECU debit card, a large leather purse, valued at $50, a brown wallet, valued at $25, a $300 money order and $500 in cash were reported missing. The rear passenger door was damaged. The damage was valued at $200.

VICTORIA - A 2000 white Chevrolet Tahoe in the 200 block of Sam Houston Drive on Saturday. A speaker box with two Pioneer 12-inch subwoofer, valued at $300, and an 8,000-watt amplifier, valued at $100, were reported missing. The car's back left window was damaged. The damage was valued at $200.

VICTORIA - A 2013 gray Toyota Tundra in the 4500 block of Port Lavaca Drive on Sunday. The vehicle's back right passenger window was damaged. The damage was valued at $200.

VICTORIA - A specialty store in the 4400 block of Houston Highway on Saturday. A MAC Mentor scanner, valued at $4,500, was reported missing.

VICTORIA - A home in the 1300 block of North DeLeon Street on Sunday. A sears credit card push-mower, red gas can, white refrigerator, two gas heaters and door knobs and locks valued at $850 were reported missing.

VICTORIA - A vehicle in the 700 block of Linwood Drive on Sunday. A purple cheetah-print wallet and contents, valued at $103, were reported missing.

VICTORIA - A vehicle in the 9400 block of Northeast Zac Lentz Parkway on Monday. Pain medication, prescription cream, a black backpack and miscellaneous gym items, valued at $210, were reported missing.

VICTORIA - A vehicle in the 7800 block of North Navarro Street on Monday. Nothing was reported missing. Damage to the right front window was valued at $400.

VICTORIA - A vehicle in the 3200 block of East Airline Road on Monday. A Social Security card and drivers license, valued at $30, were reported missing. Damage to the right rear window was valued at $300.

VICTORIA - A vehicle in the 3200 block of East Airline Road on Monday. Nothing was reported missing. Damage to the driver's window was valued at $300.

VICTORIA - A vehicle in the 2100 block of Walnut Avenue on Monday. Compact discs, headphones and a phone charger, valued at $170, were reported missing.

VICTORIA - The tailgate to a 2013 green Ford F-250, valued at $2,500, from a parking lot in the 9500 block of U.S. Highway 59 North on Sunday. The body of the vehicle was also damaged. The damage was valued at $1,000.

VICTORIA - A Vizio 42-inch television, valued at $450, a Vizio 32-inch television, valued at $400, a Craftsman air compressor, valued at $75, a Porter cable tool set, valued at $275, 10 Playstation 3 games, valued at $400, a Craftsman circular saw, valued at $25, Roper boots, valued at $150, Justin work boots, valued at $75, and 60 assorted DVDs, valued at $300, from a home in the 4400 block of North Navarro Street on Thursday.

VICTORIA - A Tiffany bracelet, valued at $350, a necklace with a heart pendant, valued at $300, a Coach purse, valued at $483, and a Louis Vuitton purse, valued at $1,000, from a home in the 6800 block of North Navarro Street on Friday.

VICTORIA - A Samsung Galaxy S4 cellphone, valued at $730, from a restaurant in the 7600 block of Northeast Zac Lentz Parkway on Friday.

VICTORIA - A Samsung Cricket cellphone, valued at $70, from a home in the 200 block of Sam Houston Drive on Saturday.

VICTORIA - A Godiva chocolate bar, valued at $3.95, from a store in the 8900 block of North Navarro Street on Friday.

VICTORIA - A Smith & Wesson SW 40 V.E., valued at $350, and a Rossi .357 mag, valued at $300, from the 2900 block of Miori Lane on Saturday.

VICTORIA - Copper metal, valued at $300, from the 3100 block of Greenwood Drive on Sunday.

VICTORIA - Miscellaneous baby clothing, valued at $37, from a grocery store in the 6100 block of North Navarro Street on Friday. The clothing was later recovered.

VICTORIA - A credit card or credit card information from the 4500 block of Port Lavaca Drive on Friday. Cash totaling $245.45 was reported missing from the victim's account.

VICTORIA - A black Apple iPad, valued at $2,000, from a government office in the 4400 block of North Navarro Street on Sunday.

VICTORIA - A Huffy bicycle, valued at $150, from the 2000 block of North Laurent Street on Monday.

VICTORIA - A 30-gallon barbecue pit, valued at $100, from a home in the 1800 block of Lova Drive on Monday.

VICTORIA - Merchandise, valued at $619.96, from a department store in the 8900 block of North Navarro Street on Monday.

VICTORIA - Quarters, totaling $80, from a machine in the 8400 block of North Navarro Street on Sunday.

VICTORIA - Baby clothing, valued at $37, from a grocery store in the 6100 block of North Navarro Street on Friday.

VICTORIA - Two $20 bills, one $10 bill, and two $5 bills at a jail in the 1500 block of East Rio Grande street.

VICTORIA - Two $20 bills from a convenience store in the 2500 block of North Ben Jordan Street on Friday.

VICTORIA - Cash totaling $220 from a grocery store in the 4100 block of Houston Highway on Friday.

VICTORIA - The doors and fenders of a 2014 black Toyota Tundra in the 9500 block of U.S. Highway 59 North on Saturday. The damage was valued at $2,500.

VICTORIA - A 2011 white Nissan Titan was keyed in the 9500 block of U.S. Highway 59 North on Sunday. The damage was valued at $3,000.

VICTORIA - Two laminate glass window panes at a store in the 7800 block of North Navarro Street on Friday. The damage was valued at $800.

VICTORIA - The paint job on a purple 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt in the 400 block of Circle Street on Saturday. The damage was valued at $800.

VICTORIA - Two air mattresses, an LG DVD player, a Caterpillar baseball hat and the walls of a home in the 100 block of Mariner Drive on Friday. The damage was valued at $240.

VICTORIA - The landscape of a field owned by the City of Victoria in the 700 block of East Larkspur Street on Saturday. The damage was valued at $500.

VICTORIA - The back passenger window of a 2012 gray Dodge Quest at a home in the 1300 block of Park Avenue on Sunday. The damage was valued at $400.

VICTORIA - A glass window at a home in the 1300 block of Park Avenue on Sunday. The damage was valued at $200.

VICTORIA - A window at a home in the 2400 block of North Ben Wilson Street on Sunday. The damage was valued at $100.

VICTORIA - The windows of a 2012 Pete 388 in the 1800 block of Stolz Street on Monday. The damage was valued at $400.

VICTORIA - Amy Lynn Clark, 34, of Victoria, to two years in state jail after her probation was revoked for a March 2009 possession of a controlled substance less than 1 gram case.

VICTORIA - Gayle Lamb Adams, 63, of San Antonio, to four years probation and 200 hours of community service after her sentence was amended Jan. 7 in a February 2007 theft of property between $20,000 and $100,000 case. She was also ordered to pay $32,501.54 in restitution.

VICTORIA - Justin Greg Gutierrez, 22, of Beeville, to two years probation after his sentence was amended Jan. 7 in a June 2009 criminal mischief between $20,000 and $100,000 case.

VICTORIA - Bonnie Lynn Boyd, 41, of Edna, to 18 months in state jail after her probation was revoked Jan. 7 in a March 2012 theft of property less than $1,500 with two or more previous convictions case.

VICTORIA - Brandi Shuntel McKnight, 30, of Victoria, to an intermediate sanction facility after her sentence was amended Jan. 7 in April 2012 and May 2013 theft stolen property less than $1,500 with two or more previous convictions cases. The length of time was not specified.

VICTORIA - Jeffery Lee Garcia, 32, of Victoria, to 18 months in state jail after he pleaded guilty Wednesday to manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance less than 28 grams.

VICTORIA - Daniel Barron Sr., 29, of Victoria, to 10 years in prison after his probation was revoked Wednesday in a May 2012 aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury case.

Editor's Note: An indictment is not an indication of guilt. It is a finding by a grand jury that enough evidence exists to warrant a trial.

VICTORIA - A grand jury returned indictments on the following people Jan. 10:

Alejandro Macias, 39, of Victoria, on a charge of driving while intoxicated third or more offense on Nov. 15.

Kevin Bryant Dixon Jr., 27, of Victoria, on charges of of aggravated robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. He is charged with threatening a man with a firearm while stealing from him on Nov. 11. Dixon is not allowed to possess a firearm because he was convicted of evading arrest or detention in August 2006.

Bronson Lewis Garner, 41, of Victoria, on eight counts of credit card abuse. He is charged with using the credit card of a business in the 8300 block of Lone Tree Road from April 6 -21.

Roland Leonard Reyes, 23, of Victoria, on a charge of theft of wire or cable made up of 50 percent of aluminum, bronze or copper and valued at less than $20,000 from a business in the 100 block of East Crestwood Drive on Sept. 15.

Terrance J. Thomas, 25, of Victoria, on a charge of burglary of a habitation. He is charged with burglarizing a man's house and attempting to assault a woman on Oct. 25.

Malik Young, 18, of Victoria, on a charge of burglary of a building. He is charged with burglarizing a church on Nov. 7.

Brooke Marie Bibler, 27, of Great Falls, Mont., on charges of theft between $1,500 and $20,000 and debit card or credit card abuse. She is charged with stealing a woman's purse, a wallet, cash and a car key, valued between $1,500 and $20,000, and using the woman's debit card on May 6.

Brenda Lopez, 47, of Victoria, on a charge of possession of a controlled substance,cocaine, less than 1 gram in a drug-free zone on April 25.

Britany Nacole Brockman, 22, of Dallas, on a charge of possession of a controlled substance, oxycodone, less than 1 gram on Sept. 26.

Rudolph Alvarado Cantu, 56, of Victoria, on a charge of possession of a controlled substance, cocaine, less than 1 gram in a drug-free zone on May 14.

Sarah Elizabeth Clymer, 26, of Victoria, on a charge of possession of a controlled substance, cocaine, less than 1 gram on June 18.

Andrew Warren Thomas Jr., 55, of Victoria, on a charge of possession of a controlled substance, cocaine, less than 1 gram in a drug-free zone on Oct. 18.

Christopher Shawn Herron, 34, of Victoria, on two counts of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, cocaine, less than 1 gram in a drug-free zone on April 29 and May 14.

Jeremy Michael Espitia, 20, of Victoria, on a charge of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, ecstasy between 4 and 400 grams, on Jan. 8, 2013.

Manuel Hernandez Plata III, 24, of Victoria, on a charge of possession of a marijuana between 4 ounces and 5 pounds on May 20.

Christine Gerald Ryman, 25, of Victoria, on a charge of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, Vicodin, less than 28 grams on Feb. 27.

Jamaal James Strait, 32, of Victoria, on a charge of manufacture or delivery a controlled substance, Vicodin, less than 28 grams on Feb. 27.

Sue Clifton Herring, 59, of Victoria, on a charge of driving while intoxicated third or more offense on Oct. 14.

Albert Scott Perez, 30, of Victoria, on charges of aggravated assault of a family or household member with a weapon and possession of a controlled substance, cocaine, less than 1 gram on Oct. 27.

Joseph Emanuel Cano, 17, of Victoria, on a charge of possession of a controlled substance, ecstasy, greater than or about 1 gram in a drug-free zone on Oct. 22.

Jonathan Tyler Koliba, 17, of Inez, on a charge of manufacture or delivery a controlled substance, lyysergic acid diethylamide, between 20 and 80 abuse units on Oct. 2.

John Clayton Newman, 32, of Victoria, on a charge of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, less than 1 gram on Sept. 20.

Crosencio Tonche, 30, of Houston, on charges of having a prohibited substance, such as alcohol, drugs, a phone or tobacco, cocaine, in a correctional facility and possession of a controlled substance, on June 24.

Jason Freddy Villegas-Jandres, 29, of Victoria, on charges of smuggling persons for monetary gain, evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. He is charged with transporting four people with the intent to flee from police in a manner that would hurt or cause the death of the people on Oct. 21. He is also charged stealing a car and fleeing a police officer who was trying to arrest or detain him on Oct. 21.

Thomas Figueroa, 31, of Victoria, on charges of attempted sexual assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Nov. 3.

Frances Cantu Knode, 62, of Victoria, on a charge of driving while intoxicated third or more offense on Sept. 2.

• Print
• *
• *
• *
• Report error

  • Thank you for your submission.

    Error report or correction

  • Close

US' Kerry says making progress towards Israeli-Palestinian framework deal

"I'm confident that the talks we've had in the past two days have already fleshed out and even resolved certain kinds of issues and presented new opportunities for others," he said after meeting Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.

"We're not there yet, but we are making progress," Kerry said, adding he was to fly Sunday to both Jordan and Saudi Arabia for talks on going forward. "We are beginning to flesh out the toughest hurdles yet to be overcome," he added.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat said the Palestinians had more than most riding on an agreed peace Online Deals.

"No-one stands to lose more from failure than the Palestinians," Erakat told reporters at Abbas's West Bank headquarters in Ramallah. "Failure to us is not an option. We really are doing everything possible to ensure the success of Secretary Kerry's efforts."

The US chief diplomat was heading almost straight into more talks with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday - their third meeting in three days.

But he announced he would meet next week with Arab League leaders to brief them on his latest round of talks in Israel and the West Bank, without specifying where.

"During this week our teams will continue to work to try to lay the foundation and the groundwork for the progress needed in order for me to come back and take the next steps," he said. "This is hard work there are narrative issues, difficult, complicated years of mistrust that have been built up," Kerry added.

"All of which has to be worked through and undone and a pathway has to be laid down in which the parties can have confidence that they know what is happening and that the road ahead is real not illusory."

Voice of Russia, Reuters, AFP

Kerry: Israel, Palestinians making progress toward framework peace deal

<img src="http://www.haaretz.com/polopoly_fs/1.566997.1388850375!/image/2044545379.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_640/2044545379.jpg">

Israel and the Palestinians are making progress towards reaching a framework peace agreement but they are not there yet, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters on Saturday.

Kerry spoke after about three hours of talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, the Palestinian seat of government in the West Bank.

"I am confident that the talks we have had in the last two days have already fleshed out and even resolved certain kinds of issues and presented new opportunities for others," he said.

Kerry is on his tenth trip to the region in the past year as he seeks to secure a peace deal. He was to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem later on Saturday.

Israeli-Palestinian peace talks brokered by the United States resumed last July after a three-year halt with Kerry leading mediation efforts to keep them going despite neither party expressing much hope for a successful outcome.

Kerry said he would fly to Jordan and to Saudi Arabia on Sunday to meet with the kings of each Arab nation to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, which resumed on July 29 with a target of reaching a final agreement within nine months.

Arab support is regarded as essential for the Palestinians to be able to make the compromises likely to be necessary to strike a peace deal with Israel.

On Friday, Kerry told American students at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem that he remained hopeful. "I am a believer in the possibility... we could achieve something," he said, "but it will be very, very difficult."

Kerry made a surprise appearance at a briefing by State Department spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki to students from an American Jewish Committee delegation.

Some of the students present reported what Kerry has said in their Twitter accounts and even posted photographs. One of the students said that Kerry explained he was "wading through a volatile cocktail of issues." Kerry reportedly added that "the U.S. is working with a lot of good will, and 'both leaders recognize the consequences of failure."