It isn't easy being an economist nowadays. Everyone wants a rosy report on the economy, but all Bob Allsbrook can offer - at least for now - is more pain for Florida housing and its economy. ...more

June 26, 2008

Althea Mills of Winter Haven, whose 1963 federal lawsuit spurred the desegregation of Polk County schools, died Friday. She was 84. ...more

June 12, 2008

The woman whose 1963 federal lawsuit spurred the desegregation of Polk County schools has died. Althea Mills of Winter Haven died Friday. She was 84. ...more

June 11, 2008

Tom Hobbie of Holiday agrees with Charley Reese's op-ed page column on who Hobbie calls the "swimmer of Massachusetts," Sen. Ted Kennedy. ...more

June 7, 2008

I inherited a vase from my parents and believe that it dates from the 1930s. It is brightly colored, pictures a Japanese man and woman in period dress and is marked "Made in Japan." ...more

June 5, 2008

In its last months in office, the Bush administration has decided to spend time and energy on upending long-standing restrictions on carrying loaded guns in national parks. ...more

May 11, 2008

LAKE WALES — Historic Bok Sanctuary will return to its traditional name — Bok Tower Gardens. ...more

May 4, 2008

In existence since the 1930s, Dan's Bar in Riverview is slated for demolition to make way for a development. Dan Pickard grew up in a house next to the bar his father bought in 1946, which he took over when his father died. "I wouldn't be able to bear it," he said of the planned demolition. ...more

February 20, 2008

SEBRING — Thomas and Lillian Linton don't claim to have the secret to love, but they have each other, and that's been enough to last them 70 years and counting. ...more

February 14, 2008

A friend gave me two figurines of a man and woman that he said were in his mother's home. They are marked with a leaf and the words "Fern" and "Hand Painted." Both pieces are in excellent condition. ...more

February 9, 2008