When robbing six men at gunpoint, it's not a good idea to put the pistol down on a table to remove a bracelet from a victim. ...more

November 30, 2008

Florida families likely will have to open up their wallets wider when they pay their college tuition bills next fall, even if they have a state-paid scholarship that long has covered the costs. ...more

November 21, 2008

Investors agonizing over a faltering economy sent the stock market plunging all over again today after two disheartening reports convinced Wall Street that a recession, if not already here, is inevitable. The Dow Jones industrials dropped as much as 572 points, more than half their huge 936-point advance from Monday, and all the major indexes fell at least 5 percent. ...more

October 15, 2008

Clearwater police say a couple of black men are preying on Hispanics. Since January, there have been at least 45 robbery incidents in which Hispanics have been targeted, city officials say. Few arrests have been made, and police are seeing a resurgence of the trend, city officials say. ...more

October 10, 2008

September's dismal sales results from mall-based apparel chains, released Thursday, offered more fresh evidence that U.S. consumers, spooked by the financial meltdown, shut their wallets tight last month. ...more

October 10, 2008

For the past two decades, the nation could count on one thing to keep it going when economic times got tough: Consumers kept spending. ...more

October 4, 2008

People who don't live in the city who bring yard debris into city limits and clandestinely leaving it to be picked up with residents' trash be warned: There is a price on your heads. ...more

September 25, 2008

Nonresidents who are in the habit of bringing their yard debris into city limits and clandestinely leaving it to be picked up with residents' trash, be warned, there is a price on your heads. ...more

September 24, 2008

A group of young adults were arrested by deputies Wednesday, accused of starting an auto burglary ring in central Pasco, targeting subdivisions off of State Road 54. Deputies say the group broke into some vehicles in Land O' Lakes, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills that were unlocked, taking wallets, tennis shoes and other items, according to Pasco County Sheriff's Office reports. Those arrested on charges including auto burglary and petit theft are: Sarah Marie Chaney, 20, of 37948 Avalon Drive, Zephyrhills; Joshuwa Owen Wyman, 21, of 4107 Edwin Drive, Zephyrhills; Johnathan Ison, 19, of 3824 Michelle Lane, Zephyrhills; and Joshua Barnes, also of 4107 Edwin Drive. Chaney told deputies they conspired to do the auto burglaries and split the profits. She acted as a lookout for the others, according to a report. Deputies are investigating other area auto burglaries to see if this same group is involved, said sheriff's office spokesman Doug Tobin ...more

September 11, 2008

Aletha Karalus, 48, and David Richardson Jr., 27, both of Oldsmar, have been charged in a string of wallet and purse thefts at Westfield Countryside mall, according to the Clearwater Police Department. ...more

September 10, 2008