When Ernest Allen Jr. was killed outside his auto repair shop Monday, the community lost more than a trusted businessman. ...more

January 1, 2009

When Ernest Allen Jr. was killed outside his auto repair shop Monday, the Lakeland community lost more than a trusted businessman. Insiders in the city's jazz scene are mourning one of the area's most beloved musicians. ...more

December 31, 2008

Lightning center and No. 1 overall draft pick Steven Stamkos is making the transition this season from junior star to NHL regular. Throughout the season, the 18-year-old from Markham, Ontario, will share his experiences with Tribune writer Erik Erlendsson to give readers an insight into a new way of life during his rookie journey. ...more

December 28, 2008

Demand for Ford Motor Co.'s Focus and other small cars has been superheated since gas prices headed toward $4 a gallon in May, and since then, Ford hasn't been able to build the Focus quickly enough. ...more

August 27, 2008

Casey Mears has a new home for the 2009 season. ...more

August 24, 2008

Police, along with staff at Duck's Body Shop and Garage, demonstrated Friday a new public safety tool the department recently added in its arsenal called the ResQMe Mini Keychain Auto Escape Tool, by shattering a window on a junk car. ...more

August 16, 2008

LAKE PLACID – An undetermined number of motorists were affected, some stranded Thursday, after they reported pumping watery gasoline into their vehicles at a Shell gas station at the corner of U.S. 27 and State Road 70, south of Lake Placid. Terence McElroy, press secretary for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, confirmed the pumps at the gas station had been shut down by an inspector who found water in the tanks. The pump nozzles have been covered and a yellow caution tape has been wrapped around the pumps, McElroy said. "We've received three or four complaints (about that location)," McElroy said. "Our inspector found water in the gas storage tanks as well as water dispensed from the hoses." The pumps have been shut down and the station is in the process of cleaning it up, he added. ...more

June 30, 2008

SEBRING — A Sebring man remained in Highlands County Jail in lieu of $11,000 bond, after he was arrested, accused of paying Duck's Body Shop with bad checks to get his car back, as well as ABC Appliance for merchandise there. Raymond "Ray" Paul Hartley, 24, of 306 Swallow Ave., was booked Wednesday on charges of grand theft $300 or more but less than $5,000 and two counts of fraud - insufficient funds – obtaining goods or services in return for a worthless check $150 or more. His bond was set at $8,000 on those charges. ...more

June 13, 2008