News-Press from Fort Myers, Florida • Page 3

JlrJoUarS) FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2005 1 PUBLISHED SINCE 1884 CAPE CORAL I 50t NAPLES TEEN ON THE MOVE FOR ROLLER HOCKEY SCHOOL TAX-FREE DAYS TO KICK OFF SATURDAY BUSINESS MONEY Dl 'PENGUINS' DOCUMENTARY MARCHES INTO THEATERS TODAY LIFESTYLES El SPORTS CI pi ml BABCQCRAC! OPEN TO DEVELOPS London hit again by wave ofbombs British unnerved by similarity to July 7 attacks; no one hurt "What was even more amazing was how beautiful it is, how pristine it is." Sydney Kitson, in'ilirliniiilllBiii'H ilinm.wwrMB i' afcrraiiiiM "rr'" ADITHYA SAMBAMURTHv THE NEWS-PRESS CUttUUlcUl ailU U11CI CACCUUVC UU1CC1, Sydney Kitson addresses questions Thursday about the purchase of Kitson Partners, commenting on the ranch Babcock Ranch. The purchase price was not disclosed; The Associated Press LONDON Four attacks, almost simultaneous, on three subway trains and a double-decker bus. No blood and not as sophisticated, but hauntingly, unnervingly similar to deadly explosions set off by four suicide bombers exactly two weeks before and an inescapable message that life in London now means living with the threat of terror. "We can't miiiimize incidents such as this," Prime Minister Tony Blair said. "They're done to scare people, to frighten them and make them worried." That they did.

The explosive devices were either faulty or too small to cause bloodshed, and the only reported injury West Palm Beach developer snaps up historic land CHARLOTTE turned out to be an asthma attack. But Thursday's lunch-hour blasts rattled a Babcock Ranch CUDE COUNT (29) s. COUNTY New attacks dash hopes A4 London jolted with mirror image A4 U.S. orange alert likely prolonged A4 HENDRY COUNTY 82 Fort Myers COUNTY 10 MILES COLLIER 1 COUNTY NEWS-PRESS Preservationists dismayed, pledge to continue fight capital already on edge after the July 7 explosions, which killed 56 people, including four suicide bombers. Police said two men were arrested.

One was detained near Downing Street, site of the prime minister's residence. The other, later released without charge, was picked up near Tottenham Court Road, close to the Warren Street subway station where one attack took place. Authorities said it was too early to determine whether the attacks were carried out by the same organization as the July 7 blasts or whether they were linked to al-Qaida. But NBC News reported that British authorities told their U.S. counterparts that backpacks and explosives used Thursday were identical to those in the July 7 attacks.

And the British Broadcasting Corp. reported "speculation" that the devices were so similar they may even have been part of the same batch. "Clearly, the intention must have been to kilL" Police Commissioner Ian Blair told reporters. "You don't do this with any other intention. And I think the important point is that the intention of the terrorists has not been fulfilled." Londoners fled the three Underground stations at midday, some sprinting barefoot after leaving their shoes behind in the scramble.

Among the famously stoic British, nerve were on edge. "When I got home, my hands were shaking," said 24-year-old Lisa Chilley, who uses the targeted Oval station. i E. 1 THE NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTO BY PAMELA SMITH HAYFORD A West Palm Beach developer has announced Thursday he will buy Babcock Ranch. The deal will end a four-year state effort to buy and preserve the 91,000 acres of wilderness and ranchland.

The sale was a blow to people from all walks of life who wanted to keep the area out of developers' hands. They worried about the future of the property's pristine Florida ecosystems and traffic generated by development Sydney Kitsoa chairman and chief executive officer of Kitson Partners, said Thursday he and his partners will talk with conservation groups and state and county officials before making plans for the property. However, the company said in a statement that a residential community with outdoor recreation and conservation areas "would be See RANCH A10 i The Babcock Ranch is located in Lee and Charlotte counties. WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT'S NEXT HIGH COURT NOMINEE W00ST0P DEMOCRATS Readers' forum: Is selling the ranch to private investors the right move or not for the Babcock family? What needs to happen now? Multimedia: Photo galleries, video Archives: Past coverage of Babcock Ranch INSIDE: More coverage A10 Janes speculated the total deal could top $600 million. Kitson Partners will meet with local and state officials and conservation groups to form a vision for Babcock Ranch.

West Palm Beach developer Kitson Partners plans to buy the 9L000-acre Babcock Ranch for an undisclosed price. Sydney Kitson, chairman and chief executive officer of Kitson Partners, said it will build on already-disturbed land and may sell parts of it tothestate. Though the purchase price wasn't disclosed, Lee County Commissioner Bob NATION A3 AlllinilliltiiTrifc CORRECTIONS Statewide hunt finds newborn close to home TT Authorities Wednesday's News-Press. Sanibel's policy is to remove and kill any alligator over 4 feet that makes residents or visitors feel unsafe. The policy was incorrect in a story on Al of Thursday's News-Press.

Mark Mason, Cape Coral financial services director, said that buying a $L1 million property on Miramar Court could be financed with a 5-year Interest-only note. His statement was incorrect in a Al story in acting on Fort Myers mother charged in abduction 1 Crime Stoppers VI .1 i 4 lip IUUU1LT Sabrina Cobb, 34, and baby Jessie Threatts Jr. into custody at about 3 p.m. at 2626 Wright St in Fort Myers, said Ileana abducted back to safety, we're extremely happy," said Larry Long, of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement The baby seemed to be in good condition" The infant boy was taken to HcalthPark Medical Center in south Fort Myers to be examined as a precautioa He was in good condition Thursday night according to a hospital nursing supervisor. Investigators charged Cobb, of 3019 Franklin Court, Fort Myers, with interference with child custody.

See FOUND A2 THREATTS JR. COBB Fort Myers Mother accused The News-Press, A Gannett Newspaper Copyright 2005 THREATTS Father of baby Jessie newborn of taking baby BY GRANT BOXLEITNER and JOEL MORONEY gboxleitnernews-press A statewide search for a missing east Fort Myers infant ended Thursday less than three miles from where he was abducted about 16 hours earlier. The mother of newborn baby Jessie Threatts Jr. snatched him, INSIDE WEATHER High 93 Low 76 Scattered storms, 30 percent chance of rain; complete forecast B12 LLMarzi, Lee County sheriffs spokespersoa "Any time state and local law enforcement can come together to return a child who has been Lee County deputies said, from the east Fort Myers home of his maternal grandmother, who has custody of the 4-pound child. Him mi ill i WN Mihir2li bVii ibj I tJ? www.ushome.com Limited Releases Available July 30th 111 271 i i.