In brief: Parents facing $11,000 FAA fine
DENVER – The FAA said it is seeking the maximum $11,000 fine against the man behind the balloon boy hoax on grounds that he operated a balloon in a hazardous manner.
The FAA on Thursday released a letter it sent to Richard Heene with the proposed fine.
On Oct. 15, Heene reported his son was aboard a large saucer-like balloon that had floated away. The balloon later landed with no sign of the boy, who was safe at home.
Heene and his wife both received jail sentences Wednesday for the hoax.
In its letter, the FAA said northbound flights from Denver International Airport were temporarily halted and other planes were diverted during the balloon’s flight.
Heene’s attorney, David Lane, said he is crafting a response to the letter.
Obamas arrive for holiday stay
HONOLULU – President Barack Obama has arrived in Hawaii for a holiday vacation in the state where he lived as a child.
The president, first lady and their daughters arrived on the island of Oahu on Thursday for a more-than-weeklong vacation away from Washington. The Obamas have no public schedule and are expected to celebrate the holidays in private at a rented compound in the town of Kailua.
Obama left the White House earlier on Christmas Eve after the U.S. Senate passed health care legislation.
Coast Guard suspends search
TOMS RIVER, N.J. – The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for two Virginia crewmen missing after their fishing boat was hit by a big wave and sank off southern New Jersey.
Coast Guard aircraft and rescue boats searched for about 24 hours before suspending operations Thursday night.
Coast Guard Petty Officer Crystalynn Kneen said there are no plans to resume the search unless new information warrants it.
A crew member from New Jersey was found in a life raft shortly after the Coast Guard received a distress signal from the 38-foot Alisha Marie on Wednesday night. Point Pleasant resident Robert Mark Cooper told rescuers he was the only one to get into the raft.
Missing are Newport News, Va., residents William Brown Jr. and Joseph Bell.