Running: Not as easy as you think (Independent)

I'm running on a treadmill, in bare feet. Sticky tape is holding my rolled-up shorts high against my thighs and my spine and legs are covered in black pen marks and fluorescent yellow stickers. Yet I'm not worried about my strangely tattooed semi-nakedness, in spite of the fact that two people and several video cameras are monitoring my every movement. My only concern is a small blue mark on ...

Dogs could be deemed 'dangerous' (The Journal-Standard)

The 10-year-old victim of a dog attack Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, was left with no life-altering injuries. “(Those injuries) weren’t so severe that they would have caused hospitalization,” Bob Smith, Freeport Police deputy chief, said.

Massive fire hits North food factory (The Journal)

A HUGE blaze caused production to stop at a North East frozen food factory yesterday. Bosses at Findus foods, in Balliol Business Park, Longbenton, North Tyneside, said it was not yet clear how long the disruption would last.

Israel Completes Preparations for Gaza Offensive Amid Continuing Rocket Fire (Washington Post)

JERUSALEM, Dec. 25 -- Israel moved closer to invading the Gaza Strip, saying Thursday that it had wrapped up preparations for a broad offensive after Palestinian fighters fired about 100 rockets and mortar shells across the border in two days.

Washed away (Cullman Times)

By Trent MooreStaff WriterTorrential rainfall caused flooding and safety hazards in several parts of Cullman County Tuesday, forcing officials to block roads and dismiss schools early.