"Quiet, Please: Dispatches From a Public Librarian," by Scott Douglas (De Capo Press, $25) ...more

June 15, 2008

Publix advertised a Hibachi grill in the store circular. Stella at the courtesy counter took my name and phone number, and promised to call when the grills came in. I phoned the store late afternoon. Dave volunteered to call around to other stores to locate a grill for me. ...more

May 22, 2008

Are they or aren't they? County Commissioner Chris Kingsley's assertion that he is a county employee and entitled to tuition reimbursement raised a question that perplexed even some government officials. ...more

May 6, 2008

Attorneys with the Tampa Police and Fire Pension Board are investigating whether a recently hired assistant fire chief in Zephyrhills is improperly collecting more than $3,500 per month in disability payments. ...more

February 9, 2008

Please excuse an impertinent observation, but isn't the idea of the supervisor of ELECTIONS hiring a company to teach people how to VOTE, about as goofy as the tax collector retaining the services of a couple of panhandlers to gather up revenue? ...more

February 2, 2008

When county commissioners today interview the three candidates applying for the job of county administrator, what will they be looking for? ...more

January 22, 2008

Some of the newest members of the Brooksville Housing Authority board say their impression so far is that interim executive director Ronnie McLean is performing well to right a floundering ship. ...more

January 17, 2008

Some of the newest members of the Brooksville Housing Authority board say their impression so far is that interim executive director Ronnie McLean is performing well to right a floundering ship. ...more

January 16, 2008

Guess what, Cowboy fans? Tony and Jessica have another free weekend available. ...more

January 14, 2008

AVON PARK — C.B. Shirey stepped down as Avon Park's city manager to become the Avon Park Executive Airport's first dedicated airport manager. According to the text of a resolution unanimously passed by the city council on Wednesday, Shirey will continue to "provide his service and expertise and allow a smooth transition to (the interim) city manager" for the next 60 days. City Clerk Sarah Adelt will assume Shirey's old duties until the city hires his replacement. Even though three of the five council members criticized Shirey's performance as a city manager in his evaluation last month, the council agreed that Shirey should take on the smaller role. Council members were a bit concerned at first about whether Adelt could run the city in the meantime. ...more

January 3, 2008