A few wildfires have been reported around Polk County and "everything is ripe" for more, according to the Florida Division of Forestry.<br>Chris Kintner, a spokeswoman for the Lakeland office, urged residents to be extra vigilant with any outdoor burning.

WICOMICO CHURCH, Va. | Having missed his bus, a 6-year-old Virginia boy tried to drive to school in his family's sedan - and crashed.<br>State police say the boy suffered only minor injuries and authorities drove him to school after he was evaluated at a local hospital. Sgt. Tom Cunningham said the boy arrived shortly after lunch.

In the past, Kelly McGee wouldn't have thought twice about buying $10, faux-leather journals for her students. But her husband lost his construction job this year. They have a new baby.

REYKJAVIK, Iceland | A nationally televised meeting between Iceland's prime minister and other political leaders was forced off the air Wednesday night when angry protesters disrupted the broadcast.

DUNDEE | The Town Council is expected to pick a new town manager when it meets at 6 tonight.<br>So far, the council has narrowed the field to three candidates from five. The finalists are:<br>Nancy Carolan, director of general services and purchasing for the City of Sarasota from 1997 to 2008.

The Lake Alfred Police Department reported these criminal activities from Dec. 29, 2008, through Jan. 3, 2009:<br><b>BURGLARY</b><br><B>Car burglary and grand theft</B> were reported Jan. 2 at the Lake Alfred Bar &amp; Grill, 275 S. Lake Shore Way.<br><b>DRUG POSSESSION</b>

BROOKSVILLE | Hernando schools officials missed at least one flag that might have tipped them off to potential wrongdoing by a teacher who was arrested last week on sex charges.

FREEPORT, Bahamas | Actor John Travolta and wife, Kelly Preston, have returned to Florida with the remains of their 16-year-old son, Jett, who died at the family vacation home in Grand Bahama.

WASHINGTON | President-elect Barack Obama plunged into rare pre-inaugural crisis talks with congressional leaders Monday, declaring the national economy was "bad and getting worse" and embracing tax cuts now expected to reach $300 billion. He predicted lawmakers would approve a mammoth revitalization package within two weeks of his taking...

<B>SHERRIE LONG</B>, director of marketing at <B>Allen &amp; Company,</B> recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend a national conference hosted by BizAction where the company's e-newsletter was honored for its original graphics and banner content.