PORT ORANGE – High school girls weightlifting is unique to Florida, and nobody does it better than the Spruce Creek Lady Hawks. They come in all shapes and sizes, some as slight as 98 pounds and some who lift in the 199-pound and unlimited classes, and they're part of a powerhouse that dominates the sport. The Lady Hawks have won the state tournament all four times it has been held, and try for their fifth title on Saturday. Only Florida offers girls' competitive weightlifting, with about 3,800 participants at more than 150 schools, and it is becoming "kind of a recruiting ground" for national teams, said coach Richard Lansky of USA Weightlifting. ...more

February 4, 2008

Where in the world is Rockapella? Central Florida, mostly. This region is home to four of the five current members of the a cappella vocal group, perhaps best known for its appearances on the PBS children's game show "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?" ...more

December 20, 2007

He billed himself as the radical Cracker. Others called him everything from a gentle soul to a hot-tempered troubadour. ...more

December 20, 2007

TAMPA - He billed himself as the radical Cracker. Others called him everything from a gentle soul to a hot-tempered troubadour. ...more

December 19, 2007

The headlines have been downright scary: "Investor Fund Panic." "State Pool Frozen." "Fear Rocks State Fund." ...more

December 6, 2007

Born in St. Petersburg, this Floridian pastor comes from a family tradition of plumbers. The Rev. John Hay, senior pastor at Mariner United Methodist Church, felt a passion for his faith by age 10, but didn't decide to become a minister until his plumbing career was at its peak some decades later. ...more

November 23, 2007

In a modest country home, tucked down a dirt lane far from the city bustle, Marcella O'Steen harbors a morgue of county documents, zoning maps and speech drafts. ...more

November 17, 2007

even if it's just in your head. Doable things that you would really, really like to do some day. ...more

October 31, 2007

even if it's just in your head. Doable things that you would really, really like to do some day. ...more

October 29, 2007

Gov. Charlie Crist re-enacted Florida's no-fault insurance law with his signature at a bill-signing ceremony Thursday at the state Capitol. ...more

October 12, 2007