El Monte may shutter hotels due to crime
The city of El Monte wants to clean up crime at local motels.

Two women charged with armed robbery
City police Tuesday arrested two Asheville women charged with robbing a string of motels and convenience stores at gunpoint since September.

Houston Council Members Want to Crack Down on 'Hot Sheet' Motels
Two Houston city council members are going after a type of business they say only hurt communities like the Fifth Ward.

Council passes ordinances on housing and motels
The Woodbridge Township Council unanimously voted in favor of three ordinances on Dec. 16. In an effort to relieve the burden on housing inspectors in the township, the administration has revised the Building and Housing ordinance.

State aims to put housing agency in charge of homeless shelters
With the housing crisis forcing more families into shelters and state-funded motels, the Patrick administration wants the state's housing agency to take over the emergency...

Officials aim to address crime at motels
EL MONTE - Stacy Fimbrez, 29, just moved into what she calls "the murder room" at the Gibson Inn on Garvey Avenue. ?Photo Gallery: El Monte Motels

Police use GPS, Google Maps to locate missing girl
Navigation system and Google mapping tool helps authorities find Massachusetts 9-year-old allegedly kidnapped by her grandmother.

Mattoon approves $627,000 for public works expenses
MATTOON ? The city expects to spend $320,130 in Motor Fuel Tax money on street resurfacing and repairs this year, based on action taken Tuesday by the city council.

Last chance to register for FEMA aid
Ike victims who wish to apply for FEMA aid have just a few days left before they lose the opportunity.

Youth fairs teach responsibility, organizers say
Young Tara Glasscock, 8, of Zephyr, showed her big, fluffy white rabbits Thursday during the first day of events at the 57th Annual Brown County Youth Fair. This is the first time the third-grader from Early Elementary School has been able to participate, and she is excited.

Don't bring valuables to Black Nazarene procession, police advise devotees
MANILA, Philippines - Expecting criminal elements to take advantage of the confusion during the traditional Black Nazarene procession, Manila police on Thursday discouraged devotees from bringing cell phones, jewelry and other valuables to the venue.

Australian tourist accommodations decline in Q3
(RTTNews) - In Australia, the total accommodation takings in hotels, motels and serviced apartments by tourists fell a seasonally adjusted 2.7% in the September quarter, compared with June quarter, a report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics said Tuesday.

If you go ...
GETTING THERE: To reach the park's north entrance, take Interstate 90 to Livingston, then south through the Paradise Valley to Gardiner. From the north entrance, the 44-mile road to Cooke City is open to autos. Snow tires are required; be prepared for winter driving conditions. The park's east, west and south entrances also are open, but only to tracked over-snow vehicles with a commercially ...

COMMUNITY FESTIVALS APLENTY
Agler, a Wayne farmer, earned the right to meet the king of late night when he won the national cluck off at the annual Wayne Chicken Show. Now 53, Agler said his experience on the ?Tonight Show? was one of the most memorable and fun moments of his life.

No vacancy for hotel, motel tax in North Attleboro
NORTH ATTLEBORO - There will be no new taxes for visitors of the town's hotels and motels after Representative Town Meeting members rejected for the third time a proposal to institute a room occupancy tax.

Black Nazarene devotees start crowding Quiapo
MANILA, Philippines - Traffic started to build up in Manila's Quiapo district early Thursday as devotees started arriving for the two-day Feast of the Black Nazarene.

Google Maps Street View Helps Find Kidnapped Child
You've probably read stories about the police using YouTube to catch criminals. One guy even accidentally ratted himself out for mentioning his own YouTube videos. Now, Google is sharing a story in which the cops used Google Maps Street View to help find a kidnapped child from Massachusetts all the way in Virginia. read more

City expands TOT application
The Portola City Council voted to introduce a revised transient occupancy tax ordinance at its last meeting, which is scheduled for adoption at its Jan. 14 meeting and would take effect 30 days after that.

Helena businesses benefit from legislative session
The Convention & Visitors Bureau in Helena reports that occupancy in hotels and motels runs 5% to 15% higher during the biennial legislative sessions.

City stops bedbug inspections
Cincinnati's health department has stopped inspecting for bed bugs, despite a 10-fold increase last year in requests for help with the problem.