Posted: 17 Feb 2010 01:02 AM PST

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Hot Off the Wire - dBusinessNews.com

Posted: 17 Feb 2010 03:54 AM PST

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MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Progressive Corporation today reported the following results for January 2010:

Policies in Force:

See the complete release at http://investors.progressive.com/pdf/mreport-0110.pdf for further information. If you experience technical difficulties using this link, please e-mail investor_relations@progressive.com and a PDF of the release will be sent to you promptly.

Progressive is scheduled to hold a one-hour conference call to address questions on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 9:00 a.m., eastern time, subsequent to the posting of our 2009 Shareholders' Report online and the filing of our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC. Registration for the teleconference and webcast is available at http://investors.progressive.com/events.aspx.

About ProgressiveThe Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, in business since 1937, is one of the country's largest auto insurance groups, the largest seller of motorcycle policies and a market leader in commercial auto insurance based on premiums written.

Progressive is committed to becoming consumers' #1 choice for auto insurance by providing competitive rates and innovative products and services that meet drivers' needs throughout their lifetimes, including superior online and in-person customer service, and best-in-class, 24-hour claims service, such as its concierge level of claims service available at service centers located in major metropolitan areas throughout the United States.

Progressive companies offer consumers choices in how to shop for, buy and manage their auto insurance policies. Progressive offers its products, including personal and commercial auto, motorcycle, boat and recreational vehicle insurance, through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies throughout the U.S. and online and by phone directly from the Company. Private passenger auto products and prices are different when purchased directly from Progressive or through independent agencies. To find an agent or to get a quote, go to http://www.progressive.com. Progressive also has a branch that sells car insurance policies online in Australia at http://www.progressivedirect.com.au.

The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, are publicly traded at (NYSE:PGR). For more information, including a guide to interpreting the monthly reporting package, visit http://www.progressive.com.

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TVS Jive launched in city - New Kerala

Posted: 16 Feb 2010 09:49 PM PST

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Hyderabad, Feb 16 : Ten days after launch in Tamil Nadu where it has sold about 1300 bikes, TVS Motor Company today launched TVS Jive, the first auto-clutch motorcycle in the city, and will roll out across India by next month.

''The new motorcycle will provide a sporty riding experience with an unparalleled combination of comfort, performance, ease of operation and fuel efficiency in its category,'' Company National Sales Head J Srinivas claimed at the launch function here.

Packed with features and superior technology, TVS Jive is propelled by a 110 cc engine which features innovative T-Matic technology, patent for which the company has applied for with rotary gear technology coupled with an automatic clutch.

''One of the major features of this motorcycle is the absence of the clutch lever, making riding on this motorcycle a hands free gear shift experience. The bike therefore can be ridden by almost anyone who has balance as there is no need for manual clutch-gear co-ordination while shifting,'' he said.

''A unique feature of this motorcycle is its anti-knocking mechanism which makes smooth riding possible at low speeds even in high gears, whichout the engine shutting off. This is not possible in motorcycles with the regular clutch system.It is also the first motorcycle in the country to have an under seat storage space, large enough to hold a water bottle, vehicle documents and even a small umbrella,'' he added.

The company targets to increase its sales by 3 per cent in Andhra Pradesh by selling 18,000 units a month from the current 15,000-level.

''Next week we will be in Maharashra and Madhya Pradesh and all over India in March 2010 to sell 30,000 units a month,''Mr Srinivas said.

--UNI

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New trial sought in burglary case - Herald-Mail

Posted: 16 Feb 2010 07:26 PM PST

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HAGERSTOWN — A Smithsburg man serving 16 years in prison for manslaughter by vehicle and a separate burglary conviction was in Washington County Circuit Court on Tuesday asking for a new trial in the burglary case.

Harry William "Billy" Shrader Jr., 47, is serving 10 years for a manslaughter conviction in the May 25, 2008, death of Debra Reed Fields-Jordan. The Boonsboro woman died when her motorcycle was hit by a pickup driven by Shrader at the intersection of Md. 77 and Pleasant Valley Road, according to police.

Shrader entered an Alford plea in the manslaughter case, according to court records, meaning he did not admit guilt but acknowledged the state had enough evidence to get a conviction.

In October 2008, a jury convicted Shrader of second-degree burglary and theft of over $500, a verdict resulting in a seven-year sentence consecutive to the manslaughter sentence. In April 2009, the burglary sentence was reduced to six years, according to court records.

Shrader filed a petition last year requesting a post-conviction hearing in the burglary case, stating there was insufficient evidence that he was involved in a May 5, 2008, incident at Elwood's Auto Exchange in Smithsburg or that property worth more than $500 was taken. A later motion claimed that Shrader's attorney, Lewis E. Metzner, failed to appeal the conviction or object when another man charged in the case testified that Shrader was involved in an earlier theft at the business.

"It's a junkyard ... There's stuff piled everywhere," Shrader testified Tuesday before Circuit Judge Daniel Dwyer.

He testified there was no evidence at trial of what was or was not removed from a storage building or whether the value of the property exceeded $500.

The other man charged in the burglary, Brian K. Delauder, was a rebuttal witness for the state in Shrader's case, Assistant Public Defender Karen Polis said. During cross-examination, Metzner asked Delauder if he had ever stolen from the business before, she said. Delauder testified that he and Shrader both had, she said.

Polis said this testimony of "prior bad acts" was prejudicial and that Metzner should have objected. By not doing so, the trial court was unable to rule on Delauder's testimony and the issue could not be used in an appeal.

Metzner testified Tuesday it was Shrader who insisted he question Delauder about previous thefts.

"Mr. Shrader thought that was extremely relevant to the case," Metzner testified.

Washington County Deputy State's Attorney Joseph Michael said Delauder's testimony of previous thefts was a risk the defense assumed when he was cross-examined.

"I asked him about it and he said there were no grounds to file" an appeal, Shrader testified as to advice he received from Metzner after the conviction.

Michael said there is no requirement for attorneys to appeal every conviction.

Dwyer said he would rule on Shrader's request for a new trial or belated appeal within 20 days.

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