SEBRING — In a closed-door meeting last week, the owners and/or general managers of the top five hotels in this city met privately with new Highlands County administrator Michael Wright to make one request: don't get rid of Rocky Ellingsworth, the Highlands County Sports Complex manager. The hotel owners and managers all told Wright that Ellingsworth is almost single handedly responsible for filling most of their hotel rooms on many off-season weekends because he brings in first-class softball and baseball tournaments. They also said that league and tournament directors who had tournaments at the sports complex have told them they will cancel their tournament dates and hotel accommodations for the fall if Ellingsworth loses his job here. Many of the hotel owners and managers also said they've been told that some tournaments will leave and never come back if Ellingsworth isn't working here, and the teams will travel to whatever new location Ellingsworth works in to hold their weekend tournaments there. ...more

June 30, 2008

Plans are moving forward for a regional hurricane shelter and health care clinic in Hudson. ...more

June 25, 2008

With the economy tumbling and many parents struggling to pay bills, thousands more youngsters are turning up at county recreation areas this summer to take advantage of free lunches. ...more

June 25, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY Plans are moving forward for a regional hurricane shelter and health care clinic in Hudson. The county commission at a meeting today in New Port Richey awarded a $7.5 million contract to Spring Engineering and Bandes Construction to design and build the facility off Denton Avenue. The project is being funded with state and federal grants. According to the terms of the agreement, the shelter must comply with the latest federal standards, to withstand winds up to 200 miles per hour and the pressures of an F5 tornado. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has, however, exempted the facility from the more stringent rules, Assistant County Attorney Jane Fagan said, and the cost of construction may decrease in light of the exemption. ...more

June 24, 2008

Use it or lose it. The 160,000 people in Hernando County seem to have voted with their feet. Less than 1 percent of county residents use THE Bus. The average nationwide sage is 5 percent. Conclusion: Park THE Bus, at least for the next few years. ...more

June 22, 2008

Use it or lose it. The 160,000 people in Hernando County seem to have voted with their feet. ...more

June 21, 2008

PALM HARBOR -- The impact of proposed county budget cuts on Sheriff's Office services to Palm Harbor, Ozona and Crystal Beach and how successful a second attempt at turning the area into a city are scheduled to be discussed at two Palm Harbor Community Coalition town meetings slated for later this month. ...more

June 14, 2008

It's the last day of school and a thunderstorm brews nearby as 11-year-old Jessica Sabogal sums up why she likes the Jackson Springs Recreation Center. ...more

June 11, 2008

TAMPA - It's the last day of school and a thunderstorm brews nearby as 11-year-old Jessica Sabogal sums up why she likes the Jackson Springs Recreation Center. "It feels safe," said the soon-to-be sixth-grader, who participates in the center's free after-school program while under the watchful eye of Hillsborough County employees. But Jessica's parents may have to pay for that care this fall if Hillsborough County commissioners decide to levy a fee to help offset a shrinking county budget. ...more

June 10, 2008

Hillsborough County might have an $87 million budget deficit, but it won't make up the shortfall by reducing or eliminating a popular after-school and summer recreation program, commissioners pledged Thursday. ...more

June 6, 2008