Agent Estate Real Referral

Average national petrol prices, meanwhile, have risen from around $1.10 in January 2007 to around $1.40 this week, according to the Australian Institute of Petroleum. Some consumers reported prices in excess of $1.50 over the holiday period.

And despite the recent stock market turmoil and emergency rate cuts in the US, the Reserve Bank of Australia looks set to raise rates at its first meeting of the year next week. There is a 72 percent chance of a 25 basis point rate rise next week, according to a Credit Suisse index based on interest rate swaps trading.

The Credit Suisse index is predicting 18 basis points, or 1.8 percent, of rate rises over the coming 12 months.

If the RBA does hike rates, it will come on the back of a round of interest rate rises from the commercial banks.

Del.: Eminent domain bill delayed

DOVER, Del. (AP) - A House committee on Wednesday tabled a bill limiting government's use of eminent domain to public purposes after representatives of local governments and the real estate industry asked for more time to comment.

Woman, 79, killed in crash at Athens intersection

A 79-year-old Limestone County woman died Friday when the vehicle she was driving was struck broadside at Edgewood Road and West Elm Street. Woman, 79, killed in crash at Athens intersection By Karen Middleton karen@athensnews-courier.com ATHENS — A 79-year-old Limestone County woman died Friday when the vehicle she was driving was struck broadside at Edgewood Road and West Elm Street.

Our view: Dealing with Halloween

Those in charge will be the first to tell you that Halloween can be done better in Salem. But give Mayor Kim Driscoll and her staff credit for a willingness to try new things and a determination to learn from their mistakes as they look back at another October and start planning for the next one.

No question the weeks leading up to Oct. 31 are trying ones for those who live in Salem, and more so for those who live in the downtown neighborhood where most of the attractions are located. But to paraphrase a former ward councilor, if you don't like the fast pace and occasional hyperactivity of city life, you ought to be living someplace like Boxford, not Salem.

Much of the pre-Halloween controversy this year focused on the decision to bring in carnival rides. We've yet to hear exactly how much money this yielded for the city, but even without that revenue, the money the city brings in from parking receipts, Witch House admissions, and fees charged vendors more than offsets the cost of policing the event.

Action on Pansy Road Purchase Postponed

The Board of Selectmen on Wednesday postponed a vote for a special bond appropriation for $1.5 million until its Feb. 5 meeting.

The money, requested on behalf of the Land Acquisition Commission, would be used to acquire the properties at 85, 89, 107 and 121 Pansy Road for possible use as a junior soccer field, dog park or general open space.

Although the contract will not stipulate a specific use, the space is one of the last areas of open space around a school in Fairfield, roughly equaling 1.22 acres, according to Town Attorney Richard Saxl.

Selectman Ralph Bowley expressed concern over the fact that "this parcel has been available, excess land for the last 30 years. We could have purchased this for much less earlier."

Bowley asked if "such an expensive purchase [would] preclude other purchases in upcoming years?" The fact that the appraisal price for the land is $250,000 less than the purchasing price was a contentious topic at the meeting.

Banks' bad loans hit level of S&L Crisis

Atlanta's residential bust is rapidly becoming a financial disaster on a par with the Savings and Loan Crisis of the 1980s.

AWE's 2nd annual holiday entertainment guide

Face-painting, stories and crafts make the party. All events are free. 718-442-7740, salemchurchnyc.org.

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