I would like to give praise to the First Assembly of God Church on Kenilworth Boulevard. I went to church there on Sunday for the first time, and they were having a special program, which was Tommy Brandt in concert. Anyone who hasn't heard this young man sing and minister to people through his music should make it a point to see him when he is in Sebring again. A big thank you goes out to the church for having him at their services. ...more

December 15, 2007

It seems to be human nature that many people enjoy seeing the high and mighty fall. That's why so many people feel good about Michael Vick being sentenced to almost two years in prison for a dog-fighting ring he bankrolled. For the rest of us, only sadness is left. That's because so many dogs were tortured and killed, and a young man with great promise has crashed and burned. Michael Vick was sentenced in a federal court Monday for his part in a dog fighting ring, and his participation in executing dogs that under-performed. He helped hang them, beat them and drown them. It's too sickening to go into detail of what actually happened. Suffice it to say it was animal cruelty at its worst. Dog fighting alone fits that description, but what they did trumped even that. ...more

December 12, 2007

The young man who killed eight people and committed suicide in a shooting rampage at a department store spent four years in a series of treatment centers, group homes and foster care after threatening to kill his stepmother in 2002. ...more

December 7, 2007

A Pinellas County sheriff's deputy has died of a gunshot wound that authorities think was self-inflicted. ...more

November 30, 2007

A Pinellas County sheriff's deputy has died of a gunshot wound that authorities think was self-inflicted. ...more

November 29, 2007

A lawyer representing the 16-year-old boy authorities say was burned Nov. 12 when he punctured an ammonia pipeline in Riverview while looking for money, said he hopes people will "take a deep breath" and allow the boy to recover before pursuing a criminal case. Officials said two other youngsters also were involved. Here are some opinions readers offered online. The South Shore News & Tribune wants to hear from you. To read local forums or post your own, go to Southshore.tbo.com and click the "Forums" link. ...more

November 28, 2007

Maybe it was boredom. Whatever the reason, it put the 19-year-old behind bars. ...more

November 27, 2007

DEAR ABBY: My mother died when I was 27. It was a very difficult time in my life -- everything seemed to fall apart. I lost my job, and then my utilities were turned off. I had to take cold showers for six months. ...more

November 22, 2007

As shocking as most people would consider the conditions of a woman's houses in Hudson after deputies discovered dozens of dogs and a carpet of feces inside, it isn't as surprising to Pasco Animal Services Manager Denise Hilton. ...more

November 17, 2007

An 18-year-old gunman opened fire at his high school in this placid town in southern Finland on Wednesday, killing seven other students and the principal before mortally wounding himself in a rampage that stunned a nation where gun crime is rare. ...more

November 8, 2007