Blackout Possible As Time Warner, Viacom Fail To Reach Agreement & Contract Deadline Nears

Don't be surprised if certain cable channels don't work for you when you click on your television to watch the Rose Parade Thursday morning.

Reuters is reporting Viacom Inc and Time Warner Cable remained at a standoff on Wednesday, but were hopeful that top executives would step in to resolve a dispute that threatens to prevent more than 13 million U.S. subscribers from seeing "Dora the Explorer," "SpongeBob SquarePants" and Jon Stewart.

"Christmas is over, but Viacom is still playing Scrooge, threatening to pull its MTV Networks off of Time Warner Cable at midnight tonight unless we ask our customers to pay exorbitant price increases," Time Warner Cable Chief Executive Glenn Britt said today in a statement as reported this afternoon by the Los Angeles Times.

No face-to-face meetings between executives have occurred for several weeks, sources on both sides said. The sources asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to discuss the situation publicly.

At issue is an extra $35 million to $40 million that Viacom wants Time Warner to pay for carrying its cable channels, including MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon. MORE>>

image: ABC News

Happy New Year!!! Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009!!!

Reuters is reporting Wall Street closed out its worst year since the Great Depression on Wednesday after an unstoppable credit crisis and a dreadful economic outlook left investors questioning their faith in stock markets.

A string of financial disasters culminating in the collapse of Lehman Brothers in the middle of the night in September precipitated the third biggest percentage loss ever for the Dow industrials and the broad S&P 500.

By Nov. 20, the S&P had hit an 11-year low, destroying more than a decade of returns for many Americans and wiping out memories of record highs reached just 13 months earlier.

"It was plain ugly out there," said Kurt Brunner, a portfolio manager with Swarthmore Group in Philadelphia.

"All in all, it's something that I truly hope is once-in-a lifetime thing."

Nonetheless, U.S. stocks managed to close the year on an up note on Wednesday as fresh efforts to stem the recession from Washington lifted equities for the second consecutive session.

For the year, the Dow fell 33.8 percent, for its bleakest year since 1931; the S&P skidded 38.5 percent; and the Nasdaq posted its worst year ever, with a 40.5 percent drop.

When all was said and done, the S&P 500 found itself $5.02 trillion lighter than it was last year.

The bursting of the housing bubble began a long chain of events culminating in the worst credit crisis in a generation.

A deep mistrust grew between banks while growing doubts among investors about the American banking model crippled financial stocks and yanked a key pillar supporting U.S. equity markets. MORE>>

image: Detroit Red Wings Fan Club

Police Blotter: Strong Arm Robbery Outside AM/PM

According to a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department news release, at about 2:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2008, a female stopped at the AM/PM at Seine and Base Line to make a withdrawl from the ATM inside the business. After withdrawing $200, the victim exited the business and walked to her car that was parked in the parking lot outside the business. As the victim reached her car the suspect approached and said, "give me the money." No weapon was displayed, but the victim was afraid she might be harmed so she complied with the suspect's demands. After taking the money, the suspect fled in a dark green Dodge Caravan.

The victim and a witness followed the suspect to the area of University and the 215 freeway where they lost sight of him. The suspect is described as a black male adult with a light complexion, approximately 6'2" tall, a large build and missing a tooth on the right side of his mouth.

Anyone with any information about this robbery is encouraged to contact the Highland Police Department at 909-425-9793. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME or on the web site at www.wetip.com.

Police Blotter: Mail Boxes Destroyed With Dry Ice Bombs

According to a news release issued by San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, just before midnight on December 30, 2008, an unknown suspect or suspects placed a plastic, 2-liter bottle filled with dry-ice and water in a mailbox in front of a home in the 7100 block of Bradford Avenue in Highland where it exploded. About an hour later, at 1:00 a.m. on December 31, a second dry-ice device exploded inside another mailbox in front of a home in the 26400 block of Pacific Street in Highland. In both cases, the mailboxes were destroyed, but fortunately no one was injured.

These devices are extremely dangerous and the use of them is a felony crime. No suspect information has been obtained at this time. However, physical evidence was collected at both scenes for analysis. The Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Detail is coordinating the evidence analysis.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is urged to contact the Highland Sheriff's Station at 909-425-9793. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME or on their web site at www.wetip.com.

Police Blotter: Attempted Kidnapping Reported

According to a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department news release, on Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 6:35 p.m., a 13-year-old male juvenile was walking in his neighborhood in the vicinity of Chanticleer and Gold Buckle. The suspect, described as a black male adult, approximately 30-40 years of age and six feet tall, with a thin build and short black hair, stopped his vehicle next to the boy and asked him for directions.

The boy told the suspect he did not know where the street was and started to walk away. The suspect then offered the victim candy if he would help him find the street. This caused the victim to become scared and walk faster away from the car. The suspect got out of the vehicle but did not approach the victim as he was too far away.

The vehicle is described as a black sedan, with black tinted windows, a spoiler on the trunk lid and an antenna decoration that resembled a red shot gun casing. Also, there was fast food trash on the dash of the vehicle.

The Highland Police Department and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department would like to remind parents to speak with their children about the dangers in talking to strangers and getting into a vehicle with a person they do not know.

Anyone with information about the attempted abduction is asked to call Deputy P. Gentry at Highland Police Department at (909) 425-9793.

Police Blotter: Stolen/Forged Checks Result In Six Arrests

According to a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department news release, on December 26th, 2008 a local business located in the 15000 block of Main Street notified Sheriff's Dispatch there were two subjects attempting to pass a stolen and forged check. Several deputies responded to the location and arrested Joseph Mason on suspicion of possession of the stolen and forged checks. The vehicle Joseph Mason was driving had stolen property in it from a vehicle burglary.

Information provided led deputies to respond to a residence in the 17000 block of Linden Street. While observing the residence, several vehicles left the location. Two deputies stopped a red 1997 Ford truck that left the location and arrested Robert Barling on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and burglary tools. The Sheriff's helicopter observed a motorcycle leave the residence and a short pursuit ensued. William David lost control of the motorcycle and crashed near the traffic stop of the Ford truck. William David was taken into custody on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and parole violation.

A search of the residence located in the 17000 block of Linden Street was completed. Stolen items were recovered including sports memorabilia, collectible coins, tools and bonds. Several items were released to victims at the scene and two burglaries were cleared as a result of the investigation. Terry Mason, Stephanie Anderson and Sharon Evans were arrested at the Linden Street address for charges ranging from possession of stolen property, parole violation and warrants.

Any victims with similar items stolen should contact Detective Powers at the Hesperia Sheriff's station, 760-947-1500.