============================================================ DIGITAL DIGEST � http://www.naplesnews.com � December 24, 2004 ============================================================ Subscribe to the Naples Daily News: http://web.naplesnews.com/circulation/ WITH CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY, WORKERS HIT STORES, ROADS Because Christmas falls on Saturday, expect several thousand extra folks on the roads today thanks to a government holiday and the generosity of some employers who are sending their workers home early or not having them come in at all. MANY RESIDENTS GLAD TO SEE THREE-DAY HOLIDAY COMING UP Joann Rodriguez is glad to see the Christmas weekend approaching. Manager of A Child�s Place day care center along West Terry Street in Bonita Springs, Rodriguez has a three-day weekend coming up thanks to the holiday falling on a Saturday. LOCAL CHARITIES SEE MIXED RESULTS IN CHRISTMAS SEASON Today the Salvation Army packs up its kettles and ends its holiday fund-raising drive, in some areas without bringing back enough money. In Lee County, when the final amount reaches the organization�s bank accounts, chances are it isn�t going to hit the amount budgeted. TOXIC ALGAE BLOOM MOVING TOWARD FLORIDA BAY AREA A toxic algae bloom that first reared its head in November appears to be traveling away from Lee and Collier counties and more toward the Florida Bay area. Health department and environmental science officials have been monitoring a large red tide bloom that at one point could have been as large as 400 square miles. OPERATION SAFE RIDE TARGETS DANGEROUS DRIVERS Passing on the right, cutting others off and speeding toward their goal, frustrated holiday drivers were focused on only one thing this week: the road ahead. They should have been looking up. Passing on the right, cutting others off and speeding toward their goal, frustrated holiday drivers were focused on only one thing this week: the road ahead. Get details on all these stories and more at http://www.naplesnews.com IN PERSPECTIVE: BETSY HART: WE�RE WORRYING TOO MUCH There�s one story that to me best epitomized the American psyche, or maybe I should say one of the worst aspects of the American psyche, in 2004. It wasn�t the election, the war in Iraq, or even the fascination with the Laci Peterson murder. It was the flu vaccine shortage. Read more commentary and get local editorials and today�s Letters to the Editor at http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/perspective/ IN FLORIDA AAA: NEARLY 4 MILLION WILL TRAVEL FOR THE HOLIDAYS IN FLORIDA Nearly 4 million Floridians will travel for the holidays, with most taking to the roads as gas prices fall. The AAA said an expected 3.7 million people in the state will travel to their destinations, with just over 3 million of them driving. Nationwide, nearly 63 million people are expected to travel for the Christmas and New Year holidays, which both fall on a weekend. Get details on all these stories and more at http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/florida/ IN NEAPOLITAN: A MOMENT WITH THE RED-SUITED MAN He�s arguably the hardest working man this time of the year � with not a moment to spare as he prepares for his annual flight through the skies carrying toys for all good little girls and boys. Yet with a hardy ho, ho, ho and a bright smile that rivals the star atop his 20-foot Christmas tree here in the Coastland Center mall, the burly, bearded man decked in a red suit always has time for anyone who wants to bend his ear. Get details on all these stories and more at http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/neapolitan/
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