Yvonne Mason wrote to the state Agency for Persons With Disabilities in early September, challenging a 42 percent cut in funding to care for her autistic, schizophrenic son. ...more

February 6, 2009

Carol Carter, a veteran official of the Hillsborough County Republican Party, is resigning her post as result of a flap over a seemingly racist email joke she forwarded to friends. Carter is the third prominent local Republican in four months to be stung by controversy over emails with racial overtones. ...more

February 5, 2009

Iran invited the U.S. women's badminton team to compete in a tournament then denied its players visas Wednesday, saying there was no time to process their visa applicatio ...more

February 4, 2009

U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam says he will give up his seat in Congress to become a candidate for state agriculture commissioner. ...more

February 1, 2009

Aero Park Isn't Safe Or Reasonable I have to respond to the FAA spokesperson in the (Jan. 28) article ("Federal Study Requested For Tampa North Aero Park"). I did contact the Aero Park owner and was told by Charlie that he couldn't (wouldn't) do anything about the planes that fly over my house that is situated at least 700 feet north of the direct flight path. So much for that suggestion. And the assertion that we're operating in one of the safest periods in aviation history is at best laughable. We've had two crashes (one fatal) here in Wesley Chapel in the last four years. The next one could be into one of the 2,500 houses that surround the airfield. Let's face it: The airfield serves less than 100 people and puts upwards of 7,500 people at risk. How safe or reasonable is that? ...more

February 1, 2009

Baby Amir's crib is lined with blankets crocheted by his mother and stuffed animals from his 8-year-old sister. Framed photos of him hang on the walls and sit atop shelves and tables throughout his family's three-bedroom home. ...more

January 31, 2009

A small movie theater with two screens and seating for 120 people is being proposed for the Mid Town Center in Lake Placid. ...more

January 28, 2009

Highlands County School Board members have been fielding phone calls from parents who are upset with a proposed doubling of the number of early release days from 10 to 20. ...more

January 25, 2009

Katherine E. Wilhelm of Port Richey says the extra food stamps needy people receive each year quickly get knocked back down by the Social Security cost-of-living increase. ...more

January 24, 2009

Secondary teachers voiced their opposition at Tuesday's school board budget workshop to a proposed schedule change requiring educators to teach seven consecutive class periods. ...more

January 22, 2009