The organizers behind Springtime on the Mall, Avon Park's Christmas parade, the 4th of July festivities and other public events will have to dig much deeper into their pockets to keep the events running. ...more

August 25, 2008

More is better. With Christmas lights and decorations it's also "the more the merrier." ...more

July 30, 2008

Betty Chambers, an iconic symbol and community leader, died Sunday at her home after a three-month battle with lung cancer. She was 86. ...more

July 23, 2008

PALM HARBOR - This year's Greater Palm Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce honorary mayor's contest has been transformed into a popularity contest for local restaurateurs. The 4-month-long contest has also been expanded to allow more candidates to participate. ...more

June 28, 2008

OZONA - This coastal village plans to show its patriotic colors with an Independence Day fireworks display and its first annual July Fourth Golf Cart Parade. Lisa Anstett, co-chairwoman of the Ozona Village Improvement Society Independence Day Extravaganza, said at a recent OVIS meeting everyone decided it would be great fun to have a patriotic golf cart parade on the Fourth of July. ...more

June 28, 2008

AVON PARK — "It's not like they have been collecting dust," Avon Park Police Cmdr. Mike Rowan said, but the department's four bicycles haven't seen much use outside of special events and odd assignments. They've been sitting inside the station since the last Christmas parade. The last time they were used for catching crooks was several months ago while Rowan and three other officers were looking for a cat burglar. ...more

June 2, 2008

AVON PARK — "It's not like they have been collecting dust," Avon Park Police Cmdr. Mike Rowan said, but the department's four bicycles haven't seen much use outside of special events and odd assignments. They've been sitting inside the station since the last Christmas parade. The last time they were used for catching crooks was several months ago while Rowan and three other officers were looking for a cat burglar. And for a regular patrol? Then-chief Tony Velong used to ride around town back in the early '90s, and the city had one officer patrolling from his bike 10 years ago. ...more

June 1, 2008

Frustrated in their three-year attempt to force repair of a vacant house owned by a former longtime city board member and Christmas parade organizer, a dozen Gilchrist Heights residents have posted yard signs urging the home's condemnation. ...more

May 24, 2008

Visitors to the Florida Strawberry Festival will notice some changes this year, from a large gate to get them into the grounds faster to a strictly enforced ban on eating and drinking in livestock tents. ...more

February 20, 2008

PLANT CITY - Visitors to the Florida Strawberry Festival will notice some changes this year, from a large gate to get them into the grounds faster to a strictly enforced ban on eating and drinking in livestock tents. ...more

February 13, 2008