A new poll shows that Gov. Charlie Crist hasn't lost popularity despite the state's budget difficulties and that state Attorney General Bill McCollum and U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV, R-Fort Myers, would be early leaders in a Republican primary to replace outgoing U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez. ...more

January 22, 2009

County officials will hold a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 3 on a proposal to relocate a fire station from Springhead to Bealsville in eastern Hillsborough. The Springhead Fire Station, at 4503 Coronet Road, is in need of about $500,000 in renovations. County fire officials are pondering the possibility of instead building a station at Bealsville Park, at 5009 Nesmith Road, at a cost of about $1 million. ...more

January 21, 2009

It's a night to protect the plants and bring pets indoors. Freezing temperatures will grip West Central Florida tonight with eastern Hillsborough and Polk facing the potential of more than three hours below freezing. ...more

January 20, 2009

Paul E. Hodges, a registered sexual predator in Manatee County, hasn't been living at his registered address for several months, Manatee County deputies say. ...more

January 15, 2009

As school districts consider layoffs and salary cuts, the Legislature is asking elected school board members to think about reducing their own pay. ...more

January 15, 2009

Recently, in commenting on the planned four-laning of Ridge Road from Little Road to Moon Lake Road, we lamented the fact that another year was passing and Pasco County seemed no closer to winning permit approval to extend Ridge Road. It would be pushed east, from its current terminus at its junction with Moon Lake Road, to the Suncoast Parkway and perhaps later to U.S. 41. If it ever gets built the Ridge Road Extension would provide a badly needed third major east-west evacuation route out of West Pasco. ...more

January 7, 2009

In signing Pat Burrell, the Rays have acquired just about the best available right-handed bat, which is what we all said they needed. ...more

January 5, 2009

A 56-year-old Tampa woman died Wednesday night after her car was struck from behind by another on North Dale Mabry Highway south of Van Dyke Road, authorities said. The victim was heading south when her 2005 Hyundai was hit by a 2004 Ford pickup driven by Jerrod S. Bogush, 19, of Odessa, the Florida Highway Patrol said. ...more

January 2, 2009

Jeff Garcia looks in the mirror these days and remains undeterred. Though he has a nasty gash across the bridge of his nose and a pair of black eyes that make him look like a raccoon, he says he isn't ready to quit football just yet. ...more

December 27, 2008

The City Council unanimously voted to temporarily suspend all Community Redevelopment Agency activity until state redevelopment agency officials answer questions about some legal issues. ...more

December 24, 2008