''Welcome to a very happy place'' proclaims a sign at Cafe on the Beach. ...more

April 2, 2009

An unbiased evaluation of the Hillsborough City-County Planning Commission, contracted for a state agency, praises the board's independence and value. ...more

January 6, 2009

SEBRING –– Some Highlands County roads may sit a while longer before they're repaved, and other proposed projects may be pushed back due to an anticipated shortfall in sales tax revenues. The local one-cent sales tax that shoppers pay is used to build and maintain many of the roads, bridges and some other buildings throughout the county. For this fiscal year, County Budget Manager Tim Mechling said he expects only $7.8 million of the $9.1 million in sales tax revenue to come his way. The 15-percent anticipated drop in revenues mean that the county's infrastructure fund will have to do with less. . Though Mechling declined to mention specific projects that could be on the chopping block because the the county commissioners have not decided yet, Mechling said the county may delay several planned road resurfacing and some new construction. "It's something we're still working out," he said. ...more

July 6, 2008

LAKE PLACID — State Representative Denise Grimsley's condo used more water than any other piece of residential property in Lake Placid through all of 2007 and the first three months of 2008, the town's water usage records indicate. The condo at 19 Sunset Lane had used more than 50,000 gallons a month from January 2007––the earliest records obtained in a countywide request of all municipal and county water usage records––to March 17, 2008. Her usage cut down to 11,000 gallons per month from March through May 16. Lake Placid utilities director Gary Freeman said the typical Lake Placid resident consumes 2,000 to 3,000 gallons of water per month. ...more

June 9, 2008

Tight budgets and rising fireworks prices might mean less pop and more fizzle in fireworks displays this Fourth of July. ...more

June 3, 2008

TAMPA - Tight budgets and a sagging economy may mean less pop and more fizzle in some fireworks displays this Fourth of July. ...more

June 2, 2008

U.S. military deaths plunged in May to the lowest monthly level in more than four years and civilian casualties were down sharply, too, as Iraqi forces assumed the lead in offensives in three cities and a truce with Shiite extremists took hold. ...more

June 1, 2008

A new study on obesity among low-income children highlights a perplexing problem that requires action by entire communities. ...more

February 4, 2008

Tribune handicapper Michael David picks today's races at Tampa Bay Downs: ...more

February 1, 2008

Tribune handicapper Michael David picks today's races at Tampa Bay Downs: ...more

January 13, 2008