Roach motels under fire
One protester hoisted a sign that read "Cockroaches Don't Pay Rent."

Motels Report Record High Vacancies
Once the choice for truckers, construction workers and lovers with a secret, the small, low- budget motels along the highway have, like many businesses, fallen victim to a sluggish economy. Motel owners say their vacancy rates are at all-time highs.

Daily Crime Blotter
A collection of crimes for Dec. 3 includes a woman fondled by a fake cop, armed robberies at Dallas motels and an $800 hairpiece burglary.

More Bed Bugs Spread Across Central Ohio
HEALTH ALERT: More than a dozen motels and apartments have been hit hard by bed bugs and more outbreaks are expected. Get details.

Homeless for the holidays
COEUR d'ALENE -- Each morning, this mom wakes up and wonders what else will go wrong. Homeless since August, she and her husband and their two young children have been living in motels trying to survive and stay together.

Road trip: One 72-year-old, 1 bike, 3 days, 174.1 miles
An old chum offered to say a prayer for Dave Priest three weeks ago on the night before he embarked on a bicycle trip alone from his home in Bloomington to Chicago on the Old Route 66 Trail.

Copia's creditors: The list of everyone owed money
Below is the list of the 369 businesses and individuals owed money by Copia, Napa's wine, food and arts center.

Local News : Revenue drives propsed bed tax changes - Frontiersman
PALMER ? The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly has decided not to extend the borough?s bed tax to RV spots. Dave Hanson, the borough?s director of economic development, said the original tax passed by voters in 1986, was very broad, potentially applying to a number of overnight accommodations.

Downtowner gets new owner
Long-term residents at the Downtowner Motor Inn will have to move out by the end of the month with a new motel owner who has promised to enforce city code.

In and out
"It's a tough business," says daytime manager Lloyd Morris. Sleazy acts sometimes beget sleazy settings, and when folks want to act on sordid things they can't practice at home, they can visit places like the Cabana Motel on Harper.

It's still cheaper to drive than fly during holidays
Dear Action Line: I know a lot of airport haters are singing, "I'll drive home for Christmas," but what are the real economics involved? What does it cost to fly and rent a car vs. just driving there in your own car? ? D.G., Tulsa.

Letters To The Editor
I would first like to encourage everyone to vote for Dale Ann Storms. I have used her law firm twice in the past five years and have witnessed the professionalism and compassion that is a hallmark for a probate judge.

Man pleads guilty to prostitution charges in Henrico
Timothy Cole, described as a major prostitution figure in the Richmond area, pleaded guilty this morning to prostitution charges that could send him to prison for almost five years. As part of a plea agreement, Cole was ordered to cooperate with ongoing violent-crime investigations in the Richmond metropolitan area. Testimony at a sentencing hearing this morning in Henrico County Circuit Court ...

Can-do attitudes
?Muscles ? wow!? Sara Waeckerle yelled in encouragement as she shuffled around Stevens High School janitorial staff and fellow students as they loaded heavy boxes onto carts.

6-month sentence imposed in Internet prostitution case
A Chesterfield County man who said he started an Internet prostitution service because he was depressed, lonely and desired female companionship was sentenced yesterday to six months in jail. William H. Snyder, 51, of the 7300 block of Newbys Crossing Drive pleaded guilty in September to money laundering and receiving funds from the earnings of a prostitute in connection with his escort-service ...

Tourism bright spot for Randolph
ASHEBORO ? Tourism has been one of the few bright pictures on the economic scene this year. In Randolph County, the most recent figures show a 4 percent rate of growth.

TALK BACKS: Clipping Coupons
Clipping coupons was the topic of one Daily Download. KSPR's Natalie Swallow introduced us to one Ozarks woman who saves hundreds of dollars every month just by snipping out some coupons. She even started sharing her saving secrets by teaching some classes.

The Hold Steady - Once more, with feeling
My first serious relationship with rock'n'roll came to an end in late July 2000, as my band Lifter Puller played our final show, in Minneapolis. It was a sombre affair. After six years, the band's demise was best described as a logical conclusion. We had gained a great deal of notoriety in our Minneapolis hometown, but made few inroads anywhere else. We had worked hard, and we were exhausted. I ...

Dog-Friendly Catskills Inn Provides Canine ?Crib,? Marshmallows
Dec. 4 (Bloomberg) -- On a crisp autumn morning, my husband and I dawdled over blueberry pancakes on the veranda, knowing our golden retriever, Zibeh, was only a few dozen yards away.

Forward.com
Charity (or tzedakah , if you prefer) is as December a phenomenon as Hanukkah, Christmas and (since 1966) Kwanzaa. The reason is not the jollity of the season so much as it is the imminent end of the calendar year and the tax-deductibility of charitable contributions.