Thursday, May 28, 2009

Heron Bank Merger with Middleville Savings

HERON BANK, INC., OF LYONS HAS CONFIRMED THAT THEY’VE MADE AN AGREEMENT TO GAIN MIDDLEVILLE SAVINGS BANK THROUGH A CASH TRANSACTION OF EIGHT POINT FOUR MILLION DOLLARS.  THE MERGER WILL BE COMPLETED AFTER OFFICIAL APPROVAL AND INVESTIGATION.  THE MERGER WILL ADD TO THE NEARLY TWO BILLION DOLLAR ASSETS HERON BANK HOLDS.

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Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Broadcast Copy: Salt Creek Bridge

COUNTY ENGINEER SQUIRE WHIPPLE SAYS THAT THE DETERIORATING SALT CREEK BRIDGE ON OLD ROUTE 9 WILL RECEIVE A 2 HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR GRANT FROM THE SITE DEPARTMENT OF TRANDSPORTATION FOR REPAIRS.  THE GRANT WILL STABILIZE THE BRIDGE TEMPORARILY UNTIL THE NEARLY 2 MILLION DOLLARS BECOME AVAILABLE TO PERMANENTLY RESTORE IT.

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Thursday, May 21, 2009

Textual Healing

In a recent story lawmakers address sexting.  This is the new slang for sending nude or risqué photos by texting on cell phones. 

In addition to the embarrassment of these photos being leaked out, other consequences now include:

 

·      Minors can be charged with child pornography

·      People who send photos of minors can be charged

·      People can for life be registered as sex offenders for sexting with a minor

 

Lawmakers feel that it is too harsh a punishment for minors and changes must be made.

 

The Bath Junkie Girl

The only thing bubblier in the Bath Junkie store is the girl working behind the counter. Mary Elizabeth Fair, 21, is the blonde, fair, and colorfully dressed “bath junkie girl” as many around town have come to calling her. With a smile and an electric laugh that never stops Fair says, “I have made so many friends from just working here and seeing customers out who stop me to say oh my gosh! You’re the bath junkie girl!” Fair is sure to keep that title now that she is moving into the apartment located on top of the store.
So what is Bath Junkie? Located on the corner of Spanish Street and Hypolita Street in historic downtown Saint Augustine, it is not hard to spot the shop with its windows lined with dozens of bath time yellow rubber ducks. “We customize everything for you here. You pick the scents, colors, and type of bath product. We have over 120 different choices. The only things we pre make here in the store are some of the bar soaps and the candles”, says Fair. When asked what she likes most about working at the store Fair described the interesting and unique people that she meets every day. “My favorite is when the biker men and women are in town. They always come in and chat with me and buy things like our soft scrub and just go on about how much they can’t get enough of our products”, laughs Fair. Between the tourists and the locals Fair says that everyone has a cool story to tell. The store in the past year has always received some famous guests. Fair mentions that Nicole Richie and Joel Madden, member of the band Good Charlotte, recently came into the store leaving with their own combinations of bath junkie products.
However there are more than just bubbles in the head of this former pageant girl from Mississippi. Fair is a senior at Flagler College and a communications major focusing on broadcast, journalism, and cinema. Fair has interned at the Cannes Film Festival in France and has travelled to many places such as Costa Rica and Jamaica on various mission trips. When Fair was just a senior in high school she won the Good Will Student of The Year for her volunteer work throughout the country and abroad. When she is not working in the shop or attending classes Fair’s greatest passion lies in her photography. In addition to taking photos for the Flagler College Gargoyle, she takes photos for her friend and local business owner Cassandra Helton. Helton is the owner of The Closet a very popular clothing store nearby. Fair says, “I take photos of Cassandra’s models wearing all her new looks and styles so she can use them for things like flyers, advertisements, or we put them up online.”
Due to today’s economy, like many other stores downtown, Bath Junkie is not doing as well as it has done in previous years. Fair hopes that because of its unique products and loyal customers Bath Junkie, which is owned by her cousins, will continue to stay afloat and be successful. Fair also credits the stores success to its use of no harmful products and its great central location. With one last infectious grin Fair says, “Come visit the Bath Junkie girl! I’ll make you smell nice and try to make you laugh.”

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Story Pitch

ADDERALL-St. Augustine- The growing abuse of Adderall, an ADHD medication, on college campuses. Students are selling them by the pill to other students for better performance in studying, finals, staying alert, or just for fun.  Is it creating a dependency for students not prescribed to it?  One student claims she can not do a paper or study for an exam without buying a few pills to get through it.  Students already prescribed are going back for refills with main intentions to sell them to other students.  This topic has not been widely covered especially here in town  the issue has been able to keep a very low profile.



Thursday, May 7, 2009

"Bite Me" Baby One More Time

Today at 5 a.m. Britney Spears arrived by limo to Flagler College to visit a male friend.  Security guard, Hector Gonzalez, while doing a routine check spotted Spears on the ground bleeding near the bushes in front of Lewis House, a male dormitory.  When he approached her Gonzalez noted bite marks on her foot.  Spears yelled out to the guard, "Oh my god, oh my god, an alligator bit me."
Gonzalez surveyed the area and saw the tail of a reptile disappear into the nearby bushes.  At 5:10 a.m. he called 911.  Saint Augustine Police Chief, Bubba O'Conner confirmed that an ambulance arrived at the scene immediately and Spears was treated for minor bite wounds on her right foot.
The limo driver reported that he did not witness the incident and no other witnesses have been confirmed.  Spears was quickly released and Animal Control arrived on the scene at 6 a.m. to find the nine foot alligator.  The guard speculates that the creature may have escaped from the nearby Alligator Farm.  

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

My First Post!

I feel that writing for me has always come some what naturally, however I do think I could make a lot of improvements.  When it comes to writing I would have to say my greatest weakness is taking all of the ideas and thoughts in my head and making them seem organized.  Sometimes I have so much I want to write but don't even know how to start getting them down.  Writing is something I enjoy and I rarely find myself intimidated by having to write.  I hope that this class and the practice I get out of writing this blog will make me even more comfortable with my writing.  I also hope that this will ultimately prepare me for work and writing that I will have to do with my future career somewhere within the communications field.