War is what it took to stop the slide in gas prices. The ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza caused crude oil to increase by $9 per barrel for fear it could disrupt the flow of oil from the Middle East, according to AAA Auto Club South. ...more

January 5, 2009 |

Prius drivers are not suffering any buyer's remorse, despite a plunge in gasoline prices that has for the moment made the cars less economical, said some owners of the popular hybrid. ...more

January 5, 2009 |

The price of gas is what led Scott Stevens of Arcadia to begin riding his motorcycle instead of the family SUV to and from work at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. ...more

January 4, 2009 |

Consumer confidence hit an all-time low in December, dropping in the face of layoffs and deteriorating markets for housing, stocks and other investments. ...more

December 31, 2008 |

It's Cold Up Here We were checking the temperature at Ruskin, near Kings Point where we spent some winters, and noted that on Dec. 20 at 12:50 pm, the temperature was 65 degrees F. The temperature in North York, Ontario, was just under 7 degrees. Oh lucky you! ...more

December 24, 2008 |

The five-month slide in gas prices finally came to a halt last week. The average cost for a gallon of regular gas increased by less than half a cent, according to AAA Auto Club South. ...more

December 22, 2008 |

The Hernando County school district is keeping good financial books, a state audit has found. ...more

December 20, 2008 |

The price of gas could continue to slide, but not by much. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) announced Wednesday in Algeria it would cut crude oil production by more than 2 million barrels per day. ...more

December 18, 2008 |

Rick Matthews doesn't want folks calling it a bailout. ...more

December 5, 2008 |

•Because of an editor's error, a headline on page A2 of Monday's edition was incorrect. The headline should have read: "Gas Prices Lowest In Nearly 4 Years." ...more

December 2, 2008 |