On the British version of "The World's Strictest Parents," slovenly disrespectful slacker kids from the United Kingdom are packed off to spend some quality time with surrogate parents in other countries who practice tough love. ...more

February 27, 2009

A new reality show, "World's Strictest Parents," is auditioning parents and teens Saturday on Clearwater Beach. ...more

February 26, 2009

The post office will get an extra 2-cents worth when you mail a letter starting in May. ...more

February 11, 2009

For almost two days, the family of a 56-year-old woman who died after being rear-ended on Dale Mabry Highway late Wednesday was unaware of her death, officials said. ...more

January 3, 2009

For almost two days now, the family of a 56-year-old woman killed after being rear-ended on Dale Mabry Highway late Wednesday has been unaware of her death, troopers said. State law prohibits investigators from publicly identifying a person who has died until his or her family has been notified. Extraordinary circumstances, such as family living out of the country, have caused authorities to release victims' names in the media without notification but only after exhaustive efforts, law enforcement officials say. ...more

January 2, 2009

SARASOTA - A Sarasota man who said he was strip-searched outside an apartment complex in front of at least a dozen people, including children, has filed a complaint against the Sarasota Police Department sergeant who conducted the search. ...more

September 10, 2008

Despite efforts to keep John "Junior" Gotti in New York until his trial, the son of the deceased head of the Gambino crime family likely will be in Tampa by late next week or the beginning of the subsequent week for a court appearance, said his attorney, Charles Carnesi. ...more

August 6, 2008

One of the trash hauling firms that serves residential customers in the county is seeking a 14 percent hike in its rates, citing the skyrocketing costs of diesel fuel. ...more

July 2, 2008

Central Carting rate would go up 14 percent. ...more

July 1, 2008

SEBRING — Wednesday's emergency preparedness drill at the Agri-Civic Center was only practice, but almost 200 volunteers and county employees acted like the mock exercise was real. Andrew Pease, a Sun 'n' Lake Elementary School student, gave up a day of summer break to volunteer and portray a "victim," along with his mother Mary and sister Becky. The 9-year-old took the drill to heart and said he was "a little scared." "My mom tells me to not talk to strangers, but I trust the police and others," said Andrew Pease. "This is like some kind of play, but it's real, too." ...more

June 19, 2008