An intruder paused to help his victim's grandmother with an oxygen tank during a home invasion Monday night in Bradenton, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. ...more

July 15, 2008

The air conditioner wasn't working, Hugo Santillan Esquitia told deputies. He was angry at his wife. And the baby was crying. ...more

June 22, 2008

The air conditioner wasn't working Hugo Santillan Esquitia told deputies. He was angry at his wife. And the baby was crying. ...more

June 21, 2008

TAMPA - A Lutz man under the influence of narcotics left his 11-year-old mentally disabled child home alone, Hillsborough County deputies say. Deputies arrested Don Fredrick Ellis, 37, on Sunday night. ...more

June 16, 2008

SEBRING — Savanna Weirick hasn't stopped smiling since this afternoon when she leapt into the arms of her mommy and daddy who came all the way from Iraq to pick her up from day care. Army Sgt. John and Army Spc. Kairee Weirick said the 18 hours on the plane and a couple of hours in a car were definitely worth the chance to be with their 3-year-old daughter. ...more

May 2, 2008

TAMPA - A Seminole man took a 2-year-old girl out of the bath tub, held her face down on a couch and struck both sides of her face Thursday, Pinellas County detectives say. ...more

May 2, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - He posed for the camera, leapt on the couch and ran to the door to meet his favorite human. ...more

February 15, 2008

For months now I have been hunting for a piece of art to fill a blank wall above my couch. I want something that inspires me and fits in with the rest of my decor, which largely consists of framed photographs of my children and their artwork. ...more

February 3, 2008

Everyone who owns a dog in Highlands County should be aware of the fact that we have some very special kennel owners at Dawg House Boarding and Grooming. While visiting friends in Tallahassee this past weekend, we left our 3-year-old French Bittany "Jacques" with Mike and Vicki at their kennel in Lake Placid, where he has stayed many times and always receives the best of care. On Saturday, we received a call that "Jacques" had been playing in the yard and had a mild seizure, which is quite common in some breeds and for "Jacques" was something we had experienced in the past. Vicki, having been a veterinary technician before opening the kennel with her husband, knew exactly what was happening and responded immediately to the needs of our family pet. Within a few minutes "Jacques" was doing fine and was running around the yard as if nothing had happened. Although Vicki knew that Jacques had a history of mild seizures and knew exactly what was required to deal with this situation, she called us immediately to inform us of his condition and then she and Mike opened their home to our dear hound. He immediately adopted their couch and bed, Mike's lap and the friendship of the other three dogs that Mike and Vicki share their home with. Needless to say, Jacques has found his second home and probably can't wait to visit again! ...more

December 21, 2007

As I was walking to the store the other night, I noticed that the first fireworks tent has bloomed. Starting around Dec. 27, we will be hearing the first poppings of bottle rockets, as kids who are already tired of their new toys will take to the streets as soon as the sun goes down. As we get nearer to New Year's Eve, the cacophony will grow louder. Small children will be woken from sleep scared and crying, cats will run for the nearest couch and dogs, that up until now were housebroken, will relieve themselves all over the place. ...more

December 17, 2007