Category Archives: Marie Byrd Land

Hermosa, poetry, Yesika Salgado

Black Wings, Sehba Sarwar

Blood Sugar Canto, poetry, irene lara silva

Teresa of Avila: Ecstasy and Common Sense, by Tessa Bielecki

VirginX, poetry, Natalia Trevio

The Architecture of Language, poetry, Quincy Troupe

Codex of Love: Bendita Ternura, poetry, Liliana Valenzuela (Im rereading this)

Their Dogs Came With Them, novel, Helena Mara Viramontes (Rereading this too)

Whats the last great book you read?

The one Im reading now; Loaded: A Disarming History of the Second Amendment, by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, a history of how the United States evolved to where we are as a nation besieged by gun violence. This is not the kind of book Id usually read, but I loved her earlier book, An Indigenous Peoples History of the United States; reading it was like going back to school and gaining a new perspective of the Americas, one that retrieved the lost history of my ancestors. Im on a mission to make up for the huge gaps in my miseducation as a woman of color.

Are there any classic novels that you only recently read for the first time?

The Nine Guardians, by Rosario Castellanos, a beautiful novel about a village on the Mexico-Guatemala border during the turbulent power shifts of the 1930s. Castellanos is one of the most brilliant writers of the last century, but when the Latin American boom in literature resounded in the United States, it was only the male voices that were heard. At this point in my life, I want to read the classics from the Americas, from Mexico, from women, from the working class, from the Indigenous communities, from everyone who hasnt been allowed to the podium before.

Describe your ideal reading experience (when, where, what, how).

I prefer reading lying down propped by a sea of pillows, like a famous grand horizontale, in bed or on the terrace, on a chaise or in a hammock, or simply on the couch; preferably on a day when no one rings the doorbell, which is almost impossible, because in Mexico, everyone rings the bell. The flower seller, the doughnut man, the water man, the sweet potato man, the knife sharpener, the woman asking to sweep your driveway, the man who was laid off his job and is looking for work as a gardener, the nice couple from the countryside with fresh tortillas and prickly pear paddles, the man who sells wool snakes to keep out the doorway drafts. I am lucky to be able to work from home and not have to ring doorbells, so I have no right to complain.

Whats your favorite book no one else has heard of?

My favorites are Gwendolyn Brookss Maud Martha and Merc Rodoredas The Time of the Doves, both books that deal with war, though the former only at the finale. Come to think of it, many of my favorite books are about women surviving or waging war Elena Poniatowskas Heres to You, Jesusa!, a melding of fiction and nonfiction about a Mexican woman warrior; Cartucho and My Mothers Hands, both memoiristic accounts by Nellie Campobello that witness war from a childs point of view; Recollections of Things to Come, a novel by Elena Garro, which documents Mexicos Cristero War of the 1920s; Tempest Over Mexico, a memoir by Rosa King, a foreigner who witnessed the key players of the Mexican Revolution; and A Woman in Berlin, a brutal memoir of the sacking of Berlin by a writer too afraid to publish under any other name but Anonymous. Except for Maud Martha and Tempest Over Mexico, they were all written in a foreign language, with some translations faring better than others. These are not your typical war stories.

Read more from the original source:

Sandra Cisneros Loves to Read About Women Waging Battle - The New York Times

It's one of the world's last great wildernesses. Antarctica, the world's southernmost continent, is known for its penguins, polar expeditions and icy beauty.

But it's not quite as pristine as the brochures would like everyone to believe. Environmentalists say the region is facing multiple pressures from climate change, increased tourism and countries jostling for strategic positions.

And all that protects this majestic area is a single treaty, negotiated more than six decades ago.

So is the Antarctic Treaty robust enough to protect the 'Great White Continent'? Does it need to be updated? Or is it working as it should be?

At its heart, the Antarctic Treaty isabout keeping the peace.

Most land claims over Antarctica were made before World War II.

Supplied: Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC

After the war, there was a renewed focus on polar research and something was needed to reduce the potential for conflict over Antarctica, says international law expert Donald Rothwell.

By the 1950s, seven nations Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom had claimed territorial sovereignty over areas of Antarctica.

And many others, including the United States and the Soviet Union, had been exploring the area.

"The treaty's genius was that it actually stopped those sovereignty and territorial disputes in the 50s, and during a critical period in the Cold War," Professor Rotherwell,from Australian National University, tells ABC RN's Counterpoint.

The treaty was signed in 1959 by 12 nations including Australia, United States and USSR and came into force on June 23, 1961.

Supplied: Australian Antarctic Division

While the treaty effectively neutralised territorial claims, Australia never relinquished the Australian Antarctic Territory, althoughthis isn't recognised by many other nations.

The 5.9 million square kilometre area, equivalent to 80 per cent of the size of Australia, is about 42 per cent of the continent. And Australia has three research bases:Casey, Davis and Mawson.

Interestingly, the only piece of unclaimed land on Earth is in West Antarctica. The 1.6 million square kilometre section of icy terrain and glaciers, known as Marie Byrd Land, remains unclaimed due to its remoteness and lack of resources.

The treaty bans military activities, nuclear testing and the disposal of radioactive waste in the region. It outlines a vision for peace and freedom of scientific research with nations cooperating and exchanging research plans and personnel.

There are also provisions for nations to inspect each other's ships, stations and equipment. Over the past 60 years, Australia has conducted 10 inspections in Antarctica the most recent included visiting two facilities run by Chinaand stops at bases run byGermany, Russia, Korea and Belarus last year.

Checks are usually to verify compliance with the environmental and non-militarisation principles of the treaty and to ensure scientific researchistaking place.

Supplied: Rodolfo Werner

Membership to the treaty has grown over time, with any member of the United Nations eligible to sign on. It now has 54signatoriesbut only 29 countries either original signatories or those who are conducting substantial research on the continent have voting rights to decide the continent's future, protectionand enforcement of rules.

Decisions require consensus between the 29 nations.

Professor Rothwell says, by all standardsthe treaty is "very old".

"It has never been amended or modified [but] it's certainly been expanded."

He says that, in addition to the original treaty, there isa patchwork of agreements and protocols on issues like mining, management of protected areas, the environment, tourism, fishing and preservation of historical sites, which make up the Antarctic Treaty System.

"There's always been a bit of a question mark over it, in terms of whether it will remain good as a treaty regime into the future, given emerging geopolitical tensions," he says.

Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition executive director Claire Christian says the treaty's mission to "permanently demilitarise an entire continent was a huge accomplishment".

"It was also quite important that the original signatories prioritised scientific research rather than economic exploitation," she says.

Christian says the addition of the Madrid Protocol in 1991 "refocussed" the treaty on environmental protection by banning mineral extraction. It also requires Antarctic Treaty parties to undertake environmental protection measures including environmental impact assessments andprotected areas.

In some ways, Christian says, the protocol and the treaty are still "revolutionary" by prioritising environmental protection and international cooperation rather than national interests.

Supplied:Rodolfo Werner

Antarctic campaigner Alistair Allan, who has visited the region five times with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, says thispart of the world faces serious challenges.

Climate change is the "absolute biggest threat" to the region. Allan, from the Bob Brown Foundation, points out that the 29 countries with voting rights over Antarctica are among the world's greatest emitters of greenhouse gases.

Supplied:Alistair Allan

He believes these countries could make a real difference to the future of Antarctica and the world.

He's calling for a "stronger shared care for the Antarctic environment" and for countries to make "real changes back at home".

Tourism is also a growing concern in the region. Before the coronavirus pandemic, there was a surge in cashed-up visitors all keen to explore the continent.

"When they wrote the treaty, that wasn't even a thing. There was no anticipation for the biggest industry in Antarctica to be tourism," Allan says.

Increased visitors put further pressure on the ecosystem with more ship and aircraft movement, more people on the ground exploring sensitive areaslikepenguin rookeries and the potential for invasive species to be introduced.

"Every little activity by itself doesn't necessarily harm the environment," Allan says, but adds thatitall has acumulative impact.

Supplied:Rodolfo Werner

It depends on who you ask.

Professor Rothwell saysat face value the treaty is achieving its aim.

Humans have accessed more than two-thirds of the Antarctica and the proportion of places not impacted by people is shrinking, say researchers who are calling for greater protection of wilderness areas.

"It's not only holding the peacebut it's keeping scientific research going, which has always been critical on the continent," he says.

"The scientific research has evolved to have an increasing focus on climate change, so you can't say that the research is not relevant and contemporary and focussed."

Allan isn't so sure. He describes an atmosphere akin to a"moon race"between countries "jostling for territory" by proposing large infrastructure projects.

For instance, Australia has plans to build a 2.7 kilometre concrete airstrip to receive planes all year round.

Allan says the project near Davis Station is an example of a country trying to shore up its territorial claim.

"Due to climate change, the ice runway in summer is actually melting and they can't land the planes ... but the real reason is about huge strategic imperatives," he says.

Both Allan and Christian agree the treaty's core is solid but there are weaknesses.

"There are plenty of scientists and government officials who understand what needs to be done [to protect the region]and have good ideas for implementing itbut theyare too often blocked by one or two countries," Christian says.

Enforcement of the rules is another issue.

For instance, when South Korean and Russian fishing vessels were caught fishing illegally in the area, they avoided the consequences after their respective countries couldn't agree on how to enforce theregulations.

Allan says there needs to be stricter regulations and more countries involved in making decisions.

"The foundation is strong in terms of no-military, cooperation,natural reserve, peace and science ... What it needs now is stricter control regulation and potentially also bringing more people into that conversation.

"At the moment, it is still the 29 voting countries that primarily get to choose what happens and there's not much say from the rest of the world.

"What happens in Antarctica affects all of us."

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Read more:

Can the Antarctic Treaty protect one of the world's last great wildernesses from climate change? - ABC News

Thirty-some-odd years ago, Don Parrish decided to visit all 50 U.S. states. Completing that feat only stoked his appetite for more, so he set out to apply the same concept on a global basis, visiting every region of every country. He says hes a homebody despite the fact that he has since visited all 32 Chinese provinces, 28 states in India, 83 Russian oblasts, 27 regions of France, 16 German Lnder, and so on. (And these political subdivisions arent static, so when a new region is created, Parrish goes back to check it off his list. Oh no, South Sudan is now a country? Gotta go back!)

Parrish is recognized as one of the worlds most traveled persons by all of the leading country-collecting clubs, including Most Traveled People (MTP) and Nomad Mania. His goal is to go everywhere on the planet, and hes been closing in on completing the MTP travel list in recent years. Most of the places left on his to-do list are obscure, remote islands with no regular ferry service, or spots that governments have declared off-limits to travelers.

Parrish is a trim, robust man in his 70s with neatly parted gray hair, pale blue eyes, and a bushy lumberjack beard. Hes a retired telecommunications engineer who looks like hes ready to go back to work at any moment. He wears a Fitbit device to track how many steps he walks each day and keeps a favorite pen tucked in his shirt pocket. His travel obsession started in the summer of 1965 when, as a college student from Texas, he worked as an unskilled laborer in a metal factory in Hanau, West Germany, as part of an exchange program. This formative experience gave him a taste for travel that has only intensified over the years. Travel, he believes, is a pursuit of knowledge, and each trip leads to the next one.

For hyper-organized Parrish, travel isnt just a pastime or a hobby. He prepares laminated itineraries for each journey, detailing his itinerary and goals for the trip. And he has recently begun to record and document every passport stamp he has accrued so he knows exactly when he entered and exited every country he has traveled to over the years. He calls this a personal travel archaeology project, and says the point isnt to prove that hes the most traveled person but rather just for his own record-keeping.

I like to be able to look back and see that on July 7, 1996, on trip number 54 [he also assigns each of his trips a number], I was in a particular place, he explained.

I met Parrish for the first time in a small park near his home in Downers Grove, a suburb of Chicago. He arrived early and had a black briefcase with some of his laminated trip itineraries and books detailing all his passport stamps. We had a lot to talk about but had a hard time agreeing on how to proceed. Parrish is a methodical, analytical thinker and he quickly grew frustrated when I would interrupt one of his stories to ask a question.

Well get to that, hed say.

Parrish travels with his own pillow and has no souvenirs in his homehe doesnt like to waste money, and the place isnt big enough.

Some people spend their money on nice clothes and fancy cars, he said. I spend my money on travel.

The only evidence of his travels inside his home is a map of the world in a hallway. But, no, there are no pins to indicate where hes been.

There would be pins everywhere, he explained.

Most pleasure trips are for a finite period of time to specific destinations. The journey is supposed to provide a solutionit could be anything from satisfying curiosity about a place or needing a break from routine to seeing a specific sight, finding a partner, or any other purpose.

But for those inflicted with intensive wanderlust, these trips provide a powerful sense of momentum. Visit Thailand and youll meet travelers who swear that Laos is more authentic. Go to Laos and others will insist that you havent seen a thing until youve been to Cambodia. The next thing you know, youve quit your job and are living out of a suitcase.

Once youre hooked on travel, you can never really feel sated because its not really a small world after all. Its immense, and pursuing the bits you havent seen can evolve into an obsession.

The word wanderlust comes from the German verb wanderto hike. Wanderlust is literally a desire to hike, but Daniel Garrison Brinton, a surgeon who spent a year traveling after medical school in the 1850s, hit on the deeper meaning of the term in his 1902 book with the not-so-sexy title The Basis of Social Relations. He described wanderlust as an inexplicable force, fraught with consequences to world-history. This wanderlust arises as an emotional epidemic, not by a process of reasoning, he wrote.

Maurice Farber, a longtime professor of psychology at the University of Connecticut who died in 2009, neatly summarized how compulsive travel can become a hamster wheel, where we keep moving without understanding why, in his oft-cited paper, Some Hypotheses on the Psychology of Travel, half a century later, in 1954.

Travel is, for some, a genuine compulsive symptom in the sense that it reflects persistent and powerful unconscious strivings, he wrote.

Indeed, travel is as addictive as sugar, cigarettes, or any drug. Good trips, bad trips, mediocre tripsin some ways, it hardly matters when you just need your next fix. And wanderlust can indeed be an emotional epidemic, as Garrison Brinton suggested more than a century ago. I avoid using the term travel bug because a bug is a minor affliction that disappears quickly. No, wanderlust is indeed more like an epidemicsomething powerful that isnt easy to shake or disregard. A force of nature.

We know a lot about compulsive and neurotic behaviorshoarding, phobias, and addictions to gambling, drugs, sex, porn, and foodbut very little has been written about compulsive wandering. Many travelers freely admit that they are addicted to travel, but these admissions are made in a light-hearted context: Almost no one thinks of travel as a potentially serious problem becauselets face itfor most of us, travel is fun.

Can travel be a bona fide addiction? You wont find travel addicts convulsing on the floor in a cold sweat, and there are no 12-step programs, halfway houses, or methadone clinics for the afflicted. But compulsive travelers can become dependent on travel to achieve a high they cant find anywhere else. And that dependence makes it difficult to come home.

Anyoneeven the president of the United States of Americacan feel a little lost at the end of a long journey. After two terms, Ulysses S. Grant left the White House on uncertain financial footing, but, rather than try to cash in on his notoriety, he elected to indulge his wanderlust, taking a two-year-and-four-month-long journey around the world.

Biographer Ron Chernow said that Grant displayed inexhaustible curiosity about the daily habits of ordinary people, seeking out obscure nooks of cities where he could watch them incognito. His wife, Julia Grant, devoted a third of her memoir to describing the trip.

They traveled with their sons for part of the journey and were nomads during this time, with no fixed abode. As they sailed back to San Francisco from Japan in September 1879, Grant, according to Chernow, returned home with some trepidation, even a creeping sense of dread, unsure of how he would make a living or even where he would live.

Writing to his friend and former secretary of state, Elihu Washburne, Grant said, I have no home but must establish one after I get back. I do not know where.

Grant later told reporters that he had been homesick a year into his journey but had gotten used to the vagabonding lifestyle and rather liked it: A year and a half ago, I was thoroughly homesick, but the variation of scene and the kindness which I have met with have almost done away with that feeling.

The Grants ended up living nomadically for four years. The former president thought he couldnt afford to live in a city but he found Galena, Illinois, where he grew up, too depressing. They landed on their feet, on East Sixty-Sixth Street in New York, across from Central Park, thanks to a $100,000 gift from wealthy benefactors. Sadly, health problems prevented him from repeating his world tour and he died of throat cancer in 1885.

The natural inclination for the obsessed traveler is to exterminate that post-travel depression by planning a new trip. The problem is that few of us have the luxury of traveling wherever and whenever we damn well feel like it. Work and family commitments, not to mention limited finances, can keep us grounded. And even if you try to structure a career path to accommodate a travel addiction, there are obstacles to overcome.

Ruth Engs, a professor of public health at Indiana University, told me that any activity or behavior can turn into an addiction. Some activities [like travel] are positive addictions but they can disrupt personal, family, work, financial stability, and other life commitments and can be considered an addictive behavior, she says.

Joseph Troiani, a professor of psychology at Adler University, echoed that assertion, telling me that travel can turn into a compulsive behavior for people who are looking to escape reality or use it as an avoidance strategy.

It can be a way to delay or completely avoid doing things we dont want to do, he says. Its easy to get hooked on travel because it stimulates the pleasure centers in the brain.

Even if theres general agreement that just about any behavior can turn into an addiction, I wanted to find a therapist accustomed to treating much nastier addictionsdrugs, sex, porn, gamblingto see if they would take a self-diagnosed travel addiction seriously.

I found Pete Pennington, a psychotherapist with a masters degree in clinical mental health counseling, specializing in gambling and other addictions, on the website of the magazine Psychology Today. A fit guy with fine, straw-colored hair whom I took to be around my age45Pennington ushered me inside a fluorescently lit office adorned with a bike, an aquarium, and a dry-erase board still filled with notes from his previous client, a gambling addict who was smiling as she exited the building.

I just finished a really intense session, so Im a little wiped out, Pennington said, taking a photo of his notes from the dry-erase board.

I felt a bit uneasy introducing the topic of travel addiction after he had just treated someone with what most would consider a much more serious and dangerous condition. I was like the guy waiting in line at the police station to flag a jaywalker behind someone reporting a murder. But Pennington set me at ease by establishing early on that he too was a traveler. In 2009, he left his job as a wilderness therapist to take a 10-month trip to India, Nepal, Southeast Asia, and a host of other places. But although he enjoyed the trip, travel never evolved into an addiction.

He loved some of the places he visited (Thailand) but was ambivalent or down on others (Egypt). Coming home wasnt an ordeal. There is no such thing as a positive addiction, he said, disagreeing with what Id heard from Ruth Engs. An addiction is when the negative consequences of a behavior outweigh the positive ones.

Pennington said that travel helped him bring the same sense of curiosity he had while in an exotic place back home. When I was sitting in traffic in Kathmandu, I never felt bored because there was always something interesting to look at, he said. I try to be the same way here in Bend [Oregon, where hes based]. I look around. I try to be observant rather than spacing out.

I told Pennington a bit about my life as a traveler and about some of the fellow travel addicts Ive met. But he was undecided on the question of whether travel could be a legitimate addiction. In more than 10 years of treating clients, hed worked with bipolar types, depressives, hoarders, people with eating and anxiety disorders, and those with addictions to gambling, sex, porn, alcohol, and drugs. But he had never treated anyone with a travel addiction.

Travel is a complex experience, he said, stroking a few days of beard growth on his chin. People are usually addicted to really simple things. Im not saying travel addiction doesnt exist but I just dont know. My instinct is that its not the travel thats someones problem but rather some other underlying issue in their life thats troubling them.

Since Pennington specializes in gambling addiction, I asked him if most of the gamblers he treats acknowledge their addiction.

Most of them dont because addictions disrupt our perception of reality, he said. I show them all the statistics about how people who gamble or play the lottery dont win but it means nothing to them. Theyre all convinced that theyll win if they keep playing.

Pennington might not see it, but I see parallels between gambling and compulsive traveling. Both pursuits can turn into costly obsessions that can impact careers, relationships, and pocketbooks. And while the gambler thinks if he just keeps rolling the dice, eventually hell strike it big, at least some travelers believe that if they keep moving, theyll find Shangri-la, enlightenment, or the person who will change their life.

Wanderlust starts with curiosity. Not everyone needs to travel to satisfy curiosity. I had an uncle who was a very learned guy with a high degree of intellectual curiosity. But he was able to satisfy his curiosity by reading books rather than going on trips. Is curiosity an inherited trait? If not, what is its underlying cause?

George Loewenstein, a professor of economics and psychology at Carnegie Mellon University, published what is still probably the definitive review and reinterpretation of the psychology of curiosity in 1994. Lowenstein called curiosity a critical motive that influences behavior in both positive and negative ways at all stages of the life cycle.

Researchers have established a strong link between curiosity and exploratory behavior, and Loewenstein calls curiosity a natural human tendency to make sense of the world.

Curiosity has been a major impetus behind scientific discovery and has served to inspire and stimulate creative types throughout history. But on the downside, it is also associated with behavior disorders one can find as search categories on porn sites, such as voyeurism, and has been blamed for risky behaviors such as drug and alcohol use, early sexual experimentation, and certain types of crime such as arson.

Loewenstein calls curiosity a form of cognitively induced deprivation that results from the perception of a gap in ones knowledge. The more knowledge one gains in a field, the more the curious person will focus on what they dont know. Curiosity increases with knowledge and as people focus on one area, they can become obsessed with it and realize their shortcomings. The more you travel, the more aware you are of the gaps on your travel resume, particularly if you dwell in the company of the worlds elite competitive travelers. The quest for mastery and completion, i.e., finishing the travel lists, is a powerful one that can be hard to set aside.

In our modern context, curiosity is viewed as almost universally positive. But it hasnt always been this way. In Greek mythology, Pandora, the first woman created by the gods, succumbed to her curiosity, opening a box (probably a jar) that released all the evils of humanity. Eve ate the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge, and in the book of Genesis, Lots wife was so curious that she couldnt resist turning around to look at the city of Sodom. The poor womanshe wasnt named in the bible, other than Lots wifewas turned into a pillar of salt.

Stephen Greenblatt, a Pulitzer Prizewinning author and professor of the humanities at Harvard, noted in The New York Times Review of Books in 1998 that for centuries, Stoic philosophers and Christian theologians struggled to subdue curiosity as one of the most disruptive, intractable and potentially vicious human traits.

In the 12th century, a French abbot, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, wrote that curiosity was the first step of pride the beginning of all sin. He detailed 12 steps up the mountain of pride, and another 12 down in his work The Steps of Humility and Pride. Curiosity, he asserted, can be healthy, but it can also be sinful when we take it too far, prying into matters that are not our concern.

Apparently some still believe this. Monsignor Charles Pope, a pastor in the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., concluded in a 2013 piece on the 12 steps that the mountain of pride begins in the mind with a lack of sobriety rooted in sinful curiosity and frivolous preoccupation.

St. Augustine referred to curiosity as an ocular lust. Cicero thought that the story of Odysseusthe hero of Homers epic poem The Odyssey, who spent 10 years making his way home after the Trojan Warwas a parable about curiosity. Some 2,000 years ago he remarked, It was the passion for learning that kept men rooted to the Sirens rocky shores. And the 19th-century German philosopher Ludwig Feuerbach viewed curiosity as invoking painful feelings of deprivation if not satisfied.

Loewenstein echoed this concern, observing that, Despite its transience, curiosity can exert a powerful motivational force. Like sexual attraction, curiosity often produces impulsive behavior and attempts at self control. People who are curious not only desire information but desire it immediately and even seek it out against their better judgment.

Researchers dont agree on why we do this but they have identified multiple types of curiosity. One type, referred to as diversive curiosity, which is a kind of general stimulation seeking, is probably most closely related to novelty-seeking and exploratory behavior, but it can also be a garden-variety response to boredom. In 1972, the influential psychologist Jerome Kagan identified four basic human motivesthe first, the motive to resolve uncertainty, is synonymous with curiosity. (The others are sensory motives, anger and hostility, and the motive for mastery.)

Loewenstein argued that the key to understanding curiosity seeking lies in recognizing that the process of satisfying curiosity is itself pleasurable. And the process of satiating ones curiosity can indeed be enormously gratifying. But Loewenstein also acknowledged that while the satisfaction one obtains from satisfying curiosity will undoubtedly occasionally exceed ones expectations, he believes that those instances are outnumbered by occasions where the result is disappointing.

For Parrish and other top extreme travelers, travel disappointments often entail failurenot getting to impossibly difficult-to-reach locations, such as Bouvet Island, a kind of holy grail destination for elite country collectors, in the South Atlantic Ocean. Bouvet is a 19-square-mile dependency of Norway, 90 percent covered in glaciers and about a thousand miles away from the nearest populated land masstiny Tristan da Cunha, population 262.

Parrish and others tried to visit twice, in 2014 and 2015. Their ship got close enough to see it, but the seas were too violent to attempt a landingso it didnt count. Its been 15 years since anyone has successfully landed on Bouvet. Failure is not unusual, Parrish said. People fail trying to get to places like this. Here is my test for top travelers, tell me all the places youve failed to get to. The people who have the longest lists, those are the top travelers.

When I first met Parrish in 2014, he had just 36 places left to visit on MTPs list, out of what was then a list of 874. By the end of 2018, he had just 22 left. (Um, theyre now up to 995.) Mind you, whittling this list down from that stage, even modestly, is hard work, as it contains off-limits places and superbly, singularly hard-to-reach destinations, such as the Chesterfield Islands in the middle of the Pacific, Marie Byrd Land in the Antarctic, and more.

I corresponded with Parrish in February 2019 while he was in Mexico, where he planned to visit 20 UNESCO World Heritage sites in two weeks. He had some annoying news to share: Charles Veley, the founder of MTP and the last man to visit Bouvet, had expanded the MTP list to include 19 new places as a Christmas gift. Parrish only had four of them already. And so, after five years of arduous travel, his MTP target list had grown from 36 places to 37 (and now it is at 99). The good news, he said, was that two once forbidden islandsNicobar (in the Bay of Bengal) and Paracel (in the South China Sea)were opening up. And so, there was always somewhere to go.

View post:

Can You Be Addicted to Travel? - Atlas Obscura

Good Friday morning.

Thank you for the incredible outpouring of support you have showered upon us in the last 48 hours. Your prayers certainly worked as Michelle, while still recovering in the hospital and dealing with a good deal of pain, is on the mend.

Thank you to my #FlaPol colleagues for stepping up and assembling another solid edition of Sunburn PS.

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They said, I do Congratulations to Pinellas County Commissioner and former Rep. Kathleen Peters and her fiancee Jack Kuntz, who tied the knot Thursday in Hawaii at Shipwreck Beach, Kauai. Mazel Tov and best wishes to the happy couple!

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The Florida Police Chiefs Association welcomed the states elected leaders at the FPCA 69th Annual Summer Conference at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, where it inducted its 2021-2022 leadership team andnamed the 2021 Legislators of the Year.

FPCA was honored to welcome and hear from U.S. Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody,and Agriculture & Consumer Services Commissioner Nikki Fried, as we honored the service and sacrifices of the law enforcement profession, said newly installed FPCA President Stephan Dembinsky, who serves as director of the Daytona Beach Shores Public Safety Department. FPCA also stood withChief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, who could not join us as he led the State Fire Marshal Offices response at the Surfside building collapse.

Joining Dembinksy on the new executive committee is Chief Michael Kessie, New College of Florida PD, first vice president; Chief Keith Touchberry, Fellsmere PD, second vice president; Chief Charles Chuck Broadway, ClermontPD, third vice president; and Chief Melanie Bevan, Bradenton PD, as secretary-treasurer.

FPCA agave special recognition to DeSantis, Moody, and Patronis for their consistent actions in support of law enforcement.

Whether working to protect officers against those who would disrupt the rule of law, honoring the heroism and nobility of the law enforcement profession, or helping first responders meet the challenges of post-traumatic stress disorder, their actions have helped protect and save lives, and the FPCA appreciates each of them coming and sharing their commitment to public safety in Florida, Dembinsky said.

The FPCA also named Legislators of the Year: Senate President Wilton Simpson and House Speaker Chris Sprowls, Sen. Danny Burgess and Rep. Juan AlphonsoFernandez-Barquin for sponsoring HB 1; Rep. Cord Byrd for HB 7051 and as chair of the House Criminal Justice & Public Safety Subcommittee; Sen. Jim Boyd and Rep. Chuck Brannan for sponsoring HB 371.

Every year, the Florida Police Chiefs Association honors those legislators who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to the betterment of law enforcement and public safety in Florida, Dembinksy said. FPCAs recipients represent a true cross-section of Florida, from the most rural of jurisdictions to the largest metropolitan areas. We applaud each of these Senators and Representatives.

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Sachs Media announced Friday that experienced marketing professional Lori Modafferi and longtime public affairs manager Sue Mullins are joining its account management team.

Modafferi will join the agency as an Account Manager specifically focusing on health care marketing services for clients, while Mullins will serve as Account Manager for several public relations clients.

They join the already impressive lineup of top communications professionals who offer a full suite of capabilities, including strategy, public relations, public affairs, crisis communications, research, digital and social media, creative, marketing, and video production.

Lori and Sue are exceptionally talented and experienced professionals, and were extremely pleased to add their expertise to our firm, said founder and CEO Ron Sachs. With the addition of Lori and Sue, we believe the best team in the business just got even better, and we look forward to sharing and applying their talents with our growing roster of clients and special projects.

Modafferi previously led the strategic marketing and communication efforts for HCA Healthcares North Florida Division. Before that, she served HCA Healthcare as a Marketing and Public Relations Director, where she directed media relations, branding, advertising, and website development.

She earned a masters degree in business administration from Nova Southeastern University and a bachelors degree in psychology from the University of Central Florida.

Mullins came to Sachs Media from the Florida policy arena, where she has served for years as a registered lobbyist and policy adviser. Working in the nonprofit, corporate, and public sectors, Mullins has crafted major legislative initiatives, including the successful Florida Forever land conservation program.

Her work has taken her from The Nature Conservancy and the Florida Senate to Ramba Law Group and Duke Energy. For her work on the Sarasota County land preservation referendum, Mullins won a POLLIE award, the most sought-after prize awarded by the American Association of Political Consultants.

She earned her masters degree in anthropology from Florida State University and her bachelors degree in sociology from Saint Leo College.

Were delighted to have Lori and Sue as part of the Sachs Media family, where I know they will embrace our commitment to achieving breakthrough successes for our clients, said Sachs Media President and Partner Michelle Ubben. Their skills and expertise will add to our already strong capabilities, which we devote to every client to help them achieve success.

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

@POTUS: We will never forget those who gave the last full measure of devotion for our country in Afghanistan nor those whose lives have been immeasurably altered by wounds sustained in service. We are ending Americas longest war, but we will always honor those who served in it.

@atrupar: President [Joe] Biden: I will not send another generation of Americans to war in Afghanistan with no reasonable expectation to achieve a different outcome. The United States cannot afford to remain tethered to policies created in response to a world as it was 20 years ago.

@laraseligman: [Jen] Psaki stresses that we are not going to have a mission accomplished moment on Afghanistan. Its a 20-year war that has not been won militarily. Adds that the Biden admin is proud and grateful of the service members who fought.

Tweet, tweet:

@MitchPerry18: Hours after its revealed that @marcorubio has raised $4 million over past 3 months in his bid for reelection for U.S. Senate, Dem. opponent @RepValDemings announces shes raised $4.6 million since announcing her candidacy less than a month ago.

@TroyKinsey: Members of the @FLSenateDems today are writing @GovRonDeSantis to express concern about the #DeltaVariant & vaccine hesitancy among Rs: Join with your fellow Republican Governors who are tapping the power of their office to strongly urge reluctant residents to get vaccinated.

@DeFede: In an interview w/@CBSMiami, Haitis U.S. Ambassador, Bocchit Edmond, rejected calls by some in Congress to delay elections in Haiti, saying: I believe the United States Congress supported elections in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the security situation is even worse than Haiti.

@FoxReports: Speakers office refers to Donald Trump as twice-impeached Florida retiree

@ryanstruyk: The United States is now averaging 15,068 new coronavirus cases per day, according to data from @CNN and Johns Hopkins University, up nearly 50% from Walenskys estimate of 10,350 just over two weeks ago.

@cwarzel: what living in this moment does for me, as a journalist, is make me feel constantly caught between the worry that Im being overly alarmist and the fear that I am stating the obvious. Its very disorienting.

Tweet, tweet:

@AngieNixon: Make no mistake about it. There are certain groups of folks wools that dont want working-class families educated because its more profitable to make money off people if theyre in prison. Limit their access to resources and opportunities and lead them on a path to jail.

@ChrisLatvala: Can we get @TomBrady to toss the Stanley Cup from a boat? Without him getting hurt, of course.

DAYS UNTIL

MLB All-Star Game 4;Jeff Bezostravels into space on Blue Origins first passenger flight 11; new start date for 2021 Olympics 14; second season of Ted Lasso premieres on Apple+ 14; the NBA Draft 19; Jungle Cruise premieres 21; The Suicide Squad premieres 28; Marvels What If ? premieres on Disney+ 33; Florida Behavioral Health Associations Annual Conference (BHCon) begins 40; St. Petersburg Primary Election 46; Disneys Shang Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings premieres 56; NFL regular season begins 62; Broadways full-capacity reopening 67; 2022 Legislative Session interim committee meetings begin 73; The Many Saints of Newark premieres (rescheduled) 77; Dune premieres 84; Walt Disney Worlds 50th anniversary party starts 84; MLB regular season ends 86; No Time to Die premieres (rescheduled) 91; World Series Game 1 110; Florida TaxWatchs Annual Meeting begins 110; St. Petersburg Municipal Elections 116; Floridas 20th Congressional District primary 116; Disneys Eternals premieres 120; Top Gun: Maverick rescheduled premiere 133; San Diego Comic-Con begins 140;Steven Spielbergs West Side Story premieres 154; Spider-Man Far From Home sequel premieres 161; NFL season ends 184; 2022 Legislative Session starts 186; Floridas 20th Congressional District election 186; NFL playoffs begin 190; Super Bowl LVI 219; Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness premieres 259; Thor: Love and Thunder premieres 301; Platinum Jubilee forQueen Elizabeth II 328; Black Panther 2 premieres 364; Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse sequel premieres 455; Captain Marvel 2 premieres 490.

LATEST ON SURFSIDE

Tears, prayer mark end to search for Surfside condo survivors via The Associated Press A somber moment of silence marked the end of the two-week search for survivors of a Florida condominium collapse, as rescue workers stood at solemn attention and clergy members hugged a line of local officials while many of them sobbed. The painstaking search for survivors shifted to a recovery effort at midnight Wednesday after authorities said they had come to the agonizing conclusion that there was no chance of life in the rubble of the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside. We have all asked God for a miracle, so the decision to transition from rescue to recovery is an extremely difficult one, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said. The death toll stood at 54 late Wednesday. Officials said 86 people were unaccounted for.

Im still in search mode. Families, friends of Surfside victims react to news of recovery via Marie-Rose Sheinerman, Martin Vassolo and Bianca Padr Ocasio of the Miami Herald On the first official day of search and recovery at the site of the partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South, family and friends of missing persons reacted with a mix of resignation and stubborn hope for the lives of their loved ones. Miami-Dade Mayor Levine Cava assured families during a press briefing on Thursday morning that first responders would not stop searching for residents in the rubble until every person was found. As of Thursday morning, 60 people had been found dead and 80 others were still missing. On Wednesday night, rescuers held a vigil to honor the lives lost during the tragedy before they continued the painstaking search for bodies.

Pastor reflects on funeral for Guara family, parents and 2 kids, who died in condo collapse via Mark Woods of the Palm Beach Post Father Juan Sosa, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church, located just two blocks inland from the condo collapse, performed two funeral services Tuesday. On Wednesday, he reflected on the service and the tragedy that has claimed 60 lives with many more still missing. Tuesdays service was for Marcus Guara, Anaely Rodriguez and their daughters at St. Joseph. Lucia, 10, and Emma, 4, shared a small white casket with two ribbons, one pink and one purple the girls favorite colors. The bodies of the Guara family were among the earliest recovered from the Champlain Towers South rubble and identified.

3 generations of Cattarossi family die in condo collapse via Cassidy Alexander of the Palm Beach Post Four family members spanning three generations are among the victims identified in the Surfside condo collapse. Graciela Maria Cattarossi, 48, and her 7-year-old daughter Stella were identified last week. Gracielas parents, Graciela and Gino Cattarossi, 86 and 89 years old, respectively, were identified Thursday. The family lived in Apartment 501 at Champlain Towers South. Betty Matz Gelsky knew Graciela Maria Cattarossi for close to 18 years. She knew her as someone who would do anything for her daughter, be it making sure she got into a good private school or buying all organic food. She wants the best for her daughter, even if maybe she couldnt afford it, she said.

For Dr. Gary Cohen, it was all about his patients via Michael Braun of the Palm Beach Post Dr. Cohen wasnt a doctor who looked at his profession as just a job, those who knew him say. He truly cared about people. Cohen and his orthopedic surgeon brother, Brad, were among those who lost their lives June 24 in the collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida. Gary Cohen was a physiatrist, practicing at the Tuscaloosa Veterans Administration Medical Center as well as other medical venues in Birmingham, Alabama, and living in nearby Mountain Brook, Alabama. Missing since the collapse of the towers, his body was found on Wednesday.

I want to truly say thank you: Surfside community reflects as rescue mission ends via Martin Vassolo and Samantha J. Gross of the Miami Herald The mood in Surfside was somber Wednesday night, shortly after officials broke the news to family members and loved ones that the 14-day rescue mission to find living victims of the Champlain Towers South collapse would transition into a recovery effort, with no expectation of finding survivors. Rescuers, standing before a mountain of rubble from the controlled demolition of the upright portion of the 12-story building, said prayers as a ceremonial melody played softly behind them. A few steps away, at the memorial set up to honor the victims of the collapse, Miami-Dade firefighters set up a banner that read Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Mourns With You.

Gov. Ron DeSantis promises property tax aid after collapse via Jim Turner of News Service of Florida With rescue efforts for survivors ending at the site of the former 12-story building, DeSantis didnt elaborate on his plan for tax assistance but said he would provide as much relief to the families from the state perspective as we can. Ive ordered all our folks to suspend any type of property-tax enforcement, DeSantis said at a news conference in Surfside. My goal is to suspend, waive any law I can under the state of emergency to forestall that. And then we probably will just ask the Legislature to remit any of the property tax liability from Champlain Towers South. The Governors office didnt immediately reply to requests for clarification of DeSantis tax proposal.

Video shows cracks, puddles in condo garage a year before it collapsed but no red flag via Sarah Blaskey and Ben Conarck of The Bradenton Herald On July 17 last year, Fiorella Terenzi, an astrophysicist who has a condo in Champlain Towers East, went to the sister building Champlain Towers South to check out an apartment on the sixth floor, with an eye toward buying the unit. She had wanted to live in the South building and waited eagerly for a unit to come available. Then she saw the parking garage. There in the garage, Terenzi noticed corrosion and paint peeling on the ceiling, along with several puddles of standing water. Reviewing the video, there are very obvious signs of above-average deterioration of the structure, said Greg Batista, a South Florida engineer who works on old buildings.

Boca Raton rethinking building inspection requirements via Victoria Villanueva-Martinez of the Palm Beach Post The tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers South condo complex in Surfside has pushed Boca Raton to weigh whether its older condo complexes should be inspected in fewer than 40 years. Broward and Miami-Dade counties both have 40-year recertification requirements, but there is no such requirement in Palm Beach County. As the first in the county to move in that direction, Boca Raton will depart somewhat from the norm and contemplate a shorter recertification timeline. We saw that it wasnt exactly the best timeline in the case of Surfside, Councilman Andy Thomson said.

Florida condo laws under scrutiny by Florida Bar task force after Surfside collapse via Ana Ceballos of the Miami Herald The Florida Bar has assembled a collection of experts to conduct a thorough review of the states condominium laws and make policy recommendations to state lawmakers and Gov. DeSantis that could prevent future tragedies like the collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside. The task force, which is scheduled to meet for the first time Friday, will be reviewing state laws and regulations that govern, among many things, how condominium boards operate and manage reserves for maintenance and repair costs, as well as how often condominium buildings need to undergo inspections.

Florida engineers form group for safety ideas after Surfside via Lawrence Mower of The Tampa Bay Times Members of four major engineering associations in Florida have convened to come up with potential post-Surfside recommendations for the Legislature, including whether the state should require mandatory reinspections of tall buildings. Engineers are also considering who would be allowed to carry out those reinspections, and how they could be done without being prohibitively expensive for condominium associations.

Undermining Floridas condo laws: Politics, turf wars and human nature via Kim Bellware of The Washington Post Floridas condominium laws will undergo a top-to-bottom review by a task force established by the Florida Bar Association after the deadly collapse of the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside. Members of the task force who confirmed its existence said their goal is to review state laws and regulations that govern condo developments, board operations and maintenance rules, and recommend potential changes to the Governor and the state legislature. Condo regulations in Florida have come under scrutiny since the tragedy in Surfside on June 24, with at least 46 people confirmed dead and 94 still unaccounted for as of midday Wednesday.

No Florida agency for condo residents to file their complaints via Jeffrey Schweers of the Tallahassee Democrat DBPRs Division of Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile Homes only oversight now is over election and recall disputes and ensuring owners have access to the associations financial records. The agency used to have more oversight authority than that, but the Legislature stripped the DBPR of its fiduciary and maintenance oversight of condo boards and mobile homeowners associations in 2008. That leaves residents with little option but to hire a lawyer and file their complaints in court, as several residents of Champlain Towers South have done following that buildings lethal collapse. During the 2019-20 fiscal year, the DBPR collected $13.7 million in fees from condos, timeshares and mobile homes, division budget records show. About $6.7 million was collected from condo owners.

Dwyane Wade visits Surfside, meets with search team via David Selig of WPLG Wade is the latest Miami sports star to pay a visit to the site of the tragic Surfside condo collapse. The Heat legend spent time at the memorial fence Thursday morning across from the Champlain Towers South site. He also thanked first responders and addressed a team from the South Florida Urban Search and Rescue before they began their shift. Wade did not speak to reporters during his visit. He wrote on his Instagram page: Today was about Uplifting, Praising and Showing up! Our first responders are the real MVPs. Current Heat star Bam Adebayo made an emotional visit to the memorial on Friday afternoon.

2022

Theres going to be a blowup: Donald Trump and DeSantis are on a collision course via Gabriel Sherman of Vanity Fair

Ashley Moody in crosshairs of watchdog ad campaign via Jason Delgado of Florida Politics Moody ranks among the top targets of a digital campaign launched Tuesday by a government watchdog group. The campaign, Enemies of Progress, will highlight the transgressions of more than a dozen top law enforcement officials working to obstruct Bidens administration and prevent progress on issues impacting Americans. The group, Accountable.US, is a self-described nonpartisan watchdog group. Instead of fighting for their best interests, Attorney General Moody is spending Floridians taxpayer dollars on frivolous lawsuits against the Biden administration on behalf of (her) special interest donors, said Kyle Herrig, president of Accountable.US.

Val Demings raises $4.6 million for first fundraising report via Scott Powers of Florida Politics Demings raised $4.6 million in her first quarter of fundraising for a U.S. Senate bid, her campaign announced. That comes on the heels of reports that her likely 2022 General Election opponent, Rubio, raised about $4 million during the same three-month period of April, May, and June. Demings, the Orlando-based Democratic representative for Floridas 10th Congressional District, did not formally enter the race until June 9. However, she had been signaling her intention to run for months, while officially fundraising for reelection to her House seat, until June. Demings campaign committee reported $1 million raised on the first day of her Senate campaign. The campaign raised more than $2.9 million in the 21 days of her Senate campaign, from more than 113,000 individual donors.

Ben Diamond raises $380K in first 8 weeks of CD 13 campaign via Kelly Hayes of Florida Politics Diamond has raised over $380,000 in the eight weeks since launching his run for Floridas 13th Congressional District in hopes of succeeding U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist. His second-quarter haul is slightly higher than that of primary opponent Eric Lynn, who reported raising more than $368,000 for the same period. However, Lynn holds north of $500,000 cash-on-hand from earlier fundraising. The St. Petersburg Democrat reports that most donors this period came from grassroots contributors, individuals who donated $100 or less. Diamonds campaign provided the latest finance update. More information on expenditures and donors will be available when he releases his required campaign finance disclosure to the Federal Elections Commission.

Martin Hyde loans campaign $30K as Vern Buchanan raises $600K via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics Sarasota activistHydelent $30,000 to his own campaign for Congress, according to his first federal finance reports. But fresh off the news incumbent Rep.Buchananraised nearly $600,000in the second quarter of 2021, its clear who holds the financial edge in this GOP race. Thats no surprise to Hyde, he says. This is not a shock, Hyde said. Especially knowing Minority LeaderKevin McCarthyheadlined afundraiserat Buchanans home, a successful quarter for the incumbent was a given. It would almost be weird if someone gave me that much money, Hyde said. That has Buchanan-world dismissing Hyde as hype.

Robert Blackmon launches his first TV ad for St. Pete Mayors race via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics Blackmon is launching his first television ad promoting his bid for Mayor. The ad, entitled Fighting for You, focuses on Blackmons work rehabilitating homes for affordable housing as a small-business owner, his efforts on City Council and touts the candidate as an outside option. Im not a career politician looking for a job. Im an outsider with fresh ideas, ideas that come from you, the people, Blackmon opens in the ad, which he narrates. The ad then pivots to footage of a City Council meeting in which he promises that he will never apologize for fighting for the people of this city and whats right. Blackmon was first elected to the Council in 2019.

To watch the ad, click on the image below:

Penny Taylor announces reelection campaign for Collier County Commission in 2022 via Jake Allen of the Naples Daily News Collier County Commissioner Taylor announced she is running for reelection for the District 4 seat. I have a track record that shows I care about this community, Taylor said. I have leadership that shows Im not afraid to stand alone on my beliefs and the importance of caring for this community. I promise to work and continue to work for this community. The district encompasses the area west of Interstate 75 from Pine Ridge Road to south of the city of Naples. Taylor, the current chairwoman of the board and a Republican, will face at least two other candidates in the Primary Election in August of next year. The General Election will be held in Nov. 2022.

DATELINE TALLY

Civics literacy bill sponsors still questioning DeSantis veto of their legislation via Mitch Perry of Bay News 9 Two St. Petersburg based state lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle are still unhappy and confused that DeSantis vetoed a bill last week that called for a civic literacy program that would be included in high school government classes. Every member of the Legislature voted for this, noted Diamond, the Pinellas County-based state Representative who sponsored the bill in the Florida House. But social conservatives called on DeSantis to veto the legislation, none more prominently than National Review columnist Stanley Kurtz. In his letter announcing his veto of SB 146, DeSantis wrote that the bill seeks to further so-called action civics but does so in a way that risks promoting the preferred orthodoxy of two particular institutions.

State withholds spending records of Matt Gaetz associate Halsey Beshears via Mike DeForest of Click Orlando Floridas business licensing agency has failed to produce financial documents related to its former secretary, Beshears, following a public records request submitted by News 6 nearly three months ago. Floridas Department of Business and Professional Regulation, or DBPR, has not explained why spending records have not yet been released. The agency previously indicated the request was undergoing a legal review, but it is unclear why it is necessary and whether it is complete. DeSantis appointed Beshears as DBPR secretary in January 2019, calling him a champion for deregulation. Beshears unexpectedly resigned from his position in January 2021, citing health issues.

Why is FL DOE behind on getting billions of federal dollars to schools recovering from COVID-19 pandemic? via Danielle J. Brown of Florida Phoenix Florida education officials are at least a month behind in getting a state plan, worth billions, to the U.S. Department of Education to help Florida schools recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Already, 40 states have submitted their plans, and Florida is still not one of them. And more federal funding for Florida is now on hold because the state has not yet sent in the state plan for approval. The plans were intended to show how states would use billions of dollars offered by the American Rescue Plan to help schools recover from COVID-19. They were due by June 7, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The ARP funds allocated for K-12 recovery are called the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds.

Duke gets OK to recoup storm costs via News Service of Florida The Public Service Commission on Thursday approved Duke Energy Floridas request to recoup $16.7 million from customers stemming from the utilitys costs in responding to two tropical storms last year. Duke residential customers who use 1,000-kilowatt-hours of electricity a month will pay an additional 55 cents a month starting in August. The charge will remain in place for a year. Duke filed the request in May because of costs related to Tropical Storm Eta in November and Tropical Storm Isaias in late July. Duke, in its filings, noted that the costs to the utility reached $20.1 million, but the total was reduced by $3.4 million to offset over-recovery of costs from 2019s Hurricane Dorian and Tropical Storm Nestor.

STATEWIDE

Florida, Moody sue Google over antitrust laws again via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics For the third time in less than a year, Moody is suing Google over antitrust laws, joining 36 other attorneys general in the suit. Filed Wednesday in a federal court based in San Francisco, the complaint accuses Google Play of being a monopoly as Android phones only app store. That manipulates the prices of apps, they argue, including through a 30% commission charge on in-app payments. Moody, a Republican, joins a bipartisan coalition led by Utahs Attorney Generals Office. Other attorneys general in the lawsuit include the states of New York, Tennessee, California and the District of Columbia.

Two South Florida men were involved in President Jovenel Moses assassination, investigators say via Jacqueline Charles and Michael Wilner of the Miami Herald Two South Florida men have been arrested in connection with the assassination of Haiti President Mose, the Miami Herald has learned. James Solages, of Fort Lauderdale, was identified as one of the assailants by Mathias Pierre, a minister in charge of Haitian elections. Pierre did not say if Solages is a U.S. citizen or a permanent U.S. resident. In an undated video interview in Creole, Solages, who lived in Fort Lauderdale and is from Jacmel in southeast Haiti, called himself a philanthropist and child advocate who was involved in helping school children from the area where he grew up. A second man arrested in the assassination has been identified as Joseph Vincent, from the Miami area.

Feds go after We Build the Wall founder again with tax charge via Scott Powers of Florida Politics A federal grand jury has indicted Steve Bannons west Florida partner Brian Kolfage on a new charge involving federal taxes related to the We Build the Wall organization that got them both charged with fraud last year. Bannon, a former campaign and White House adviser to Trump, was pardoned by Trump just before the 45th President left office in January. Kolfage, of Miramar Beach, was not pardoned. Now, Kolfage has a new charge involving his activities since the first indictments were revealed, the office of Acting U.S. Attorney Jason Coody of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida announced Thursday. The latest indictment, involving taxes, supersedes a previous tax law indictment brought against Kolfage in May.

Death sentence upheld in Clay County murder via News Service of Florida The Florida Supreme Court unanimously upheld the murder conviction and death sentence of a man who killed a Clay County woman in 2014 and sexually abused her 10-year-old daughter. Justices rejected arguments raised by attorneys for Donald Davidson Jr., who was convicted in the murder of Roseann Welsh, a friend who had invited Davidson into her home. Davidsons attorneys raised a series of issues in the appeal, including that a circuit judge had not properly considered what is known as mitigating circumstances, including circumstances involving Davidsons childhood, before imposing the death sentence. But the Supreme Court rejected the arguments.

Naval Air Station Jacksonville sailor dies when tree falls on car during Tropical Storm Elsa via Kailey Tracy of First Coast News A spokesperson for the Naval Air Force Atlantic Office confirmed Thursday a Navy sailor died after a tree fell on his car in Jacksonville Wednesday during Tropical Storm Elsa. According to a Naval Air Station Jacksonville spokesperson, the man was an airman who was stationed at NAS Jax. The Naval Air Force Atlantic Office said it couldnt yet provide the airmans name. The service member was assigned to the War Eagles of VP-16 at NAS Jacksonville. VP-16 flies and maintains the P-8A Poseidon aircraft, and its mission is to provide maritime patrol services to the fleet in support of national interests, according to the commander.

Tornado spawned from Tropical Storm Elsa rips through Jacksonville, toppling trees and ripping off roofs via Dan Scanlan of The Florida Times-Union Trees were toppled across a block-long stretch of Powers as the tornado passed over and buckled light poles and damaged dugouts and a batting cage at Baker Skinner Park. The storm went across part of Philips Highway near Bowdendale Avenue southeast of University Boulevard, downing trees, and power lines as it ripped roofs off businesses, depositing debris on the road before moving northward into Georgia. Meeting with reporters near that debris field on Philips, Mayor Lenny Curry said city leaders had planned for possible tornadoes in the wake of Elsa. Curry said now is the time to remember that weather is unpredictable. It looked calm this morning. It looked calm this afternoon, Curry said.

Move over, Florida panthers! Refuge wants to let in more people via Craig Pittman of Florida Phoenix Sometimes, I think Florida should hold a regular competition for The Most Laughably Bad Idea of the Year. This year, so far, I think the leading entry comes from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is pushing a new Visitor Use Plan for the 26,000-acre Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, which lies about 20 miles east of Naples. Its not as bad as building golf courses in state parks, but its close. Panthers, our official state animal, are notoriously shy. Wherever people are, thats where panthers do not want to be. The federal wildlife agency has come up with a plan to open the refuge to allow off-road vehicles, mountain bikes, camping, fishing, and, for three weekends a year, turkey hunting.

CORONA FLORIDA

As delta variant spreads, Florida Democrats urge DeSantis to promote vaccines via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics As the highly transmissible delta variant spreads across the United States, now accounting for more than half of new domestic COVID-19 cases, Democratic Senators in Florida are calling on DeSantis to urge reluctant state residents to get vaccinated. In a joint letter today, 14 Democrats from the Florida Senate exhorted DeSantis to put aside rhetoric that since March 2020 has turned a health issue into a political one and join his fellow Republican Governors who are tapping the power of their office to revitalize vaccination efforts. The delta variant of COVID-19 spreads roughly 225% faster than the original version of the virus, and as of this week, it comprised nearly 52% of new U.S. cases.

CDC asks appeals court to put cruise ruling on hold via Jim Saunders of The News Service of Florida In a flurry of legal activity, attorneys for the CDC have asked a federal appeals court to put on hold a U.S. district judges ruling that backed Florida in a fight about the cruise-ship industry. The request Wednesday for the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to issue a stay came after U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday refused to hold his June 18 ruling that the CDC had overstepped its legal authority in placing restrictions on the cruise industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal-government attorneys on Tuesday appealed Merrydays June 18 ruling to the Atlanta-based appeals court.

As COVID-19 raged last year, crimes dropped in Bay County. Now, theyre rising again via Tony Mixon of the Panama City News Herald Even Bay County criminals were apparently no match for the COVID-19 pandemic last year. According to the latest statistics, Bay County had a total 19.8% drop in crime. Some agencies saw the crime rate drop as much as 44% last year, but all agencies saw double-digit percentage drops in their crime rates. Law enforcement agencies noted that crimes like robbery, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft all dropped last year compared to 2019. There wasnt a definitive reason why such violent crimes as murder and aggravated assault were up last year compared to 2019.

Lakeland GOPs James Ring contracts COVID-19, encourages people to wear a mask and get vaccinated via Kimberly C. Moore of The Lakeland Ledger Ring, president of the Republican Party of Lakeland, says he is blessed to be alive after being certain I was dying of COVID-19, saying he contracted it at a national volleyball tournament in which his twin daughters played nearly three weeks ago in Orlando. Ring is a former Lakeland Police sergeant and a U.S. Army Reserves Chief Warrant Officer who has guarded senior military officials during tours in Washington, D.C., and trips to Iraq and Afghanistan. He is known locally for his leadership skills, thoughtfulness, kind demeanor, and ability to bring people together.

Gulf gets approval on COVID-19 costs via News Service of Florida The Public Service Commission approved a settlement Thursday that will allow Gulf Power to recoup up to $13.2 million in costs tied to the coronavirus pandemic. The settlement covers safety-related measures undertaken through last month and bad debt expenses incurred between March 17, 2020, and mid-November, when the company did not disconnect customers who could not pay bills. Among the terms of the settlement, Gulf will be allowed to spread the recovery costs over three years, starting with Jan. 1, 2022, as part of its fuel costs set for the 2022 calendar year. Gulf initially sought more than $20 million, but the Office of Public Counsel, representing consumers, protested.

CORONA NATION

Delta variant said to be far more widespread than federal estimates via Erin Bianco, Dan Goldberg, and David Lim of POLITICO The more-transmissible Delta coronavirus variant is believed to be significantly more widespread than the current federal projections, according to two senior Biden administration health officials with knowledge of the situation. CDC data released late Tuesday shows the Delta strain accounted for more than 51% of new COVID-19 cases from June 20 to July 3. But the reality on the ground is likely much higher because states and private labs are taking weeks to report testing results to the CDC, the officials said. It is everywhere now, one of the officials said, adding that recent data shows the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine works well against the Delta variant. COVID-19 hospitalizations are up more than 40% over the last two weeks in Arkansas, Iowa and Nevada.

Yes, the delta variant is taking over. But the vaccines still work. via Monica Gandhi of The Washington Post As something resembling normal life resumes in the United States, many Americans are wondering how concerned they should be about the delta variant of the coronavirus. The reason it has so quickly dominated is that it is more fit than other variants outcompeting them when it comes to reaching and infecting unvaccinated people. Although delta is more easily transmitted than the other variants, there is no evidence that it causes more severe illness. How do we know that delta is not vaccine-resistant? All three vaccines authorized in the United States have been shown in clinical studies to produce strong neutralizing antibody responses against the variants.

Pfizer plans to request FDA nod for COVID-19 booster in August via Robert Langreth of Bloomberg Pfizer plans to request U.S. emergency authorization in August for a third booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine, based on early data showing that it can sharply increase immune protection against the coronavirus. The company has received initial data from an early human study showing that a third dose of its existing coronavirus vaccine is safe and can raise neutralizing antibody levels by 5 to 10 fold compared with the original vaccine, Pfizer research head Mikael Dolsten said in an interview. Once more data is in hand, Pfizer plans to ask the FDA to authorize a booster shot that could be given six to eight months after the original two doses, Dolsten said.

Whether Republicans get vaccinated has a lot to do with if they watch Fox News or OANN via Natalie Jackson of FiveThirtyEight Its no secret that Republicans really distrust the media. In fact, that distrust is increasingly an important part of their political identity. For a long time, understanding where Republicans primarily got their news was pretty straightforward, too. Unlike Democrats, Republicans, by and large, turn to just one source for all their news: Fox News. But with the advent of news networks even further to the right than Fox News, One America News Network and Newsmax, thats changing. Republicans who got their news from OANN or Newsmax were generally more extreme in their beliefs around QAnon and their refusal to get vaccinated than those who got their news from Fox News.

Free samples are back, but with safety in mind via Anne DInnocenzio of The Associated Press When the pandemic was declared in March 2020, retailers worried about the potential spread of the coronavirus so they cut off free sampling of everything from food to makeup to toys. But now, with vaccinations rolling out and the threat of COVID-19 easing in the U.S., stores like Costco are feeling confident enough to revive the long-standing tradition. But while sampling is back, its not clear if everyone is ready to bite. With that in mind, some retailers are putting various safety protocols to ease any safety concerns. At Costco, masked workers prepare the hot and cold samples behind plexiglass counters and distribute them to its members one at a time. Stew Leonards also brought back hot samples with similar safety measures.

CORONA ECONOMICS

U.S. jobless claims tick up to 373,000 from a pandemic low via The Associated Press The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rose slightly last week even while the economy and the job market appear to be rebounding from the coronavirus recession with sustained energy. Thursdays report from the Labor Department showed that jobless claims increased by 2,000 from the previous week to 373,000. Weekly applications, which generally track the pace of layoffs, have fallen steadily this year from more than 900,000 at the start of the year. The four-week average of applications, which smooths out week-to-week volatility, is 394,500, the lowest such level since the pandemic erupted in March of last year.

Unemployment claims continue to drop via The News Service of Florida Newly filed unemployment claims continue to slow in Florida, with the state recording its lowest weekly total since the COVID-19 pandemic crashed into the economy in March 2020. The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday estimated 5,946 new claims were filed in Florida during the week that ended July 3, down from a revised count of 6,917 during the week that ended June 26. The department last week said the national unemployment rate in June was 5.9%, up from 5.8% in May. The states unemployment rate stood at 4.9% in May, reflecting 503,000 people qualifying as out of work from a workforce of 10.24 million. A June unemployment report will be issued on July 16.

The bond market is telling us to worry about growth, not inflation via Neil Irwin of The New York Times For months, the United States has been experiencing the growing pains of an economy rebooting itself surging economic activity, yes, but also shortages, gummed-up supply networks and higher prices. Now, shifts in financial markets point to a reversal of that economic narrative. Specifically, the bond market has swung in ways that suggest that a period of slower growth and more subdued inflation could lie ahead. They are not the kind of jaw-dropping swings that markets show in moments of extreme turbulence. But the price swings show an economy in flux, and they undermine arguments that the United States is settling into a new, high-inflation reality for the indefinite future.

At many companies, changes from COVID-19 are now permanent via Joyce M. Rosenberg of The Associated Press Many business owners have made individual adaptations that not only make sense but may have permanently altered the way they do business and make money. Some owners who have made dramatic changes find theyre much happier running their companies now. Before COVID-19, psychotherapist and business coach Jonathan Alpert did almost all his work in his Manhattan office. The pandemic restricted him to the phone and video. But despite the fact therapy has traditionally been done in person, many clients arent interested in returning to his office for in-person sessions. What started out as a real necessity is now a highly desirable option for people, Alpert says. Its convenient; they dont have to commute 10, 20, 30 minutes each way.

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Sunburn The morning read of what's hot in Florida politics 7.9.21 - Florida Politics

The following deeds were transferred in Chilton County from June 24-30:

June 24

Joe Lowery to Hassel Kromer for $80,000 Section 34, Township 23, Range 12

Javier Flores to Ezequiel Flores Quiroz for $65,000 Section 4, Township 23 North, Range 13 East

Sheri Wright for Estate of Essie Mae Downing, deceased, to Charles A. Traywick for $22,000 Lot No. 7 of Alred-Collier subdivision

Patrick Chase Guthas and Lindsey Beth Guthas to Daniel Lewis Nichols for $172,500 Section 33, Township 23 North, Range 14 East

Morgan Eason, Hunter Eason and Lynsie Glasscock to Kirby Farris for $79,500 Section 18, Township 21 North, Range 16 East

Christopher G. Baker and Lisa Baker to Allison Brand for $109,900 Section 18, Township 21 North, Range 15 East

Prominence Homes & Communities LLC to Zaira Gomez for $230,000 Lot 13 of Ballington

June 25

Robert Darbyshire, Shirley Darbyshire, Durham Cornett and Cheryl Cornett to Kacy Mims and Martie Mims for $100 Lot 306 of Alaga Landing Sector 3

S&S Renovations LLC to Anna May and Aron Dane May for $276,000 Lot 3, Block B and part of Lot 4 of D.E. Plier Addition No. 2 in Jemison

Tyler Cage Abbott to Dallas Dodson for $140,000 Lot 4 of Overlook subdivision in Jemison

June 28

James M. Ray and Christina M. Hall to James M. Ray and Christina M. Hall for $500 Section 21, Township 22, Range 15

Sandy Taylor to Melissa Bazzano for $90,000 Section 6, Township 23 North, Range 14 East

Thomas W. Johnson and Michael S. Johnson, heirs and next of kin of Suzette Marie Fiscus, to Thomas W. Johnson and Michael S. Johnson for $1 Section 22, Township 23 North, Range 14 East

Bobby Eugene Sherrer Jr. to Robbe L. Armistead for $165,000 Section 16, Township 24 North, Range 12 East

Peggy H. Green to Harold K. Ellison and Judith Mims Ellison for $70,825 Section 24, Township 21 North, Range 13 East

Melissa Jones to Brett Leftew for $45,000 Section 12, Township 23, Range 15

Lloyd Anthony Reynolds, Douglas Craig Austin, William David Jones and Warren Pratt Williams to Wayne Horton for $57,200 Section 12, Township 23 North, Range 15 East

Lloyd Anthony Reynolds, Douglas Craig Austin, William David Jones and Warren Pratt Williams to Jordan Ross and Kacie Ross for $16,500 Section 12, Township 23 North, Range 15 East

Central Alabama Home Builders & Construction LLC to Billy Lee Hunt and Ashley Michelle Hunt for $264,000 Section 22, Township 22 North, Range 14 East

Leiah Davison, sole heir of law and next of kin of Mary Sue Davison and Terry Lee Davison, deceased, to Leiah Davison for $10 Section 22, Township 23 North, Range 13 East

Jimmie Hardee Jr. and Tammy Hardee, aka Tammy M. Hardee, to Jimmie Hardee Jr. and Tammy Hardee, aka Tammy M. Hardee, for $15,000 Section 1, Township 20 North, Range 14 East

Brooklin Partridge and River Partridge to Jessica Rancont for $150,000 Lot No. 2 of Park Place subdivision

Jarrod K. Jones and Katie W. Jones to Shannon Calfee and Dana Sue Calfee for $400,000 Section 16, Township 21 North, Range 13 East

Lloyd Anthony Reynolds, Douglas Craig Austin, William David Jones and Warren Pratt Williams to Kim Lee Cherry and Barney Ralph Parker for $9,900 Section 12, Township 23 North, Range 12 East

Lloyd Anthony Reynolds, Douglas Craig Austin, William David Jones and Warren Pratt Williams to Erwin P. Horton for $75,000 Sections 12 and 17, Township 23 North, Range 12 East

John Wilson Chance Jr. to Scott Mims and Emily Mims for $400,000 Section 9, Township 21 North, Range 15 East

Rodney W. Hart and Stacy M. Hart to Donovan Builders LLC for $147,500 Lot 9 of Pine Valley Land Company Lake

Misty Lee Dobbs and Reedy Scott Dobbs Jr. to Richard Lee Gentry and Linda Sue Gentry for $1 Section 22, Township 24 North, Range 13 East

June 29

Misti Smith Kelley and William Keith Kelley to Misti Smith Kelley and William Keith Kelley for $1 Section 12, Township 20, Range 13

J & J Caldwell, aka J or J Properties LLC, to Saludie Thompson for $10 Lot 14 of Sunny Meadows, Section 32, Township 24, Range 13

Brigitte Amador Rodriguez and Duran Ramos Jeronimo to Gerardo Diaz and Lidia Garcia Diaz for $25,000 Section 27, Township 23 North, Range 14 East

Carol S. Barfield to Johnny Smith for $55,000 Section 36, Township 22, Range 14

Marl J. Carnahan to Jenna Tristian Lyon and Thomas Kristian Gay for $140,000 Lots 3, 4. 5 and 6 of Block C of W.T. Lessley Addition in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Chilton County

Trammell L. Norris and Donna G. Norris to The Entrust Group Inc. FBO Lionel Hayslip IRA #7230016701 for $236,400 s 34 and 35, Township 22 North, Range 13 East

June 30

Johnny Cagle, Karen Cagle, Carolyn Teel and Sheila Jones to John David Driver for $62,000 Section 24, Township 21 North, Range 15 East

Martin W. Lilland to Zachary T. Dixon and McKenley D. Brantley for $130,000 Lots 36 and 37 of S.C. Cox Addition in Clanton

James Bishop to New Wood Properties LLC for $15,000 Section 34, Township 22, Range 14

Prominence Homes & Communities LLC to Alissa G. Rich and Justin Rich for $224,900 Lot 17 of Ballington

Stefanie Kyla Patterson Patton to Don Patterson for $100 Section 33, Township 21 North, Range 15 East

Claire Friday Ryan Nwransky and Ty Byrd for $25,000 Section 28, Township 23 North, Range 13 East

Stacey Adams to Myckeal Disharoon and Julia Disharoon for $269,000 Lot 5 of Block 1 of Old Acres subdivision

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Deeds - The Clanton Advertiser - Clanton Advertiser

February 05, 2021

This Sundays Super Bowl marks the end of another season, and another offseason filled with questions for our in-state team.

The Panthers owner was very clear when he bought the team from Jerry Richardson that he has a must-win approach to running the team, which is how Ron Rivera was shown the door in the middle of the 2019 season, despite previously earning two coach of the year awards. (And now Ron has won the award for the third time, which makes the move look even dumber than it did at the time.)

So, if the Panthers absolutely must win in 2021, what must the front office do to improve the roster?

First off, dont draft a quarterback.

Yes, I know there are some QBs in the draft class this year, and any one of which could make a big difference in the course of the franchise. However, if you are looking to win this year, you dont start a rookie quarterback.

I wasnt sold on Teddy Bridgewater by midseason. He was still getting a lot of praise by announcers and the talking heads in the studios until the end of the year, but I saw plenty of red flags all year.

The worst? In 15 games, Teddy threw 13 TD passes in the first half. Not bad. Seems like he would be halfway to 26 TD passes.

Except, Teddy threw exactly two TD passes in the second half of those same 15 games. Thats right, two. That is basically seven and a half whole games worth of playing with only two scores.

Thats why I call him Teddy Chokewater.

Trade Teddy somewhere else or cut him and sign another. Heck, bench Teddy and give P.J. Walker a whole offseason to get ready. He showed a big arm and athleticism.

You know who would might have been a great choice right now? The guy Carolina basically gave away in Kyle Allen.

Yes, I know Kyle had ups and downs, but he was also just 23 years finishing his first season. Did you see what he did in Washington before he was injured on a dirty leg whip? He was averaging right at a 100 QB rating. Cam Newton never had a 100 rating, even when he won league MVP in 2015. Teddy had a 92.1 rating (artificially inflated by a high completion rate based on check-down throws).

Please, please, please look for Luke Kuechlys replacement in the draft. The worst roster move of 2020 was bringing in Tahir Whitehead to play middle linebacker. Coach Matt Rhule went with one of his former college players, but Tahir just didnt make plays all season and was finally benched by the last couple of games.

Kuechlys name would be said by the announcers 10 times a game, but Tahir could go an entire game without a single mention. The run defense and short pass defense both suffered because of his terrible play.

It seems every year I say the team needs to look at the offensive line, and it is still true but worse this time. Center Matt Paradis is the only regular starter under contract next year.

Im okay with some of that Im looking at you LG Chris Reed and LT Russell Okung but the right side with RT Taylor Moton and RG John Miller seemed to be pretty good.

The sad part is that the team did invest two draft picks on guys who showed good potential, but have been injured a lot of their two years with the team. Greg Little and Dennis Daley split time at left tackle in 2019, often going back and forth because of injuries. They both finished 2020 on injured reserve.

In 2016 the Panthers used three of their top four draft picks on cornerbacks. Only one panned out (James Bradberry), and he left with a big contract a year ago.

The team desperately needs to draft at least one if not two corners.

Donte Jackson is one of the fastest guys in the whole league, but spent the whole season hampered by a toe injury. Tony Pride Jr. was a rookie who got picked on a lot. The other option, who started 11 games was Rasul Douglas, who was good against big, slower possession receivers, but not quick wideouts.

In fact, Douglas is really better suited as a free safety who can also cover receivers and tight ends one on one when needed rather than every down.

Jackson ran a 4.32 time in the 40 at the combine. Douglas ran a 4.59. That is a full quarter of a second slower.

Rasul was in the 32nd percentile for CBs in the 40 time and shuttle run and 26th percentile on vertical jump (yikes!). But he scored high for weight/height, arm length and bench press. In fact, when his measurables were compared to other past participants in the combine, his best matches were not corners at all. His best match was former two-time Pro Bowl safety Michael Lewis.

Juston Burris started 13 games at safety and had 53 tackles. Douglas started just 11 games at CB and had 62 tackles. Imagine if you re-signed Rasul and put him at Justons spot. Oh, and cutting Burris would save the team $3.8 million against the cap.

I have been saying this for two years: sign or draft a guy to do the majority of carries at running back. Let Christian McCaffrey spend more time as a slot receiver.

The team is likely to lose Curtis Samuel, a receiver who can split time in the backfield, because he had such a nice year he will be too expensive to re-sign.

So shift McCaffrey more toward that role. Get McCaffrey 1,000 yards receiving and fewer rushes where he takes such a pounding. I was saying this even before he missed almost all of 2020 with injuries.

One great advantage for the Panthers is that Coach Rhule got the opportunity to coach one of the teams in the Senior Bowl, with some of the best college seniors across the country.

He not only got to see their physical skills up close, he had a chance to see how the players accepted criticism and coaching.

James Hudson is a former defensive lineman who switched to O-line. Some scouts were very impressed with his Senior Bowl practices. What did Rhule think? Quinn Meinerz is a Division III O-line stud in the mold of Tampas Ali Marpet. Did Rhule think him good enough to draft in the second or third round?

Finally, its time for the team to cut former star DT Kawann Short. At one time Short and Star Lotuleilei formed a formidable tandem in the middle. But, Short has played just five of 32 games the past two seasons with only seven solo tackles, zero sacks and only one tackle for a loss.

And this season Short is scheduled to make a whopping $20.84 million. His cap hit is $11.02, so cutting him would save $9.82 million in cap space.

Another possible payroll cut would be DE Stephen Weatherly, who is set to make $7.9 million, but only $2 million would count toward the cap, so cutting would save $5.9 million. He only played in nine games with just 17 tackles and zero sacks.

The team was hoping he would make a big leap after finishing his rookie contract in Minnesota with just six sacks in four seasons.

Read more:

Local Patriots answered call of freedom - Mount Airy News

The United States was founded about 245 years ago, but some American towns have been around for more than three centuries, and some longer still.

24/7 Tempo selected more than 100 towns that were founded before the American Revolution. We chose the towns by reviewing town and state websites, reference sources such as britannica.com, and sources such as thecompletepilgrim.com that provided information about Americas best preserved colonial towns. To be considered, towns needed to have originated in settlements that were founded, chartered, established, or incorporated before 1776. Virtually all of these towns, or the areas where they were established, had been Native American lands before European settlers arrived.

The vast majority of towns that were founded before 1776 are located in a handful of states in the Northeast. Massachusetts and Connecticut have by far the most towns incorporated prior to the Revolutionary War. On our list of 100 towns, 20 are in Massachusetts and 16 in Connecticut. Fewer than 10 towns on our list are in states west of Louisiana. Here is how each state got its name.

Thirty of the 50 states are home to towns that were founded before the Revolutionary War. Some of the oldest towns on the list, such as Kingston, New York, are also among the most common city names in the United States.

Click here to see 102 towns founded before the American RevolutionClick here to read our methodology

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American Towns Founded Before the American Revolution - 24/7 Wall St.

Warranty deed transfers in excess of $60,000 as recorded at the Marion County Clerk of the Circuit Courts office from May 3-7:

18th Street Partners Condo. Russell Cole to Elder Planning Income Concepts LLC: $64,338.

18th Street Partners Condo. Elder Planning Income Concepts LLC to Marie Kahuda: $136,350.

Alderbrook. D R Horton Inc. to Jocelynne Monique Acevedo: $300,110.

Local news: Conn's opens Ocala store, Purvis Gray celebrates 75 years and more in Ocala/Marion business

The WEC effect: Marion sets records for tourism tax, jet fuel sales; more hotels needed

Big time: Soaring: Marion County's property value hits a record high of $24.14 billion

Alderbrook. Alvin Irby to Edward Saumier: $322,000.

Belleview Heights. Robert Lucas to Joseph Edwards: $414,000.

Belleview Heights Estates. Page Scott to York Antoniou: $110,000.

Belleview Heights Estates. Cottontail Properties LLC to Bouquet Homes LLC: $133,000.

Belleview Heights Estates. William Peterson to Jahara Judith Matamoros Valladares: $145,000.

Belleview Heights Estates. Adela Garcia to Jack J. Frost Trust: $150,000.

Belleview Pines. Kristina Smith to Italia Meneguzzi: $135,000.

Belleview Ridge Estates. Michael Susterka to Giniva Jimenez: $186,000.

Belleview Ridge Estates. Newco Homes of Ocala Inc. to Peter Wilson: $186,900.

Bethune Village. Mega Rental Property LLC to Berthony Jolis: $118,000.

Blue Cove. Riverflow LLC to Robert Stephenson: $850,000.

Breezewood Estates. Arthur Helber to Richard Schweikart: $60,000.

Brokows Addition to Anthony. London Rentals LLC to Derek Cummings: $144,000.

Caldwells Addition to Ocala. William Hart to Jill Cronkite: $210,000.

Caldwells Addition to Ocala. Raney Properties 1 LLC to Future Estate Investments Corp.: $230,000.

Caldwells Addition to Ocala. Michelle Maher Ford to Brandon Perry: $552,500.

Candler. David Sakuta to Riley Finn: $135,000.

Candler Hills East. Christopher Chavarria to Nathan Snook: $220,000.

Candler Hills East. Ronald Luehrs to Ruth Matthews: $220,000.

Candler Hills West, Kestrel. On Top of the World Communities LLC to George W. Kahl Jr. Trust: $332,045.

Development pressures: Small private school inspires big public outcry from CR 475/CR 312 part of SW Marion

Sellers' market: Sizzling: Average sale price of existing single-family home in Ocala/Marion up 20.2%

Road plan: Where will the next I-75 exit or flyover be in south Marion?

Candler Hills West, Kestrel. On Top of the World Communities LLC to William Silinski: $365,000.

Candler Hills West, Kestrel. On Top of the World Communities LLC to Evelyn Tempalski: $384,580.

Candler Hills West, Kestrel. On Top of the World Communities LLC to Richard Russo: $406,285.

Candler Hills West, Newcastle. On Top of the World Communities LLC to John Joseph Carle III: $492,553.

Candler Hills West, Sanctuary at Stonebridge. Ann Gribbins to Susan Calkins: $410,000.

Caple's Ranchettes. Rosellen Richardson to Margery Longstreet: $221,500.

Carneys Subdivision. John Privett to Parrot Cove Inn LLC: $150,000.

Chazal Dale. William Walker to Orlando Ayala Cruz: $220,000.

Cherrywood Estates. Richard Brien to Rebecca Newman: $168,000.

Cherrywood Estates. Albert Pitts to James Anderson: $187,900.

Circle Square Ranch. Donald Poehler to Judith Walkden: $209,690.

Circle Square Woods. Roland Dorn to Maureen Dunaway: $125,000.

Circle Square Woods. Barbara Christensen to Katherine A. Tilghman Kluge: $128,000.

Circle Square Woods. Corlene Hines to Carolyn Gonano: $150,000.

Circle Square Woods. Carlos Martinez to Kalpana Umarvadia: $157,000.

Citra Highlands. Anthony Penney to Anthony Hoffmann: $92,900.

Citra Highlands. Triple Crown Homes Inc. to Randall Smith: $176,800.

Classic Hills. Deborah Dawson to Brianna Kennedy: $140,000.

Cobblestone. James Chambers to Robert Aulds: $283,000.

College Park. John Shields to Bashir Ahmed Memon: $160,000.

College Park. College Park Ocala LLC to Armstrong Land LLC: $229,409.

Cottages of Salt Springs Resort. Alice M. Decator Revocable Living Trust to Mary Kordys: $148,000.

Country Club Farms. Michael Shrader to Charles Parker: $599,000.

Country Club of Ocala. Wayne McCall to William Mess: $515,000.

Have you seen this place?: A peek inside WECs Equestrian Hotel: Pillow fluffing, a patisserie and posh style galore

WEC is for everyone: Ocalans invited for dining, dog walking, shopping and shows

Planning ahead: $5 million plan: Marion's Heart of Florida Health to add mobile vaccine unit, radiology

Country Estates South. Anne A. Berman Revocable Trust to Lisa Stolzenberg: $239,000.

Country Estates West. Aja Forde to Alfredis Nillar Sanchez: $193,000.

Countryside Estates. Margaret Almgren to Cody Helwig: $215,000.

Delcrest. Deborah Baumgart to Elder Planning Income Concepts LLC: $181,975.

Delcrest. Elder Planning Income Concepts LLC to Tommie Zachry: $196,000.

Devonshire. Christopher Sawdon to Joshua Boyer: $455,000.

Diamond Park. Stephen Dahlquist to Gerald Nativio: $237,000.

Diamond Park North. D R Horton Inc. to Faith Warren: $206,990.

Dove Hill. Susan Magaziner to Annie Charshafian: $195,000.

Dunnellon. Mark Hampton to Reynaldo Gonzalez: $99,000.

Dunnellon Oaks. Carmen J. Llerena Living Trust to SOFL Real Estate Investment Group: $127,500.

Eastridge at Stonecrest. Susan McCreary to Joseph Angleton: $285,000.

Edgewater Estates. Casey Walsh to Jacqueline Gnojek: $160,416.

El Dorado. Suresh Nadella to Michael Krueger: $542,500.

Esquire Center Condo. Studio 1015 LLC to Giscard Rousseau: $70,000.

Ethans Glen. Patrick Fross to D. Diane Laws: $160,000.

Executive Park Subdivision. East Pasco 52 Holdings LLC to Magnolious Property Investments LLC: $1,335,000.

Fairfax Hills. James Hall to Emily Else Morera Perez: $132,000.

Fairfield Oaks. Infinitty Farm LLC to Joseph Chaundy: $540,000.

Fairways of Stonecrest. Arthur Joseph & Elsie Marie Roche Rev Liv Trust to George Huggins: $315,000.

Fellowship Acres. Grace E. Tirado Perez to Marcia Young: $358,915.

Destination: World Equestrian Center

Of the 6000 acres that the Roberts family owns, WEC sits on 387 acres that has already been developed and 300 undeveloped. There are eight different eateries and a general store. There is 248 room hotel and 25 barns with almost 3000 stalls.

Doug Engle, Ocala Star-Banner

Florida Heights. Randall Crabtree to Adeli Rivera: $158,000.

Florida Highlands. Paul Johnson to Milton Brabb: $158,500.

Fore Acres Subdivision. Anette Mendoza to Brittany Velez: $167,000.

Forest Hills. Emmanual Vogt to Leslie Nottingham: $184,000.

Forest Villas. Ivis Ramos to Robin Histed: $275,000.

Fountains at Oak Run. Aldei Fauteux to Kirk Deddo: $179,900.

Gilliam's Subdivision. Eco Stonecrest LLC to Ocala 24th Street Development LLC: $250,000.

Gold Medal Farms. Jay Miranda to Theodore Taylor: $340,000.

Golden Hills Turf & Country Club. Hallie Coon to Robin Arnaudy: $300,000.

Greystone Hills. Rolling Hills Development Inc. to D R Horton Inc.: $90,897.

Greystone Hills. D R Horton Inc. to Kenneth Weaver: $239,990.

Greystone Hills. D R Horton Inc. to Dayanna Bunch: $259,990.

Greystone Hills. D R Horton Inc. to Mireilly Vicens: $308,510.

Hammock. Brito Commercial Investment Inc. to Zeina Al Mansour: $289,000.

Hibiscus Park. Cusick Properties LLC to Kathryn Mann: $150,000.

Hickory Hollow. Oscar Chaires to Kandace Vitale: $195,000.

Hills of Stonecrest. David A. ONeill Revocable Trust to Robert N. Rousseau Trust: $215,000.

Hunters Ridge. Joseph Burgatti to Steven Jones: $240,000.

Indigo East. Francis Roark to Jon Riordan: $250,000.

See the original post here:

How much did that house go for? Ocala/Marion County deed transfers from May 3-7 - Ocala

What an amazing week for new music, indie fans!

This week, weve been gifted some amazing tunes from renowned acts like Fiona Apple, Lucy Dacus, Charlotte Cardin, MARINA, Born Ruffians, and a Rina Sawayama and Elton John collaboration.

Check out this weeks Best New Indie below.

Fiona Apple has covered Sharon Van Ettens Love More for epic Ten, Van Ettens reissue of epic. Apple adds her own twist to the track, while still tapping into Van Ettens quintessential sound. Where Van Ettens original track is more meditative, Apples is playful and euphoric, as Apple delivers some of her distinctive howls.

Rina Sawayama has shared a new piano-driven version of Chosen Family, which features none other than Sir Elton John. Dedicated to LGBTQ+ folks who have lost their family and friends by coming out, the delicate new version of Sawayamas ballad offers up a new emotional level to the tune. The British singers each take turns delivering verses atop Johns soft piano lines until the duet on the chorus, with John singing lines like, We dont need to share genes or a surname/ You are, you are, my chosen family.

Lucy Dacus has officially announced her forthcoming album, Home Video, which is set for release on June 25th via Matador. As part of the announcement shes shared a video for her new track, Hot & Heavy. Hot & Heavy is a powerful, explosive new track that sees Dacus singing about growing up, and turning into new versions of herself. The accompanying self-directed video comes packed with nostalgic clips of Dacus going to the movies at Byrd Theatre in her hometown with a video camera in hand, interspersed with shots of her growing up.

Charlotte Cardin is releasing her debut full-length album on April 23rd via Atlantic Records, and today shes shared a video for her new single, Sad Girl. The catchy, R&B-tinged alt-pop track strays a bit from the previously released singles on the forthcoming album, taking more of a beat-driven approach. The captivating, gloomy new Norman Wong-directed clip sees Cardin singing beneath blue lights in the pouring rain. Sad Girl is a revenge tale about a girl who has an infinite amount of tears and draws her power through sadness, Cardin explains of the track. She therefore seeks sorrow in order to grow and eliminate her enemies (AKA all her exes).

Born Ruffians are readying the release of their new album, PULP, this Friday, April 16th, and today theyve shared a new single called Checkin Out. Checkin Out is about opting out, frontman Luke Lalonde explains of the track. Its about all kinds of ways you can remove yourself. From simply spacing out, to leaving news cycles behind, to deleting your social media accounts etc Its about those moments of this is all too much and surrendering.

Marina (fka Marina and the Diamonds) has made her return with a video for a new track called Purge the Poison. Alongside the single, shes also announced her forthcoming album, Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land, which is set for release on June 11th. The new track is almost like an Earth Day anthem, as Marina sings about the importance of protecting the planet, delivering lines like, Its a new world order, everything just falls away/ Our life as we knew it now belongs to yesterday. Marina also sites some pop culture moments throughout the catchy tune, like Britney Spears shaving her head and the #MeToo movement.

Toronto pop artist RALPH has announced her new EP, GRADIENCE, and as part of the announcement shes shared a perfectly kitschy video for her new track, Tommy. The catchy new track sees Ralph singing of missed connection, as she pines for someone who she has a brief encounter with before they diappear forever. The accompanying colourful video sees Ralph and friends in campy sky-high wigs and ruffles, as her hairdresser channeled a look described as Marie Antoinette on a motorcycle.

Toronto-based rapper Shad has made his return with his new single, Out of Touch (feat. Phoenix Pagliacci). The bright new R&B-influenced tune marks the first single of forthcoming music, which is set to arrive this year on Secret City Records. With a driven beat and shimmering keys, Shads vocals take the lead, as he delivers lines like, Each man is a brand, each nights famine or feast/ So we quote I sell, therefore I am in these streets.

Following the release of last years The Sun and Her Scorch, Dizzy have returned with a new single called The Bird Behind The Drapes, which features Luna Li. Alongside the release, theyve announced a new EP, Separate Places. On Separate Places, with drops on June 11th via Royal Mountain Records and Communion Records, the Oshawa indie outfit will be collaborating with a different guest performing vocals on each track, as they reimagine some of the standout tunes from last years album.

Jasamine White-Gluz has announced a new EP as No Joy called Can My Daughter See Me From Heaven, which will be made up of orchestral reimaginings of tracks from her 2020 album, Motherhood. To preview the collection, No Joy has shared a video for Kidder (From Heaven), a reworked version of Kidder. Kidder (From Heaven) is a stunning, dreamy rework that truly lets the album track be seen in a new light. The accompanying video, which is directed by a 7-year-old named Sloan, sees Sloan wanting to imitate the sparkliness of a dream.

Listen to our Best New Indie playlist below!

Go here to read the rest:

Best New Indie: 10 songs you need to discover this week - indie88.com

The following deeds were transferred in Shelby County from March 8-17:

March 8

-AR Properties LLC to SDH Birmingham LLC, for $700,000, for Lots 301, 302, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 332, 333, 334, 335 and 336 in Springs Crossing Sector 3 Phase 1.

-Allison S. Hoar to Shani Lampley-Walker, for $324,000, for Lot 10-15 in Chelsea Park 10th Sector.

-Randall Derek Akers to Jordan R. Chamblee, for $200,000, for Lot 8 in Chase Plantation Fourth Sector.

-Drew E. Dixon to Sue Tait, for $189,900, for property in Section 29, Township 19, Range 1 East.

-Buy by Birmingham 401k to Andrew Boyd, for $290,000, for Lot 73 in Chaparral First Sector Phase 1 Amended Map.

-Southeastern Real Estate Investments LLC to Rachel Isabella Conrad, for $182,000, for Lot 29 in Canyon Park Townhomes.

-LaToya Carstarphen to Guy Wood, for $465,000, for Lot 316 in Creekwater Phase III Phase 2.

-SDH Birmingham LLC to Hunter Thomas Morris, for $200,890, for Lot 219 in Springs Crossing Sector 2.

-Larry Burns to Will Daniels, for $30,000, for Lot 5 in Neid Bearden Family Subdivision.

-Manuel Pagan to George L. Morrison, for $315,000, for Lot 22-48 in Riverbend at Old Cahaba Phase 3.

-Dagmara K. Frankowska to Peter J. Cason, for $360,000, for Lot 14 in Southpoint Sixth Sector Phase II.

-Lisa M. Adams to Brandt Gendreau Kittredge, for $355,000, for Lot 1009 in Abrores of Forest Parks.

-Susan Murrell to Hub Harrington, for $348,000, for Lot 223 in Riverchase Country Club Ninth Addition.

-Whitney Investments LLC to C&J Jones Investments LLC, for $576,270, for property in Section 24, Township 20 South, Range 3 West.

-Cody John Bass to Kenneth W. Riddle, for $305,000, for property in Section 35, Township 20 South, Range 1 West.

-Maria Ruiz to Christopher Billy Shane Green, for $191,000, for property in Section 11, Township 19 South, Range 2 East.

-Robert Butterworth to Vivian L. Oliver, for $230,000, for Lot 73 in Reserve at Timberline.

-Forestar Real USA Real Estate Group Inc. to D R Horton Inc. Birmingham, for $130,500, for Lots 1651 and 1652 in Chelsea Park 16th Sector.

-Elizabeth Giles Jordan to Jill Z. Hubbard, for 218,000, for Lot A in Riverwood Second Sector.

-Ray Franklin to Darby Owenby, for $54,000, for Lot 2 in Franklin Estates.

-James E. Kelly to James Benjamin Stallings, for $224,500, for Lot 20 in Chadwick Sector 2.

-Donald R. Gordon to Jennifer W. Wall, for $1,300,000, for Lot 718 in Greystone Legacy 7th Sector.

-Edmond Earle to Jamario R. Moon, for $750,000, for Lot 614 in Greystone Legacy 6th Sector.

-Thomas J. Porter to Justin Thomas Fox, for $525,000, for Lot 6 in Meadow Brook Fifth Sector Phase II Amended Map.

-Embassy Homes LLC to Bailey K. Powell, for $322,574, for Lot 7-225 in Chelsea Park 7th Sector Fourth Addition Grayson Place Neighborhood.

-Emily S. Harrell to Todd William Talbot, for $639,900, for Lot 104 in Greystone 1st Sector 1st Phase.

-Michael P. Long to Anderson Kay Whitcomb, for $301,000, for Lot 15 in Kerry Downs.

-Anderson K. Whitcomb to Daniel W. Bares, for $210,000, for Lot 311 in Cambrian Wood Condominium.

-Embridge Homes LLC to Jerry M. Johnston, for $406,600, for Lot 301 in Lake Wilborn Phase 3 Final Plat.

-Dominion South Oak LLC to Aubrey M. Garrison, for $375,000, for Lot 16 in South Oak Phase I.

-Lake Wilborn Partners LLC to Embridge Homes LLC, for $100,000, for Lot 610 in Lake Wilborn Phase 6A.

-Embridge Homes LLC to Laura Nail Mims, for $438,210, for Lot 608 in Lake Wilborn Phase 6A.

-Kyle Alexander Wilson to Wady Echavarria, for $130,000, for Lot 826 in Waterford Townhomes Sector 1 Phase 1.

-Haskell Edward Scott to Misty Kent Pappas, for $297,400, for Lot 136 in Cedar Grove at Sterling Gate Sector 2 Phase 3.

-Venture South LLC to Sean Murphy Miller, for $399,000, for property in Section 36, Township 18 South, Range 1 East.

-Tammy D. Barefield to Rebecca Molly Gay, for $12,680, for property in Section 20, Township 22 South, Range 2 West.

-James Clark to Luis A. Flores Guillen, for $189,900, for Lot 49 in Meadows Plat 2 Revised Map.

-Bobby Joe Franklin to Leslie Mundt, for $242,000, for Lot 33 in Chadwick Sector 4.

-Gregory S. Whitley to Dustin B. McFarland, for $265,000, for Lot 227 in Cedar Grove at Sterling Gate Sector 2 Phase 5.

-Craig Emory Hutchison to Amarr Garred Croskey, for $230,000, for Lot 22 in Park Forest Fourth Sector.

-Mariah Dee Johnston Mazingo to Timothy Cottingham, for $455,000, for Lot 301 in Creekwater Phase III.

-Michael McCraw to Ryan Charles, for $785,000, for Lot 76 in Greystone 5th Sector Phase I.

-Alicia Swain to Judy S. Kyser, for $180,000, for Lot 254 in Camden Cove Sector Eight.

-Linda Buckner to Brian Johnston, for $215,000, for Lot 70 in High Ridge Village Phase 4 Final Plat.

-Chad Aaron Collum to Thomas G. Littleton, for $247,500, for Lot 18 in Navajo Hills Ninth Sector.

-Victor L. Smith to Dennis W. Mazingo, for $360,000, for property in Section 16, Township 21 South, Range 3 West.

March 9

-Michael Joe Harris to Gary Hardy, for $187,200, for Lots 7 and 19A in Shire Valley Farms Resurvey of a Resurvey of Lots 6A and 7A.

-Bobby J. Harris to Charles L. Payne, for $211,800, for Lots 8 and 19B in Shire Valley Farms Final Plat.

-Travis Kidd to Matthew Thomas Kidd, for $376,090, for Lot 7-18 in Mt Laurel Phase 1A.

-RC Birmingham LLC to Camron Dearius Brown, for $184,110, for Lot 35 in Lakes at Hidden Forest Phase 4.

-Flemming Partners LLC to David Corliss, for $526,131, for Lot 4007 in Abingdon by the River Phase 1.

-Savanna Paige Marion to Kendra Janyce Robins, for $200,000, for Lot 102 in Savannah Pointe Sector 11 Phase IV.

-Robert Lynn Long to Jared B. Kelley, for $169,000, for property in Section 28, Township 19 South, Range 2 East.

-MJH 280 Properties LLC to Reynolds Family Properties and Investments LLC, for $500,000, for property in Section 2, Township 20 South, Range 2 East.

-Marie B. Jackson to John Daniel Quekemeyer, for $195,000, for property in Section 22, Township 20 South, Range 1 East.

-Edward Shawn Sheffield to James C. Windham, for $219,900, for Lot 120 in Stonebriar Phase I Resurvey.

-Gabrielle R. Byars to Patrick A. Wade, for $197,000, for Lots 12 and 13 in Highland Second Sector.

-Tab Bisignani IRA to Bradley Tadeo Orozco, for $23,500, for property in Section 12, Township 19 South, Range 2 West.

-Yanivis L. Chinchilla Pacheco to Christopher Mark Golden, for $275,000, for Lot 23 in Weatherly Glen Abbey Sector 12.

-Thomas M. Sigg to Thomas M. Sigg, for $77,500, for property in Section 32, Township 21 South, Range 1 West.

-D R Horton Inc. Birmingham to Pedro Henrique Dutra Ribeiro De Aguiar, for $243,695, for Lot 1566 in Chelsea Park 15th Sector.

-Jerry McElroy to Lesia Ann Isbell, for $230,000, for property in Section 24, Township 20 South, Range 3 West.

-Sammie Jo Allen to Marci Johns, for $350,000 for Lot 16 in Windy Oaks Phase 3.

-Deborah P. Jackson to Sarah Courtney Maloney, for $316,900, for Lot 269 in Creekside Phase 2 Final Record Plat.

-Wendell R. Coleman to Wendell R. Coleman, for $402,800, for Lot 229 in Woodlands Sector 2, 4 and 5 Res of Lots 228, 229, 230, 231, 232 and 233 Final Plat.

-Joseph Williams to Kinneth E. Crawford, for $185,000, for Lots 1 and 2 in Byers Map of Sterrett by W E Crume.

-Peter Brandon Jones to Maximo Dominguez, for $150,000, for Lot 33 in Wildwood Village Fourth Addition.

-Patti R. Smith to Uplift Capital Management LLC, for $264,900, for Lot 68 in Villas Belvedere.

-Gregory Holdings LLC to Melissa Daniel, for $279,900, for Lot 13 in Stoneridge Phase I.

-WBG Enterprises LLC to Larry Woodward, for $34,000, for Lot 10 in Maple Leaf Estates.

-Sharon L. Barnett to David C. Harris, for $239,900, for Lot 21 in Chanda Terrace Fourth Sector.

-Mary C. Anderson to VOB Enterprises LLC, for $386,790, for property in Section 30, Township 20 South, Range 2 West.

-Lucy Evans to Lawrence Robert Tabor, for $177,000, for Lot 40 in Ridgecrest Phase One Sector Two Final Plat.

-Mark Victory to Chad Aaron Collum, for $270,000, for Lot 354 in Silver Creek Sector III Phase II.

-Kevin Michael Belk to Community Property Investments Inc., for $205,000, for Lot 515 in Old Cahaba Park Sector Amended Map.

-Christina Jo Tucker to Dinh Thi Nguyen, for $226,000, for Lot 175 in Cottages at Chesser Phase II Amended.

-Jessica L. Edwards to Alan Gregory Smith, for $328,000, for Lot 62 in Greystone Village Phase 1 Amended Map.

-Calvine South LLC to JCM Holdings LLC, for $243,770, for Lot 18 in Two Eighty Village a Condominium.

-LGI Homes Alabama to Christy White, for $235,900, for Lot 109 in Lexington Parc Sector 3.

-Clayton Properties Group Inc. to Willie F. Byrd, for $342,900, for Lot 152 in Simms Landing Phase I Final Plat.

-Betty Christine Durrett Wood to Marilyn Vaughn, for $22,924, for property in Section 13, Township 24 North, Range 15 East.

-Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation to Jason Cook, for $198,000, for Lot 74 in St. Charles Place Phase 2 Sector 6.

-Prominence Homes & Communities LLC to Michael Osterman, for $206,000, for Lot 101 in Shiloh Creek Phase II Sector I Final Plat.

-Brandon W. Bearden to Cliff Trumbly, for $16,000, for property in Section 22, Township 22, Range 1 East and property in Section 1, Township 24 North, Range 15 East.

-D R Horton Inc. Birmingham to Robert J. Lilley, for $259,950, for Lot 1583 in Chelsea Park 15th Sector.

-Jenney A. Smitherman to Kevin Belk, for $274,900, for Lot 409 in Savannah Pointe Sector V Phase I.

-John W. Wilson to Alyson Elizabeth Patterson, for $180,000, for Lot 17 in Amberley Woods 3rd Sector Phase I Resurvey of Lots 12 through 27 and Green Area.

-David Foster to Sanford D. Hatton, for $66,000, for Lot 305 in Tocoa Park Phase 3.

-Newcastle Development LLC to Newcastle Construction Inc., for $150,000, for Lots 215 and 238 in Camellia Ridge Phase 2.

-Brenda W. Bjurman to Marissa A. Hooven, for $180,000, for Lot 37 in Bermuda Lake Estates Second Sector Amended Map.

-James C. Windham to Leonard Caraballo, for $170,000, for Lot 38 in Meadows at Meriweather Phase 2 Final Plat.

March 10

-Raegan E. Hallman to Donald Wayne Griggs, for $228,000, for Lot 24 in Camden Cove West Sector 3 Phase 1.

-Richard N. Preston to Andes Melendez Angel, for $245,900, for Lot 2 in Chanda Terrace Fifth Sector.

-Tracy Ray Calamas to Haven Kids Hope, for $45,000, for property in Section 5, Township 18 South, Range 2 East.

-Dancy Sullivan to James W. Clark, for $315,000, for Lot 16 in Forest Ridge Final Plat.

-Donna H. Hermecz to Donna K. Long, for $155,000, for Lot 110 in Waterford Village Sector 2.

Continued here:

Land transactions for the week of April 11, 2021 - Shelby County Reporter - Shelby County Reporter