First it was high credit card fees. Then came higher gas prices. Now, hundreds of gas stations around the state are shutting down because their insurance companies will not renew policies unless stations install new double-walled underground gas tanks, which can cost $400,000. ...more

January 24, 2009

A 24-year-old gang member was sentenced today to more than 21 years in federal prison for his role in the June 16 armed robbery of a Seffner gas station. ...more

January 22, 2009

The months leading up to Donna Young's death hadn't been great for her only son. ...more

January 21, 2009

Cheryl Blakey's daughter, Leah, hadn't been born when neighborhood residents began petitioning Tampa City Hall to widen 40th Street. ...more

January 21, 2009

When Barack Obama flubbed a line while being sworn in as 44th president of the United States, a crowd of more than 100 at the New Port Richey Library good-naturedly laughed with him. When the nation's first black president spoke of establishing "unity of purpose over conflict and discord" and said that all Americans "deserve the opportunity to pursue the full measure of their happiness," the enthusiastic crowd applauded loudly. ...more

January 21, 2009

A Frostproof convenience store was robbed early this morning by a man who used a paper towel to cover his face, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said. Detectives say the man entered the bathroom of a Kangaroo gas station store, 14581 U.S. 27, came out with a paper towel covering his face and demanded money from the clerk. ...more

January 18, 2009

A Circle K convenience store was robbed Thursday night by a man with a long blonde ponytail and a gray goatee. ...more

January 15, 2009

Polk County Sheriff's deputies are seeking the public's help in identifying an armed robbery suspect who robbed a Lake Wales convenience store. ...more

January 8, 2009

She doesn't normally impose on perfect strangers, but there was something about the situation that impelled Allysa Forrest to dig deeper. ...more

January 7, 2009

A police cruiser rolled over after a pursuit early Monday along U.S. 301, where officials say a man smoked crack and taunted officers before he sped off in his van. ...more

January 6, 2009