Regarding the fireworks remarks on June 28th ("Law ignites a fuse," Views): When are people going to take responsibility for their own actions? Like guns, fireworks are only dangerous if they are not used as the directions state. A lot of people are usually in a party mood and may drink too much and not think about how to use them as directed. Another reason why injuries happen is because of the idiots who let kids play with this stuff. Yes, there are some cases where the item goes awry and does not perform as it was intended to do, and injuries happen. Does that really mean that we have to ban yet another party item? ...more

June 30, 2009

I was leaving Seminole Hard Rock Casino one night recently with my wife, about $200 lighter. On the elevator going to the parking garage was a young couple so drunk they had to hold each other up. ...more

June 29, 2009

Most of my working years were spent in big-box retail stores. If the stores' cost of replenishing basic items went up, the increase was not reflected in the cost to the customer until new merchandise arrived at the store. This is standard procedure in any retail establishment. ...more

June 18, 2009

Eleven high school juniors were recently selected as the "Young Women of Promise," by the Athena Society. ...more

June 17, 2009

Eleven high school juniors were recently selected as "Young Women of Promise" by the Athena Society. ...more

June 17, 2009

In your editorial on health care ("Health care needs to be reformed," June 7) you state, "We don't want a nationalized system." Why not? In 2007, 62 percent of bankruptcies were due to medical bills. Of those, 75 percent had health insurance. This is the private, for-profit health insurance system you want to keep? ...more

June 11, 2009

High school graduations recently took place across Hillsborough County. Friends and families attended the ceremonies, held at either the University of South Florida Sun Dome or the Florida State Fairgrounds. ...more

June 10, 2009

The fundamental problem with Gov. Charlie Crist relying on developers to revitalize the local economy is that it is flawed: ...more

June 10, 2009

OMG! Katelyn Blaylock learned an important lesson this week: Don't attempt to text while driving - especially if you're approaching a police car. ...more

May 22, 2009

Teams from the Lutz Leaguerettes Softball League teams played well at the May 1 to 3 Hillsborough County softball tournament at Sadie Park in Brandon. ...more

May 13, 2009