Zackery Hicks has a new home. At least for now. Hicks got out of prison last month after serving a 14-year term for robbery and for a while couldn't afford a permanent residence. He had limited options on where to stay because he is a convicted sex offender, so he spent time camping in a field under a Selmon Crosstown Expressway bridge. ...more

September 20, 2008

Zackery Hicks just got out of prison last month after serving a 14-year term for robbery, and his new prison is marked by the roar of overhead traffic and the danger of getting snakebit or beat up. The situation is the way it is because Hicks is a registered sex offender, and this situation is not all that uncommon in Florida, where the oppressive stigma of being a sex offender is nearly insurmountable. Some cities across the nation have passed laws that are so restrictive, sex offenders cannot reside there. ...more

September 19, 2008

MANATEE — A Michigan man staying at a home in Manatee County in May was arrested and charged with rape Tuesday after authorities say he admitted forcing a woman to have sex with him then. ...more

July 8, 2008

COUNTY BOSSES TELL DEVELOPER TO MEET WITH RESIDENTS ...more

June 14, 2008

PORT RICHEY - The lights were off in City Manager Richard Reade's office, but he was in there, working away. Reade finds himself with an unexpected personnel issue, as Public Safety Director Mathias Brewi turned in his resignation May 15, about a year after taking the then-newly created position that put him in charge of both the police and fire departments. ...more

June 4, 2008

I have been a snowbird for years and took up permanent residence in Sebring seven years ago. I love it! The best place in the states to live. ...more

November 28, 2007