Rocco Baldelli's family and friends from Rhode Island to St. Petersburg got text messages bearing the good news in the wee hours of Sunday morning. ...more

August 11, 2008

The Polk County chapter of the American Red Cross has been far busier in the past 12 months than in the previous year, helping 207 families from July 1 to June 30. ...more

July 9, 2008

The Rays played for a month - and thrived - without their best pitcher. They've managed to win, at various times, without their starting catcher, their primary designated hitter, their No. 3 starter, two middle relievers, a couple of utility infielders and their lights-out closer. ...more

June 5, 2008

Northbound U.S. 19 in Clearwater near Sunset Point Road has reopened after the cleanup of a crash involving a tractor-trailer and car, said the city's public safety spokeswoman, Elizabeth Daly-Watts. ...more

June 4, 2008

THREE TIMES AN HERB POT Sure, you can grow your culinary herbs in the garden, but it's a plus if you have a few in the kitchen, too, for easy access. The Sagaform Stoneware Triple Herb Pot helps keep bunches of herbs fresh longer. Clean lines make it a nice addition aesthetically, but the design is smart, too. It's easy to fill with water, and cleanup is a breeze (you can even stick it in the dishwasher). $40 at the Sur La Table store in Sarasota and online at www.surla ...more

May 27, 2008

TAMPA - Mimi's Cafe will reopen in time for the lunch crowd Tuesday, despite a fire over the Memorial Day weekend. The small fire was in a storage room at restaurant, 11702 N. Dale Mabry Highway. It was extinguished shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday, said Hillsborough County Fire Rescue spokesman Ray Yeakley. ...more

May 26, 2008

I read with interest the article by James J. Dean regarding the channel between Little Lake Jackson and Lake Jackson. Also, the article about the canal cleanup at Lake Istokpoga. Both of our local newspapers should interview residents of Erin Park, who live on the three canals to Little Lake Jackson, and also take pictures of the three canals, as two of them are literally "seas of grass." We have little water in the middle canal and in the past few weeks, a lot of the fish have died and we've gotten flocks of buzzards on the bank feeding on the dead fish. We haven't had our boats or pontoons out on either lake for almost two years. A lot of the boats and pontoons are sitting high and dry. It would cost each owner around $600 to have a crane come in and remove them. We have contacted local county officials several times, but all we get are words! Something needs to be done. ...more

May 24, 2008

A state lawmaker is asking Florida environmental officials to explain a series of delays in cleaning up groundwater pollution that was first identified more than 13 years ago at a west St. Petersburg plant. ...more

May 20, 2008

Dozens of parents gave up their leisurely Saturday to scrub and polish the school that is so much a part of their children's lives. ...more

May 7, 2008

A hearing master has ordered a cleanup at a residential property that code enforcement officials say gets more complaints than any other in the neighborhood. ...more

February 11, 2008