Just because the smoke has cleared here in Highlands County doesn't mean that competitive barbecuing has come to an end in the area. In fact there is one going on in Wauchula today. And last week by far the largest Florida state contest was held up in Lakeland. At our 12 Hours of BBQ contest there were a total of 42 teams. In Lakeland they had almost 60 professional teams, 80 backyard teams and around 20 kiddie teams. That's a lot of smokin' going on, and a lot of barbecue enthusiasts. And, of course, during this time of our political cycle where there's a crowd of more than three people there is a candidate trying to garner just one more vote. Last Saturday in Lakeland was no exception. Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee siezed the opportunity to shake a few hands. Through the sea of people attending the cook-off I saw some TV cameras and boom mikes and went to see what was going on. It was Huckabee who was the focus of their attention. Since there weren't any more than maybe 20 non-media people around him I elbowed my way to the front of the group. I got to shake his hand and exchange a few pleasantries. What I didn't share with him however was the fact that I had already taken advantage of Joe Campbell's convenient offer to beat the rush and voted early at the county building. ...more

February 2, 2008

The University of South Florida had a pep rally last Saturday morning, but not for any of its athletic teams. ...more

January 24, 2008

Neither side won its opening match, but that didn't matter too much to the Tampa Barbarians and Pinellas Athletic Club after they played their first competitive matches in the Florida Youth Rugby Union North Division last Saturday. ...more

January 19, 2008

Neither side won its opening match, but that didn't matter too much to the Tampa Barbarians and Pinellas Athletic Club after they played their first competitive matches in the Florida Youth Rugby Union North Division last Saturday. ...more

January 19, 2008

Neither side won its opening match, but that didn't matter too much to the Tampa Barbarians and Pinellas Athletic Club after they played their first competitive matches in the Florida Youth Rugby Union North Division last Saturday. ...more

January 19, 2008

Neither side won its opening match, but that didn't matter too much to the Tampa Barbarians and Pinellas Athletic Club after they played their first competitive matches in the Florida Youth Rugby Union North Division last Saturday. ...more

January 19, 2008

After a seven year break, psychic fairs have return to Pinellas County. The county has suspended a $430 psychic license fee for two years, in place since 2000, because there has been no dishonest activity over the last seven years, a Pinellas consumer official says. ...more

January 19, 2008

Neither side won its opening match, but that didn't matter too much to the Tampa Barbarians and Pinellas Athletic Club after they played their first competitive matches in the Florida Youth Rugby Union North Division last Saturday. ...more

January 19, 2008

Neither side won its opening match, but that didn't matter too much to the Tampa Barbarians and Pinellas Athletic Club after they played their first competitive matches in the Florida Youth Rugby Union North Division last Saturday. ...more

January 19, 2008

Neither side won its opening match, but that didn't matter too much to the Tampa Barbarians and Pinellas Athletic Club after they played their first competitive matches in the Florida Youth Rugby Union North Division last Saturday. ...more

January 19, 2008