Balaraja blog

Colleague: NY state workers won $319M jackpot

Within a state workforce already threatened with layoffs, a small group of workers has apparently found the sudden luxury of walking away from their jobs if they choose.

No one has stepped forward to claim the weekend's $319 million Mega Millions jackpot, the fifth-largest in the multistate game's history. But media reports have said seven workers at the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal picked the lucky numbers, and an agency lawyer told The Associated Press on Monday that he knows some of them.

"People think it's great that they won," lawyer Dave Diamond said outside agency headquarters, just a few doors from Coulson's convenience store, where the ticket was sold. "A lot of people are wishing they'd played, but most are just really happy for the winners."

He wouldn't identify any of the winners.

New York is facing a grinding budget deficit, estimated at $10 billion this year before state leaders announced Sunday they would be able to close it as part of a spending deal. In negotiations, Gov. Andrew Cuomo had suggested up to 9,800 employees might lose their jobs.

Store owner Steve Hutchins said everybody's still talking about the mega win. But as far as knowing who actually holds the golden ticket? He's just hearing the same talk others are.

Toussaint Johnson, who works for Morgan Linen in nearby Menands, scratched off an instant-win ticket inside the story on Monday. He plays Mega Millions when the jackpots get big enough.

"I think it's about time someone here in the Capital District won it," Johnson said. "To see it happen here in my hometown, it's great. I wish it could have been me but maybe next time."

Conflict forces Libya to play in Mali

An Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Libya and Comoros Islands this Sunday has been moved from Tripoli to Malian capital Bamako because of conflict in the North Africa country.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) also confirmed that post-election unrest in Abidjan has led to the Ivory Coast-Benin tie on Saturday being switched to Ghana.

Ivory Coast have also transferred a 2012 Olympic Games qualifier against Liberia to Accra and the fixture will be the first half of a double-header at the national stadium.

South African are due to host Libya Sunday at Daveyton near Johannesburg in another Olympics fixture, but officials say repeated calls to the football federation in Tripoli have gone unanswered.

Libya lead an Cup of Nations group with four points from two outings after satisfactory results against the main challengers, forcing a 0-0 draw in Mozambique and defeating 2010 quarter-finalists Zambia 1-0 at home.

Ivory Coast are even better placed with a maximum six points in another pool thanks to a 3-0 home win over Rwanda and a 1-0 away victory against Burundi. Second-place Benin have four points.

Ivorian and Libyan clubs have also been hit with home legs in the two CAF club competitions cancelled and ties reduced to a single match at the ground of their opponents.

Investigation of Gibson's ex given to prosecutors

LOS ANGELES – Sheriff's detectives on Wednesday delivered the results of an extortion investigation involving Mel Gibson's ex-girlfriend to prosecutors.

The district attorney's office will now decide whether to pursue charges against Oksana Grigorieva in the extortion case, and against the Academy Award winner on domestic violence allegations.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office previously concluded its investigation into whether the "Braveheart" star struck Grigorieva during a January 2010 fight.

Grigorieva waited months to report the incident. By then the couple had broken up and reached a confidential agreement regarding custody of their infant daughter.

That accord quickly failed, and the pair have been embroiled in a bitter custody battle in Los Angeles for months.

Detectives began investigating Grigorieva last year after Gibson claimed she tried to extort him while they were working out the child custody agreement.

Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore refused to say whether detectives were advocating that charges be filed in either case.

"We've given them our investigation," Whitmore said. "It was exhaustive, and we'll wait to confer with them."

Sheriff's detectives have reviewed the contents of Grigorieva's computer and obtained audio recordings filed in the child custody case.

There is no timeframe for the district attorney's office to make a decision on whether to file charges.

Hispanic Access Foundation Announces Partnership With H&R Block

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2011 – HAF and HRB launch program to educate Spanish-speaking taxpayers

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Hispanic Access Foundation has announced it has partnered with H&R Block, the world's largest tax services provider, to educate Spanish-speaking taxpayers about tax issues affecting where they live, work and play.

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HAF and H&R Block will work with leaders in select communities to discuss tax topics, promote regular informational seminars called Tax Talks and participate in community events.

"We are excited to work with H&R Block," said Maite Arce, executive director of HAF. "Hispanics, particularly those with limited English proficiency, need access to quality information in their language and to bilingual tax experts so we can help build their understanding about taxes."

The project's goal is to increase Hispanics' knowledge of the key elements that are critical to understand and consider when filing a tax return. These elements include the benefits of establishing an accurate tax history in the U.S. and how a tax return is an important tool when building a financial history.

"Hispanics have a unique set of issues they deal with when it comes to taxes that are confusing and easy to overlook," Arce said. "Through tax education we can help position them for greater long-term financial success."

About H&R Block

H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is one of the world's largest tax services providers, having prepared more than 550 million tax returns worldwide since 1955. In fiscal 2010, H&R Block had annual revenues of $3.9 billion and prepared more than 23 million tax returns worldwide, utilizing more than 100,000 highly trained tax professionals. The Company provides tax return preparation services in person, through H&R Block At Home online and desktop software products, and through other channels. The Company is also one of the leading providers of business services through RSM McGladrey. For more information, visit our .

About Hispanic Access Foundation

Hispanic Access Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works topromote responsible citizenship, educational attainment, and active engagement in the improvement of the health, environment, and financial well-being of Hispanic families throughout the United States. Working with and through our strategic partnerships with faith and community organizations, we are dedicated to providing greater access to vital information and community resources to the U.S. Hispanic population to improve their health and quality of life. For more information visit .

CONTACT: Robert Fanger, +1-317-410-7668,

SOURCEHispanic Access Foundation

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Scottish deerhound is best in show at Westminster

NEW YORK – A Scottish deerhound that loves to chase wild animals wound up catching her biggest prize yet.

A 5-year-old named Hickory pulled a huge surprise Tuesday night at the Westminster Kennel Club, winning best in show and the title of America's top dog. She became the first of her breed to capture the purple-and-gold ribbon and shiny silver bowl.

"I think Hickory could feel my lead that I was excited and went with it," handler Angela Lloyd said.

Judge Paolo Dondina of Italy thanked everyone at Madison Square Garden, then picked Hickory from a best-of-seven final show ring that truly sounded international — there was a Pekingese, Portuguese water dog, Chinese shar-pei, smooth fox terrier, bearded collie and black cocker spaniel.

A couple of those pooches on the green carpet ring with Hickory were among the country's top-rated show dogs. The 85-pound Hickory wasn't on that list, though she wagged her long tail the most at the end after beating out a total of nearly 2,600 entries.

"The quality of all of the dogs were outstanding," Dondina said. "This animal is like in the heavens. It's not of this world."

Hickory lives on a 50-acre farm in Warrenton, Va., where she enjoys running after deer and rabbits. Owners Sally Sweatt and Cecilia Dove and Dr. Scott Dove will certainly let her romp all she wants after this victory, her 16th best-in-show overall.

The 135th Westminster was considered a wide-open field from the start. A smooth fox terrier that was the No. 1 show dog of 2010 recently retired and an Australian shepherd that won the big AKC/Eukanuba event did not enter.

Hickory won the hound group Monday night, then had to wait around all day for her big chance. That was a lot to ask for a kind of dog that feels most comfortable in the woods, but she clearly managed to do just fine.

"She's not used to lights, camera and noise," Lloyd said.

The 31-year-old Lloyd had won at Westminster before — in 1998, she was honored for her handling in the junior showmanship for youngsters who hope to work in the dog world.

"People who own, breed, show dogs dream of this day," she said.

Among the owners who showed earlier in the day: Brig. Gen. Rhonda Cornum, an Army surgeon who was shot down from a helicopter during the Persian Gulf War and briefly held as a prisoner of war. She was at the Garden showing a Gordon setter.

Cornum was clear on which was more difficult, ascending in the show ring or in the military.

"No question, it is dogs," she said.

Sitting high up in section 118, Linda Melvin kept her eyes fixed on those Gordon setters competing on the floor. A seat away, her daughter fixated on her cell phone.

Krista Piller was busy posting on Facebook: "Wants a big dog to win the WKC dog show this year."

"I'll being putting up more, too," Piller said.

From the stands, to the rings to backstage, people were a-twitter — iPads, Blackberries, Droids and then some at an event that started in 1877. Signs of social media were everywhere at the Westminster Kennel Club show.

Proving, in fact, that it is indeed possible to teach an old dog show new tech tricks.

"It is now uploaded!" exclaimed Lorraine Shore of Sequim, Wash.

In town with a pair of German pinschers, her peeps worldwide could see on YouTube how her favorite pooches fared.

"From Germany to Australia to California, people are waiting for my postings," she said. "People who have never been here, now they've experienced Westminster."

Westminster had 49,000 friends on Facebook by late Tuesday afternoon, said Susi Szeremy of the kennel club's social media team, and the number quickly zoomed to more than 60,000. There are about 2,400 followers Tweeting along — litters of twitters.

Ken Roux of Dixon, Ill., made it easy for anyone to keep track of his Boston terrier at the 135th Westminster event. Hoss won a best of breed award Monday.

Roux put a tag with a QR code, a sophisticated set of small squares randomly appearing in a larger square, on top of his dog's crate. The pattern is more than an inch square, and anyone pointing a smartphone at the pattern is automatically taken to Hoss' website.

Brook Berth, an assistant to Hoss' handler, said she'd heard only one other dog at Westminster had the QR tag, which stands for "quick response." The new technology allows people to instantly access the dog's history and contacts.

"I noticed a lot of people taking pictures," Berth said. "It's just so convenient. You don't have to worry about people writing down information or passing out cards. They have it all right away."

The fancy bar codes could become Westminster's trendy bark codes.

"This is the test area," Berth said. "So far, it seems to be a big hit."