AVON PARK — With upcoming council member Al Joe Hinson's arrival, the council will have two Southside representatives and two black council members for the first time in the city's recent history. And several Southside residents were hoping this would boost the influence of the economically under-served part of the city. Shirley Johnson, the Southside Community Redevelopment Agency chairwoman, said she thought Hinson –– who she and most of his friends call "Al Joe" –– would be a major boost for the Southside's representation in the council. "He won, and I'm glad he won, and I know people on the Southside are," Johnson said. "People were ready for another person to join in with Miss (Brenda) Gray... I think the people are ready to see some positive things happen with Gray and Hinson." ...more

November 20, 2007

Congratulations to Avon Park police officers Adam Willis and Christy Harbaugh for seeing, stopping and arresting three drunken occupants of a Chevy Blazer on Saturday, Oct. 27, during the trick or treat festivities downtown. The lives of the young people who had congregated on South Lake were saved by your efforts. Hopefully justice will be swift and sure. We are proud of you and want to commend you for your quick actions. ...more

November 9, 2007

TAMPA -- Los residentes del Condado de Hillsborough podrían no sólo votar por un candidato a la presidencia de Estados Unidos en las elecciones del 2008. Un tema local podría también aparecer en las boletas. Se trata de una propuesta para cambiar la forma en que están organizados los siete distritos de Hillsborough y la manera en que se elige a sus comisionados. ¿Ocurrirá? ...more

November 1, 2007

Se monta en un avión luego de recibir unos disparos en el torso. ...more

October 23, 2007

TAMPA – El presidente Bush llegó al área de la Bahía hoy para una cena formal a beneficio del Comité Nacional Republicano, aunque la recaudación de fondos no será lo único en su mesa. ...more

October 12, 2007

TAMPA - President Bush was in the Bay area today for a luncheon to benefit the Republican National Committee, but fundraising wasn't the only thing on his plate. ...more

October 12, 2007

AVON PARK — The police chief's position was frozen until the council voted unanimously to thaw it Monday, but also tacked a residency requirement so that Frank Mercurio's successor must live within 10 driving miles of the city limit. ...more

October 10, 2007

TAMPA - Daily ridership dipped Tuesday at Tampa International Airport on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 hijackings, but the airport continued to report record figures this year, including an 8.1 percent increase in August passengers over a year ago. On Tuesday's slow travel day, 13,825 passengers flew from Tampa compared with 16,888 outbound reservations that were scheduled Wednesday, said airport spokeswoman Brenda Geoghagan. Officials estimate the number of arriving passengers matches the number departing Tampa. ...more

September 11, 2007