Disabilities act marks 20 years

Disabilities act marks 20 years

WASHINGTON

President Barack Obama marked Monday’s 20th anniversary of a landmark anti-discrimination law for people with disabilities by promising to boost government efforts at recruiting, hiring and retaining people with physical and mental limitations.

In a sun-splashed ceremony on the White House South Lawn, Obama signed an executive order requiring the federal personnel agency to develop model guidelines for hiring people with disabilities and announced a series of other measures.

Officials probe possible new gang

ACAPULCO, Mexico

Mexican authorities are investigating the possible emergence of a new drug gang that appeared to take credit for six killings through a message left with the bodies Monday, officials said.

The six men were found inside a car in the southwestern city of Chilpancingo, Guerrero state police said in a statement. Next to them lay a message reading: “This will happen to all rapists, extortionists and kidnappers. Attentively, the New Cartel of the Sierra.”

Authorities are investigating the authenticity of the gang, said an official with the state prosecutors office, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the case.

Biden touts projects in national parks

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo.

Hundreds of stimulus-funded projects under way in national parks across the U.S. are long-overdue upgrades to the country’s neglected “national jewels,” Vice President Joe Biden said Monday.

Biden began a two-day tour highlighting Recovery Act projects in Yellowstone and Grand Canyon national parks by speaking to about 100 park workers, contractors and their families in the scenic Madison Valley.

He said some $750 million in stimulus money has gone to about 800 national park projects, which have created jobs in tough times. But, he added, the projects would have been necessary even if the economy was good to protect the parks.

City council cuts salaries by 90%

BELL, Calif.

The beleaguered Bell City Council has voted to slash its salaries by 90 percent, and two members say they will not seek re-election when their terms are up.

The council voted unanimously Monday to set every member’s salary at what Councilman Lorenzo Valez is paid — about $8,000 a year. The other four council members have been making about $100,000 a year for their part-time service on the city council of this modest blue-collar city of about 40,000 residents.

Mayor Oscar Hernandez also said he would take no salary for the rest of his term.

San Diego bans ‘floatopia’ parties

SAN DIEGO

San Diego City Council has banned so-called “floatopia” parties where people booze it up on inner tubes offshore.

The council voted 8-0 Monday to close the loophole on a beach alcohol ban that was approved by voters in November 2008.

Attendance at “floatopia” events has reached up to 6,000 people, requiring dozens of rescues.

Wyclef Jean mulls run to lead Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti

Singer Wyclef Jean is considering a run for president of Haiti but has not decided whether to seek a five-year term as leader of the quake-ravaged nation, the musician’s family said Monday.

There have been rumors for some time the Haitian-born entertainer might enter the 2010 presidential contest.

Associated Press