WASHINGTON (AP) Negotiations to renew a payroll tax cut for 160 million workers and jobless benefits for millions more kicked off on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, with both sides optimistic of an agreement despite last year's bitter battles over President Barack Obama's jobs proposals.

CENTREVILLE Physical therapy assistant Eric Nepert recently joined Tidewater Physical Therapy in Centreville.

BALTIMORE With the tax filing deadline less than three months away, Comptroller Peter Franchot recently announced important changes and new customer service initiatives for this year's filing season.

NEW YORK (AP) The S&P 500 index eked out a tiny gain Monday while traders kept an eye on talks in Europe to cut Greece's crushing debt load and prevent a global financial crisis. Other indexes ended slightly lower.

SALISBURY MLJ Payment Processing in downtown Salisbury recently expanded its business up the Eastern Shore and now is the exclusive processor for the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) Kodak's moment has come and gone.

EASTON With three months behind him as president and CEO of Shore Health System, Ken Kozel has a clear picture of the direction in which he wants to lead the organization.

PRESTON The winner of this year's new car raffle benefiting Saints Peter and Paul schools will be able to choose from four eligible vehicles at Preston Automotive Group.

DENTON The Caroline County Commissioners instructed staff to look into crafting legislation to allow a small number of employees to work at home-based businesses after a discussion at their public meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 17.

EASTON Total Systems and Communications, formerly Easton Telcom, is celebrating its 20th year in business this month.

FEDERALSBURG Charles Brohawn Jr., a financial professional with Prudential Insurance's Penn-Delmar Agency in Federalsburg, recently celebrated 20 years with the company.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) EBay reported on Wednesday that net income grew sharply higher in the fourth quarter, helped by a gain from the sale of its remaining investment in Skype. Its results beat Wall Street's expectations, aided by strong holiday sales at its namesake website and growth at PayPal, its online payments business.

LOS ANGELES (AP) In a move that heightens the growing tension between Silicon Valley and Hollywood, Wikipedia and other websites went dark Wednesday in protest of two congressional proposals intended to thwart the online piracy of copyrighted movies and TV programs.

EASTON After 39 years of service, Dick Plutschak has retired as superintendent of plant and interconnected operations at Easton Utilities.

FEDERALSBURG The recently opened Frank's Bargain Bin in Federalsburg offers an ever-changing inventory of new and gently used merchandise.

EASTON Audra Fister recently joined her father, Gary Wilkerson, at Blackwater Barbershop and Salon in Easton, formerly known as A Style Center.

PITTSBURGH (AP) The huge, belching smokestacks of electric power plants have long symbolized air pollution woes. But a shift is under way: More and more electric plants around the nation are being fueled by natural gas, which is far cleaner than coal, the traditional fuel.

CHESTERTOWN - Those who think cold weather means you have to wait a few months for fresh, local food need to think again.

NEW YORK (AP) After wild price swings that left investors bewildered and not a cent richer last year, stocks are rising again, and calm has settled over the market like blue skies after a storm.

EASTON Looking to improve on a device that has lacked any large-scale advances since its invention hundreds of years ago, Easton resident Peter Bailey has developed a new mooring buoy system that he says will eliminate the prior model's shortcomings.

BALTIMORE (AP) While it's no shock that retailers selling Baltimore Ravens apparel and merchandise are seeing soaring sales in the week leading up to the team's first home playoff game in five years, it may be surprising to know that even a local restaurant and bar supplies company is seeing increased business.

EASTON The cardiac ultrasound laboratories operated through Shore Health System's department of cardiovascular and pulmonary services have been reaccredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories.

ANNAPOLIS An important deadline is approaching for farmers, forest and agricultural landowners who want to sign up for fiscal year 2012 Farm Bill Conservation programs.

CHESTERTOWN Kent County Chamber of Commerce members heard from state Sen. E.J. Pipkin and Del. Jay Jacobs at the annual breakfast with 36th District legislators Monday at Heron Point.