Superstorm Sandy victims to receive aid and higher taxes

Superstorm Sandy may have one more nasty surprise still to come: higher taxes.The math is simple and cruel. The storm left fewer properties standing, often wrecking waterfront communities that paid the highest taxes because of the desirability of living near the water.Unless shore towns from Rhode Island to New Jersey get a big influx of aid from the state...

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City National Bank of Florida and its Spanish parent have four years to evaluate the Miami bank’s future ownership

City National Bank of Florida, the Miami bank purchased by Bankia (formerly Caja Madrid) of Spain in November 2008, said Wednesday that its parent has a “four-year window to evaluate alternatives” for the bank’s future ownership and will work closely with management in Miami during the process.The Spanish government has reached and agreement with the European Union related...

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Man shot and killed in police-involved shooting identified

The man shot and killed by police Tuesday afternoon in a West Miami-Dade apartment complex has been identified as Alexis Suarez Reyes, Miami-Dade police said Wednesday.Reyes, 47, lived at the apartment complex at 1907 SW 107th Ave. Miami-Dade police detectives had gone to the complex to follow up on an investigation of a case from Miami International Airport when they encountered...

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Gabby Douglas on 'The Vampire Diaries'

As if the thrill and pride of winning two gold medals at the London Olympics weren't enough, Entertainment Tonight invited Gabby Douglas to the set of her favorite show, The Vampire Diaries, where she got to meet the cast and even made a cameo.While the 16-year-old gymnast was star-struck to meet the cast of her favorite show in person, the cast revealed that they were just as star-struck to meet...

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Off-duty NYPD Sergeant arrested on aggravated harassment charges

An off-duty NYPD sergeant was arrested last night in the Gramercy area of Manhattan, authorities said.John Randazzo, who works for the 115th precinct in Queens, was busted on aggravated harassment charges at 5:50 p.m., police saidThe victim alleges that the 44-year-old sergeant made a series of harassing phone calls as well as sent her several text messages,...

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Gift ideas for the techie on your list

The holidays are coming fast, and if you’re like me, you’ve probably gotten very little of your gift shopping done. Here are suggestions for a variety of gifts for the techie and the not-so-techie people on your list. Some of these items can be found in stores and some are only available online, but you should be able to order them in time for Christmas or Hanukkah. ...

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Three people wounded in drive-by shooting in Miami Gardens

An apparent drive-by shooting late Monday night in Miami Gardens has left three people in the hospital and neighbors wondering whether the wrong house was targeted.The shooting happened in the 20800 block of Northwest 30th Court. Air rescue took the victims, two men and a woman, to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where at least one remains in serious condition.Neighbors said three...

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Brad Pitt Says His Wedding Will Happen 'Soon'

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have been silent about any wedding plans since getting engaged last spring. But at last night's premiere of his film Killing Then Softly, Brad opened up for the first time about the much-anticipated event, which he revealed is not that far off. "I am getting more pressure from my kids, and it is something I want to do within their lifetime, but I also feel like the...

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Off-duty NYPD cop busted in alleged LES assault

An off-duty NYPD sergeant was arrested for attacking someone this morning in the Lower East Side, authorities said.Besemah Rogers, 42, allegedly punched the victim in the face, it is not clear what sparked the fight, police sources said.The 77th Precinct sergeant was busted on assault charges, police said. ...

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Shoppers welcome holiday sales by buying early, often — and online

Shoppers swooped into stores in droves on Thanksgiving weekend, topping last year’s sales, as more retailers opened their doors earlier than ever on Thursday, luring bargain hunters away from eating another plate of turkey.And now Cyber Monday is expected to set a record for online shopping this year, for those who prefer the Internet to the mall.Spending per shopper nationwide...

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