In 2006, at the peak of the building boom, 1,752 building permits were issued for single-family, multi-family and mobile homes in Highlands County. ...more

February 11, 2009

Though the final quarter of 2008 brought the sound of fewer hammers, a low not heard of in at least 23 years, they haven't fallen silent. ...more

February 5, 2009

While many Tampa Bay area home builders have put down their hammers, some continue to start construction on new homes – just not very many of them. Area builders started construction on 932 single-family homes in the fourth quarter of 2008, according to Houston-based Metrostudy, which tracks new home construction, That's a 32.9 percent decrease from last year and the first time in at least 23 years that housing starts fell below 1,000 in a quarter. Why are builders building any homes in this economy? If they want to stay in business, they say they have to keep building at least some homes. ...more

February 4, 2009

Olympic great Michael Phelps has acknowledged "regrettable" behavior and "bad judgment" after a photo in a British newspaper showed him smoking marijuana. ...more

February 2, 2009

Nicholas Altamuro's family left a courtroom Friday afternoon uttering profanities and calling Donnalee Johnston "a liar." One woman went so far as to say she was going to kill Johnston. ...more

January 31, 2009

Nicholas Altamuro's family left a courtroom this afternoon uttering profanities and calling Donnalee Johnston "a liar." One lady went so far as to say she was going to kill Johnston. ...more

January 30, 2009

Irene Maher, well-known former WFLA health reporter, is returning to television. She will host a TV version of "Florida Matters," a public affairs program that airs on WUSF radio (89.7 FM). ...more

January 27, 2009

The weakening economy hit area builders extra hard at the end of 2008, when new home starts hit a record low. ...more

January 23, 2009

Ed Croake rarely called in sick during his 23 years as a clerk with the U.S. Postal Service. ...more

December 25, 2008

It's never dull being a Christian, Lester Cypher said. Cypher, the chief executive officer of the faith-based Volunteer Way, says the nonprofit food bank in New Port Richey continues to grow. ...more

December 24, 2008