It would be easy to zoom past Sunset Dining, a restaurant that opened this month in a strip center just off U.S. 41. ...more

December 20, 2007

A French woman who two years ago became the first person to receive a face transplant has recovered with remarkably good aesthetic results and gradually has regained normal skin sensation and control of her facial muscles, doctors reported Wednesday in the first detailed account of her progress. ...more

December 13, 2007

To say Milly Figuereo's life changed when she became a Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleader would be an understatement, if you ask her. "It changed immensely! It's like being part of a juggling act," she says. "But I love it and it just takes being strict with your schedule and living by that Blackberry." ...more

December 12, 2007

I spent Saturday night relaxing at Highlands Hammock State Park with lots of other people, listening to the songs of the California Toe Jam Band. The weather was perfect (if not a bit too warm), the food was plentiful, and my $10 in raffle tickets supported someone else winning the 50/50 prize. It was a nice way to pass the evening, far from the crowds and lines at every store in my Christmas shopping lineup. My mother recently asked me what I want for Christmas. I think I was much easier to shop for as a kid. I knew what I wanted. I went meticulously through the Sears Wishbook, making a list for Santa, complete with catalog page numbers, item numbers, and prices. Give me a talking G.I. Joe with Kung Fu Grip, a Haunted Mansion 3-D board game, some books, candy to fill the stocking...and, oh, you can keep the underwear and socks. ...more

December 10, 2007

A police officer was injured by a hit-and-run driver Saturday morning while dispersing a crowd gathered at a food store. ...more

December 2, 2007

For those of you who hate the crowds and hassle of Black Friday, there's Cyber Monday, where shopping carts are electronic and the hassle factor is low. Here's some help to get you started. ...more

November 26, 2007

SEBRING — All you had to do on Thanksgiving Eve was head down U.S. 27 and pass by local bars to see that it's one of the busiest nights of the year for partygoers. Recent statistics provided by restaurant and bar associations say that most drinking establishments can expect a 25 to 50 percent increase over a typical Wednesday night. At Duffers Sports Grille, 6940 U.S. 27, vehicles were parked on the side of the highway and parking attendants were brought in to guide drivers. "It's the biggest night of the year we have," said Duffers manager Dianne Rose. "Our workers probably won't get home until 5 a.m." ...more

November 24, 2007

This year's Turkey Trot 5K event at Highlands Hammock State Park on Nov. 22 drew one of the largest crowds on record. ...more

November 24, 2007

The big crowds and variety of entertainment make the Florida Classic one of the primary recruiting tools for Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M. ...more

November 18, 2007

SEBRING — With a video camera in hand, Frank Branca III has been skateboarding all over the world. From the streets of Barcelona to the coast of Southern California, Branca and his friends take their boards and cameras and find an adventure. For the past year and a half, Branca, owner of Gator Board Shop, has been compiling footage for his first full-length video, "Make It Happen." After countless hours of filming and editing, the video is nearly complete and will premier Saturday at Duffer's Sports Grille, in celebration of the shop's two-year anniversary. ...more

November 14, 2007