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A coin-flip tie-breaker might have done Lawrence Highs boys basketball team a bit of a favor.

The Lions (13-7) earned the No. 4 seed in their Class 6A sub-state tournament, but there was a tie for the No. 5 seed between Gardner-Edgerton (12-8) and Olathe East (12-8).

Saturday morning, a flip of a coin decided Lawrences fate. LHS will face No. 5 O-East, a familiar Sunflower League foe, instead of GEHS, out of the Eastern Kansas League, which received the No. 6 seed.

Lawrence coach Mike Lewis said he likes the match-up awaiting his team at 7 tonight at LHS.

Its nice that we know what were getting into, Lewis said. With Gardner, it wouldve been a little bit more of a guessing game to a certain extent.

LHS won at Olathe East, 51-41, on Feb. 17. Lions senior guard Anthony Buffalomeat said familiarity with the Hawks will be just part of the equation.

Weve got confidence, beating them the first time, but we have a lot of things we need to work on for (tonight), so we cant take them lightly at all, Buffalomeat said.

While executing against O-Easts 3-2 zone, which LHS had trouble doing in the first quarter in the teams previous meeting before finishing the game with seven three-pointers, is one concern, there is also the question of KJ Pritchards availability. The 6-foot-5 Lawrence senior guard severely sprained his right ankle a few hours before the Lions Friday victory over Free State at LHS.

Lewis said the coaching staff planned for the sub-state opener anticipating a worst-case scenario of Pritchard sitting out. Whether he ends up playing will be a game-day decision, likely hours before tipoff.

While the Lions managed a 38-36 victory without Pritchard on Friday and now have some experience playing without their leading scorer, Buffalomeat said it would be a blow to try that again versus O-East.

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LHS boys flip over sub-state foe

by Department of Economic Development

TODAY Geoff Corkish MBE, MHK, Political Member for the Isle of Man Department of Economic Development with responsibility for Tourism, launched a blueprint for the future of tourism. The strategic vision is that the Island collectively supports a thriving visitor economy and takes pride in its reputation as a high quality destination. The document sets out key actions and themes that the Department and its partners will focus on. Its scope includes marketing communications, quality and service, events, product development and motorsport. Mr Corkish states that the visitor economy generates income and jobs in its own right and contributes to the wider development of the economy as a whole. The Visitor Economy Strategy 2012-2015 was developed following an in depth analysis of the Islands position as a visitor destination within a global context. It has identified opportunities for growth and diversification. The document focuses on a variety of growth strategies to strike a balance between maintaining existing business and developing new opportunities. Strategic emphasis is primarily on encouraging repeat visits and product development in the short term. The medium to long-term focus is to develop further markets which will position the Island to anticipate and respond more cohesively to shifting market forces. Mr Corkish explained: This document demonstrates a refocused and targeted approach as we acknowledge changing customer trends, market environment and increased competition. Tourism is a wealth generator providing significant support to our Islands infrastructure and the quality of life for our residents. He went on to say: Tourism is of vital importance to the economy of the Isle of Man and the Visitor Economy Strategy is fulfilment of an in depth research into the changing patterns of tourism today and the aspirations of our visitors. As the industry evolves, it is imperative that we drive and pull together with our industry partners and focus on our key strengths and features that make the Island unique and special. Confidence in the visitor economy is confidence in the Isle of Man. Mike Hennessy, Chief Executive, Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce commented: The Chamber of Commerce welcomes this new strategy which is a driver for forging strengthened partnerships between the sector and Government. To download the Isle of Man Visitor Economy Strategy 2012-2015 go to http://www.gov.im/ded/tourism.xml. -ENDS-

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Manx Telecom Ltd 2012

Manx Telecom Ltd, Isle of Man Business Park, Cooil Road, Braddan, Isle of Man IM99 1HX Registered in the Isle of Man Reg no.5629V Vat Reg no GB 003-2919-12

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New Visitor Economy Strategy Launched

by John Wannenburgh

Tony Benn the longest serving Labour MP in the history of the party - will visit the Isle of Man on 21st November as guest speaker at an Isle of Man Sporting and Dining Club Evening With event at the Gaiety Theatre.

With a flask of tea, some tobacco and his trademark pipe as his only props Tony Benn brings his unmistakable presence to his successful stage show at the Gaiety Theatre for one night only. A mix of politics, opinion and debate on various issues, followed by questions from the audience. Participation encouraged! Sponsored by Appleby, the event begins with an interview on serious and topical themes including the recession, war and nature. Tony Benn draws on his decades of experience, his political past and his startlingly alert 86 year-old brain, throughout what is certain to be an entertaining evening. A compelling speaker by anyone's standards, he is against university fees, nuclear power and the crown powers invested in the Prime Minister. He is opposed to war, and Africa not western muscle flexing holds the solution to Zimbabwe's troubles. He is despairing of NATO and concerned about the rise of the far right.

Quick witted and full of insight, Tony Benn remains informed and opinioned - on an amazing variety of subjects. Describing his role as the nation's classroom assistant, he yearns to encourage and is an undeniable treasure of our political and national life. Tony Benn was born in London and retired from the House of Commons in May 2001, after serving fifty years in Parliament. He was a Cabinet minister in the Wilson and Callaghan governments from 1964 - 79, Minister of Technology, Secretary of State for both Industry and Energy and President of the Council of European Energy ministers in 1977. An elected member of the National Executive Committee of the Labour party from 1959 - 1994, he was Chairman of the Party in 1971/2.

His published Diaries, in seven volumes, cover the period from 1942-1990, and the next volume 'Free at Last' from 1990 2001. Tony is the holder of seven honorary Doctorates from British and American universities, and he has recently been appointed as a Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics and is a regular broadcaster.

In 1949 he married Caroline Benn, educationalist and author of the biography of Keir Hardie who died in 2000 and they have four children and ten grandchildren.

Organised by John Wannenburgh of the Sporting and Dining Club, the event is a follow up to An Evening with Michael Portillo which was sold out in November 2011.

Tickets are available from 1st March at an early bird special rate of 12.50 by contacting 01624 600555 or http://www.villagaiety.com. After this time ticket are priced at 15.00 with concession rates available. John said: I would like to take this opportunity to thank Appleby for its support of our Tony Benn event in November. Whether you agree with Tony Benn or not, it is from his vast experience at the heart of national and international affairs, that he gleans his authority. He is fun and lovable, serious and informed, all at the same time, and that has the makings of a tremendously entertaining evening!

Managing Partner of Appleby in the Isle of Man, Sean Dowling said: We are pleased to support the Sporting & Dining Club as it continues to attract high profile speakers to the Isle of Man and I am looking forward to hearing the entertaining stories Tony Benn has to share. His visit comes at a topical time, when public opinion on politics and policies is divided, so I am sure there will be much to debate and discuss!, Sean continued, The Sporting & Dining Club events are a great opportunity for the Islands business and wider community to get together and socialise whilst also raising funds for a range of worthwhile causes. We are only too happy to be involved Issued by: John Wannenburgh, Isle of Man Sporting & Dining Club Tel/Fax 01624 617049

Appleby (Isle of Man) LLC (the Legal Practice) is a limited liability company with company number 000944L incorporated in the Isle of Man with its registered office at 33-37 Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1LB. Partner is a title referring to a member or employee of the Legal Practice.

More here:
Appleby To Support “An Evening with Tony Benn”

1 March 2012 Last updated at 17:00 ET

Police searching for a Cheltenham man missing in the Cayman Islands say his mobile phone has been found in the sea.

Nathan Clarke, 30, was reported missing on Saturday night on the island of Grand Cayman.

A spokesperson for The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) said it was found offshore in about 3m (10ft) of water.

They said no other property was found and no trace of Mr Clarke had been found despite "extensive searches".

"Examination of the phone has confirmed it is Nathan's. Nathan's partner and his family have been made aware of the development," the spokesperson said.

The RCIPS also confirmed the last call made from the phone was at 20:07 GMT to 20:09 on Saturday.

"There was no further activity registered on that phone," it added.

Mr Clarke works as a teacher on Grand Cayman, and has lived there for about four years.

He was last seen near Calico Jack's beach bar on West Bay Road on the Caribbean island wearing swimming shorts.

Continue reading here:
Missing man's phone found in sea

CHICAGO (AP) Turning up the heat on talks aimed at making sure nonprofit hospitals do enough charitable work, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn stuck to his Thursday deadline and authorized the Department of Revenue to resume decisions that could strip some health care institutions of valuable tax exemptions.

The Democratic governor's action came a day after negotiations failed to reach a compromise on how much charity care hospitals must provide to earn freedom from local taxes. The state had refrained from decisions on exemptions as negotiations proceeded.

Quinn's move further complicates his relationship with the powerful Illinois Hospital Association, which last month said it would vigorously oppose the governor's proposed $2.7 billion in cuts to projected Medicaid spending.

Illinois Hospital Association President Maryjane Wurth said Thursday that further rulings on hospital tax exemptions will distract from finding a legislative solution on the charity care issue. In a statement reacting to Quinn's announcement, Wurth said her 200-member group appreciates the governor's intention to restart discussions on possible new legislation that could be passed by the Legislature this spring.

But Wurth said the group is "extremely concerned" about rulings from the Department of Revenue.

"Requiring nonprofit hospitals across the state to pay property taxes would undermine patients' access to care, increase health care costs and damage an already fragile health care system," Wurth said in the statement.

Representatives of hospitals, local governments and advocates will reconvene talks early next week, said Quinn spokeswoman Brie Callahan, in an effort to find "a legislative solution that is both constitutional and recognizes the importance of hospitals in our communities and the need for widespread access to care for the uninsured."

The wrangling over hospital tax exemptions stems from a 2010 Illinois Supreme Court ruling that an Urbana hospital wasn't doing enough charity care to qualify for a tax exemption.

Last year, the Department of Revenue cited the 2010 ruling when denying property tax exemptions to three hospitals: Northwestern Memorial's Prentice Women's Hospital in Chicago, Edward Hospital in Naperville and Decatur Memorial Hospital in Decatur.

Five months ago, Quinn put a temporary halt on such rulings to give breathing room for negotiations on possible legislation, and set March 1 as a deadline for recommendations.

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Quinn lifts hold on Illinois hospital tax rulings