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September 3, 2010

BROTHERS TO THE RESCUE

DECLASSIFIED The CBS4 I-Team has obtained once secret documents that raise questions about whether Fidel Castro ever truly wants normal relations with the United States.

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I-Team: Brothers To The Rescue Declassified Reporting Stephen Stock MIAMI (CBS4) Even as the administration of President Barack Obama has begun reaching out to Cuba and relations between the two countries move closer and closer to thawing; the CBS4 I-Team has obtained once secret documents that raise questions about whether Fidel Castro ever truly wants normal relations with the United States. Among the hundreds of once classified and secret cables the I-Team has now reviewed is evidence that Castro himself, with very little knowledge of other Cuban officials, ordered the shoot down of two Brothers to the Rescue airplanes and the killing of four people 15 years ago to drive a wedge politically between the US and Cuba; and to divert world attention from a more serious crackdown on dissidents inside Cuba. The documents also show the Cubans initially thought they had shot down a third Brothers to the Rescue plane. That is a story that’s completely new to the person who was flying that plane who survived to tell his tale. “He (the MIG pilot) might have thought that he might have hit me,” said pilot Jose Basulto who helped found and lead Brothers to the Rescue, a search and rescue group who flew hundreds of missions over the Florida Straits in the 1990’s, looking for Cuban refugees who had fled the island. “I didn’t see any explosions or anything (the day of the shoot down),” said Basulto. “The only thing I saw was a canister of smoke next to my plane which to me was a marker (meaning the MIG might be shooting at him next.) So I decided it was time to, you know, leave.” Basulto was flying that third plane back on February 24, 1996, when the Cuban MIG fighter jet’s shot down two of the three Brothers to the Rescue Cessna’s

flying over international waters in the Florida Straits. I-Team investigator Stephen Stock asked Basulto “So you did not know that you had been shot at?” “No. No,” said Basulto. “I did not have an indication of a missile or anything.” But now, for the first time, the CBS4 ITeam uncovers once secret documents that show, at least at first, the Cuban MIG’s thought they had also shot down Basulto’s plane. These new revelation can be found in the 238 pages of once classified and secret cables from the US State Department to various embassies and American Interests Sections around the world. The documents chart the time before, during and after the shoot down of the Brothers to the Rescue planes in February, 1996. The documents were declassified at the request of the CBS4 I-Team. One document reads “...at 15:31, the MIG pilot noted another aircraft in sight, requested and received permission to fire, and reported the third aircraft destroyed.” That appears to indicate that the Cuban MIG pilot DID in fact shoot at Basulto before the Brothers to the Rescue founder turned his Cessna north and escaped back to the United States. “Actually I believe that the State Department would have been very happy if they would have shot all of us,” said Basulto when showed the documents. “There were a lot of different things happening at different levels,” said Richard Nuccio. “Some of the things the Cubans did like. Some of which they did not like. Some of which were putting pressure on the Cuban government.” Nuccio served as top advisor on Cuba in the Clinton administration at that time. “We were trying to focus our policy on achieving change in Cuba,” said Nuccio in an interview with the CBS4 I-Team from his office near Los Angeles.

These declassified documents show the shoot down of the Brothers to the Rescue planes also shot down any chance for change in Cuban/American relations.

shooting down the Americans with glee, with pleasure. They (the pilots) were really motivated to shoot down those Americans.”

Many of the once secret documents were either written by or written to Nuccio.

But politically the shoot down played a wider role in Castro’s plans by allowing him to crackdown on the internal opposition, the Concilio, without getting international attention and condemnation.

“Just shortly before the shoot down there was a visit to Havana by a very senior official of the European Union who for the first time held meetings with human rights and other dissidents within Cuba,” said Nuccio. The declassified documents describe that meeting and show that Brothers to the Rescue may have unwittingly played the role of dupes for Castro. The documents say the shoot down played a large role in “diverting attention” “by creating an international crisis.” The documents show the shoot down helped Castro crush that internal opposition which had met with the European Union. It was an opposition called Concilio Cubano that experts say was gaining ground politically in Cuba. “The Cuban opposition force, a coalition of Cuban opposition groups on the island that was coming together that was coalescing that was called the Conseudo, the Consilio Cubano, the Cuban council,” said Dr. Brian Latell. University of Miami professor Dr. Brian Latell is one of the leading American authorities on United States Cuba relations. “It was a slow motion crisis,” said Dr. Latell. The planes were shot in February of ‘96 but the Cuban government had been protesting the (Brothers to the Rescue) flights for at least 16 to 18 months prior to the shoot down.” Dr. Latell says the evidence shows that shoot down played into Castro’s political hands. “I don’t think there is any doubt (Castro did it),” said Latell. “He (Castro) issued the orders that went through his brother who was the defense minister and to the pilots were up in the air. We have the transcripts as they (the MIGS pilots) were

“This union, (the Concilio) it was attracting considerable moral support in Western Europe in fact with a number of European governments including the Spanish socialist government (which) was very attracted to this group,” said Dr. Latell. According to a partially declassified cable “several dissidents expressed frustration that the downing of the Brothers to the Rescue planes diverted international attention from the ‘Concilio’...” “I think he (Castro) chose the timing when he decided to shoot down the planes at the time he did in order to distract the World, to distract the Europeans and the Americans,” said Dr. Latell, “To create a crisis which would camouflage his real objective, his most pressing objective which was to obliterate this new emerging opposition group. And he succeeded.” CBS4 I-Team investigator Stephen Stock asked Brothers to the Rescue founder Jose Basulto about that new revelation. “Do you regret that because of the shoot down it diverted attention from (Concilio Cubano, in other words) what was being successful?” asked Stock. “Yes. I do regret that,” said Basulto. “If that was the consequence of that (shoot down), yes. Yes.” And in a declassified cable from the Embassy in Oslo, Norway, where Cuba’s Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina personally told Norway’s top government officials quote “...Cuba would do nothing to jeopardize the easing of relations with the US...” news powered by

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I-Team: Brothers To The Rescue Declassified fly from Cuba into international airspace and shoot the planes down,” said Nuccio. And because of that rash and irrational behavior on the part of Fidel Castro both Jose Basulto and Dr. Latell worry that what happened then could have implications today as relations between Cuba and the US begin to warm again. “It may just come to happen again that something takes place that steers away any (type of) opening,” said Jose Basulto. continued

That was two days before the planes were shot down leading Norway, the US and others to quickly conclude that Castro himself directly ordered the shoot down, leaving government officials like Foreign Minister Robaina out of the loop. As one once secret document reads: “...Castro personally decided to shoot down the planes...” “Frankly no one in the US government that I am aware of thought that what would happen is that Cuban MIGS would

I-Team investigator Stephen Stock asked Cuba expert Dr. Latell, “Does it serve Castro to have these tensions?” “I think it does,” said Dr. Latell. “Every time that an American president, and there have been a few of them, sincerely tries to bury the hatchet with Castro, there was Ford, Clinton, Carter, and the new Obama administration now, every time in the past that we’ve approached that kind of line Fidel has always found a reason or a pretext to pull back or he’s created a crisis which is what he did in 1996.”

The declassified documents also show that a deputy assistant secretary of state, Anne Patterson, met face to face with Jose Basulto six months before the shoot down to warn him that Cuba might take action. Basulto admits this. But he and other experts such as Dr. Brian Latell insist that if the Clinton Administration had really wanted to warn Brothers to the Rescue the Clinton

administration would have sent a higher ranking official and actually taken action to stop the flights. In fact, Jose Basulto said that he recalls meeting with Patterson and thinking nothing of it. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) news powered by

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I-Team: Deadly Voyage Reporting Jim DeFede MIAMI (CBS4) Three grueling days after leaving Nassau for what was supposed to be a four hour trip to Miami aboard a smuggler’s boat, Chandeline Leonard fell asleep inside the vessel’s crowded cabin with her eight-month old daughter Luana resting on her chest.

told would be a four hour journey to a new and better life in Miami. But four days later, at least nine of them died when their boat capsized. The rest were rescued off of Palm Beach after spending 15 hours in the water. Almost immediately officials suspected the vessel was part of a human smuggling ring, but little has been revealed about what happened during those four harrowing days, as none of the survivors have spoken publicly – that is, until now.

As the boat made its way to what she prayed would be a better life in Florida -and away from the poverty and despair of her homeland in Haiti -- Chandeline began to dream a most ominous dream.

CBS4 News interviewed seven of the survivors. Many of the survivors were initially afraid to speak, fearing reprisals against family members in Haiti by members of the smuggling ring who remain at large.

In her dream she could see two little girls standing in a graveyard. They wore white dresses and stood at the end of an open grave, tossing red flowers into the man made hole.

But ultimately those aboard the boat -- a boat with no name -- decided they needed to speak not just for themselves but for those that will never be able to speak again.

Before Chandeline could see inside the grave herself, her husband’s voice woke her from her sleep.

The story of this deadly voyage starts in Nassau. For years Haitians fleeing the oppressive poverty of their homeland have been sneaking into the Bahamas to find work so they could send money home to their families in Haiti. But in the last couple of years, Bahamian officials have been cracking down on Haitians living illegally in their country. For the Haitians it leaves them with two choices -- return home or hire smugglers to bring them into the United States.

“When I wake up I hear Lucsene call me, `Come Chandeline, come. Water! See, water! come,’” Leonard recalls. At the back of the cabin, near where the propellers of the twin inboard motors were churning, water was beginning to flood in. Chandeline’s husband, Lucsene Augustin, could see the shock on the boat captain’s face and knew the situation was dire. “After two or three minutes one engine stopped,” Lucsene says. “Now they get more water [coming into the cabin]. A few minutes later the second engine stalled and suddenly the boat started taking on even more water.” It was a little after 11 pm and as scared Haitians scrambled onto the deck of the ship, Chandeline remembers the boat’s captain giving one final order: “He was saying, `Everybody pray! Everybody pray!’ And people praying and screaming and praying.” On May 9, 2009, more than 25 Haitians crowded onto a boat designed to carry only half their number. Under a full moon, they left Nassau for what they were

For Chandeline and Lucsene their decision was made for them when Lucsene lost his construction job in Nassau. “We can’t eat, we can’t pay rent, we can’t pay light bill, we can’t buy even milk for my little girl,” Chandeline says. “We see things very, very, very difficult for us; We can’t go back in Haiti, if we go back in Haiti nothing for us to do still in Haiti.” Lucsene said he knew someone who knew someone who was selling spaces on a boat headed for Miami. The smuggler’s fee: $4,000 a person. For weeks the couple argued about whether they should go. When they agreed, they sold everything they owned and borrowed money from relatives. Lucsene even signed over the

title to his truck to the smugglers. “I sold my clothes, my shoes,” Chandeline says. Like Lucsene and Chandeline, many of those who went on the boat needed to borrow money from relatives in Haiti. It is common for Haitian families to pool their money so that one family member can come to the United States, get a job and then send money home. But they didn’t need to worry about sending the money to the Bahamas because the smugglers had operatives throughout both countries. “I think that this smuggling operation is bigger than we have seen,” said Regina de Moraes, an attorney representing many of the Haitian survivors. “I believe there are different entities that came together at different points to make this work and it is bigger than we realize. There had to be an entity in Haiti to pick up the money from the victims’ families. There was another entity in the Bahamas. In the Bahamas itself I think there were at least four or five different smugglers.” Neither Chandeline nor Lucsene wanted to take baby Luana on the boat. They tried to find someone they could trust who was going back to Haiti to take the infant to Chandeline’s mother. But the Captain of the boat, Jimmy Metellus, convinced them it wasn’t necessary. He said since the baby was so tiny he wouldn’t charge them for her to come along. And he assured them there would only be fifteen people on the boat and the trip would last less than four hours. The smugglers kept all of the details of the trip a secret until the last possible minute. With little notice, a car arrived to take Chandeline, Lucsene and baby Luana from their home to a neighboring dock. When they arrived at the boat it was shrouded in darkness as the smugglers sought to take off without anyone seeing them. Chandeline and Lucsene were the last ones to board. When Chandeline first climbed into the cabin there was nowhere for her to sit. There was no light, so she couldn’t be certain, but she suspected there were more than fifteen people on the boat.

Eventually someone, seeing Chandeline was carrying a baby, offered her a place to sit. Within two hours the boat ran out of fuel and began to float dead in the water. They drifted all night and well into the next day. As temperatures climbed inside the cabin, so did the uncertainty. Chrisla Antoine says at least three of the women on the boat were pregnant, including one woman who was due to give birth in a few weeks. “She was vomiting, it was so hot on the boat she was vomiting everywhere,” Chrisla remembers. “That situation really hurt me. There wasn’t any food or water or anything to give her.” The light of day also brought the reality of just how many people were on the boat. Chandeline says she counted 28 people. Others say the number was more than 30. Eventually a search plane spotted them. But it wasn’t the Coast Guard or the Bahamian military. It was a search plane sent out by the smuggling ring. Apparently when the ring’s leaders lost contact with the boat, they sent out their own search plane to look for it. Not long after the plane made several low passes over the boat, a second boat arrived with fuel, and led the stranded vessel to Bimini. The Haitians were brought ashore and stashed inside an abandoned house the smugglers had arranged. “It was not a good house,” says Jocelyn Difficile. “It was a dirty house. No bed, nothing, nothing. The house looked like nobody lived in the house.” The smugglers dropped off some food and water. They even provided a little milk for baby Luana. The Haitians were told to remain inside. The group remained there for at least 24 hours. The next night, under the cover of darkness, the Haitians were loaded back onto the boat. Only this time there seemed to be even more people on board. The smugglers had sold another place or two on the boat in Bimini. continued news powered by

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When the boat finally left Bimini and headed for Florida, Chandeline placed baby Luana on her chest and drifted off to sleep. That’s when she dreamt of the two girls tossing red flowers into an open grave. The next thing she knew the boat was sinking. As water began to fill the cabin, everyone scrambled onto the deck of the ship. Metellus and his first mate began throwing life vests onto the deck for people to grab. But there were perhaps a dozen vests. Those that did grab them weren’t sure how to put them on. Lucsene said the only time in his life he had ever seen a life vest was in the movie Titanic.

she was being attacked in the water for her vest. It was dark and no one was sure what was happening, but after a few minutes the woman stopped screaming and the man closest to her -- a Jamaican who had boarded the boat in Bimini -- was now wearing a life vest. The woman, whose remains have never been identified, died. And unlike the others who died, the survivors say her face was badly beaten. But of all the sounds heard that night, the sound Wisler Santil says he will never forget is the knocking that came from inside the boat after it capsized. Rapping his knuckles hard against the wooden arm of his chair, Wisler says, “Like this, `Open, open for me.’”

Lucsene took Luana from Chandeline, who had never been in the ocean before and did not know how to swim.

It is not known how many people were trapped inside the cabin, unable to find their way out of the overturned boat. All that is known is that the knocking and cries for help lasted for several hours until finally the boat sank.

“When I take Luana I don’t know what I am supposed to do,” Lucsene says. He wondered where he should go and what he should do.

The rough waves and currents had scattered the survivors in all directions. Fifteen hours later, a fishing boat happened upon Lucsene and two other survivors.

Metellus, the boat’s captain, told Lucsene to take the baby and climb to the highest point on the boat hoping it would stay above water. But as the terrified Haitians ran from one side of the boat to the other, it quickly capsized, throwing Lucsene into the pitch black sea.

Lucsene collapsed on the deck of the fishing boat unable to move. All he could do was cry.

“When I go to the top, the boat start moving so hard, it starts moving, with Luana in my arms, I jump with Luana in my arms,” he says. “When I jump in the water with Luana I go deep in the sea. Luana slide [from] my arms. When I tried to go up looking for Luana, I’m screaming, `Help me!’ I don’t see Luana I start crying. I’m trying to see if I see Luana, I don’t see her.” Lucsene’s screams were just one in a chorus that filled the night. Like the 16year-old girl who called out for her parents back in Haiti. “Mommy, Daddy, help me, I’m dying,” the teen shouted. “There was nothing we could do” for her, Chrisla says, shaking her head. And there was the woman who screamed

The Coast Guard launched a search and rescue operation picking up a total of sixteen people. But it came just a few minutes too late for one. As he floated in the water, clinging to a piece of debris, Wisler Santil spotted another survivor a short distance away. The man, whose name Wisler does not know, had no life jacket and had been floating and treading water since the boat capsized. “`He said I can’t do nothing. I feel tired,’” Wisler recalls. “I say, `Keep, keep, keep, keep swimming! Keep swimming!’ He said, `I can’t do nothing more. I can do nothing more.’” Wisler tried to swim toward the man to help him, but the waves kept them apart. Instead he kept imploring the man to hold on. “I said, `Try to do something more, try to do something more. God can send somebody to help us.’ He said, `I can do nothing more.’”

Wisler said he watched as the man just disappeared under a wave and never came back up.

would hurt their families if they identified Metellus. Eventually their anger overcame their fear.

Thirty minutes later Wisler spotted a Coast Guard helicopter.

“I think he a bad guy because he don’t let me bring no water, no food, nothing for the little girl,” Chandeline says. “And then he bring more people [than he said he would on the boat].”

“I see the Coast Guard coming, I say, `Wow man, if this guy can stay for 30 or 40 minutes he’d be safe,’” Wisler says, shaking his head at the memory. The last person found by the Coast Guard and brought aboard the cutter was Chandeline. She had fallen into the water and separated from Lucsene almost immediately. She prayed that by some miracle he would be able to keep their baby alive. “When I reach the big boat I see Lucsene,” Chandeline remembers, her eyes welling with tears. “He says, `Chandeline you are a survivor.’ I say, `Yeah.’ Now he starts crying. I say, `Where is Luana?’ He start crying and I think Luana is not a survivor.” Chandeliene said she didn’t want to believe her child was dead and began pleading with the rescuers. Then she saw the proof. “I start crying. I say, `I have my baby with me.’ I see they come with a little girl with one black bag.” It wasn’t until she saw the body bag that she knew Luana was gone. “She so nice baby and a good baby,” Chandeline says, as tears are now streaming down both her face and Lucsene’s. “When I went on the boat with her she touched my face and kissed me and I talked to her through the night. I say, `Give me a hug,’ She give me a hug. I say, `Kiss me.’ She kissed me.’” Asked if she feels guilty she nods and says: “Yes I feel guilty. I feel guilty. I tried to help her get a better life too.” She believed the only chance Luana would have at a decent life was here in the United States. After being rescued, the Haitians were all kept together which made identifying the smugglers difficult. On the Coast Guard cutter Metellus told everyone to say the captain had died. They were terrified the rest of his crew in the Bahamas and Haiti

Like the others, Chandeline says she now realizes the smugglers care about one thing. “They want the money,” she says. “They worry about money; they don’t worry about your life.” And she has a message for others thinking of making the journey. No matter how bad your life may seem, she says, it can always get worse. “You need to stay where you are,” she says. “If you can come with visa, come. Don’t catch the boat.” After being held by immigration officials for four months, Lucsene and Chandeline were released and allowed to bury baby Luana here in Miami. Because President Obama granted all Haitians temporary protective status after the earthquake earlier this year, Chandeline, Lucsene and the other survivors will be allowed to remain in the country. As for the captain of the boat, Jimmy Metellus, he pleaded guilty to nearly two dozen counts of human smuggling, including nine counts of human smuggling resulting in death. In return for his plea, prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty against him. He will be sentenced next month. As for the survivors, although they didn’t know each other before climbing onto that boat, they are now like a family, staying in close contact with one another. They share an experience few others could understand. “Even when I’m on my bed sleeping I feel like I’m in the boat,” says Chrisla, staring at the floor. “This is never going to leave me. Never.” (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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No License? No Problem Reporting David Sutta MIAMI (CBS4) Make no mistake about it commuting in South Florida is not for the faint at heart. Miami ranks up there with the rudest, angriest, worst drivers on the road in America. In fact tens of thousands of those behind the wheel don’t even have a valid driver’s license. And as found out why should they? LIKE FISH IN A BARREL You’ve probably heard the expression “like shooting fish in a barrel.” Well, if there was an equivalent term in traffic enforcement a DUI checkpoint would be it. On a Friday night in Hialeah we watched as officers routed cars into a parking lot and were checking everything from licenses to insurance. Just an hour into their exercise they have their first arrest. Lester Beard doesn’t even have a license. He has actually 19 suspensions. Technically he’s not allowed to drive for life. Yet he’s still on the road … and he’s not alone. Miami-Dade has the highest number of suspended drivers in the entire state of Florida. Last year Miami-Dade’s court system handled more than 80,000 cases of drivers on the road without a valid license. The problem is so out of control the county has actually run out of courtrooms to

handle them all. Miami-Dade’s Chief Administrative Judge explained to us the scope of the problem. “This courthouse and probably all courthouses with any significant population would come to a standstill if everyone of these cases was set for trial.” When Judge Slom and the State Attorney’s office made that realization they began discussing a possible fix. Prosecutors proposed a diversion program for suspended licenses. A four-hour class on morals. It started June 1st. OPTION ONE As each of the suspended drivers approaches the podium in the courtroom Judge Slom asks the prosecutor if they are eligible for option one. He explains to the courtroom “If you take a four-hour class and pay a $150 fee the charge against you will be dropped. That is called option one.” Option one, the diversion program, is available to you as long as your license wasn’t suspended due to an accident, DUI, or drug charge. As we saw it is a very good deal when you are looking at $380 in court fees plus losing your license, it is a nobrainer. We watched Michael Alleyne go from five years not being able to drive to just taking a four hour class. Alleyne told us outside the courtroom “At least I have a chance. If luck comes quickly. If I get quick money and oh here you go and I’m legal again and woohoo! Outside the courthouse Dax Harisas recommended to us “Everybody take

option one.” Haridas dashed out of court saving $600 bucks with the program. He was so excited he drove away on his suspended license. Haridas rolled down the window of his beat up car and shouted as he drove off “Whoever made court options... 21 gun salute. I take my hat off to you.” NO LICENSE, NO PROBLEM. “Welcome to Dade County. You no longer need a driver’s license.” defense attorney Anthony Mallo told us. Mallo is riding the diversion class wave too telling all his clients to take option one. However he worries the state has suddenly decriminalized driving on a suspended license. “These are crimes. Persons may not understand until you are driving down the road and you are struck by someone who has a suspended drivers license, who has no insurance, and then, then you will really understand and ask why isn’t this crime being punished,” said Mallo. Some people agree with Mallo in some very high places. “Sympathy stops when people are being put in danger. And I am tired of people being put in danger.” Judge Sheldon Schwartz told us. Schwartz oversees traffic citations in Miami-Dade’s North Courthouse. Schwartz is known as the terminator as he is known on the street for his tough courtroom. We saw it in action at a Monday morning docket.

“If I were sitting where the State Attorney’s office is sitting, I would be seeking jail.” he told one suspended driver. The next one was hit in the wallet. “$883 dollars. It’s expensive. Maybe now you’ll learn not to violate the law.” MIAMI-DADE HAS GONE SOFT Judge Schwartz is fuming over the diversion program. He told us “Why should these people pay $150 when they know what they’ve got to do. To get a guaranteed dismissal so they will go out and do it again? That’s not the way it should work.” Schwartz, who was advised not to speak to us, believes quite a few judges are upset over the program because Miami-Dade has gone soft. He illustrated this in the courtroom. “In Orange County would you be going to jail today? Would you be going to jail because you have a four year and five year suspension?” The driver responded “Probably so, your honor.” Schwartz replied “Probably so. But you are in Dade County Florida sir.” UNLIMITED CLASSES While Judge Schwartz can’t prevent anyone from taking the diversion program it is clear he doesn’t endorse it in the courtroom. He wont remind you about it and unlike other courtrooms he doesn’t produce a poster of options, and here is why. news powered by

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“People can go into these programs 10 times. 15 times. 20 times. And I think that’s ridiculous.” A traffic class you could take 20 times and have the charges dropped did seem a bit ridiculous. The State Attorney’s Office declined to speak on camera about their new program now 10 weeks old. However they did provide us an e-mail response. In it they say they plan to tweak their new program, perhaps limiting the number of times you can enroll to three. PROGRAM PROGRESS So far with eight weeks of data the program has graduated 40 percent of enrollees. George Romagosa, who heads up Court Options, told us “Its not going to be 100 percent but it’s going to be better than it was before. Where as before they were just walking out and going ok.” The classes go on a few days a week. Most of the classes are roughly half full. While there are definitely enough people signing up to fill the rooms a lot of suspended drivers have trouble getting to the classroom. Romagosa told us they are calling them constantly, trying to motivate them to complete the class. The hand holding doesn’t end there. They actually stay with the driver and help them get a valid drivers license. Often that

means getting fines converted into community service hours or correcting whatever issue remains that’s keeping them from becoming legal.

that in any other community if you were suspended nine time you would not be on the road?” “Absolutely” Alvarez responded.

OVERWHELMING NUMBERS Even with the court option the courts continue to be overwhelmed. “We are caught up in a numbers game. And that’s what people need to understand.” Hialeah Police Chief Mark Overton told us. Overton says the system wasn’t working before. They could round up drivers all day and night but unlike neighboring Broward or Monroe county they don’t have enough jail space to lock them up. “Unless you are going to build a tent city and put people in jail every time they get caught driving with a suspended license, and have a zero tolerance issue, you are going to have to come up with programs and a system.” Overton said. THE BOTTOM LINE Back at the Hialeah checkpoint, frustration is setting in as another suspended regular is headed to jail. Motorman Manny Alvarez pulls the driver’s information. “He’s driving on a learners permit. It’s suspended nine times.” Brandon Ware has only had his permit for three years. I ask Alvarez “I would think

“How do they get away with it here?” I ask. “They risk it.” he says. Alvarez shrugs and says “He’s probably going to be out there driving again.” It’s good business for Attorney Mallo. But he draws the line at this diversion program. “At the end of the day it’s still a crime and it needs to be prosecuted. The concept of it didn’t work this way let’s try this way is not a solution.” said Mallo.

The State Attorney’s Office tells the ITEAM they are trying to find a way to stop prosecuting suspended licenses instead pass them off to an administrative process. Meanwhile the problem is getting worse. More electronic tolling is going up on Miami-Dade highways along with red light cameras. If you are caught running either one and forget to pay the fine your license is suspended. Prosecutors say there is now roughly 40 ways to have your license suspended in the State of Florida. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) news powered by

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CBS4 I-Team Reveals Early Voting Is Costly Reporting Stephen Stock MIAMI (CBS4) Early voting in F l o r i d a wrapped up August 22nd. And according to Florida’s Division of Elections, statewide, only 361,615 people took advantage of the two week early voting period.

actually showed up at 20 different polling places in Miami-Dade County for early voting. It’s not just Miami-Dade where turnout for early voting is low. On Islamorada in the Florida Keys, at the library -- one of five places voters could go in Monroe County - all of 109 people voted in the two week period of early voting. With the help of the CBS4.com web team, the CBS4 I-Team crunched the numbers.

When you break it down by the tax dollars needed to man these locations. Tax payers pay between $35 and $56 dollars per voter for early voting or an average of $21.29 a voter county wide. In Broward County it breaks down to $33.16 per voter for early voting. In Monroe County, 1599 voters took advantage of early voting, costing a total of $15,640, or $9.78 per voter.

That’s just a little bit more than 3% of all registered voters. That’s right 3.25% to be exact.

We found that in Miami-Dade only 33 thousand people showed up -- 2.7 percent of registered voters -- twice that many people have already voted absentee.

“It is much cheaper to run 20 early voting locations than it is to open 800 polling locations on Election Day,” said Lester Sola, Elections Supervisor for Miami-Dade County.

That led CBS4 I-Team investigator Stephen Stock to ask whether using tax dollars for early voting is worth the price.

In Broward County, 23 thousand people have showed up for early voting -- 2.2% of all registered voters.

Supervisor Sola says the turnout this year for early voting is actually better than the last comparable primary election in 2006.

In Miami-Dade a total of 101,237 people have already voted.

Some days early polling places resembled a ghost town. At Miami City hall, only 909 people showed up total.

“We want to make sure that we provide an ample opportunity for our citizens to cast ballots,” said Sola.

It was one of six places in Miami-Dade with less than one thousand early voters.

And Sola says it’s worth the money to provide that service no matter the price.

That includes 68,355 people who’ve turned in their absentee ballots. That’s more than twice the number of people who’ve

“If you ask the individual voter who couldn’t vote on Election Day and who needed early voting they would say it’s worth every single dollar,” Sola said. A spot check of other Supervisors of Elections in Florida found that many of them agree with Sola that the costs are well worth having to staff early voting precincts. They say that since the goal of early voting is to get more people to vote, any gain, even if it’s a small percentage, adds up to more Floridians at the polls. Supervisors of elections expect anywhere from 15 to 20% turnout tomorrow. To make things go quicker, elections’ officials ask voters to have a valid ID and sample ballot ready before going in to vote. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) news powered by

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Rivera & Garcia Note Differences After Primary Win Reporting Stephen Stock MIAMI (CBS4) In the race for US House from District 25 in West MiamiDade, the e x p e c t e d winners from both Republican and Democratic sides of the aisle wasted little time going on the attack. And for the first time, the GOP candidate David Rivera answered questions on camera about his involvement in an accident during a campaign eight years ago that raise issues about his veracity today. I-Team investigator Stephen Stock first reported the issues and got Rivera’s reaction to the controversy during his victory rally. From meeting supporters at the polls

during the day, to greeting cheering troops at a post primary victory rally, both Rivera and Democrat Joe Garcia wasted little time outlining their differences in what figures to be a contentious campaign for what used to be Mario Diaz-Balart’s seat for U.S. House District 25. Diaz-Balart is moving to run for his brother Lincoln’s old House seat District 21. “I think the voters are going to see a major contrast between the candidates in this election,” said David Rivera. “I’m someone that wants to go to Washington and cut spending, I’m someone who wants to cut taxes. I’m someone that wants to balance the budget. I’m someone who wants to provide a brighter economic future for our country not based on more stimulus (dollars).” “Clearly what’s unfortunate is that the Republicans think they can intimidate us by running a dirty campaign,” said Democratic House candidate Joe Garcia.

“There’s too much at stake. There are thousands of people that are losing their homes and their jobs.” For the first time on camera, Rivera answered questions on camera about a car accident he was in on the Palmetto Expressway. The FHP report showing a car Rivera was driving struck a van carrying his and his opponent’s campaign fliers on the Palmetto expressway during the run-up to the election for state house in 2002.

that have been talking about those allegations are my political opponents.” At his victory party, Democrat Joe Garcia also referenced the accident when asked about going against a GOP political heavyweight such as Rivera. “If by heavyweight you mean a guy who is involved in national scandals and using a car as a weapon...I don’t know. I don’t think that’s the challenge,” said Garcia.

Rivera told the highway patrol the van struck him and no charges were filed.

For his part, David Rivera says this was all eight years ago and that the voters don’t care about this issue; they care about what’s happening in Washington today.

CBS4 I-Team reporter Stephen Stock asked “Did you and your team try to force that truck off the road to take those fliers?”

He does admit that the voters do care about dirty campaigns, but he denies that this was a dirty campaign trick back in 2002, or that he did anything wrong.

“As you know that’s totally false,” said Rivera. “Those allegations are only allegations that have been given by my political opponent. In fact, the only people

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Cold Cash Available To Upgrade Florida AC Units Reporting Dave Game MIAMI (CBS4) F l o r i d a homeowners in the market for central air conditioning systems can qualify for a new rebate in what some are calling a cash-for-clunkers program for AC systems. Starting Monday, the state will begin handing out $15 million in rebates for energy efficient air conditioners, but qualifying for one of the payments is tougher than it was for other rebate programs funded by federal stimulus dollars. To qualify for rebates of up to $1,500, buyers must have their homes’ duct systems tested and showing leaks to the outside of less than 15 percent. Rebates aren’t being issued for single-room or window unit air conditioners.

The problem is many South Florida homeowners don’t have easy access to their ducts for inspection, experts say. Small attics in single-family homes, as well as condo or townhouse construction methods, could mean over 10% of homeowners can’t do the work needed to qualify. In you can have your ducts inspected, you must have them repaired to qualify for a rebate, and that could add to your cost of buying a new AC system. Even so, state officials say that most people could see a net benefit of more than $500, even after inspection and some repair expenses. The rebates are funded with the federal stimulus program. They’ll be issued through Dec. 31, or until money runs out, and there is some good news despite the strict requirements. Systems that meet the Florida requirements should also qualify for existing rebate or tax reduction provided by FPL and the IRS. The federal energy tax credit could take 30 percent off your replacement cost, up to $1500, and

FPL offers a sliding scale of rebates based on the system installed.

Rebates will be paid via an American Express gift card.

Many manufacturers are also offering their own rebate programs to supplement the FPL and IRS programs.

State officials suggest people wanting to apply for the rebate work closely with their AC contractor to know exactly what must be done to qualify before they sign a contract for a new systems. A system that doesn’t meet requirements will not be allowed a rebate, which is paid after the system is installed. Any errors could leave con summers paying more out of pocket than they had expected to pay The funds will be available for systems contracted for after August 30th, via a form available now from the state. The money will cover about 10 thousand rebates, far fewer than the 70 thousand rebates paid for under the state’s appliance cash-for-clunker program, and will be offered until the cash runs out or December 31st, whichever comes first.

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Consumer Reports: No-Brainer Money Saving Tips Reporting Al Sunshine ( C B S 4 ) Everyone’s looking to save money these days and Consumer Reports has brought together all of the best tips they’ve ever heard to compile their top “no brainer’s” for savings in nearly every category of things that you buy. With every flip of the switch, you could be saving money. Consumer Reports’ first no-brainer saving tip for the home is to replace your incandescent light bulbs with energysaving compact fluorescent ones. You can save about $56 over the life of each bulb.

of his bulbs and he saved $100 a month,” said Ann Gerace of Conservation Consultants. When it comes to your health and fitness, Consumer Reports said it’s a no-brainer to buy store brand over-the-counter medications. They have the same active ingredients as big name brands, but can save you as much as 70-percent. Also, shop around. Consumer Reports’ recent price comparison of the most popular over-thecounter medicines found Walmart and Target can save you 20-percent over drugstore prices. The no-brainer for saving on groceries is from Coupon Mom Stephanie Nelson. She says stack grocery store sales with coupons and don’t forget internet coupons.

“I have a gentleman who changed out all

Some of Consumer Reports favorite websites for e-coupons include CoolSavings.com, GrocerySmarts.com along with manufacturer’s websites. Consumer Reports said you can save on travel by booking on discount sites like Hotwire and Priceline, which can save you 40- percent or more. Just be forewarned, you won’t know details such as the exact hotel or airline until after you’ve paid. If you are traveling by car, the no-brainer is to find the cheapest gas before you fill up. You can easily do this by checking gas price tracking websites like GasBuddy.com and GasPriceWatch.com. On electronics, Consumer Reports said, if you haven’t already, sign up for bundled telecommunications service. You can save hundreds by bundling your television, phone and Internet. There are

usually great initial promotional rates and when the promo rate ends, threaten to switch to a competitor. “Prices for bundled services are down as much as 20-percent in the past year. And because of competition, your rate may not go up once the promotional period is over,” Paul Reynolds from Consumer Reports said. Finally, Consumer Reports has three things that they say you must do when it comes to any purchase you make. First, uncover every discount, which means coupons, coupon codes, etc. Next, on big-ticket items, always ask for a price break. Lastly, skip the extended warranties. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) news powered by

Capitalize On Cash-Back Websites, Get Paid To Shop Reporting Al Sunshine (CBS4) Did you know you can actually get paid to shop? It’s the latest shopping trend. Stores are now paying consumers to buy through online “cash-back” programs. Chances are, whatever you’re buying, wherever you’re buying it, you’re paying too much. The reason? There is a secret world of discounts out there for just about every major retailer but you wouldn’t necessarily know about it when shopping in stores because they’re only available online. “This is just one of those cornerstones that you would say to get a good deal,” said

Kelli Grant of Smart Money magazine. They’re called cash-back websites and consumer experts say they’re one of the easiest ways to spend and save at the same time. “Depending on what you are buying you can really get some good money back,” Grant said.

one of the stores the cash-back site receives a payment from that retailer. If you buy something, the website shares a portion of that payment with you. Some consumers are so excited about the money they’re saving they’ve taken to the Web to sing the praises of these cash-back sites.

“It’s a win-win for everybody. It’s money back in our pockets,” Barker said. Consumer experts say the sites are secure and don’t ask for much personal information other than your email address and a password.

“I already have $75 in my account that I will be getting a check for,” one person said.

“Earning something back on your purchases is one of the best parts about shopping online,” Grant said. “It’s a great way to get something a little extra back and to make sure that your purchases are even more affordable.”

“I have 2,000 points right now in cash back,” said shopper Jamine Goodrich.

Now, even banks are getting into the cashback business. Bank of America’s “Add It Up” program, for example, offers cash back from over 400 retailers.

The only drawback, experts say, is you have to wait several weeks to receive the money because the sites need to confirm you didn’t return your purchases.

“Typically it’s like 20 percent of the whole order or $5 off. It depends,” shopper Marjorie Fine added.

“Home Depot, Gap, Target, there are hotel sites, there are travel sites,” said BoA’s Jeff Barker.

Here’s how the process works: the cashback websites link to hundreds, even thousands of retailers. When you click on

Your cash-back earnings are credited to the eligible checking or credit card account of your choice.

We found cash-back offers on just about every type of good and service -- $55 back on some computer services, $7.50 off groceries and $6 cash back on cigars. Consumers say it can all add up.

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HURRICANE SECTION 2010 Everything You Need To Know To Be Prepared This Hurricane Season.

• Tracking Map • Emergency Phone Numbers • Safety Information • Important Articles

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After The Storm been inspected and certified as safe. Make emergency repairs. Don’t use the phone unless it’s an emergency; only dial 911 for lifethreatening situations. Do report downed power lines or broken water & gas mains, but don’t report individual power outages unless power has been restored to the rest of your neighborhood. (CBS4) Monitor CBS4 and the CBS4 HURRICANE NETWORK for the official “all clear.” Only then is it considered safe to return home or go outdoors to assess damage to your home and neighborhood. Remember to get your proof of residency from your hurricane kit; you may need it to re-enter an evacuation area. Insurance Tips Immediately report property damage to your agent or insurance company. Make emergency repairs and document them. Take precautions if the damage requires you to leave your home; secure your property and let your insurance company know where you can be reached. Beware of fly-by-night repair businesses; hire licensed, reputable service people; make sure they have current licenses, insurance and permits. Never pay all costs of a repair job up front and always get a receipt. Your insurance company will provide you with an insurance adjuster free of charge. Beware of unlicensed and dishonest “adjusters for hire.” Safety Tips Re-enter your home with caution; check for structural damage. Turn off any outside gas lines and let the house air out for several minutes to remove leaking gas. Don’t use an open flame as a light source. Use a flashlight. If your home has sustained structural damage, don’t move back in until it’s

If the Public Health Department issues a “boil water” order, it means that water supplies may be contaminated. Use your pre-stored water supplies for drinking, cooking, bathing, brushing teeth, and other cleaning purposes. If you do not have enough, boil tap water for 10 minutes to kill disease-causing microorganisms, or purify the water with chlorine tablets, chlorine bleach or tincture of iodine. Use 4 chlorine tablets, 12 drops of 2% tincture of iodine, or 8 drops of chlorine bleach (without additives) per gallon of tap water). Before using any food from refrigerator, check for spoilage.

the

Dry out computer components & electronics before attempting to use them. Do not try to make any repairs to items like TV’s or computer monitors that could cause shock or electrocution. Take these items to an authorized service center. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) news powered by

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September 3, 2010

Storing Generator Gasoline Is Tricky, Dangerous it warms up in storage. Even proper treatment of stored gasoline does not eliminate the risk of fire, especially if you store larger amounts of fuel.

Generator Fuel Is A Fire, Poisoning Risk. Experts Say Limit Quantities, Follow Strict Storage Guidelines. Best Advice: Don’t Keep Large Quantities At Home. Now that the storm has passed, and your lights are still on, if you are among the lucky South Floridians with a generator you’re likely to be wondering, “What do I do with all of this gas?” If you waited in long lines to get it, the first thought is to keep it on hand for the next storm, but experts say that may not be the best choice for safety, and for the good of your generator. Like many products, gasoline has a short shelf life. Its not something most people think about, because most gasoline goes from production to your car’s tank within a matter of weeks, but fuel experts say after a few months, the components in gasoline can break down. Using gasoline which has destabilized may cause your generator not to start when needed, and could actually damage your expensive investment. If the container or gas tank will not be used right away, will be exposed to direct sunlight, or will be stored at temperatures above 80° F much of the time, add a fuel stabilizer/additive such as “Sta-Bil” to the gasoline when you first buy it, prior to storage. That product or similar additives are available at auto parts stores. Many manufacturers of engines used in generators put restrictions on the amount of time gasoline should be stored before use in engines. Gasoline keeps longer if it is stored in a cool place and the container is kept almost 95 percent full. However, leave some headroom for gasoline to expand if

The National Petroleum Council points out that most areas have local codes restricting how much gasoline a homeowner can store. You should check the code for your municipality, but most codes limit homeowners to no more than 25 gallons of gasoline, stored in approved containers of no more then 5 gallons each. Fire officials say small amounts of gasoline for lawn mowers and yard tools, in the proper containers, can safely be kept in most garages when stored properly. However, with many people bringing home 4 or more 5-gallon containers of gasoline to feed their generator, the level of risk increases dramatically. The National Agriculture Safety Database offers a number of tips for gasoline: --The best way to store gasoline is in a well ventilated area separate from the house. --The location should have no electrical equipment, open flames or other sources of ignition present. --The location should be protected from the heat of the summer sun to keep evaporation to a minimum. --Do not store gasoline in the utility room. The furnace, water heater, clothes dryer or any of several other items could ignite fumes which may leak from the can and travel considerable distances. --If you do not have a suitable storage area, consider building a cabinet outside your house for storage or purchasing a commercially available flammable liquid storage cabinet, available from safety equipment suppliers. --Once a month check for leaks from fuel tanks, engines, or storage containers (ULlisted plastic containers will not rust). In urban areas, it may be difficult for many South Florida homeowners to meet

the requirements for safe storage. Fire officials say the best course is to use the generator gasoline in your car after the storm passes, and get more fuel when the storm threatens. But the experts say if you choose to store gasoline, you need to realize it is one of the most dangerous substances you will have at your home, and balance the risk of having a highly explosive chemical on

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Buy Owner Goes Belly Up state level. While the company established in 1984 will continue to operate with a reduced staff it will be searching for a buyer for its assets. The deciding factor in the Chapter 7 filing was a $3.9 million debt to Bank of America, which came due recently according to court documents.

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) Buy Owner, the Deerfield Beach company that allowed home owners to steer their own home sales, has filed for Chapter 7, effectively declaring bankruptcy at the

& Associates, acting as assignee for the company, is responsible for maximizing the assets of the company so creditors can be paid. The company filed for an assignment for the benefit of creditors in Broward County in July.,

That, combined with a failing real estate market and a $1.2 million due in back pay to its executives (there are 33 shareholders) lead to the downfall.

Philip J. von Kahle, managing director for Michael Moecker & Associates told the Palm Beach Post “The phones, as far as people interested in the service remain very active, and we are signing up new clients every day,” he said. “There is still a very valuable core business here.”

Fort Lauderdale-based Michael Moecker

Scott A. Eckert, Buy Owner president,

lives in Boca Raton. The company has franchises in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia and Tampa. About 10 percent of homes sold in 2009 did so without the help of a professional realtor, according to a report. Creditors have until Nov. 23 to file claims against the company. Source: The Palm Beach Post (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) news powered by

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Property Tax Assessments Are No Reason To Panic Reporting Al Sunshine MIAMI (CBS4) It’s a summer ritual for p r o p e r t y o w n e r s statewide; the dreaded letter in the mailbox with the proposed property tax notices in it. Hundreds of thousands of South Florida home and condo owners probably have a lot of questions about the property tax notices that were just sent out. While you might be depressed at first; it turns out if you know what to look for, about 45-55 % of property owners who appealed for lower bills to their to their local Property Appraiser or Property Value Adjustment Boards for lower bills actually won their cases. This year’s tax notices may have most homeowners scratching their heads wondering what’s going on. So what’s the problem? Property taxes for hundreds of thousands of homeowners around South Florida are still rising even though home values are dropping. That’s because of limited tax exemptions and increasing millage rates set by financially strapped local governments. If your home was covered by the “Save Your Homes” Amendment, the so-called Homestead Exemption, it may allow the tax appraiser to actually raise your tax bill by about 2.7% to level out all those years it limited your liability while the housing market grew and property values skyrocketed. So this year, it’s more important than ever to double-check your property tax bill and look for any possible mistakes. * First: Make sure the tax notice has the correct address. * Next, check the square footage to make sure you’re not paying for a bigger home than you have.

* Look for all the exemptions listed on the notice to make sure you’re getting all the tax credits you’re entitled to. * Double-check what comparable properties are selling for in your neighborhood....to make sure you home is not being over-valued.

The deadline to appeal is September 20th. And there’s also something else new this year: By state law, if you’re home is being repaired for Chinese drywall problems, let you property appraiser’s office know about it. You may not be responsible for any taxes on your home or condo, just the value of the unimproved property itself. Both Miami-Dade and Broward’s tax appraisers office recommends against paying any money up-front to anyone promising to lower your tax bill. They say in most cases, you can do it all yourself. Remember, the deadline to file an automatic appeal is September 20th! If you miss the deadline, you may not be able to qualify to file an appeal this year and may end up with a bigger tax bill than you should. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) news powered by

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Bed Bugs Creep Into South Florida Reporting Ted Scouten

grossed out people who are finding bugs in their beds. A few years ago, they’d get a call or two a month, now they get several calls a day. And you’re the draw…you’re their meal ticket.

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) How would you like to have bed bugs crawling around with you while you sleep? They’re making a comeback and it’s causing sleepless nights across the country and in South Florida.

“They will feed on you for a long time,” said John Miller from JP Miller and Sons Total Pest Solutions. “They’ll come back in a night’s feeding for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s kind of gross, but it’s literally what they do.”

bed bug activity. I want to come up to the headboard too. Any little crack I’m inspecting.”

And don’t forget the couch, if you hang out here and you have bed bugs in your home; you’re likely not alone.

He also suggested checking the box spring.

Experts also recommend, if you’ve had friends or family who’ve stayed over in your guest room, you should check the mattress once they leave. You never know if they may have brought some bed bugs with them inadvertently.

“On the corner, where the plastic protects the box spring is one of the most famous places bed bugs love to hid.” There are also numerous traps you can get. One is made of cardboard and sticks to the box spring and is filled with a sticky substance.

“I do not want to get bitten by bugs in my sleep,” said one grossed out woman.

So if you’re sufficiently bugged and worried, here’s what to look for in your bedroom or a hotel room. Whether it’s a roach motel or a 5-star resort, pull back the covers and start with the mattress.

And the disturbing truth is exterminators in South Florida are getting more calls from

“Where I’m looking is the seams,” said Miller. “I’m looking for any evidence of

“They’ll hide in here and they’ll get stuck,” explained James Miller. There’s also a plastic dish coated with a powder that you can place under the coasters. Another protection is a mattress protector designed to keep out bed bugs.

Brain Cancer Treatment For Dogs Could Help Humans Reporting Cynthia Demos (CBS4) A small pack of pet dogs and their owners are blazing an amazing new medical trail that may soon help human

Cheech’s brain tumor has practically disappeared. His guardian Amanda Landess is amazed. “He’s absolutely himself again, it’s pretty amazing. It’s a miracle,” Landess said. All the dogs’ tumors have shrunk or stopped growing. Lupin’s owner Audrey West is just as amazed, saying she has her dog back.

patients with brain cancer. 9-year-old Cheech, 12-year-old Lupin, and 4-year-old Devon are all adorable, playful pet dogs. But not too long ago, all three had terrifying seizures. The diagnosis was a lethal form of brain cancer. Dr. Peter Dickinson is a neurologist veterinarian at the world-famous UC Davis veterinary medical school. “For most of these aggressive tumors,” Dr. Dickinson explained, “the results are very similar to humans in that most of these tumors reoccur and the animals don’t live very long.” But today, all three are free of violent seizures, and thriving.

“She started wagging her tail again. She has not wagged her tail for a long time,” West said. So what happened? Cheech, Devon and Lupin all underwent a daring, experimental therapy. In a remarkable collaboration, the therapy was developed at a lab at UCSF and administered at UC Davis Veterinary Hospital. “This is cutting edge technology for treating brain tumors which is obviously very exciting for us”, said Dr. Dickinson. Dickinson said treatments for brain cancer are desperately needed. The disease is notoriously hard to treat in dogs as well as in humans. There’s a barrier called the blood brain barrier which stops drugs from getting across.

To reach the tumor, you need very high doses of toxic cancer drugs. Dr. Krystof Bankiewicz of UCSF said those high doses come at a cost. “Keep in mind that a lot of those drugs are toxic. We want them to be toxic in the tumor. We don’t want them to be toxic in other regions of the brain,” Bankiewicz said. Dr. Bankiewicz came up with a solution. He figured out a way to get the drug to where it needed to go: right into the tumor in the brain. Dr. Dickinson explained the procedure when he gave Devon his second treatment. With the French bulldog under anesthesia, Dr. Dickinsin exposed a tiny round device already implanted on top of the dog’s head. The device, shaped like a cylinder, is actually a port full of tiny holes. Through those holes, thin hollow glass needles or catheters are gently threaded into the brain, into the tumor. Then, a powerful experimental drug is forced through the catheters at high pressure to hit the cancer. The drug called CPT-11 stays in the brain for 5 weeks, not the typical 24 hours.

“It’s a lot less toxic and it stays in the brain a lot longer than it normally would,” said the vet. With Devon now slipped into an MRI, researchers watch in real time as the cancer drug is injected into the tumor. That way the vets can make sure the drug does not go to places where they don’t want it to go and they can also judge whether the treatment is effective. For these three dogs, the therapy has been so effective that it will soon be used on an experimental basis on humans suffering from the same deadly tumors. But remember the treatment doesn’t cure the cancer; the goal is to keep the tumor in check. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) news powered by

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Bill Sharing Groups Could Bring Down Health Costs Reporting Al Sunshine (CBS4) People who have bought their own health insurance have recently been hit with premium hikes. But there is one group that’s managed to keep health coverage at a low cost. They’re called medical bill sharing groups where members agree to pay each other’s medical bills. Member Leah Wu said she joined three years ago after seeing an advertisement on the web. “I was online on Christianity Today, a magazine just reading an article online and there was an advertisement on Medi-Share,” she said. Wu then called and found a plan that fit her budget and needs. When Wu became pregnant, Medi-Share covered nearly $10,000 in medical bills. All Wu had to do was fill out a need form and pay $250 out of pocket. “It’s kind of

like a claim,” she said. Founder Robert Baldwin said these claims are then evaluated to see whether their eligible to share among members. Baldwin added Medi-Share is similar to health insurance. Members pay anywhere from $100 to $400 a month and that money is then pooled to pay nearly nine thousand medical bills a month. “What you’re really counting on is the members themselves coming through for you,” he said. But becoming a member isn’t that easy. Members have to be Christian churchgoers and live a clean lifestyle. That means no smoking, no excessive drinking and no illegal drugs. As for unwed mothers pregnancy coverage is restricted. But these restrictions don’t bother member Annette Taylor. “It is a faith-based organization so there will be certain lifestyle differences between the general public and those that belong to a church or have a Christian faith based life,” she said. Members should be aware that Medi-Share is not an insurance company, which means

fewer regulations companies.

than

insurance

Members that don’t agree with a decision could appeal said Baldwin. “If the member disagrees with us they could actually request that seven members hear their appeal in the form of a panel discussion that takes place over the phone,” he said. But filing an appeal isn’t always a guarantee the decision will be reversed. In 2006, one member filed a lawsuit after his claim of $154,000 was denied. After the lawsuit, Medi-Share paid $835,000 to settle the case. Still Medi-Share continues to draw members that have faith they’ll be covered. “This is more than insurance it’s really a community of believers stepping in to help each other’s needs,” said Taylor. Medi-Share is not regulated by the state like insurance companies, which means there is no guarantee a participants bills will be paid. There are other similar organizations that

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New Study Links Processed Meat To Bladder Cancer

NEW YORK (CBS) ÑWhat’s for lunch? If you’re health conscious, maybe you’ll go for a fresh garden salad sprinkled with bacon bits or cubes of ham? Well, guess what. The more processed red meat you consume, the more likely you may be to develop bladder cancer, a new study suggests. Processed meats, including sausage,

pepperoni, bacon, ham, smoked turkey, and hot dogs, often contain nitrates and nitrites.

National Cancer Institute, said in a written statement. She said more research was needed to confirm the link.

When consumed in large quantities and over a long period of time, these twin preservatives increase the risk for bladder cancer, according to a new study published in the journal Cancer.

The study was based on dietary information on about 300,000 men and women between the ages of 50 and 71. Those whose diets contained the highest amounts of nitrate and nitrate from processed meats had an almost 30 percent increased risk for bladder cancer compared to those who consumed the smallest amounts of these compounds. Despite the finding, the link between processed meat and bladder cancer should be considered tentative, lead researcher Dr. Amanda J. Cross, of the

Foods Fortified With Fiber Worth The Price? Reporting Cynthia Demos (CBS4) We’re all hearing the message we need to get more fiber in our diet to stay healthy. F r u i t s , vegetables, and whole grains were our primary source, but now there are a number of other products, such as yogurt and granola bars, which are fortified with fiber. The question is whether these are a good substitute for the fiber we get from natural sources. If you eat an apple, you will get about three grams of fiber. A serving of raspberries will get you about eight. If you cook up a cup of peas, you’ll eat about 16 grams of fiber. There are other good sources of fiber such as bread and cereal which are made from whole grain. Despite these sources of fiber, most

Americans don’t get enough. A women under 50 years of age should get about 25 grams of fiber a day. A man the same age should get about 38. “We are coming in, on average, at about 15 grams,” said professor of nutrition Joan Salge Blake. “We are falling short on our fiber needs and we know that fiber can play a healthy part in helping to fight heart disease, reduce risks of certain cancers and of course the be and end all, keep you regular.” Food manufacturers know Americans are more interested in raising their intake of fiber and are increasingly adding it to their products. Look for ingredients like inulin, polydextrose, and maltodextrin to tip you off that fiber has been added. Salge Blade says these additives are not the same as what is referred to as “dietary fiber’ which is found naturally in fruits and vegetables, for example. “When you get fiber from a whole grain, you almost have to think of this like an orchestra. You’re getting the entire orchestra,” she explained. “You’re getting the grain with the fiber, with the vitamins and minerals, and some

protein called phytochemicals which are plant chemicals which can help reduce the risk of certain disease.” This means you primarily get digestive benefits from these sources of fiber, but not much more. Another consideration is cost. We compared prices and found that Activia yogurt, ounce for ounce, is 25 percent more expensive than Dannon’s regular yogurt. We found a similar situation with muffin mix. A traditional blueberry muffin mix cost $2.99. A smaller box of Fiber One mix, also by Betty Crocker cost $3.79. Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Pancake mix sold for $3.29. Again, a smaller box of Fiber One mix was more, selling for $3.99. For Salge Blake, the moral of the story is clear. “You can get some of these products that have added fiber, and you will get the fiber up, but it doesn’t displace apples, oranges, lettuce, and other vegetables.” Here’s something to keep in mind when you do your grocery shopping: A good

source of fiber is considered to have at least 2.5 grams of fiber per serving. When you buy bread, try to make sure the first ingredient is a “whole” grain. Then you can more confident you are getting more of the “good” fiber. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) news powered by

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Grass-Fed Beef May Be Healthier For You Reporting Cynthia Demos ( C B S 4 ) Americans love their beef and now it’s getting better for our health, that is, if it’s grass-fed beef. Some ranchers say grass makes a big nutritional difference in the meat we eat. David Evans owns Marin Sun Farms. While most cattle in the U.S. end up eating grain, his herd grazes on the natural grasses growing in the pastures. “Grass-fed beef is shown to be more healthy than industrial-raised confinement feed lot beef,” Evans said. From ground beef to filet mignon, that beef is now ending up in a growing number of restaurants, retail stores, farmers markets, even schools. New research seems to back up his nutritional claims. Scientists at Cal State University, Chico reviewed three decades worth of data and compared the nutritional profiles of grass-fed and grain-fed beef.

The grass-fed beef came out ahead. It’s lower in total fat and higher in healthier Omega-3 fatty acids. Grass-fed beef also contains more antioxidants, beta carotene and Vitamin E, and higher levels of Conjugated Linoleic Acids or CLAs for short. CLAs may help fight cancer, heart disease, even diabetes. Evans was adamant, saying “I think the more grass-fed beef gets into the supply of beef supply in this county the better we’ll all be.” But, as author David Kirby explains, that may take time. Kirby, author of “Animal Factory” said while most cattle in the U.S. today start out on pastures, they get shipped off to feed lots. Kirby explained, “We finish them in a feed lot where they’re fed corn and grain for the last three months of their lives or so to get them fatter and heavier so the farmer can make more money.”

beef, that we all think is so good,” said Kirby. For grass-fed beef, it costs more and the meat also takes some getting used to, according to Kirby. “It’s a little tougher. You have to cook it differently, but once you get used to it, it’s really delicious.” Whether grain-fed or grass-fed, the California Beef Council said all beef is wholesome and nutritious. The council also said when it comes to Omega-3 fatty acids; beef is not the best source. They point out how fish, such as salmon, has 35 times as much as grass-fed beef. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) news powered by

All that grain also leads to something else: more marbling or fat in the meat and that adds to the juice and flavor. “Americans, our diet, we’ve evolved to crave the marbleized beef, the corn fed

Study: Wine Can Make Women Smarter

MIAMI (CBS4) Women looking for more ‘mental muscle’ may only need to lift a glass of wine. According to a recent study out of Norway, wine can give women a bit of an intellectual edge over men. The so-called ‘Tromso Study’ tested more

than 5,000 middle-aged men and women over seven years, and found that women who drank four or more times over a two week period scored better on cognitive tests than those who only drank once during the same time frame.

Vanbeber who added that moderation is the key.

“I guess if I had not experienced it first hand, I’d say ‘I don’t know about that’,” said Julie Sizemore who admits to drinking a glass wine nightly. “But wine just gives you a little bit of a nice edge.”

“If you can not drink, maybe try some grape juice,” Vanbeber said. “Or eat grapes.”

One reason for the added benefit could be polyphenols, or antioxidants, found in the wine. Another reason could be the alcohol itself, which can improve blood circulation. “It’s a lot of things synergistically working together,” said nutritionist Anne

For women, that amounts to one glass of wine each day. But she knows that everyone cannot do that.

Men who participated in the Norwegian study did not fare quite as well as women, but any complaints from them would just be sour grapes. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) news powered by

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September 3, 2010

Paul & “Young” Ron Celebrate 20 Years On The Air Reporting Lisa Petrillo MIAMI (CBS4) South Florida’s longest running radio morning show, The Paul and Young Ron Show, is celebrating its 20th year on air. Over the years Paul Castronovo and Ron Brewer have hosted countless comedy bits, comedians, sidekicks and crazy stunts on their Monday through Friday show, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., most recently heard on Big 105.9. “It’s a piece of cake,” joked Castronovo. “No, it’s brutal doing the radio every day for 20 years.” “Wait, you’ve been doing it as long as we have”, he told CBS4’s Lisa Petrillo, “but you started when you were 7-years-old.”

Castronovo and Brewer chalk up their on-air chemistry to the fact that although they like each other, they’re nothing alike. “It’s the big guy picking on the little guy, like Fred and Barney, the fat guy picking on the little guy,” said Brewer. “Oh yeah,” deadpanned Castronovo. “You’re so skinny you are just wasting away.”

like the time they were chatting with Hilary Rodham Clinton. “I asked her if she inhaled. Who does that?” said Castronovo. Castronovo and Brewer also make it a point to give back to the community. Every year they hold an annual food drive where they raise tons of food to feed the hungry.

As the pair were taping an interview recently with Michael Lohan, Lindsay’s dad, they reflected on some of their worst celebrity interviews -- including the one they did with Linda Blair.

“We never wanted to be shock jocks or the mean guys. Years ago we won an award. It was “Who would you most like to have a beer with?” and it (the top pick) was Paul and Young Ron. I said there right there is our career,” said Castronovo.

“She says, ‘Hey guys, we are not going to be talking about horror films,’ and it went downhill from there,” recalled Castronovo.

But it’s doing the celebrity interviews where they admit they have the most fun,

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Marlins On Ballpark: “A Contract Is A Contract” Reporting M i c h a e l Williams

against it. I thought the deal was horrible to begin with. The financing is even worse.”

MIAMI (CBS4) Foul ball! That is the cry again Thursday night over revelations that the Florida Marlins were making millions, even as they sought huge public help to build their new ballpark in Little Havana.

That ballpark financing includes roughly $342 million in hotel/tourism taxes and $156 million in money from the Marlins. Marlins president David Samson has gone on record saying, “It is all very explainable, because the people we negotiated with at the county and city knew everything, our banks know everything, our partners know everything.”

The Marlins refused to open their books when they negotiated their $600 millionplus stadium deal with Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami. Critics say the team did not ante up nearly enough of its own money. Now those critics are howling over revelations that the Marlins netted a profit of $49 million over a two year period in 2008-2009. Others say the figure is closer to $32 million after you factor in debt obligations. Either way there is a lot of “I told you so” going around.

Not true, said Miami-Dade Commissioner Rebeca Sosa. She was one of nine votes for the stadium deal but now wishes she had demanded more money from the team. CBS4 News asked if she should have demanded the Marlins open their books as a condition of the stadium financing negotiations. Sosa said “That was one alternative, but the way it was presented it was a very good deal for the county.”

Miami-Dade Commissioner Carlos Gimenez said, “Not surprising. I voted

Miami-Dade County Manager George Burgess argues it still is. “Without hesitation,” he said, “I think this is a good

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deal for South Florida.” He noted, again, that local taxpayer money is not being used to finance the ballpark, and that hotel/tourism tax money was designated for use by sports franchises. Burgess argues the Marlins’s profit over two years seems relatively modest by big league baseball standards. He said he would be far more worried if the team was bleeding red ink. Burgess also said he does not imagine any circumstance in which the contract with the Marlins will be reopened. The team has already rejected any such possibility and construction continues on their shiny new home. So does the debate about whether the new baseball palace is really worth it, and whether county residents might eventually see other priorities crowded out by the long term financing needs of those new digs. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) news powered by

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Dipping Into Retirement Account Can Cost Plenty Reporting Al Sunshine MIAMI (CBS4) After three years of tough times, lower home values, and tighter credit, many Americans believe their only option for emergency cash is their 401k but dipping into that retirement account can cost you plenty now and in the future. Emergency withdrawals from retirement accounts have now hit a 10-year high as the U.S. economy continues to challenge our jobs, our homes and our family finances. But drawing on that money comes with a lot of red tape and some hefty tax penalties. Retirement accounts are supposed to be “rainy day” funds we put away for our retirement. But according to one of the country’s biggest financial managers,

Fidelity Investments, a growing numbers of families are now taking so-called “hardship withdrawals” from their retirement accounts.

Since you’re using pre-tax funds, remember its taxable income and there are also other tax penalties for early withdrawals.

Under federal tax laws, pre-tax retirement funds like 401k’s can be only used for “immediate and heavy financial need”. You can’t withdraw more than your immediate emergency and use it for other routine expenses.

Some retirement accounts may also allow short-term loans which have to be paid back.

Fidelity says the average withdrawal for its customers is about $8,600 and many of its customers are nowhere close to retirement age. The IRS requires the money be used only for approved purposes like preventing an immediate foreclosure or eviction. Approved use may also include emergency medical bills, necessary repairs or purchase of a main residence, emergency school tuition or funeral expenses.

Because of the tax considerations and penalties, if you’re starting to think about any early retirement withdrawals, contact your tax accountant and a financial planner first to see how it affects your family’s finances. Don’t forget you still need to pay the taxes on any early Retirement Account Withdrawals when you file your next tax return. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) news powered by

September 3, 2010

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September 3, 2010

Horoscopes provided by www.starlightastrology.com

Leo

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PUBLISHER Tony Gambirazio ART DIRECTOR Tammy Kukic DIRECTOR OF SALES Cesar Rodriguez ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES Ines Collado Melissa McAndrew Mayra Ron Ayla Sedlacek INSIDE SALES Michelle Rodriguez Sarah White OFFICE MANAGER Montserrat Surroca FRANCHISING Tony Gambirazio • DISTRIBUTION The AdTimes Newspaper powered by CBS4.COM is distributed in high foot traffic locations in the Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach county areas such as Publix, Winn Dixie, Sedano’s, CVS, Navarro Discount Pharmacy, Blockbuster, 7-Eleven, Bally’s Fitness, Sears, Big Lots, K-Mart, Regal Cinemas & Sawgrass Mills Mall. ADVERTISING Advertising information can be obtained by calling our general sales office at 305-477-1699. visit us online at www.theadtimes.com

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Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 20)

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Ask family members for help and you will be able to complete the projects more quickly. Problems with your partner are apparent. Minor health problems may lower your vitality. Home improvement projects will run smoothly. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

Business and emotional partnerships will run smoothly. Too much talk might lead to hassles. They won’t pay you back and you’ll be upset. One-sided relationships are likely. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Sagitarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Gemini (May 22-June 21)

Financial investments that deal with joint money can be extremely prosperous. Your tendency to dramatize may be a little much for your partner to take constantly. Travel for business will not only bring you valuable information but also profits as well. Refrain from arguing with your mate. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

You may not be as well received in group endeavors if you try to force your will on others. Residential moves will be in your best interest. People you live with will not be terribly happy with you regardless of what you do this month. You can make favorable changes in your home environment. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

You can purchase items that will enhance your appearance. Take time to talk things over. Travel for business or pleasure. Set the ball in motion and be relentless until you complete the project. Problems with female members of your family may play on your emotions. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

Taurus (Apr. 21-May 21)

Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb. 18)

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)

Need some adventure in your life? Exotic destinations beckon you. You can’t lose this month unless you get involved in gossip or overwork to the point of exhaustion. Residential moves will also be advantageous for all concerned. Be cautious while traveling to foreign countries.Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

You need to keep the peace and you will have to bend in order to do so. Your ability to come up with original ideas will bring recognition from superiors. You should spend your day trying to get things completed at work. Shopping could cost more than you bargained for. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

You may want to sign up for courses that will encourage you to have more confidence in yourself. You will find that social activities will be enjoyable and will promote new connections. Those you care about may oppose your ideas. You may jump from the frying pan into the fire if you make a move this month. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20)

Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 22)

Cancer (June 22-July 22)

You will be your usual charming self and the partners you attract may be the adventurous type. You’ll find it easy to meet new people. This could be the cause of a dispute that may result in estrangement. Think about your priorities. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

If they’re too demanding, reconsider this union. Pursue outdoor activities or any physical exertion. Partnerships could prove to be lucrative. Be sure to question any detail that you feel could leave you in a precarious position at a later date. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

Your philanthropic contributions will bring you praise. Someone you work with may be trying to make you look bad. Health problems may prevail if you haven’t been getting enough rest. Be extra careful with your valuables; loss and theft are evident this month.Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3x3 box Iin black borders) contains every digit 1 to 9.

August 20th Solution

6 4 8 1 9 5 2 3 7

7 9 5 3 4 2 8 1 6

3 1 2 8 7 6 4 9 5

1 6 3 7 8 9 5 2 4

9 8 4 2 5 1 6 7 3

5 2 7 4 6 3 1 8 9

4 3 6 9 2 8 7 5 1

2 5 9 6 1 7 3 4 8

8 7 1 5 3 4 9 6 2

9 7

8 2

4 3 2

1 9 1 5 7

8 8

Look For Our Next Edition: SEPTEMBER 17, 2010

5 4

8 6 3 4 1 1 3 9

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(July 23-Aug. 23) You may find it impossible to get the rest you require. You will not be able to contain your emotions this month. Don’t let your personal partner hold you back or slow you down. Your interests could lead you down avenues you never realized existed. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.