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.

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.

WINTER HAVEN | A vehicle crash blocked the eastbound lane in the 1500 block of Dundee Road at 17th Street Northeast about noon Tuesday, the Florida Highway Patrol said.<br>There was no report about injuries.<br>An accident shortly after 11:30 a.m. blocked the road on Thornhill Road at Betty Ann Lane in Auburndale, the FHP reported.

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.