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Roy Fastabend has been a welder for 35 years and a certified inspector for the last fifteen. It was his job to make sure the columns and beams connected to the retractable roof at the Marlins Stadium were constructed and welded correctly. But what Fastabend said he found shocked him.
ALSO INSIDE Convicted Ponzi Schemer Makes Shocking Allegations Criminal Probe Into After School Tutoring Program The Dangers Of High Tech Q-R Codes Is The Alkaline Diet The Next Weight Loss Fad? Lipstick Shines In Down Economy
January 6, 2012
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Whistleblower: Marlins Stadium Contractors Cut Corners Mr. Garcia’s termination,” Mazzella noted.
The Marlins now admit Garcia was fired back in September 2010 for falsifying inspection reports. But even though the Marlins knew more than a year ago that Garcia wasn’t properly inspecting roof welds, they only recently agreed to go back and re-test all of the welds he supposedly examined.
Reporting Jim DeFede jdefede@wfor.cbs.com MIAMI (CBS4) – Roy Fastabend has been a welder for 35 years and a certified inspector for the last fifteen. It was his job to make sure the columns and beams connected to the retractable roof at the Marlins Stadium were constructed and welded correctly. But what Fastabend said he found shocked him. Engineering specifications ignored. Contractors cutting corners to save time and money. He even caught a fellow inspector falsifying records and signing off on welds he never examined. “If people knew what was going on there or how they did things, I mean, I won’t go to that stadium, I won’t take my kids to that place,” Fastabend told CBS4’s Jim DeFede in an exclusive interview. “Sadly, it looks beautiful but there are questions.” He’s not the only one with questions. Last month, the Inspector General sent a letter to the Marlins citing concerns with the welding procedure used on the retractable roof. “Some issues have recently arisen that need to be resolved,” Inspector General Chris Mazzella wrote on November 2, 2011. Mazzella specifically cited problems surrounding the weld inspections conducted by Mike Garcia on the project. “It has been determined that Mr. Garcia falsified some welding inspection documents and expense reports resulting in
Fastabend’s work on the project began in May 2010 when he was dispatched to Arkansas to oversee construction of the 52,000 pound wishbone columns that are key supports for the retractable roof. He stayed on site every day while that first batch was completed. “You have to be there, to be present, to make sure that they have the right welds on the inside,” he explained. But after he returned home, he learned inspectors were no longer going to be sent to Arkansas to oversee daily construction of the remaining columns. He said he was told it was to save money. “They had bid this contract very low, the budget was very low,” he said. In June and July 2010, Fastabend next assignment was inspecting the welds on the massive columns that would be used to support the east canopy of the stadium. The columns were being built at George’s Welding in Medley. The specifications called for a specific type of weld that would sear the columns deep into the plates. But the process was difficult and time consuming. Fastabend claims the owner of George’s Welding, Jorge Amador, ordered his welders to use a different method – one that would be easier but considerably weaker. “That’s a big no-no,” Fastabend said. Fastabend said he questioned the owner about the changes and told him he couldn’t just alter the specifications. “He was very mad at me, Jorge, the owner, he yelled at me, screamed at me and told me he wasn’t going to change that because
he was the owner and I could call the police if I wanted but he wasn’t going to change anything,” he said.
Fastabend, however, continued to press the issue, writing reports and emails to senior executives within the stadium project. A stress test on the welds was ordered. The welds cracked and failed. George’s welding was ordered to go back to the preapproved procedures. Contacted Tuesday afternoon, Jorge Amador, Jr., said he recalled a disagreement over how the welds on the column were supposed to be done. He said it was possible his father, the owner of the firm, and Fastabend did get into an argument, but he doesn’t recall anything specific since he was out of the shop often on other projects. Amador said he was questioned several months ago by the Inspector General’s Office regarding the welds and he said he assured them that all of the welds were ultimately done properly. At the same time the debate at George’s Welding was taking place, Fastabend also began complaining about his fellow inspector, Mike Garcia. “He didn’t want to inspect,” Fastabend said, adding Garcia would show up briefly for work and then leave early. Fastabend said he tried to document everything Garcia did wrong. When Garcia learned about it, the two men got into a heated argument. The next morning, July 23, 2010, Fastabend wrote his boss an email. “So I sent it on Friday morning about 7 o’clock and by 4 o’clock I was terminated,” Fastabend said. Fastabend told CBS4 News believes he was fired because he was holding contractors accountable and because he was always questioning the way things were being done. He said he believed it was important to follow the plans as the engineers wrote them. Tuesday morning, Marlins President David Samson led reporters on a tour of the
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stadium, touting how it was 91 percent complete. “We’re going to open this stadium on time and on budget,” Samson bragged. But as the rest of the tour went on, CBS4 News asked Samson about Mike Garcia, the inspector who was caught falsifying records. It appears only samples of his welds were re-inspected after he was caught. CBS4 investigator Jim DeFede asked Samson why the team only recently, after the Inspector General began asking questions, agreed to have all of Garcia’s welds re-inspected. Samson bristled at the question and said, “Yeah, that’s not actually accurate. I don’t know who your sources are.” The source of the information was the Miami Marlins. In a letter dated November 29, 2011, from John Lloyd, the Marlin’s developer representative for the construction project, to the Inspector General, Lloyd provided numerous reports explaining how only a portion of Garcia’s welds were re-inspected in 2010. He then wrote, the team had now decided to go back and re-inspect the remaining welds. “In an abundance of caution, however, we have decided to re-inspect those welds originally inspected by Mr. Garcia,” Lloyd wrote. Samson says he has no doubts the stadium is safe. “The life of our fans and my life is more important than opening on time,” he said. “We would never endanger anybody — my kids, myself, our players, fans. We would never.” The Inspector General will likely produce their own lengthy report on the stadium early next year. In the meantime, one possibility the Inspector General has raised, is that the Marlins may need to go back to the City of Miami to have their stadium plans re-approved to accommodate the weaker welds they are now finding but can no longer repair.
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Convicted Ponzi Schemer Makes Shocking Allegations fortune on fake legal settlements. Rothstein is shedding a harsh spotlight on his former firm, Rothstein, Rosenfeldt and Adler, the banks he did business with and law enforcement, as lawyers trying to recover money for investors, questioned him at the federal courthouse in Miami last week. Talking about his self-described “rockstar” lifestyle, Rothstein said under oath, “I had some partners that couldn’t come to work without smoking pot. I also found they were dealing drugs in the office.” Reporting Joan Murray jmurray@wfor.cbs.com MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) — Hundreds more pages of transcripts have been released offering fresh insight into Scott Rothstein’s elaborate Ponzi scheme that unraveled two years ago. The disbarred lawyer is serving a fifty year prison term for operating his $1.4 billion dollar scheme, the largest fraud in South Florida history. As we now know, Rothstein built his phony
Then Rothstein dropped a bombshell. “The police also were sleeping with my escorts,” said Rothstein. “Broward Sheriff’s Office, Ft. Lauderdale Police weren’t going to bother me. I could have all the escorts I wanted.” Fort Lauderdale police deny any criminal wrongdoing and BSO is looking into the allegations. But it doesn’t end there. Rothstein boasts that prominent people were
always up to see him in his lavish high rise office on Las Olas Boulevard in Ft. Lauderdale. “Mob guys, law enforcement, even judges from time to time. Not federal judges, would show up. I would see them.” When asked what other crimes he committed, Rothstein claimed, “money laundering, extortion, physical violence, public corruption,” and “bribing law enforcement, paying law enforcement to do illegal activity.” When one lawyer asked Rothstein, “Are you trying to get out of jail?” He replied, “Yes sir.” The lawyer asked, “and you are using your same techniques, lying to other people in order to accomplish that, isn’t that true?” “No sir,” answered Rothstein. Fort Lauderdale Police Spokesperson Frank Sousa released a statement Wednesday in response to Rothstein’s allegations.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has complete faith in the federal investigation which, to our knowledge, has not generated criminal charges against any employees of the Department. Furthermore, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s Office of Internal Affairs conducted an administrative investigation, inclusive of all the information available to the Department at the time, to determine if any employees violated Department policy. Numerous employees were found to have violated policy and appropriate corrective action was taken. That investigation was then submitted to the Broward State Attorney’s Office for their independent review. Their review resulted in no criminal charges being levied against any employee of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Obviously, if any specific allegations of criminal or administrative misconduct, that we were previously unaware of, are brought to the attention of the Department, a thorough and objective investigation will commence. While the depositions concluded last week, the judge hearing the case may decide Rothstein will give more testimony in January.
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January 6, 2012
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CBS4 Investigates: Criminal Probe Into After School Tutoring Program Divine was paid up to $70 an hour for each student they allegedly tutored. So far investigators have found dozens of what they are calling “ghost” students. Robinson’s attorney, Larry Handfield, said he has been told by prosecutors that Robinson will be arrested as early as this week. “I’m not speaking to the level of whether this was deliberate deceit or whether this was an issue of negligence,” Handfield said of the allegations. “I do think my client is very, very disappointed and upset about it.” Reporting Jim DeFede jdefede@wfor.cbs.com MIAMI (CBS4) – CBS4 News has learned a supposedly non-profit, after-school tutoring company, created to help at risk children, is under criminal investigation for allegedly bilking hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Miami Dade School district. That company, Divine Sports Inc, and its owner, Erika Robinson, are suspected of committing both fraud and identity theft. And whose identity did they steal? The identity of the very children they were supposed to be helping. Sources familiar with the investigation told CBS4 Investigator Jim DeFede, Divine would take the names of actual students at Miami Central High School, Miami Northwestern High School, and Golden Glades Elementary and then falsely claim to be tutoring them so they could be reimbursed by the district.
Handfield said Robinson failed to adequately keep track of the money. “Clearly some mistakes were made that probably started off innocently,” Handfield explained. Sources tell CBS4 News it went well beyond sloppy bookkeeping. Divine officials actually created bogus progress reports for each of their ghost students – showing the district how well the children were doing. “And that brings us to where we are now,” Handfield explained, “issues of receiving payment for services that were not totally provided.” The precise amount of the money allegedly stolen is unclear, but both Handfield and sources familiar with the case place the alleged amount in the “hundreds of thousands of dollars.” The 18-month investigation is being led by the Miami Dade Inspector General’s Office and the Miami Dade State Attorney’s Office. The U.S. Department of Education’s
Inspector General is also involved in the case. The story of Divine illustrates a serious problem with a federal program known as SES – or Supplemental Educational Services. Under SES, private companies are paid to tutor children from low-income families. The program is part of the federal No Child Left Behind program. Twenty percent of every federal dollar allocated to a school district by the federal government must be spent on SES programs. This year alone, the federal government will spend approximately $650 million on SES programs, including nearly $19 million in Miami Dade County. Several weeks ago, Miami Dade School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho testified in Washington before the House Education committee on the questionable merits of the tutoring program. He said his biggest problem with the program is that there is no oversight by the local school district. “It is very hard for us to know what is going on and incredibly difficult for us to opine to parents as to what’s best for their kids,” he testified. Carvalho complained the district is unable to determine if the money is being properly spent or if it is even helping any of the kids. “With very little accountability and a great deal of money those are two ingredients that spell out disaster,” he said. That would certainly seem to be the case with
Divine. The company was created in 2005 to provide sporting activities for kids, but soon turned to the far more lucrative field of federally funded tutoring. In 2008-2009, the first year it operated as a tutoring company it made just $6,975. And then in 2009-2010 Divine received $951,460 for students they were allegedly tutoring – an increase of more than 14,000 percent from the previous year. Last year, as state and county investigators began questioning Divine, the company still billed the school district $445,250. The school district has refused to pay it. Divine’s website claims the company is active in dozens of school districts in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, but Handfield said the company is not active anywhere in the country. Robinson, the founder and owner of Divine, refused repeated requests for an interview and when a reporter visited Divine’s corporate offices in North Dade, workers slammed the door shut. The company’s corporate officers also refused to speak. Handfield said they had nothing to do with the day-to-day operations of the company. He said Robinson is prepared to accept full responsibility for her mistakes. “I am happy to say she is not trying to dodge the situation,” Handfield said, “and she is owning up and accepts full responsibility for anything that may have went wrong.”
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January 6, 2012
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Pros And Cons Of Digital Coupons Caron. But keeping tabs on all those offers often adds up to stress and confusion. “I have this little binder system that I use, and I try to sort or organize them by store.” Meghan hopes to cut back on clipping by using digital coupons. They’re promotions or discounts that are automatically loaded onto your debit card, credit card, or store loyalty card. Simply use your plastic in-store or online to redeem the savings.
Reporting Al Sunshine asunshine@cbs.com MIAMI (CBSMiami) — It’s a time honored tradition: cutting coupons out of the Sunday newspaper. But now, you can put the scissors down, because the coupon world has gone digital. Mother of six Meghan Caron spends most Sundays clipping coupons. “It is a massive undertaking. I really anticipate the Sunday paper coming,” said
Janna Herron with Bankrate.com said you’re about to see a digital coupon explosion, “It is convenient. Consumers don’t have to stuff their purse or their wallet with a bunch of paper coupons, and they don’t have to worry about forgetting them, because it’s linked to their card.” Some e-coupons can be found directly on your credit or debit card statement. Others are available through third party web sites. “Typically, you register your debit card, credit card, or store loyalty card on either the third party web site or your bank issuer’s web site. And then, when you see a coupon that you
want, you just click on it.” Soon you’ll be able to download deals via billboards, magazines, and television, too. “You scan a QR code, or you type in a starstar code on your mobile device, and that offer is linked right to your card.” Tom Burgess is with Linkable Networks, a company on the forefront of this technology, “We support 99% of all credit or debit cards from around the country.” Meghan registered on MyLinkables.com and racked up savings at a home improvement store. “My savings there was between $5 to $10 dollars, which was very significant savings for us.” While e-coupons can save you dollars, Herron said it’s important to know that most services monitor your purchase history, so you can receive targeted coupons. According to Bankrate, some credit card issuers are even selling that history to retailers.
“Consumers should read the privacy policy before signing up for these services so they know how the information is gathered, what is collected, who it’s being shared with.” Burgess said that Linkable Networks is committed to keeping your data anonymous. “We deal with the banks directly. And the consumer’s data, all that personally identifiable information, your name, your address, and so forth, remains behind the firewall at the bank.” Meghan said she feels safe, and the time and money it saves her is worth every penny. “Just to even go out to eat as a family of 8 would be something that is a treat for us.” When it comes to using debit and credit cards, there’s one drawback. you don’t save money on the spot. Typically, the savings will be credited to your account within 30 days after the purchase, so be vigilant about checking your statement.
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January 6, 2012
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Construction Job In Panama Creating Jobs In South Florida What that means are mega ships, known as “Post-Panamax” ships will be able to pass through. Right now, the narrow hundred year old locks leave no room to spare. Phillip Allen from Port Everglades explained while those mega ships already come to South Florida ports, they’re half empty. If they were loaded, they could not fit. “It would be dragging on the bottom,” said Allen. Reporting Ted Scouten tscouten@cbs.com MIAMI (CBS4) – More than 100-thousand jobs are expected to be created in Florida in the next few years – all because of a construction project underway in Central America the expansion of the Panama Canal. That means bigger ships with more cargo will be heading here. The expansion is underway. Crews are building new, bigger locks.
That’s why South Florida ports are already undergoing multi-billion dollar expansion programs to make room for the PostPanamax ships. At the Port of Miami , a huge tunnel is being constructed under Government Cut, and a rail line into the port is being restored. Both projects will make it faster to get goods out and on their way up the east coast. A big dredging project will begin soon in the
ship channel, that way the mega ships that will soon pass through the Panama Canal will be able to come in loaded. Port Everglades plans to eventually dredge too. They’re also expanding births so more ships can come and adding a huge rail yard so cargo can go seamlessly from ship to rail. Albert Smalls’ family has worked at the Port of Miami for generations. He see this expansion fueling new jobs for decades. The state estimates there could be as many as 170-thousand statewide. “This is exciting for me,” explained Smalls. “I done seen the port grew from a small port to a tremendous port now a mega port it’s about to become.” Perhaps one of the biggest cheerleaders of all is Governor Rick Scott. He’s been touting the expansion plan since he was on the campaign trail. He quite the penny pincher, but says this is just one example of how Florida can spend
money now, to make money later. “We’ve got to make sure we have the money for the right infrastructure of the state,” explained Governor Scott. “We’ve got to do the same thing with our ports, our rails, cargo rails, and then our highway system to make sure we can continue to grow, because if we don’t we’ll stop growing.” The Panama Canal expansion project should be complete sometime in 2014.
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January 6, 2012
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S. Florida Drivers React To NTSB’s Recommended Cell Phone Ban “According to NHTSA, more than 3,000 people lost their lives last year in distraction-related accidents,” said NTSB chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. “It is time for all of us to stand up for safety by turning off electronic devices while driving. No call, no text, no update is worth a human life.”
sets, I don’t think there’s a problem utilizing stuff like that,” said Holley.
At first, many love it the idea of a total ban.
“I just don’t see the difference between hands free talking and talking to a companion in the car,” said driver Angie Wade. “ So I don’t agree with banning the hands free too.”
Reporting Ted Scouten tscouten@cbs.com
“I think it’s a great idea,” said one driver. “I think I even find myself distracted by texting and driving, I’ll admit to it.”
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) – What do you think of a total ban on cell phone use and texting by drivers?
But when drivers hear more details, and realize it means no phone at all, it’s suddenly not such a great idea.
The National Transportation Safety Board recommended that states should ban the use of cell phones and other electronic devices by all drivers except in the case of an emergency.
“This means you couldn’t make a quick call to the boyfriend, the husband, the kids, nobody,” explained CBS 4’s Ted Scouten to Jessica Holley. “ With this day, everyone has Bluetooth, hands free head
“You wouldn’t be able to use that,” said Scouten. With shock in her eyes, Holley quickly said, “I disagree with that then!”
“You should be more responsible and cognizant of what you’re doing on the road,” believe Teag Jones. “ I don’t think there should be a law dictating whether you can use your phone while driving.” Florida lawmakers have tried for several years to pass a text messaging ban, but have failed to do so. Another texting ban has been proposed for the upcoming 2012
legislative session. “Doing nothing is not an option at this point,” cautioned Democratic State Senator Eleanor Sobel from Hollywood. She is pushing a “dangers of texting and driving” bill. As much as she wants a total ban – she doesn’t see it happening in the current legislature. “Reality in Florida is that this is not a priority,” she lamented. “I’d like us to address this issue as we addressed seat belts.” Right now, the strongest legislation being discussed in Tallahassee is for a total ban on texting and driving. A violation would carry a $30 fine. But it would be a secondary offense, meaning drivers could only be cited if they were pulled over for another infraction. Insiders say the measure will likely fail.
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January 6, 2012
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Delta Expansion Adds Non-Stops Between MIA, LaGuardia
Reporting Dave Game MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – Travelers using Miami International Airport will be getting faster flights to LaGuardia using Delta airlines, part of a major expansion of the airline’s service at the New York airport announced Friday. Delta says the additions make it the biggest airline between the New York area and cities in the U.S., a move intended to
help it lure more business travelers. The list of added cities reads like a map of the hubs of competing airlines. Delta is adding Miami and Dallas, both major hubs for American Airlines, which recently entered bankruptcy in an attempt to reorganize.
non-stops.
percent of the traffic at MIA.
In all, Delta is planning to add 100 new flights daily from LaGuardia, part of a deal with US Airways to exchange flying rights at Washington Reagan and LaGuardia.
At the same time as it announced the route expansion, Delta said it would cut back on the total flying the airline does by 3 percent in 2012.
It will also fly to Houston and Denver, which are both United hubs, and Charlotte, which is a hub for US Airways.
Delta offers considerable service from Miami International, but is dwarfed by American, which provides about 70
Delta already serves both Miami International and, to a lesser extent, Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, but did not offer non-stop service from Miami to LaGuardia. That will change in the first half of 2012, with 4 non-stops added daily. The changes mean passengers headed for LaGuardia will no longer have to connect in Atlanta. Delta also has service to Newark and JFK Airports in the New York area, including
Delta made no announcement about service at Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
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January 6, 2012
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Miami Company Blasted In Social Media War Over Customer Service N-Control accepted pre-orders and, being a small company, engaged a marketing company to be its public face and deal with customers. That proved to be a costly mistake.
Reporting Dave Game MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – A customer service nightmare that started with a simple request from a customer of a small Miami company featured on CBS4 and CBSMiami.com has made N-Control, developer of a video-game controller, a virtual digital pariah at the speed of the web, an example of how social media can take a private dispute and turn it into a business disaster. N-Control was founded by a South Florida teacher who developed a video game controller that was particularly useful to gamers with disabilities. CBS4 and CBSMiami featured the company and founder David Kotkin, an art teacher in the Miami-Dade School system, on-air and online. The Avenger controller generated a lot of attention and the company contracted to have it built in China.
A customer, identified only as Dave, emailed the company asking about the status of the controllers, and when he could expect his to arrive. What happened is a textbook case of how not to deal with customers, as can be seen in this exchange of e-mails posted by the gamer site Pennyarcade.com. The representative from Ocean Marketing, later identified as Paul Cristoforo, took an increasingly nasty tone with Dave, an exchange Dave found so frustrating and which made him so angry that he shared the entire thing with friends on the web, where the amazing example of bad customer service went viral. So many people were looking at the company that the original CBSMiami story on the controller, which had nothing to do with the dispute, generated more than a half million views. Millions more visited other sites, including Reddit.com, and thinking the Miami teacher’s company was to blame for the actions of their marketing company, started blasting the company and the controller. They accused Cristoforo of being a bully, and
then, through the power of social media, bullied him back. Hundreds of people posted negative reviews on Amazon.com, in many cases, even if they apparently had never purchased the product. Typical was this review posted by RufusPFunkerdale. “Worst purchase of my entire life, December 27, 2011,” the review said. “product arrived severely late, after terrible customer service beforehand. product is made out of cheap parts and broke in the first day, probably the worst purchase i have ever made in my entire life, from the worst company to ever exist.” Hundreds of people said they found that review helpful, and there were hundreds of similar negative reviews. While Cristoforo issued a formal apology after the story went viral, N-Control parted ways with him and accepted the help of a so-called public relations disaster specialist, Moisés Chiullan. He helped the company issue a press release distancing themselves from a person the gaming community felt bullied customers, explaining what the company was about, and offering a $10 discount for those awaiting for their pre-ordered product to arrive. The release also contained a company
apology: “N-Control would like to publicly apologize to existing and potential customers, as well as the gaming community at large, for allowing Mr. Christoforo to abuse his power so unforgivably. The Avenger was invented to provide greater accessibility to disabled gamers, and bullying tactics are the last thing that should be associated with this product.” It was an eye-opening experience for Kotkin, who was quoted in “The Daily Dot” as saying, “We’re a startup; we’re a virtually brand-new company. There are only so many options,” referring to the marketing opportunities. Chiullan is using traditional media avenues as well as twitter in an effort to help Kotkin’s company try to recover. “It’s been a very surreal 24 hours,” he told The Daily Dot.
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January 6, 2012
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Study: Affluent, White Women Dominate Coupon Use woman spends her Sundays clipping away. “I get this vicarious thrill from seeing how much money I save every week,” said Spencer. The savings are worth a couple hours worth of work Spencer said. “Sometimes the cashier will go, you saved $75. You get a pat on the back for grocery shopping,” said Spencer to CBS4? s Jorge Estevez. Reporting Jorge Estevez jestevez@cbs.com MIAMI (CBS4)- With the new year here, everyone is looking to start fresh and start saving money, and more and more people are using coupons for added savings. But according to a new study, the socioeconomic group using coupons more may surprise you. For Gail Spencer, clipping coupons has become a habit. The South Florida
A new survey, by the University of Arizona’s Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences shows more affluent white women want that pat on the back at the grocery store. Affluent white women are most likely to use six or more coupons in a single shopping trip, the study found. Seventyeight percent of frequent coupon-users were white. Twenty-four percent of them reported an annual household income of
at least $75,000. “I can say they are using them more. They are asking me hints and asking me where you get all these coupons,” said Spencer who gets her coupons from the paper and store circulars. She categorizes them and yes has some advice if you want to start saving. There are many ways to save. First off,
learn how to combine or stack coupons, search on line at websites like Coupons.com, Smartsource.com and all the various coupon groups on facebook. Spencer who has a lot of coupons doesn’t mind a little busy work on a Sunday morning. “Not at all…you save a bunch of money,” said Spencer.
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January 6, 2012
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Jobless Rate Takes Dive In Miami-Dade, Slight Dip Statewide The state unemployment rate for November was 10 percent, the lowest in 31 months, but down just 4 tenths of a percent when compared to October. That places the November unemployment rate almost 2 points lower than the 11.9% rate seen in October, 2010. The last time Florida saw a 10% unemployment rate was in May, 2009.
Reporting Dave Game MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – Florida unemployment fell slightly statewide in November, but Miami-Dade County saw a major drop of more than a percentage point. That good news was tempered by the fact that almost 50 thousand people statewide were wiped from the unemployment rolls possibly because they stopped looking for work, or lost their benefits.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity released the numbers Friday morning, and used the announcement to promote what it claims is significant job growth since Governor Rick Scott took office. The state claims Florida has seen 120 thousand net jobs created since January, 2011. The state claims lost jobs in the public sector are being replaced by new jobs in the private sector by a ratio of 9-1, with private sector job creation averaging 13 thousand per month. Scott ran on a platform of creating 7
million new jobs in Florida in 7 years. While the state claims substantial job creation, those numbers are not being reflected in some South Florida counties unemployment rates. November numbers for Monroe County and Broward County were unchanged from October. In Broward county, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.9%, with 88 thousand officially unemployed. That compares to a rate of 10.7 percent and 105 thousand unemployed a year ago. In Monroe County, the rate was unchanged at 6.4% and 2800 officially unemployed. That compares to 8.1% and 3600 unemployed a year ago. The month-to-month numbers were better on their face for Miami-Dade county. The unemployment rate dropped from 10.7% in October to 9.4% in November, a significant improvement in a county
which has seen significantly worse unemployment than the rest of South Florida. A year ago, the rate was 12.6%. A year ago, 163 thousand Miami-Dade residents were officially unemployed, 40 thousand more than were officially jobless in November.
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January 6, 2012
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The Dangers Of High Tech Q-R Codes want.” “That’s really helpful, right?” asked Estevez. “Yes,” replied Ezeta. But what’s not helpful is you can’t really tell what information is stored inside that code until after you have scanned it. And that can be bad, according to Malware researcher Tim Armstrong.
Reporting Jorge Estevez jestevez@cbs.com MIAMI (CBS4 ) – Jorge Ezeta thinks Q-R codes are incredibly convenient. He likes scanning them for more information on a product he might want to buy. “It really helps you make a shopping decision,” said Ezeta. “They store information in the black and white dots, so you can keep a lot of different things in there, telephone numbers, urls, links to web sites, addresses and any kind of text you
“There’s a danger inherent in using these types of systems. They can link to malicious websites or phishing pages just as easily as they can link to legitimate information,” explained Armstrong. Malicious web sites? Phishing pages? Experts say phishing pages are fake versions of legitimate pages and they’re used to collect your login details. “A lot of times they will look identical to the legitimate page,” said Armstrong. The criminals set up the codes so that after they are scanned, the landing page asks you
to click a link… a link that could hijack your phone and your private information.
Developers are working on protection software. But until that is created, be careful.
“Links go to all sorts of different other pages where they can collect user details. They can steal information,” cautioned Armstrong. Apps can put your private information at risk and you won’t even have a clue.
Armstrong points out that right now, scanning the code isn’t the problem… it’s when the code sends you to a link that you need to click, that you need to watch out.
“The end-user thinks they’re downloading an instant messenger application or a new web browser for their phone,” said Armstrong. “But, in fact, these are just fake applications that are similar to real apps, but in the background they’re stealing your data.” “There’s a lot of personal information on my phone. Everything, phone numbers, contacts, emails, access to my email, access to my bank account,” said Ezeta. Or you might receive a premium rate text message that, when you open it to read it, results in a $5 or $10 charge. “We haven’t seen this type of attack until very recently,” Armstrong indicated.
“Scan them, see where they go first and then make a decision. Be very wary of where these things are leading you. If you see these things out in the wild it may not be the best idea to scan them,” cautioned Armstrong. Jorge will keep scanning magazine ads or food product labels but with more skepticism than before. “Not on a street sign where it says click here for free stuff. That would be a lot riskier,” Ezeta said. Researchers say this problem seems to be stemming mostly from criminals in Europe and Russia in particular.
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Gadgets Make Traveling With Toddler Less Stressful a road trip, it’s the littlest one who takes up the most room. “It’s a hassle having to travel with a small child. You have got to pack your car up and then by the time you put your things in, you’ve got no space,” she said.
Reporting Cynthia Demos CDemos@cbs.com BOSTON (CBSMiami.com) – The holidays mean travel for many families and anyone with small kids knows that carting around all that stuff can be overwhelming. The good news is there are several new gadgets designed to make that stressful holiday travel a lot easier. When Natalie Catala packs her family for
Kim Orlando is all too familiar with the challenges of traveling with young kids. She even started a blog called Travelingmom.com. “The gear can be a vacation killer for a mom because we turn into the family Sherpa. We have to carry everything for everybody, so it’s always about how do we reduce?” she said. Orlando has found a number of relatively new gadgets that can take some of the hassle out of traveling, like The Nest. “The Nest is a ten gallon storage compartment folded down into a five pound piece of equipment that unfolds into a bassinet for a child. It has a mattress and everything,” she said.
When you are flying, Orlando suggests skipping the bulky car seat and trying the “Cares” system. “It’s FAA approved, perfectly safe and so handy to pack because it’s small,” Orlando explained. It’s a pair of shoulder straps that attach to the airplane seat belt to keep kids safely strapped in during even the bumpiest of flights. Need a booster seat for the car when you land? Try the inflatable Bubble Bum. It’s an inflatable seat that folds up small enough to fit into almost any bag. “When you are done with it, you just deflate it, fold it and stick it in your suitcase,” Orlando said. Visiting friends and family who don’t have a high chair handy? Orlando says there are several portable booster seats which attach to just about a chair. The Neatnick saucer can help protect that same friend’s floor from unwanted vegetables launched from the child’s
plate. It’s a large piece of laminated cloth that spreads around the child and onto the table. It can also provide a clean surface to eat if you are at rest stop or a fast food restaurant. When you are packing the car, don’t forget plenty of books and games to keep the little ones busy while you’re on the road.
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Is The Alkaline Diet The Next Weight Loss Fad? registered dietitian Erin Palinkski. Alkaline levels should naturally measure 7.4. The goal is to keep it right there by eating the right foods. “The people that promote the alkaline diet state that by being able to increase your intake of alkaline forming foods, and decrease your intake of acidic foods, you can actually alter the chemistry in your body,” explained Palinski. MIAMI (CBS4) – The Alkaline Diet already has some well known supporters, like actress Demi Moore and Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush. But now average folks like Jan Brehm now follow it, and gives it a thumbs up. “The difference that I feel is night and day,” she explained. This diet is based on the philosophy that we what we eat and drink effects our body chemistry or PH levels, according to
The intended effect is to improve weight, immunity, and disease prevention. Celebrity nutritionist Dr. Lindsey Duncan, a proponent of the diet, says today’s meals are increasingly acidic and that our bodies are paying the price. He cited the following problems: cardiovascular disease, depression, forgetfulness, poor mood, mind, and memory. The Alkaline Diet requires reducing the intake of some foods that many of us like, such as dairy, meat, sugar, and caffeine. “The general rule of thumb is, the more bitter your foods, the more alkaline,” said Duncan.
Some good foods include watermelon, almonds, oranges, and apples. Jan Brehm said the positive benefits were dramatic. “Not only does the fatigue lift, but the mood shifts,” said Brehm. “Energy.” Palinski says that while this diet focuses on many healthy foods, there is no science behind it.
She also worries the diet can be limiting. Some people can become too extreme, taking supplements that promise to boost your PH, or ingesting baking soda. “That can make the body too alkaline, and bring it outside of the optimal range, and that can actually have potentially deadly side effects.” Some dieters test their daily PH levels with strips that can be purchased at the drug store.
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Dentistry Goes High Tech With 3D Technology Reporting Cynthia Demos CDemos@cbs.com MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – Technology is making trips to the dentist quicker, more precise and less painful. Just ask Juan Rubio who had terrible pain from a cavity.
replacement. The 3D scan takes the place of that plastic tray filled with putty that took a mold of your mouth and teeth. Dentists say this technology is much better.
“I knew we were heading towards unbearable pain,” said Rubio who had to get a root canal and a crown for the damaged tooth.
“You have an exact replica of what’s in the mouth of the patient,” said Dr. Papiernik.
However, the procedure was quick and bearable thanks to a 3D scanner.
Having an exact replica means it’s incredibly precise and more comfortable.
“You stay with your mouth open and I take the camera in your mouth and start taking pictures,” explained Dr. Serge Papiernik.
Juan Rubio agreed. His crown was a perfect fit and he said it was quick and painless.
All those pictures create a 3D image and within minutes a lab in California has the image and creates the perfect tooth
3D scanning is covered by insurance but there are only about ten of them in South Florida.
January 6, 2012
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Hyperbaric Chambers Go To The Dogs Reporting Cynthia Demos CDemos@cbs.com
Dog owner Halene Sussman brought her dog Teddy to the office after he suffered a stroke.
BOCA RATON, Fla. (CBSMiami.com) – Hyperbaric chambers have long been used to help treat certain injuries in humans. But, the technology is now being used to help man’s best friend.
“He couldn’t eat; he couldn’t walk; he couldn’t do his business,” Sussman said.
The Calusa Veterinary Center in Boca Raton is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is offering hyperbaric treatments to animals. CBS4’s Cynthia Demos arrived at the facility and found the team treating a large open wound on a dog’s back left after it was mauled by another dog. Dr. Andrew Turkell was treating the eightyear-old sheltie’s wound with the chamber to help treat the infection. But, Dr. Turkell said the technology isn’t just for open wounds. The hyperbaric chamber come complete with camera and fills with 100 percent oxygen.
In Teddy’s case, the chamber helped push the pure oxygen into part of the brain that never would have received the oxygen. “What oxygen does is basically enhance selffunction,” Dr. Turkell said. After 20 treatments that lasted 45 minutes per session, Teddy is now able to walk with the assistance of some booties for traction. He’s also able to eat and function for Halene. “I call it the miracle machine,” Halene said. Dr. Turkell said the treatments could be used for multiple ailments including pancreatitis, crushing disease, and osteoarthritis to name a few. The treatment’s cost $125 per visit to Dr. Turkell’s clinic.
January 6, 2012
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MIA Ranked Tops Among Airports With Healthiest Food
Reporting Dave Game MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – If you want a healthy meal, the first place you’d head to satisfy your craving is…the airport? While it may not be the place where most people go, it’s nice to know someone is tracking the health of airport food, and the fact that this year, Miami International ranks 6th in the nation for healthy airport food. So what does that mean? The Physicians
Committee for Responsible Medicine surveys the restaurants at a selection of the nation’s airports every year, looking for healthy food choices. It ranks airports based on the number of restaurants that have at least 1 healthy food choice on the menu.
airport many of us are forced to visit, even if we’re traveling some place else. Atlanta’s Hartsfield International Airport ranked dead last, with just 71% of the restaurants offering a healthy choice. You’ll have to look harder to go healthy, or maybe bring your own.
At Miami International, 82 percent of the restaurants had at least 1 healthy choice in the 2011 survey, enough to tie for 6th place with Denver International Airport. That’s a big jump from just 4 years ago, when the same survey found only 67% of the MIA restaurants with at least one healthy food choice.
To be fair, the standards for “healthy” are a little high. The PCRM defines it as a low-fat, high-fiber, cholesterol-free vegetarian entrée. While that may be the healthiest, there may be meat choices that qualify as pretty healthy food.
If having healthy food at the airport means a lot to you when you travel, then you need to find a reason to visit Detroit. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport has taken the top spot three years running, with 100% of the restaurants offering at least one healthy choice. At the other end of the scale was an
In the end, the idea is to measure the quality of airport food over time, and in that measure, it seems American travelers are seeing some improvements. According to the PCRM, the first survey 10 years ago found healthy choices on just over half of airport restaurant menus. Veggie burger with that cafecito, anyone?
January 6, 2012
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January 6, 2012
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Ft. Lauderdale To Offer Homeless Free Rides Out Of Town taxpayers a dime. It’s being paid for by the Florida Law Enforcement Trust Fund, which is money confiscated from criminals. Vice Mayor Bobby DuBose was the only commissioner to vote against the program, saying he believes that there are other ways the money could be used to help the homeless. He said he was also concerned that some homeless people may take advantage of the program and use it as a cheap vacation. Reporting Ted Scouten tscouten@cbs.com
Under terms of the program, a participant would only be eligible to receive a free ticket once.
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami.com) – The City of Ft. Lauderdale has come up with a way to help the homeless who have relatives in other parts of the country who are willing to take care of them.
Vicki Nugent, who now calls Stranahan Park in downtown Ft. Lauderdale home, never dreamed that one day she would be living on the streets.
Recently, the Ft. Lauderdale city commission approved a $25,000 program which will buy them one-way bus tickets out of town. The program won’t cost
“I came here because my boyfriend was on the run and I left Johnstown, Pennsylvania and came here five years and four months ago and I been here ever since,” said
Nugent. “I just got stuck. I can’t explain it.” Nugent said she’d be eligible for the program because she has several family members willing to take care of her back home. “I have three younger sisters, my grand children, my daughters and two of my sons,” said Nugent. Sean Cononie, who runs a homeless shelter in Hollywood, said if Fort Lauderdale runs its program the same way Broward County does, and the homeless aren’t forced onto buses to leave, he’s all in favor. “We need to not force the homeless into leaving town. That’s their God given right to be where ever they want to be. But if they want to go home and the city’s willing put them home, I think it’s a great opportunity for both parties,” said Cononie.
Nugent, who hopes to one day leave the streets behind, said she’s going to look into it. So far, about 100 homeless people like Nugent have expressed interest in the program. The city hopes to have it up and running by early January.
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Lipstick Shines In Down Economy Nina Rudolph agreed. ”It makes me look younger.”
matter what happens the lipsticks are always gonna be selling.”
for Laura Mercier. “It’s about what you enjoy. There really aren’t rules anymore.”
“I’m definitely obsessed with lip gloss,” said Alison Levin.
And department store lipsticks can be pricey. The newest line to hit Saks is Tom Ford’s, a top seller at $48 a stick.
Now one of the most expensive lipsticks here at the Bloomingdale’s counter is Sisley’s long-lasting LipsTick. It’s $55. But there is a special Mango Butter inside.
From Saks Fifth Avenue at Bal Harbour shops to Bloomingdale’s in Aventura, the makeup counters are filled with every shade, brand and style of lipstick. Elisabeth from Brazil made a beeline for Bloomingdale’s and the cosmetics counter as soon as she landed in South Florida. Reporting Lisa Petrillo lpetrillo@wfor.cbs.com
While shooting this story, I ran into my sister Nina shopping for lipstick. “Let me see how many you have in your bag?” Lisa asked her sister. “I have quite a few lipsticks,” replied Nina.
“I feel more sexy, more comfortable, more beautiful, of course,” she told Petrillo.
“Would you say you’re lipstick obsessed?” Lisa inquired. “I am not lipstick obsessed!” laughed Nina.
“So a lipstick to a woman means what,” asked CBS4’s Lisa Petrillo.
And in tough economic times, ladies long for luscious lips even more. In fact, after 9/ 11, Estee Lauder Companies reported an increase in lipstick sales, theorizing that women get a boost when they buy lipstick.
“Everything!” exclaimed Tara Solomon. “Shoes lipsticks , glasses…I can be stark naked if I have good shoes and a good lipstick, I’m done. I’m set!”
Deborah Slack is Vice President and General Manager at Saks in Bal Harbour. “We haven’t seen a slow down, not seen a slow down in cosmetic at all, across the board. No
And when it comes to finding the right shades, makeup artists say it’s up to you.
MIAMI (CBS4) – Lips, whether they are red, pink, shiny or matte, ladies are loony over lipsticks.
But Alison Levin won’t leave the house without her gloss. ”I have about 50 there in my car, my purse, my makeup bag…”
Justin Cessac is the National Makeup artist
“I treat myself to one per week. On an especially tough week, I go for a Tom Ford lipstick.
CBS4 Newspaper January 6, 2012 Edition
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January 6, 2012
Horoscopes provided by www.starlightastrology.com
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Taurus (Apr. 21-May 21)
Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb. 18)
Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
Real estate ventures will be to your ad vantage. Avoid any hassles. Be prepared to have relatives or close friends introduce you to new and exciting individuals. Time spent with family, children, or good friends will be regenerating and positive. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.
You can get the attention of important individuals but it might not be the time to get them to help or to back your ideas. Don’t sign up for too many extra activities or you’ll have trouble fulfilling your obligations. Don’t allow your lover to take advantage of your good nature. You will be too quick to point your finger at your mate. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.
Travel or short trips will probably be your best outlet. You must be careful not to reveal secrets or get involved in gossip. If you can mix business with pleasure much can be accomplished. You can spend a passionate evening with someone you cherish if you make your plans early. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.
Your energy will be high; however, if not channeled suitably, temper tantrums may erupt. Focus your efforts on details, and keep to yourself in order to finish your work. Take care of any pressing health problems. Family may not want to get involved but an entrepreneur will. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20)
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)
Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 20)
Better still, take your mate and let them foot the bill. Help if you can, but more than likely it will be sufficient just to listen. Reevaluate your position and make decisions about your future goals. Put your efforts into moneymaking ventures. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.
You will be able to make favorable changes in your living quarters. Your need to use emotional blackmail will only cause more conflict. Friends or groups that you’re affiliated with may want you to contribute more cash than you can really afford. Your trendy style and unique way of doing things will entice new acquaintances. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.
Added knowledge will give you the edge when dealing with peers. You can make reasonable bids on real estate or large items for your home. Try to be honest when dealing with your mate. Your stability will aid you in getting support from your fellow workers. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.
Family outings that aren’t expensive will be enjoyable and help strengthen ties. Those you work with may have little consideration for the underdog. You might be overly emotional when dealing with your partner. Go out with friends who are positive and supportive. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.
Sagitarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)
Leo (July 23-Aug. 23)
Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 22)
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)
You are best not to discuss your personal life with others. Visit friends or relatives you rarely see. Don’t push your luck with your boss. Travel will be favorable. You can gain knowledge from dealing with foreigners. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.
You can be sure that any dealing with large institutions should go well. Your ability to stand out in a crowd will bring you the recognition you desire. Sudden changes regarding friendships are likely to occur if you have tried to change others. You can stabilize your financial situation if you make property investments. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.
Take a look at your legal position. Don’t let your emotions interfere with your professional integrity. Things will be emotional with your mate. Changes to your self image will be to your benefit as long as you don’t over pay. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.
Try not to make waves. A long, quiet walk alone may help you sort out your thoughts. Make some notes regarding the changes that you should make. This may not be the day to get involved in risky joint financial ventures. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.
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SUDOKU
INSTRUCTIONS: Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square.
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9 1 5
2 3 4 1
5 8 3 4
8 9 3 7
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E W S P A P E R
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December 16th Solution
8 3 6 2 4 9 5 1 7