It's 7:30 a. m., and all around me traffic is at a standstill. Intersections are blocked, lanes are clogged and horns can be heard from miles away. No, I'm not in New York City. I am sitting in front of a school crossing zone in Hillsborough County. ...more

January 23, 2008

It's the time of year for new beginnings, and many vow to begin workout plans and eat healthy. ...more

January 2, 2008

A public hearing on a request to permit a small private school on Livingston Avenue, south of Regal Drive, will be continued until Feb. 1. ...more

December 12, 2007

William F. Youngman's lament that God has been expelled from the public schools reinforces the misconception that our government should adopt Christianity as the official state religion. I have even been informed by friends that our Constitution mandates that this is a Christian nation. Had they read the Constitution, they would not have embarrassed themselves with that statement. Christianity not only is not mentioned in the Constitution but neither is it in the Declaration of Independence. The mistake comes from thinking the word God, or Deity is exclusive to one's particular denominational interpretation of God. What the 1st Amendment to the Constitution does say is this: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." I certainly value and believe in the spiritually inspired message of the Holy Bible, and practice my Christianity with zeal and reverence. I do not, however, think the Jewish or Christian Bible should be used as a religious indoctrination in government-supported institutions like the public schools. ...more

November 30, 2007

The day shoppers have been waiting for is here. It's Black Friday, which marks the start of the holiday retail shopping season - even though some stores have had their trees trimmed and their holiday ditties playing for weeks. ...more

November 23, 2007

A Hole Lot Of Fun Not everyone gets a birthday bash with 250 of their closest friends and relatives, but Lucille Crum's family thought she deserved one. After all, the golf-loving matriarch has been alive for 100 years. So they all gathered at the Country Meadows golf course recently to find out her secrets for longevity. ...more

November 11, 2007

Don't Sweep Under Rug Regarding "Hogan Defense Faults Seat Belt" (front page, Nov. 8): ...more

November 9, 2007

Magic wands exist, but it's the people holding them who give the objects power, says a craftsman of the bewitching tools. ...more

November 8, 2007

Just a few years ago, the U.S. military was rarely seen in the oil-rich waters of West Africa's Gulf of Guinea. This year, it plans to be there every day. ...more

November 7, 2007

Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson had no doubt how his Commodores would react, even if many others did, following last week's disheartening loss to Georgia. ...more

October 21, 2007