Batty blond Baldwin 'stalker' back behind bars

Alec Baldwin's perky, unhinged accused stalker was hauled in cuffs out of Manhattan Criminal Court this afternoon — charged with violating the order of protection barring her from any contact with the actor or his yoga instructor wife.

"Why am I being arrested! " Genevieve Sabourin, a shapely French Canadian blonde, sobbed. "Tell me why I am being arrested!" the handcuffed hottie huffed as detectives with the Upper West side's 20th precinct led her down a courthouse hallway and out to a waiting car.

As first reported in The Post, Sabourin, an aspiring actress, has been angrily tweeting about Baldwin throughout of the month, including the Nov. 8 posting that got her in hot water today.

Alec' Baldwin's perky blonde alleged stalker, Genevieve Sabourin, in court today.

"How Hilaria Baldwin beZEN, peaceful yogi, Alec Baldwin keep my INJUSTICE+break my life?" Sabourin wrote in that posting, signed "@hilariabaldwin." Using wife Hilaria Baldwin's Twitter name after the @ sign would have automatically activated a notification in Hilaria's Twitter queue, and possibly her e-mail.

The arrest immediately followed Sabourin's latest court appearance on more than two dozen harassment charges against the love-lorn lovely, all involving creepy e-mails to Baldwin, who Sabourin has hinted she'd had a romance with.

On March 20 alone, Baldwin received some 10 emails from her, according to his own signed affidavit submitted in the misdemeanor case in July. In the emails, Sabourin threatens to launch "a massive destructive war" to win back Baldwin's affections.

In another e-mail, subject lined, "Defcon 1," the would-be actress tells the 30 Rock star that either he should either call her or the FBI -- because they'd need to put her in jail to prevent a "war."

Baldwin has insisted that all he did was take the aspiring actress to dinner as a favor for a mutual friend; Sabourin has said in court papers that the dinner date also included seeing a show and Baldwin accompanying her back to her hotel.

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Case-Shiller: Miami, U.S. home prices up again

The good news keeps coming for housing.

Miami area home prices rose 7.4 percent in September from a year earlier, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices.

Home prices in Miami inched up 0.1 percent in September from August, the report, issued by S&P Dow Jones Indices, said. Seasonally adjusted, Miami posted a 0.3 percent gain in home prices in September from August.

Miami, which was among the hardest hit areas in the nation in the housing downturn, has shown price increases for 11 consecutive months, while nationally prices have been on a six-month streak of increases.

The national index showed a 3.6 percent gain in home prices for the third quarter compared with a year earlier.

Seventeen of 20 Metropolitan Statistical Areas, or MSAs, and both the 10-city composite and 20-city composite issued by S&P/Case-Shiller showed higher prices.

The report said Phoenix continues to be the top performer, with a 20.4 percent annual increase in home prices. Atlanta broke a 26-month streak of annual price declines, posting a 0.1 percent annual increase in home prices September, according to the Case-Shiller data.

Case-Shiller indexes are designed to show the price change of typical single-family homes in an area and nationally. Each index tracks matched price pairs for thousands of homes.

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Man who died during roach-eating contest choked on bug parts, autopsy says

A man who collapsed during a roach-eating contest last month at a a Broward pet shop died from choking on insect parts, according to the Broward medical examiner.

The death of Edward Archbold, 32, of West Palm Beach, has been ruled an accident, Medical Examiner Craig Mallak said Monday in an advisory. An autopsy tested negative for toxic substances.

Archbold’s airway became obstructed with “arthropod body parts” and he died of asphyxia, according to the medical examiner.

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.

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Larry Hagman's Manager Reveals Funeral Details

Larry Hagman's manager is opening up about funeral arrangements for the Dallas star who passed away on Friday at age 81. 

RELATED: Dallas Star Larry Hagman Dies

John Castonia confirms exclusively to ET that the Hagman family will hold two private invitation-only memorial services this week, one in Texas and another in California.

RELATED: Barbara Eden Mourns Death of Larry Hagman

Castonia also revealed that Hagman's son, Preston, plans to spread Larry's ashes all over the world, per the late actor's wishes. 

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Crane collapses in Hell's Kitchen

A crane mounted in a truck fell over in a vacant lot this morning in Hell's Kitchen, authorities said.

No one was injured in the accident, which occurred around 10:05 a.m. on West 38th Street near Dyer Avenue, said a spokesman for the FDNY.

The city Buildings Department is investigating the cause.

It was at least the second crane accident in the city in a month.

Hurricane Sandy had damaged a much larger crane and left it dangerously dangling at a Midtown high rise after the storm.

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Shifting tides of Panama real estate echo Miami trends

PANAMA CITY, Panama — As a real estate agent shows off a model apartment — white leather sectional, stainless steel appliances, open concept, ocean views — in the 59-story Yacht Club Tower, and touts its fitness center and pool deck designed to mimic a ship floating on the sea, he makes a telling statement:

“We tried to emulate the Miami style in this building.”

Approaching this Central American capital from the air, the first thing a traveler notices is a skyline on steroids — gleaming towers jutting skyward like so many pickets on a fence. There’s even a Trump high-rise here — the sail-shaped 72-story Trump Ocean Club International Hotel & Tower. And it’s not uncommon for those active in Miami real estate and development circles to try their luck in Panama or move back and forth between the markets.

Although Miami is nearly 1,200 miles from Panama City, the real estate markets of the two cities share certain similarities. Both went through booms and overbuilding and then had way too many empty condominiums. Wealthy Latin American buyers were a salvation in both cities when traditional segments of the market fell off.

“Now that things are starting to pick up in the States, they are picking up here too. Now that there’s not as much economic uncertainty in the United States, people feel more confident about Panama too,’’ said Morris Hafeitz, general manger of Emporium Developers. He used to work in Miami as a project manager for Odebrecht, the Brazilian conglomerate.

Now Hafeitz is trying to sell Allure at the Park, a 50-story building Emporium developed in Panama City’s Bella Vista neighborhood. The building is chock full of amenities — gym, teenage game room, adult lounge, toddler playroom, pool, squash court and even miniature golf on the roof — but one of its main selling points is that it overlooks a park and two low-rise historic buildings. “In the heart of the city without the hassles of the city,’’ said Hafeitz.

During the boom, many buildings in central Panama City went up practically on top of each other. “In the beginning of the boom there were no regulations on density,’’ said Mauricio Saba, a project manager at Zoom Development in Panama City and another Miami real estate alum. “I have a friend who said he could watch his neighbor’s TV from his balcony.’’

Margarita Sanclemente, a Miami real estate broker with offices in Panama City and New York, has seen it all — the boom, the irrational building and the slowdown — and has stuck with the Panamanian market.

She first ventured into Panama in 2005. The Panamanian real estate market, which had been sluggish for more than a decade, was undergoing a rebirth and Americans, lured by low prices and the low cost of living, were snapping up properties.

The sweet spot was the 1,000 to 1,500-square-foot apartment, sans maid’s quarters, which appealed to retirees from Canada and the United States, she said.

That was back when Americans still believed you couldn’t go wrong with real estate. “Some of the buyers didn’t even see the units. We sold them by phone,’’ Sanclemente said. Condo prices at new buildings such as Destiny averaged $98 to $120 per square foot. She herself bought a 1,000 square foot, one bedroom condo for $123,000 back in 2005.

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South Florida responders returning home from Sandy recovery work

A group of South Florida medical responders are returning home Sunday and Monday after spending two weeks assisting with Hurricane Sandy recovery in New York.

The team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, paramedics and mental health experts are expected to arrive at local airports.

While in New York, the medical responders staffed a field hospital in Long Beach providing first aid, triage and medical care.

The team is part of the National Disaster Medical System, a federal network that provides assistance in case of a natural disasters or other catastrophes, where area medical facilities are stretched to their limits.

The team that assisted in Sandy recovery is comprised of medical professionals from Broward and Palm Beach counties.

They represent personnel from Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue, Coral Springs Fire Rescue, Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue, Hallandale Beach Fire Rescue, Davie Fire Rescue, Boca Raton Fire Rescue and Palm Beach County fire rescue departments.

The medical personnel on the team are from Broward Health, Memorial Healthcare System, Boca Raton Regional Medical Center, West Boca Medical Center and Palms West Hospital.

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Larry Hagman Dies

Larry Hagman, best known for playing Dallas villain J.R. Ewing, died Friday morning from complications stemming from his recent battle with cancer.

He was 81 years old.

Video: Larry Hagman Talks 'Dallas', Cancer and Veganism

"Larry was back in his beloved Dallas, re-enacting the iconic role he loved most," his family said in a statement via The Dallas Morning News. "When he passed, he was surrounded by loved ones. It was a peaceful passing, just as he had wished for. The family requests privacy at this time."

Hagman's rep says the late actor will be cremated.

His Dallas co-stars Linda Gray (who played his wife Sue Ellen) and Patrick Duffy (who played his brother Bobby) were reportedly at his bedside when he died, The Sun is reporting.

"Larry Hagman was my best friend for 35 years. He was the Pied Piper of life and brought joy to everyone he knew," Gray told ET in a statement. "He was creative, generous, funny, loving and talented, and I will miss him enormously. He was an original and lived life to the fullest ... The world was a brighter place because of Larry Hagman."

"Friday I lost one of the greatest friends ever to grace my life. The loneliness is only what is difficult, as Larry's peace and comfort is always what is important to me, now as when he was here," Duffy said in a statement. "He was a fighter in the gentlest way, against his obstacles and for his friends. I wear his friendship with honor."

Victoria Principal, who played Pamela Barnes Ewing, added, "Larry was bigger than life ... on screen and off. He is unforgettable, and irreplaceable, to millions of fans around the world, and in the hearts of each of us, who was lucky enough to know and love him. Look out God ... Larry's leading the parade."

Video: J.R. Menaces in New 'Dallas'

Hagman, who also starred as Air Force Captain Anthony Nelson in I Dream of Jeannie, was last seen on television in TNT's Dallas reboot, where he returned to play his most well-known character.

"Larry Hagman was a giant, a larger-than-life personality whose iconic performance as J.R. Ewing will endure as one of the most indelible in entertainment history," Warner Bros., Dallas executive producers Cynthia Cidre and Michael M. Robin, and the show's cast and crew said in a statement. "He truly loved portraying this globally recognized character, and he leaves a legacy of entertainment, generosity and grace. Everyone at Warner Bros. and in the Dallas family is deeply saddened by Larry's passing, and our thoughts are with his family and dear friends during this difficult time."

"It was truly an honor to share the screen with Mr. Larry Hagman," Dallas reboot star Jesse Metcalfe, who plays Christopher Ewing, said in a statement. "With piercing wit and undeniable charm he brought to life one of the most legendary television characters of all time. But to know the man, however briefly, was to know a passion and dedication for life and acting that was profoundly inspirational."

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NY gets $27 million federal grant to hire Sandy cleanup workers

New York has gotten a $27 million federal grant that will go toward hiring people to help Superstorm Sandy cleanup efforts.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the National Emergency Grant on Sunday. The money is going to go to communities that were hit hard by the storm so that they can hire people.

The state Department of Labor is administering the funds.

At an event in Brooklyn about the grant, a throng of about two dozen people were already lined up to apply for the jobs, and officials say 800 people have already applied.

The jobs are expected to last generally about six months and pay up to $15 per hour.

REUTERS

Workers clean up a flooded store in Coney Island.

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Is the electric car dying again?

A second administration of President Barack Obama will be forced to revisit the issue of subsidies for renewable energy and, with it, those for electric vehicles. Despite the millions of dollars spent on government incentives, marketing and promotion, sales of fully electric cars are well below projected targets. Investment in vehicle charging infrastructure also has fallen victim to budget cutbacks, limited usage and concern over the return on money spent.

Indeed, only last month, a leading automotive battery manufacturer, A123 Systems, was forced to declare bankruptcy. And the founder and CEO of Better Place, Shai Agassi, whose company (in which I was employed) promotes all-electric vehicles with batteries that can be both charged and replaced, was himself replaced due to low sales figures and high capital expenses arising from the deployment of battery-switching stations.

As a result, the question is now being raised: Are we again bearing witness to the death of the electric car?

Any such conclusion over the longer term may be premature. With declining costs and gradually improving technologies that can extend battery range beyond its current limitations, the electric car continues to hold promise. Rising gasoline prices and potential disruptions in oil supply favor alternative sources of energy.

To achieve mass market adoption, however, cars running on electricity — or any other alternative energy source — must satisfy the three “C’s”: cost, convenience and connectivity.

Few buyers are able or willing to pay more for a car running on clean energy unless the upfront cost of the car roughly equals or is below its carbon-powered alternative. Advertised savings over time in powering a car using alternative “fuels” so far have failed to persuade the average driver to buy. And while government subsidies play a role in reducing initial costs to consumers, such incentives so far have not been sufficient to attract large numbers of drivers to switch to electric vehicles.

Cars driven solely or partially by electricity or other alternative energies also must be at least as convenient as those powered exclusively by internal combustion engines. Drivers appear unwilling to sacrifice the expected hundreds of miles in driving range between refuelings. Likewise, drivers demand refueling times equal to what they are accustomed — about five minutes at the gasoline station.

Further, there must be adequate infrastructure in place to enable large numbers of drivers to connect to an alternative energy source before that source can be widely adopted. While a scattering of drivers simultaneously connecting to a power grid may not have much impact, large numbers of drivers doing so can cause major power outages that escalate absent the real-time balancing of energy loads across the network. Moreover, the environmental impact of the connected cycle between car and infrastructure, often referred to as the “well-to-wheel” balance, has to result in less pollution overall for alternative energy vehicles to achieve significant market traction.

Until the fully electric car can satisfy all three C’s, any assessment of projected vehicle sales must reflect a variety of energy sourcing options, both traditional and alternative, all competing for market share.

Gasoline and diesel likely will remain the predominant source of energy in the foreseeable future for new car buyers, with hybrid vehicles that run on both petroleum and alternative energy sources taking an increasingly larger share of the market. Although more costly than pure gasoline-driven cars, hybrids do offer a more environmentally friendly solution and provide the driving range demanded by car buyers.

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