Are we experiencing a drought here or not? The answer is obvious to most of us. So what are people doing selling and using fireworks and why is a new car wash opening on U.S. 27? ...more

January 1, 2008

Going into 2008, Florida is entering its second year of drought with forecasters seeing no end in sight. ...more

December 26, 2007

U.S. Hospital Bill Nearing $1 Trillion America's hospital bill has nearly doubled in the past decade, according to the latest numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. U.S. hospitals charged $873 billion in 2005 - up from the $462 billion charged in 1997. The most recent numbers account for 39 billion hospital stays. ...more

December 24, 2007

Eathyn Manumaleuna blocked a field goal as time expired to give No. 19 BYU a 17-16 victory against UCLA on Saturday night in the Las Vegas Bowl. ...more

December 23, 2007

Regarding "Desalination Plant OK'd To Join System" (Metro, Dec. 18): Production of 25 million gallons of drinking water is a drop in the bucket for our regional demands. No red Christmas bow to celebrate the fact the desalination plant is online. The article touched on the justifiable criticism of this water plant's costly failures. Now Tampa area residents will face escalating drinking water costs and fouling effluent in their beloved estuary. ...more

December 23, 2007

Tampa Bay Water's desalination plant is finally up and running, four years late. ...more

December 22, 2007

It took a player who barely knew what to do to accomplish something that had never been done. ...more

December 16, 2007

Are you one of the nearly 29 million families in the United States expected to celebrate Christmas with a fresh-cut tree this year? ...more

December 3, 2007

Mandatory Conservation You are right on target with your Nov. 28 editorial "Saving Water Will Pay Off Later." ...more

December 1, 2007

I don't have the opportunity to read your paper daily but when I do, I am always frustrated by the letters to the editor. They are always so negative. I believe we are blessed by God to have been born into a free nation where we can air our opinions, no matter what they may be. I was brought to tears this morning when I had the privilege of reading Mr. Wiley's letter and his the prognosis he received about his health. Thank you sir for sending accolades out to others, who probably don't hear them very often. Also for blessing me and reminding me what life is all about. It's so easy to get caught up in every day life that we forget our days are numbered. ...more

December 1, 2007