Most people drive down the city's main thoroughfare and see a ghost town of empty sidewalks, unfilled storefronts, vagrants and for-sale signs. ...more

February 14, 2008

AVON PARK — Even though the Avon Park City Council voted 4-1 to continue its police chief search, a budget crunch anticipated after Amendment 1 passed last month has prompted city officials to consider merging the police and fire chief positions. ...more

February 13, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Moving to appease residents who want Al Lang Field preserved as parkland, the city council decided today to seek community input on the fate of the 10-acre waterfront site if it does not become the new home of the Tampa Bay Rays. ...more

February 7, 2008

The city council took its first tentative step Thursday toward building a new baseball stadium on the downtown waterfront, giving the go-ahead for the city to solicit proposals to redevelop Tropicana Field. ...more

January 18, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Although residents will not be allowed to speak this afternoon, when the city council decides whether to seek proposals to redevelop Tropicana Field, people will get at least three chances to voice their opinions in the coming months. ...more

January 17, 2008

SEBRING — Despite the sheriff's recommendation to restrict vehicular traffic on Eucalyptus Street to protect pedestrians, Sebring City Council has decided to keep limited access at its intersection with Sebring Parkway. Sheriff Susan Benton said because so many pedestrians cross Eucalyptus Street to access the government center and courthouse, she suggested the possibility of creating a cul-de-sac instead of connecting it to the Sebring Parkway. ...more

January 17, 2008

Ikea is an economic powerhouse that creates jobs, stimulates other businesses and attracts out-of-town visitors. Landing one of the chic Scandinavian furniture mega-stores causes most any city official in America to jump up and down with joy. ...more

January 16, 2008

TAMPA - Councilman John Dingfelder's analysis of city employees who might face layoffs next year shows more than 70 percent of the people affected are either black or Hispanic. ...more

December 18, 2007

SEBRING — Although no one has come forward with a check, potential buyers are still expressing interest in Harder Hall. City Administrator Bob Hoffman said he receives as many as three phone calls a week from investors wanting more information about the historic hotel and 13.6 acres of property on Little Lake Jackson, and the city is not marketing or advertising it. John Joyner, a Sebring resident who previously managed luxury hotels in Miami, said he is interested in a joint venture with some other local investors to restore the hotel and build condos. ...more

December 8, 2007

Mayor David Pugh, Jr. has been tapped by his fellow council members to serve another term with the mostly ceremonial title before his name. ...more

December 4, 2007