Wow, things are really getting nasty down here as Republicans and Good Ol’ Boys are out for blood – each others.

The Northwest Florida Daily News is actually starting to commit some journalism, which is a little scary after 8 years as a Hedgemony lap dog.

First up, Sheriff’s Office audit reveals $1.4 million in bonuses and a lot of other financial wheeling in dealing. Not only are rocks being turned over, but the local CPAs have broken the omertà pledge on not speaking ill of each other over previous audits.

In additions to the kick-backs, good-time Charlie had a thing for cars, getting himself about 4 a year. I didn’t drive 4 different vehicles in the 10 years I was in law enforcement. Our Sheriff was definitely a high-roller.

Then we have Okaloosa to sue Valparaiso over F-35 dispute. The county commission voted unanimously to file a law suit against the Valparaiso city commission for attempting to block the F-35 training mission. Eglin AFB is the largest single reason for an economy in Okaloosa County. Tourism is a distant second and it is really on the skids. Anything that threatens the missions at the Base is definitely a threat to the economy of the county. Giving the current economic conditions and the recent actions by Bay County, the county is not going to take any chances.

Pass the popcorn.

The BBC reports on the current numbers:

At least 207 people have been killed by Monday’s earthquake in central Italy, with 100 residents critically injured, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says.

He said 150 people had been rescued alive so far, and the operation would continue for a further 48 hours and involve 7,000 rescuers.

About 1,000 people were injured and 17,000 were left homeless following the pre-dawn quake in the Abruzzo region.

There was some good news: “A 98-year-old woman was pulled out alive in L’Aquila after being trapped for 30 hours, local media report. She spent the time crocheting. ”

The USGS list of quakes in the area show that there was a 4.0 event 5 hours before the major quake and 5 aftershocks [4.6, 4.4, 4.3, 4.9, and 4.9] since. The area still hasn’t equalized, and the rescue work is very dangerous in the unstable rubble.

Update: Add a 5.6 and another 4.6 to the list. The adjustment to the plates is definitely not over.