Hawaii raises smoking age to 21; military supports new law

HONOLULU (AP) – Hawaii is raising the legal smoking to age 21 for traditional and electronic cigarettes on Jan. 1, becoming the first state in the nation to do so. Public health officials are hoping that by making it more difficult for young people to get their hands on cigarettes, they will keep them from […]

Mr. Food: Mini crab cakes

What You’ll Need: 2/3 cup Italian-flavored bread crumbs 1/2 cup egg substitute image: http://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.shopximity.com/images/play.png campaignIcon Coupons 1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped 1/2 red onion, finely chopped 1 rib celery, finely chopped 3 tablespoons light mayonnaise 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon crushed dried tarragon 3 (6.5-ounce) […]

Installation of 115 downtown Fort Myers security cameras completed

FORT MYERS, Fla.- The installation of 115 cameras in downtown Fort Myers, the first phase in a citywide project, was completed in just three weeks, Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson announced on Thursday. Fort Myers city leaders hope the cameras will curb crime or help law enforcement solve crimes. Henderson says the camera system, which cost the city $446,000, was installed quickly because […]

Bill Cosby’s lawyer accuses prosecutor of playing politics

ELKINS PARK, Pa. (AP) – Bill Cosby’s lawyer charged on Thursday that the sexual assault case against the comedian was politically motivated, brought by a newly elected district attorney to make good on a campaign pledge. “What we have is not the effectuation of justice. What we have is the fulfillment of a campaign promise,” […]

LCSO: Shoplifting suspect bites loss prevention officer

FORT MYERS, Fla.- Lee County deputies are searching for a woman accused of shoplifting at the Target on the 13000 block of S. Tamiami Trail. Around 5 p.m. on Dec. 22, authorities say two women, identified as Terriea Hutchins and Tierra Campbell, were spotted by store employees placing clothes in their shopping carts and grocery items in their purses […]

Mexico, Central America set plan for Cuban migrants

MEXICO CITY (AP) – Authorities from Mexico and Central America are putting the final touches on a plan to move Cuban migrants from Costa Rica to Mexico as early as next week. Officials from governments throughout the region say a pilot effort will move the first group of 250 Cubans by air and bus to […]

Woman beats DUI rap with claim her body brews alcohol

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – Drunken-driving charges against an upstate New York woman have been dismissed based on an unusual defense: Her body is a brewery. The woman was arrested while driving with a blood-alcohol level more than four times the legal limit. She then discovered she has a rare condition called “auto-brewery syndrome,” in which […]

Company: Will offer NY world’s 1st certified kosher pot

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – A New York company says it will soon offer the first certified kosher medical pot. Vireo Health says its non-smokable medical cannabis products have been certified as conforming to the Jewish dietary law by the Orthodox Union. Vireo says it’s the first time a medical cannabis product has been deemed kosher. […]

Police lights crime

Boy, 14, charged in assault on 3 children, 1 of whom died

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – Police say a 14-year-old boy attacked three children, one of whom died, and has been charged with attempted murder and child abuse. Memphis police spokeswoman Karen Rudolph said Wednesday that the teenager assaulted two girls, ages 6 and 9, and a 7-year-old boy in a home Dec. 23. Rudolph said the […]

Jail guard pleads guilty to battery on inmate

MIAMI (AP) – A Miami-Dade corrections officer accused of throwing scalding water on an inmate at the county jail has agreed to resign, complete a year of probation and perform 50 hours of community service. The Miami Herald (http://goo.gl/sHOQ6e ) reports that 28-year-old Charlise Daniels-Wadley pleaded guilty Tuesday to misdemeanor battery as part of a […]