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Perhaps no one person aside from Mel Gibson himself has made a more noteworthy effort to promote "The Passion of The Christ" than a Texas couple who purchased 6,000 tickets to the film and gave them away to the community. Arch Bonnema, a member of the Dallas-area Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, happened to be invited to a preview of The Passion when a friend had to back out at the last minute. The film had such an impact on him that he wanted to share it with as many people as possible. "I have been a Christian all of...

Love, hate & furor Controversy grows over Mel Gibson's 'Passion' By TRACY CONNOR DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER Mel Gibson's controversial new movie about the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ has ignited unprecedented outrage, passion and - most of all - anticipation a month before it even opens. Against unbelievable odds, "The Passion of the Christ" is now shaping up to be the hottest ticket in the history of Hollywood when it finally hits theaters on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25. Jewish leaders have blasted the movie as anti-Semitic and warned it could ruin interfaith relations for decades. "He didn't miss any chance...

(ALLENTOWN, Pa.) -- A man wanted for at least 101 parking violations and who had eluded authorities for three years has finally run out of gas. Police say Jeffrey McFetridge, 50, was arrested Nov. 30 after his car was pulled over in Bethlehem Township for an expired inspection sticker. Upon his arrest, police found McFetridge was driving with a suspended registration and license and a background check uncovered his résumé of violations, officials said.In 1998, McFetridge served 90 days in prison and under house arrest for accumulating about $5,800 in fines for about 50 parking violations. McFetridge, police said, was...

<p>Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger, who asked California voters to "join Arnold" during the recall election, won't be able to extend the same offer to the masses at his historic swearing-in ceremony Monday. The Republican's inaugural committee on Tuesday announced that attendance at the outdoor event at the Capitol will be restricted, with no access allowed for the general public.</p>

CHICAGO - The cost of a ticket to an NFL game is up 6 percent this season to $52.95, largely because of a new stadium in Philadelphia and a refurbished one in Chicago. The Bears, who will move into a renovated Soldier Field on Sept. 29, are now the third-most expensive team to watch. Chicago is up from 10th last season, according to the annual Fan Cost Index compiled by Team Marketing Report, a Chicago-based research firm. The average ticket price for Bears games this season will be $65 compared to $51.42 last year, when the team temporarily played in...

The best advice is simply not to speed, at least not brazenly. But if you get nailed, fight it -- because a $50 ticket can cost you thousands once your insurer gets wind of it.  By Chris Solomon Now is a very bad time to have a lead foot. States facing yawning budget gaps are finding new money by pinching speeders more frequently -- and pinching them harder, too. Texas lawmakers recently added $30 to fines for speeding tickets. California has added a surcharge of between $7 and $20, depending on the severity of the violation. And the Illinois Legislature...

Ollie's gonna be there, Inhofe....and Lafortune!! Its a Rally for America! I've got my tickets! DO YOU HAVE YOURS???Event details: The Americana Series - Lt Col Oliver North Date: 05/31/03 Venue: Mabee Center (map) Ticket URL: www.tickets.com Event URL: www.mabeecenter.com Start Time: 7:30PM Description: Tickets are $50.00, $20.00, and $10.00. Tickets available online, or by phone 918 495-6000 Jim Inhofe...Bill Lafortune...and Ollie North will all be speaking!

TARRYTOWN — An Arab-American woman who fainted in village court said she suffered an anxiety attack after the judge asked if she were a terrorist. Anissa Khoder has filed a complaint against Tarrytown Village Justice William Crosbie with the state Commission on Judicial Conduct. Khoder went to court on Thursday to contest a pair of parking tickets. As she approached the judge's table, she said, Crosbie considered her name out loud and asked if she were a terrorist. She said she was stunned by the implication, but responded with a weak, reflexive smile. "I felt offended, and I kept it...

<p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sport utility vehicles across the United States will be ticketed Tuesday by a group of peace protesters alleging that gas-guzzling cars fuel war and other deadly conflicts.</p> <p>Tens of thousands of mock parking tickets have been printed for distribution in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, according to the Berkeley-based nonprofit group Project Underground.</p>

Judge dismisses charges against man who wrote obscene check -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fri, Jan 24, 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The contempt of court charge against a Howell man who wrote obscenities on a check he used to pay a traffic fine was dismissed Thursday. Reason for the dismissal: "limited resources." John Pikkarainen, chief judge of the 53rd District Court in Howell, dismissed the case a day before an evidentiary hearing. He wouldn't comment on the case, but did write an opinion on the order. Pikkarainen wrote that he believes the act was indirectly contemptuous and warranted appointing a special prosecutor to the case. But...

Man charged with contempt for obscene message on check Writing what was really on his mind could end up buying a Howell man more trouble than he bargained for after he wrote obscene comments on a check used to pay a traffic ticket. Eric Wilmoth, 26, has been charged with contempt of court by 53rd District Court Judge John Pikkarainen after Wilmoth wrote "Bulls- - - F- - - - - - ticket. Suck on it" on the memo line of a check he mailed to the court to pay a traffic fine. Wilmoth will appear before Pikkarainen in Howell...

Many Laredoans going to other airports to fly out BY CHUCK OWEN LMTBusiness writer Even with the regional jets being flown by American Eagle and Continental Express, Laredo still must deal with "leakage," air travelers that go elsewhere to catch a flight rather than flying out of Laredo International Airport. The Laredo Airport Advisory Board heard a presentation Wednesday from consultants that indicates Laredo enplanements amount to only 36 percent of all people departing Laredo for other points. Many of the others going to other places in the United States drive to San Antonio to make their air departure. Those...

Major rip-off of unsuspecting tourists and residents of NYC is in progress. After instituting car repossession for driving with traces of alcohol (no trial, no conviction, but stealing your car by the government on the spot), now there is, starting today, new scam and money grabbing scheme in effect. Parking fines for violations like double parking, expired meter, etc. just jumped from $55 to $105. Rules and regulation aimed at "our safety" are turned into crippling money making schemes by bottomless politicians and other crooks. Watch out! Police are sneaking up on your car, driving unmarked car with tinted windows...

"Florida Town Meeting" Gubernatorial Debate Governor Jeb Bush & Bill McBride October 15, 2002 Tuesday - 11 AM Universal Studios Orlando, Florida To Request a Ticket to the Event: http://www.floridatownmeeting.com/ftm/form.htm At 11 AM on October 15, 2002 the Republican and Democratic candidates for Florida governor will meet at Universal Studios, Orlando and address questions from journalists and a studio audience. The event will be a "radio-only" debate in that the only "live" broadcast will be heard on radio stations throughout the state of Florida. A list of stations will be posted shortly. Why radio only? In 1960, John F. Kennedy...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. –– US Airways, hard hit by the drop off in travel after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Sunday, the company said...

<p>DALLAS (AP) --  Southwest Airlines is under fire for its policy of charging overweight passengers for two tickets if they spill over into their neighbor's seat.</p> <p>The airline says it is trying to provide a comfortable flight for travelers seated next to large passengers.</p>

By JOHN SULLIVAN, Staff Writer RALEIGH - A Wake County judge stopped six companies Wednesday from selling high-priced tickets to the Stanley Cup finals at the Entertainment and Sports Arena after state Attorney General Roy Cooper filed a suit accusing them of ticket scalping. Wake Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens issued a temporary restraining order against the companies, citing "sufficient evidence to believe that the defendants are engaged in unfair and deceptive commercial practices." Stephens said consumers would continue to suffer losses unless he stopped the companies from advertising or selling tickets in violation of state law. North Carolina...