Middle-class workers will take a bigger hit to their income proportionately than those earning between $200,000 and $500,000 under the new fiscal cliff deal, according to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center.

Earners in the latter group will pay an average 1.3 percent more – or an additional $2,711 – in taxes this year, while workers making between $30,000 and $200,000 will see their paychecks shrink by as much as 1.7 percent – or up to $1,784 – the D.C.-based think tank reported.

Overall, nearly 80 percent of households will pay more money to the federal government as a result of the fiscal cliff deal.

‘The economy needs a stimulus, but under the agreement, taxes will go up in 2013 relative to 2012 – not only on high-income households, as widely discussed, but also on every working man and woman in the country, via the end of the payroll tax cut,’ said William G. Gale, co-director of the Tax Policy Center.

‘For most households, the payroll tax takes a far bigger bite than the income tax does, and the payroll tax cut therefore – as [the Congressional Budget Office] and others have shown – was a more effective stimulus than income tax cuts were, because the payroll tax cuts hit lower in the income distribution and hence were more likely to be spent,’ he added.

Read more at MailOnline

PEORIA, AZ —On October 9, Alicia Atkins was in the midst of giving birth by Caesarean section when Nevaeh—the name of the baby girl—reached out and grabbed the hand of the doctor. Proud father Randy had the presence of mind to photograph the miracle birth.

“I just wanted to make sure I got the picture because it was so cool,” Randy Atkins is quoted.

Alicia, owner of A Classic Pin-up in Glendale, gave a picture of the event to the doctor and posted the picture on Facebook receiving thousands of hits.

“I am in awe of this photo,” she writes on her Facebook page. “Something to remember forever.”

Christian Science Monitor – Click image to see story.

A Mexican judge in Matamoros ordered the immediate release of Jon Hammar Friday morning. He had been detained August 13 for bringing a .410 antique shotgun over the border while en route to a surfing trip. He and a friend, who was also detained but released after three days, were traveling on a 1972 refurbished Winnebago motor home.

The Mexican court ruled that Hammar, who served seven years in Iraq and Afghanistan and who suffered from post traumatic stress disorder, had no criminal intent to bring the antique 60-year-old rifle across the border and had his constitutional rights violated.

Read more at FOX News

LANSING—Internet sites are abuzz with accusations from both sides of the Lansing Right-to-Work fight between Steven Crowder and a union member last week. The Huffington Post is reporting that union member Ken Spitzley witnessed Crowder provoking fights which Mr. Crowder denies.

According to the Deadline Detroit blog, the New York Times reported;

“Unfortunately for Mr. Crowder, a look at the video broadcast on the Sean Hannity show appears to show quite clearly that he left out an important section of the footage when he put together his edit. A section of the Fox News broadcast preserved by the Web site Mediaite shows that Mr. Hannity’s producers at Fox News started the clip five seconds earlier than Mr. Crowder did. What the extra footage reveals is the man who punched Mr. Crowder being knocked to the ground seconds before and then getting up and taking a swing at the comedian.”

They, also did not show the following video from an hour earlier which shows the man who struck Crowder harassing and verbally assaulting the FOX contributor. Some other union members are even seen warning the man to not cause trouble intimating that is what the FOX news team wanted. During the video Mr. Crowder seems visibly agitated, but non-confrontational.

MEDIAite news is accusing Crowder of starting the fight by pushing union members away from a tent that they eventually tore down. The tent contained women; one in a wheelchair. They show a video interview with Steven Crowder at the Canadian Sun News.

There is still no word on if the union man who struck him is willing to fight in a sanctioned match for charity.
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Houses around Williams decorated and lit in anticipation for Saturday.

WILLIAMS—The Second Street tree is decorated and awaiting the festivities for Saturday which includes a parade, piñata, Bearizona, a matinee Polar Express and shopping.

Events start with the 9th Annual Holiday Craft show on Saturday to benefit the SAVE-Meant to Rescue organization which rescues animals in Williams. The event will run from 10 am to 5 pm at the Sultana Theater; 301 W. Route 66.

At 3 p.m. a Piñata de Navidad celebration will be held at the Babbit-Polson Community Stage by the Williams Visitor Center on Railroad Avenue. Three piñatas for kids of all ages.

Bearizona Wild Animal drive-through park will be open at 8 am with the last car being admitted at 4:30 pm. This is a great opportunity for kids to see animals roaming free. At the end of your journey you can stretch your legs and see some animals close-up. Plus raptor shows three times a day. Please obey all park rules for a safe journey.

This is also a great time to be part of the Polar Express departing each evening at 5:30 and 7:30 pm. There is a special matinee trip at 3:30.

Finally the Parade of Lights begins at 6:30 with the lighting of the Christmas tree at the completion of the parade.

Look for the shopping mat and buy local.

Of course all shops will be open to purchase those unique Route 66 gifts for friends and family back home. The restaurants will be stocked and read to feed. Twister’s on the east end of Route 66 and the Red Raven right downtown have both been named Top Ten places to eat in Arizona in various years by Arizona Highways magazine.

The Huckabee sponsored Chick-Fil-A appreciation day is today.

How a Drug Mobster Was Transformed

Bill Saye Ministries

When you meet Bill Saye today you might think “nice guy” or “probably a grandpa.” Few would think this very soft spoken man was once one of the largest drug kingpins in the whole country.

His drug operations along with other mobster activity allowed him to create an empire and vast wealth which was a tremendous change from his humble truck driving career. Bill Saye was the real deal and he was a big deal.

Time, however, as well as the law would finally catch up to Mr. Saye and his life which seemed untouchable was turned completely upside down. In 1980 Bill Saye found himself arrested and charged with first degree murder and sent to death row in the state of Georgia. The story is much greater and much more detailed than this small introduction.

While on death row Bill found that there was at least one who actually cared for and loved him, Bill Saye found Jesus Christ. Now some would say “oh sure, another jailhouse conversion,” but in this case it was also the real deal.

The First Baptist Church of Williams at 7th Street and Grant in Williams—across from Safeway—is holding a Revival featuring the incredible and life changing story of Bill Saye. The Revival begins Sunday night, June 24th at 6 p.m. It will continue Monday to Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Senior Pastor Andy McDaniel and the members of the church are excited about having Bill Saye as a speaker. “We here at First Baptist Church are so excited to have Bill with us and we truly hope to see as many of you as we can during his time here. You will not leave the same as when you come in. This is not merely just a time to come hear preaching, this is about finding hope,” Pastor Andy said.

The First Baptist Church of Williams provides spiritual worship on Sunday at 10 a.m. as well as Bible study on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m and Youth Study on Wednesday at the same time.

“We have a heart and passion for every single person in Williams and our surrounding areas and we want each and every person to know we care about you and want to help. This Revival is a wonderful opportunity to share the love of Christ with our community,” he said. “We still believe in the Bible here at FBC and stand on the promises of God.”