Feds allege plot to destroy Fannie Mae dataFriday January 30, 10:58 am ET ..................planted virus to destroy mortgage company's computer data URBANA, Md. (AP) -- The Justice Department says it foiled a plot by a fired Fannie Mae contract worker in Maryland to destroy all the data on the mortgage giant's 4,000 computer servers nationwide. The U.S. Attorney's Office says 35-year-old Rajendrasinh Makwana, of Glen Allen, Va., is scheduled for arraignment Friday in U.S. District Court in Baltimore on one count of computer intrusion. U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein says Makwana was fired Oct. 24. Rosenstein says that on that day, Makwana programmed a computer with a malicious code that was set to spread throughout the Fannie Mae network and destroy all data this Saturday. Makwana's feder... 01/30/2009

Use Color Psychology on Your Listings - The science behind color can guide your color decisions. By Melissa Dittmann Tracey Take care when giving color advice to home sellers. Their color choices might be sending the wrong message to potential buyers. Many salespeople and stagers say neutral beige or off-white walls are what sells listings-but a touch of color may be just what you need to revive buyers' interest in a languishing listing. And although beige may offend no one, the right color on a home's walls or spotlighted in the accessories can trigger positive physiological and psychological responses among potential buyers. "Color can change how you feel; it has an instantaneous effect," says design psychologist Constance Forrest, principal of Forrest Painter Design in Venice, Calif.... 01/27/2009

Got a listing that needs a new look? Here's some inexpensive ways to make it shine. How to update a home for little or no money  By Maggie Sieger  Chances are the decor in that listing you just took is a lot like most people's wardrobes: There are a few items that went out of style a decade ago, but they're so comfortable that it's impossible to see them go.  "We grow accustomed to our space, and we stop seeing it," says Melissa Birdsong, vice president of trend, design, and brand for Lowe's, the home improvement giant. "People tend to become blind to their own things."  But everything needs updating eventually. Birdsong suggests home owners cast a fresh eye on their living space, pretending that they've just moved in and are assessing the previous occupant's design choices.  Betsy West... 01/27/2009

By Mary Hood (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat NATCHEZ - A Walmart employee was arrested on charges of embezzlement after allegedly selling more than $500 worth of merchandise for only $5 Thursday. Erica Marie Jones, 20, 38 Windy Hill Road, Roxie, reportedly charged Tiffany Williams, 22, Apt. B, 426 Watts Ave., one one-hundredth of what she really owed. Williams was charged $5.25 for seven pairs of jeans, a baby crib, a pair of scrubs, a picture frame, sweat suit, laundry detergent, a bra, four pairs of pants, diapers, pizza, coffee, four 12-packs of drinks, canned goods, air freshener, nachos, noodles, frozen goods, chips and a family pack of beef. The actual total for the merchandise was $547.50. Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins said another employee was allegedly involved in the inci... 01/23/2009

  Mortgage Rates Brought to you by Participating Affiliate Members Note:  For current rates call the lender.  To determine whether points apply to a loan, or for more information, please click on the lender's name.  Rates, points and programs are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed.  Points include both discounts and origination fees, which is normally 1% of the loan amount, but may vary.  This is not an advertisement for credit as defined in regulation Z.                                                 30       20       15       10    7ARM   5ARM  3ARM  1ARM    FHA     VA       97%    RD  Current As Of 5 5 4.625 4.625 5 4.75 4.625 4.375 N/A N/A N/A 5.125 01/23/2009 14:36:14More Info 5.125 5.125 4.625 4.75 N/A N/A N/A N/A 6 N/A 5.375 5.25 01/23/2009 14:00:37More Info 5 5 4.75 4.... 01/23/2009

Summon your Inner Rebel BY LINDA CASTOR   Are you tired of even reading about weight loss and fitness, let alone trying to achieve it? So am I. But here I am writing about it! Even the word ‘exercise' annoys me now. Yet, somehow I managed to keep all my excess weight off for at least 17 years. How, you ask, have I done that? It didn't happen overnight, as I had hoped it would. No, I didn't "get it" until years later. But every step of the way was progress, even though I didn't see it at the time. People who lose weight and gain back twice as much know exactly what I'm talking about. For me, my inner rebel kicked in when I just couldn't lose weight. I decided I was going to beat this thing called not being in shape, and face it head on. I became angry about my continued failure and decid... 01/19/2009

 building seeks highest environmental rating Now under construction, Erin's Pavilion will be a showcase of energy savings BY AMANDA ROBERT   Erin's Pavilion is expected to open in July.PHOTO BY AMANDA ROBERT Once just sketches on a blueprint, Erin's Pavilion has evolved. Since last June workers have structured the exterior walls and poured the concrete floor of the $4 million, 15,000-square-foot multipurpose welcome center situated at Edwin Watts Southwind Park - an 80-acre "all people" recreation area near the intersection of Interstate 55 and Toronto Road. When it's completed in July, Erin's Pavilion will serve many purposes. Dedicated to park fundraiser Butch Elzea's daughter, who died at age 17 in 2000 after being confined to a wheelchair, the building will go above-and-beyond what ... 01/08/2009

The internet, which emerged this year as a leading source for campaign news, has now surpassed all other media except television as an outlet for national and international news. Currently, 40% say they get most of their news about national and international issues from the internet, up from just 24% in September 2007. For the first time in a Pew survey, more people say they rely mostly on the internet for news than cite newspapers (35%). Television continues to be cited most frequently as a main source for national and international news, at 70%. For young people, however, the internet now rivals television as a main source of national and international news. Nearly six-in-ten Americans younger than 30 (59%) say they get most of their national and international news online; an identica... 01/07/2009

as Russia turns off gas supplies By Daniel McLaughlin in Budapest and Vanessa Mock in BrusselsWednesday, 7 January 2009 Independent Graphics Fears of a deep chill spread across Europe yesterday after a row between Russia and Ukraine over gas prices cut supplies to the rest of the continent on a day of plummeting temperatures and heavy snowfalls. The European Union said the situation was "completely unacceptable" as thousands of businesses were urged to switch fuels, and households struggled to keep warm in sub-zero temperatures. But there was no sign of an end to the standoff between Russia's energy monopoly Gazprom and Ukraine, locked in battle since New Year's Day. Gazprom stopped pumping gas to Ukraine for domestic consumption on 1 January after the two countries failed to agree on a... 01/07/2009

 If home price drops, so should property taxes. Home owners might be smart to initiate a property tax appeal. By John Garippa  In these uncertain times, many home owners have had to face the fact that the current market value of their homes is less than they once thought.   Yet, most of these home owners continue to pay property taxes based on that higher value.   Higher taxes may also make a property less appealing and affordable to buyers, since higher taxes will increase their overall costs, at least until the property is reassessed. That's why it's a smart strategy to advise past clients who might be considering a sale to appeal their property taxes at the next opportunity. Evaluating Your Assessment The vast majority of taxing jurisdictions throughout the United States assess resid... 01/06/2009

Secretary of State Refuses to Certify Blagojevich's Appointment of Burris. U.S. Senate Appointee Roland Burris is asking the Illinois Supreme Court to force the Secretary of State to certify his appointment.  To see the filing, click here. Earlier Wednesday, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White did what he said he would do and rejected Governor Rod Blagojevich's appointment of Roland Burris to the seat once held by President Elect Barack Obama.   Spokesman Dave Druker says White refused to sign off on the proclomation.  Leaders in the U-S Senate have also said they won't seat Burris.  Burris still plans to go to Washington to be there for the start of the 111th Congress, but says he won't cause a scene either.  It's still unknown whether Democrats can keep Burris from taking the Sena... 01/01/2009

 Hunter Lake opponents say water conservation should be considered. CWLP says it already has been. BY AMANDA ROBERT   The confluence of Horse Creek and Brush Creek, which would be dammed to build the proposed Hunter Lake.PHOTO BY BRUCE SEMANS The proposal to build Hunter Lake has been around for so long that its opponents have come up with plenty of reasons why Springfield can live without it. At a recent hearing held by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, they blasted the proposed 3,010-acre reservoir - conceived in 1965 as a way to buttress Lake Springfield during severe drought - for its threat to water quality, historic preservation and land, flora, and fauna conservation. They requested answers to a variety of questions, such as how will City Water, Light and Power preven... 01/01/2009

A lake would solve more problems than gravel pits and wells BY REG DAVIS There are at least two sides to every story. The Hunter Lake story has been going on for over 40 years and the following is another side of it [See "Say no to Hunter Lake," by Fletcher Farrar, IT, Dec. 11]. Hunter Lake is, and always has been, the preferred alternative for a permanent secondary water supply for Springfield. There is a gravel pits/wells alternative that some people prefer. The purpose of Hunter Lake, or any other proposed alternative, is not only to use it in the case of a severe drought. The proposed plan by CWLP is to supplement Lake Springfield any time they cannot maintain the normal seasonal pool levels by pumping water out of the South Fork of the Sangamon River. Hunter Lake would consist of a... 01/01/2009

Capital Area Association of REALTORS® The Voice for Real EstateTM in the Capital Area Predictably November Home Sales Down!  SPRINGFIELD (December 23, 2008). Existing-home sales declined on the heels of consecutive monthly increases during September and October.  The full impact of the financial crisis and economic uncertainty was reflected in November sales activity, according to the Capital Area Association of REALTORS.  While unit home sales decreased significantly the median single-family home sale price dipped slightly in the Capital Area during November 2008, according to figures from the Capital Area Association of REALTORS® (CAAR) Multiple Information Service.  For the month of November 2008, the median home sale price (for all single-family homes and condominiums) was $94,000, ... 12/28/2008

TICKETS ON SALE NOVEMBER 15AT 8:00 AM (CST) Enjoy the music and memories of the legendary King of Rock 'n Roll, ELVIS PRESLEY as presented by 17 Elvis Tribute Artists from around the country, as they compete for $3200 in cash prizes. TICKETS ON SALE NOVEMBER 15 AT 8:00 AM (CST) TICKETS ON SALE NOVEMBER 15 AT 8:00 AM (CST) SHOW HIGHLIGHTS                       SHOW TIMES:               FRIDAY     7:30 pm         SATURDAY     6:00 pm                                                                Ballroom Doors Open one hour prior to the show                       PARKING:                      Is available in the adjacent garage or on the street                       FOOD/BEVERAGE:       Cash Bar, Food available for purchase both nights                                                     ... 12/22/2008

  First Night Springfield Join us Dec. 31, 2008 for the 22nd annual celebration of the arts and the new year! Proceeds from this event benefit the programs and services of the Arts Council including grants and resources to area artists, arts organizations and social service agencies with arts programming. Also benefits the Arts-In-Education program serving students and teachers in private and public schools in Sangamon, Menard and Macoupin Counties. Buy Tickets - See Schedule Buttons can also be purchased at the following locations: County Market - Springfield and Chatham locationsKent's IGA - PetersburgSchnucks - Springfield locationsRecycled Records - Adams StreetRobbie's Restaurant - Old State Capitol PlazaTrout Lily Cafe - 6th StreetUnited Community Bank - Sangamon County BranchesV... 12/22/2008

Lighting up Hanukkah delicacies BY JULIANNE GLATZ   Try a variation on traditional potato latkes. Hanukkah. It's also known as the Festival of Lights. There are more important holidays in Judaism - Passover, for example. But Hanukkah has its own special place in the Jewish year, its own special significance and its own special memories and family traditions. Hanukkah, which means "dedication," celebrates an historical event - a miraculous one. Around 200 B.C.E., the Selucid Syrians had conquered Israel. Initially they allowed the Jewish people to remain essentially autonomous. As long as they followed the Selucids' laws and paid them taxes, they were free to worship and live as before. But in 175 B.C.E. things changed. Antiochus IV ascended to the Selucid throne. Now Jews were put to de... 12/21/2008

Even Handles Chores From security to housework to entertainment systems, one tech-savvy family has gadgets for nearly every aspect of home life.   SILVER WINNER - Home of the Year by Lisa Montgomery The equipment rack holds not one media server but two. At the front door there's a fingerprint scanner, a surveillance camera and an intercom nestled within a sleek, modern pedestal. Outside, a weather station instructs the draperies and thermostats to adjust. And those are just a few of the innovative high-tech features in Wolfgang and Cornelia Haerle's 5,000-square-foot automated home. "We considered every possibility before we started building," says Wolfgang. He and his wife even went so far as to place an LCD TV behind a two-way mirror in the powder room. The 15-inch monitor activates a... 12/21/2008

  Mortgage Rates Brought to you by Participating Affiliate Members Note:  For current rates call the lender.  To determine whether points apply to a loan, or for more information, please click on the lender's name.  Rates, points and programs are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed.  Points include both discounts and origination fees, which is normally 1% of the loan amount, but may vary.  This is not an advertisement for credit as defined in regulation Z.                                  FIXED                                  ARM    ARM     ARM   ARM                                  30Yr    20Yr    15Yr    10Yr     7Yr     5Yr       3Yr      1Yr     FHA     VA   97%      RD    CurrentAs Of 4.875 4.875 4.75 4.75 N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.75 6.75 5 5 12/19/2008 16:08:16More Info 4.875 4.... 12/21/2008

    The Sign Ordinance section of the Springfield Zoning Ordinance adopted by the Springfield City Council in July 2001, limits the display of temporary signs, including real estate signs, in the following manner:   The total square footage of signs allowed on each lot is limited: Signs located on lots zoned for single family or duplex structures (R-1 and R-2 zoning districts) are limited to twelve square feet total, for instance a 3' X 4' sign totals 12 square feet. Signs located on lots zoned for apartment buildings and offices (R-3 and OFF zoning districts) are limited to 50 square feet, for instance a 5' X 10' sign totals 50 square feet. Signs located on lots zoned for commercial purposes (S-1, S-2, S-3 and B-1 zoning district) are limited to 100 square feet for instance a 10' X 10... 12/21/2008