TAMPA - Salvation Army thrift stores across the nation were pulling used toys off their shelves Friday, culminating a tumultuous year that saw unprecedented recalls of toys deemed dangerous and possibly deadly to children. ...more

December 7, 2007

With less than three weeks until Christmas, Zheng-Long Zhou studied the toys at a Wal-Mart on North Dale Mabry Highway on Wednesday afternoon. Around him, parents peered into packages and restless children grabbed at what appealed to them. ...more

December 6, 2007

TAMPA - With less than three weeks until Christmas, Zheng-Long Zhou studied the toys at the Wal-Mart on North Dale Mabry Highway this afternoon. Around him, parents peered into packages and restless children grabbed at what appealed to them. ...more

December 5, 2007

Two major nationwide retailers have agreed to stop selling lead-laden children's jewelry in a settlement with New York authorities, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday. ...more

November 22, 2007

AVON PARK — It's not uncommon for one or two college students to doze off during a morning class. But when psychology professor Brian Deery sees that, he turns to his stand-up comedy routine. "Sometimes I have to use a technique we call 'kicking the mule,' which we use to get a crowd going," said Deery, who has been a stand-up comedian for 26 years. "I'm not there to do comedy, but it certainly is helpful to use those comic elements as long as they are learning something too." He tags his comedy as "clean and clever," meaning he avoids cussing and lewd subjects, which he thinks is more challenging but also more fun. "Comedy allows you to play with reality and being a psychologist, I can appreciate that," Deery said. ...more

November 10, 2007

Nine-year-old Ariana MacMartin wanted to join the Magic Attic book club. So her mother dialed the phone number shown in the back of the book she got from the New Tampa Regional Library. ...more

November 6, 2007

TAMPA - Nine-year-old Ariana MacMartin wanted to join the Magic Attic book club. So her mother dialed the phone number shown in the back of the book she got from the New Tampa Regional Library. ...more

November 5, 2007

SEBRING — An extensive coin collection, photos of the 1940s Sebring High School band and a draft registration from World War I are just some of the artifacts on display at the Sebring-Ridge Museum. ...more

October 23, 2007

China's state media on Monday welcomed U.S. toy maker Mattel's apology over its recalls of Chinese-made toys, saying that although overdue it should help restore the country's sullied export reputation. ...more

September 25, 2007

When it comes to keeping their fuzzy friends healthy, Westchase pet owners don't have to look far for some unique solutions such as acupuncture, herbal and homeopathic supplements, and organic foods. ...more

September 7, 2007