The makeover of a retention pond along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard into a community lake will be bolstered by an additional $158,000 for upgrades, bringing the total cost of the project to about $1.5 million ...more

January 14, 2009

Even porcupines could get pink slips in the slumping economy as states consider cutting or eliminating funding that supports zoos, aquariums and botanical gardens. ...more

January 14, 2009

The city of Sebring should consider the disbanding or preservation of the Sebring Historical Preservation Commission. As a preservationist and former chairman of the SHPC, I admit that the organization is totally ineffective and no longer preserving the historical buildings in compliance with the state guidelines and the city of Sebring ordinance. With exception to Lorrie Smith, chairperson, the commissioners would rather bend or ignore the guidelines. I have heard numerous times the members state that proper restoration is too costly, so they allow a building to be renovated instead. ...more

January 9, 2009

A grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Hillsborough County Seffner-Mango Branch Library will begin at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the library, 410 N. Kingsway Road. ...more

January 9, 2009

The new year brings hopes and challenges. Locally, people and businesses in South and Central Tampa have expectations and goals for their neighborhoods. Here are a few of them: ...more

January 7, 2009

When the mind-bending trips to the mall and the pressure cooker of holiday entertaining are over and the family budget has run dry, operators of Cracker Country at the Florida State Fairgrounds invite Tampa-area residents and visitors to take a tranquil stroll back in time. ...more

December 29, 2008

A law firm representing a former city police officer is threatening to sue the city for more than $200,000 because officials have not rehired or reinstated him. ...more

December 24, 2008

A law firm representing a former city police officer is threatening to sue the city for more than $200,000 because officials have not rehired or reinstated him. Kenneth Fong, whose allegations of payroll discrepancies ignited a scandal that led to the resignation of former police Chief Russell Barnes in August, is seeking lost pay and compensatory damages from the city, according to a letter sent to City Manager Steve Spina. Tampa attorney Steven G. Wenzel also asserts in the letter that Fong was not reinstated or rehired by the department as retaliation for whistle-blowing activities that led to Barnes' resignation, the reassignment of a city detective and embarrassment to city officials. By Wenzel's calculations, the city should pay "well in excess of $200,000," even if Fong is reinstated as a police officer ...more

December 22, 2008

With memories of the razing of the old Gary Adult High School still fresh, another historical landmark could be in jeopardy. ...more

December 19, 2008

With memories of the razing of the old Gary Adult High School still fresh, another historical landmark could be in jeopardy. ...more

December 18, 2008