The Plant City Optimist Club has been encouraging local youths through its annual Oratorical Contest for more than 40 years. Ten students competed in the Feb. 16 competition at the Plant City Recreation and Parks Department administrative office. ...more

March 4, 2009

Hillsborough County will open shelters tonight for the homeless and those in homes without adequate heat. ...more

March 1, 2009

City leaders took another step this week toward a vote that could break up the city. ...more

February 28, 2009

The recession is biting into Girl Scouts' cookie sales. In the Tampa Bay area, preorders (sales to families and friends) came in at 131,000 cases, a drop of about 3 percent from last year, said Susan Barnes, a spokeswoman for the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida. ...more

February 25, 2009

The recession is taking its toll on your Thin Mints. ...more

February 24, 2009

Baseball fans can hit the spring training circuit and get tested for skin cancer at the same time. ...more

February 21, 2009

Water regulators are considering a new round of restrictions to combat three years of drought conditions. ...more

February 17, 2009

West Central Florida might actually see some rain during the day and into tonight, forecasters say. There's even a slight chance some of the rain tonight could include a thunderstorm. ...more

February 15, 2009

An eighth-grader at Burnett Middle School, Asia Thompson confessed the idea of having a baby was somewhat appealing. ...more

February 11, 2009

With royal blue sequined tops, skirts fringed with blue feathers and perfectly matching tan pumps, members of the Suncoast Harmony Chorus are ready to roll. They will present their annual concert Saturday, Feb. 21, in New Port Richey. ...more

February 11, 2009