Giggle-Blizzard may really have nine lives. The cat disappeared from his Spring Hill home Nov. 15. ...more

December 25, 2009

The Florida Highway Patrol reopened Interstate 4 this morning around 3:30 a.m. Authorities had closed two eastbound lanes of I-4 near Williams Road Monday afternoon after a Tampa Electric project caused part of the highway to buckle. ...more

December 8, 2009

Just when we thought we were safe from any possible controversy over decisions or proposed actions by the Spring Lake Improvement District (SLID) Board of Supervisors and their district manager, they come up with yet another grim threat to our existence (or wallets). Their latest action is an extremely serious attempt at significantly expanding their powers through a complete re-write and re-codification of the existing SLID charter. This must be approved in a bill passed in both Houses of the Florida Legislature and signed by the governor. The bad news is that SLID intends to formally present this draft new charter to the legislative delegation (Rep. Denise Grimsley, et. al.) for their review and further action on Dec. 3 at the Highlands County Government Center. ...more

November 29, 2009

Motorists may be giving thanks this week for lower gas prices — at least if annual trends hold up. ...more

November 23, 2009

Monster trucks invade the County Fairgrounds as Monster Mania Madness roars into town Nov. 6-7 with monster truck action featuring Bear Foot, El Bandito, The General, Bad News and Gunslinger in an all-out battle in racing, wheelie contest, freestyle and more. Attendees are invited to take a ride on the "Bad to the Bone" monster ride truck. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. ...more

November 6, 2009

For those who want to pay less taxes, it seems like good news: the tax collector took in 8 percent less this year than in 2008. ...more

November 5, 2009

ShopperTrak, a retail research firm, predicted Tuesday that total holiday sales will rise 1.6 percent compared with a year ago, which would be good news for retailers in the aftermath of last year's steep decline. ...more

October 21, 2009

Consumer confidence in Florida rose in April thanks to flattening housing prices statewide and news the economy has not gotten worse, a University of Florida report released today said. UF's Survey Research Center at the Bureau of Economic and Business Research reported a six-point gain in its consumer confidence index to 71 in April. ...more

April 28, 2009

Lori Guelff got tired of seeing all the bad news about the economy. So, inspired by a story her mother sent her, the owner of a day spa and hair salon decided to do what she could about it. ...more

March 31, 2009

We are now finishing the 16th month of the recession, which began in December 2007, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. Not only is this a long recession, but it's also a severe one, marked by painfully high levels of job losses, a sharply reduced credit flow and a drop in the value of many investments. ...more

March 27, 2009