If you like women a little on the trashy side, the Agri-Civic Center was the place to be Saturday afternoon. ...more

September 22, 2008

There's been a trend in urban areas in the United States in which abandoned or deteriorated grand hotels from the late 19th and early 20th centuries are being refurbished and returned to their former grandeur. The Don Cesar Hotel on St. Pete Beach was a trendsetter in this respect, and the Vinoy in downtown St. Petersburg is another success. In Clearwater, the Belleview Biltmore is about to undergo a similar transformation. ...more

July 1, 2008

SEBRING — Beautification projects in Highlands County were shut down last year because grant funding was pulled from Keep Highlands County Beautiful, the local affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, which funds neighborhood, school and road improvement projects. This year, though, the agency has at least $12,000 in funding, thanks to the Florida Department of Transportation renewing the agency's yearly state funding. On top of that, Keep Highlands County Beautiful officials are hoping to add another $4,000 to $5,000 to the beautification grant pool through its first-ever fundraiser on Saturday. Called the KHCB Fun Shoot, the fundraiser is set to start at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Square One Sporting Clays, 7500 State Road 70, Lake Placid. ...more

January 15, 2008

AVON PARK — With upcoming council member Al Joe Hinson's arrival, the council will have two Southside representatives and two black council members for the first time in the city's recent history. And several Southside residents were hoping this would boost the influence of the economically under-served part of the city. Shirley Johnson, the Southside Community Redevelopment Agency chairwoman, said she thought Hinson –– who she and most of his friends call "Al Joe" –– would be a major boost for the Southside's representation in the council. "He won, and I'm glad he won, and I know people on the Southside are," Johnson said. "People were ready for another person to join in with Miss (Brenda) Gray... I think the people are ready to see some positive things happen with Gray and Hinson." ...more

November 20, 2007