Tampa Bay is Florida's largest open estuary and as such plays an important role in the fishery that exists along the west coast of Florida, as well as the economic well-being of our area. Twenty-four years ago, when Frank Sargeant took up a pen at The Tampa Tribune, the state of the bay was not good. He immediately grasped the situation and used his columns to improve Tampa Bay. ...more

August 7, 2008

Bill Fanning of Hudson says Republicans under Bush have disgraced America and McCain will do the same. ...more

July 9, 2008

Here is one more theory about the Ray's magical ride in '08: the spectacles and facial expressions of Joe Maddon. Check out photos of the beloved senor, Al Lopez, as the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox manager in the '50s and '60s and maybe you will agree that there is more than a little similarity. ...more

July 3, 2008

For the first time since 1975, Patsy Brooks is no longer on the staff at the Florida Strawberry Festival. ...more

June 14, 2008

PLANT CITY The Florida Strawberry Festival board has decided against replacing recently retired General Manager Patsy Brooks – at least for now. ...more

June 13, 2008

Tampa is getting with the green movement. On Thursday, the city council unanimously gave its preliminary approval to an ordinance that offers incentives to developers that build environmentally friendly buildings. The ordinance also requires new city buildings to be constructed according to green standards, following a policy Mayor Pam Iorio set forward several weeks ago. ...more

June 13, 2008

PLANT CITY Patsy Brooks, the longtime general manager of the Florida Strawberry Festival, retired Monday. ...more

June 6, 2008

PLANT CITY Patsy Brooks, the longtime general manager of the Florida Strawberry Festival, retired Monday. Brooks' festival career began 33 years ago as a secretary - one of only two full-time employees at the time. Two years later, she was promoted to assistant manager, a job she held for 18 years. She occupied the top slot for the past 13 years. ...more

June 6, 2008

Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee deserves applause for taking a tough stand against excessive union demands, despite a union-funded attack campaign and threats of political repercussions. ...more

May 30, 2008

Maybe it was going just a little too well - the winning, the ride to the top of baseball, the headlines. Something was bound to happen. ...more

May 29, 2008