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(Continued from page 15)
• Meanwhile, parole agents are being trained to work with the new system, which establishes graduated penalties for different levels of parole violations, Feiler said.
• State Court Administrator Greg Sattizahn said the state Supreme Court has passed rules setting up a similar system that reduces probation time for offenders who behave themselves when they are put on probation instead of being sent to prison. That system will take effect Jan. 1.
• Amy Iversen-Pollreisz said the state Social Services Department has selected providers to run additional programs to help offenders deal with substance abuse and change their thought patterns away from crime. The department also is working to set up pilot programs to provide such help in rural areas, she said.
• Also, Attorney General Marty Jackley's office is developing an automated system that will use mail, telephone calls, emails and text messages to notify crime victims about changes in the status of offenders who hurt them. Because of the system's complexity, it is not scheduled to start until 2015.
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National Finals Rodeo may move to Florida in 2015
MICHELLE RINDELS, Associated Press
• LAS VEGAS (AP) -- The National Finals Rodeo is planning to leave Las Vegas for Florida after 29 years, depriving Sin City of an event that ropes in nearly $100 million for the local economy as thousands of cowboys and rodeo fans descend on the city each December.
• News of the tentative deal drew groans from Las Vegas' powerful hotel and restaurant workers union and others who benefit from the 10-day event, which takes place in the city's tourism slow season. Tourism officials vowed to launch a competing rodeo.
• "We are disappointed that the PRCA has chosen to pursue a completely speculative offer versus Las Vegas' proven 29-year track record," Michael Mack, spokesman for Las Vegas Events, said in a statement. "Now that we know the PRCA's true intentions, we will put our full effort into developing a new series and finals."
• The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association board voted 6-3 Sunday to turn down Sin City's offer in favor of an agreement with Florida's Osceola County, south of Orlando.
• Osceola County commissioners voted 5-0 Sunday to accept a memorandum of understanding that allows 90 days to close the deal. The plan calls for the 2015 event to be held at the nearby Amway Center, home of the Orlando Magic; county officials vowed to have a new, 24,000-seat arena ready for the event by the fall of (Continued on page 17)
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