At first, the girl's mother didn't quite believe her. The Pierce Middle School sixth-grader complained that her teacher was weird, that he kept touching her head and stroking her hair. ...more

October 22, 2007

TAMPA - At first, the girl's mother didn't quite believe her. The Pierce Middle School sixth-grader complained that her teacher was weird, that he kept touching her head and stroking her hair. "As a parent," the mother said, "you think it's an innocent thing." She asked her daughter whether she should go to the school and talk with him. " 'No, no, no, Mom,' " the mother said, quoting her daughter. "'He'll get mad.'" "It became apparent to me that he wanted to get my daughter into a position where he could molest her," she said. Last week, the girl, now 13, and another female student filed lawsuits against the Hillsborough County School Board. The suits allege negligence and infliction of emotional distress. ...more

October 19, 2007

Taylor Edgemon, Jared Smith and Cleyton Morris continue to out-punt, pass and kick the competition. They now may get a chance to try their skills on a bigger stage. ...more

October 17, 2007

Dr. Sally Mowery is organizing a community-wide, a cappella youth choir. ...more

October 16, 2007

When the Burnside family took up residence in the suburbs of Sebring last year there was a noticeable blip in the county's population. Edward and Jennifer, who moved down here from Pennsylvania, were accompanied by their six children. Two boys and four girls ages 8 to 13. Three of the children were born into the family and three were selected to become members. Ed and Jenn, who like large families, decided after having their natural born children to adopt a child. They applied through the non-profit organization Adopt America Network and after about 2 ½ years were matched with a foster home child. Since they had said that they were open to adopting a sibling group the Burnsides eventually were approved to adopt three sisters all about the same age as their own children. "We talked to them on the phone a few times and then we all went to Dallas (Texas) to meet them," Jenn related. It was a match at first sight. ...more

October 13, 2007

A leaky kitchen gas hose was blamed Sunday for an apartment building explosion that threw residents against walls, blew out their windows and hurled debris into the streets. ...more

October 8, 2007

As football season drives toward midfield, fans can admire each squad's athleticism, strength and agility. ...more

October 6, 2007

The suicide rate among preteen and teenage girls rose to its highest level in 15 years, and hanging surpassed guns as the preferred method, federal health officials reported Thursday. ...more

September 7, 2007

TAMPA — A 43-year-old Bradenton man was arrested this afternoon and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior, Tampa Police said. ...more

September 3, 2007