WESLEY CHAPEL After months of fundraising efforts for the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, Elayne Bassinger was named the area's honorary mayor Thursday night at a mixer hosted by Hyundai of Wesley Chapel and Mazda of Wesley Chapel. Other candidates for honorary mayor included : Amanda Benson of Secure Capital Mortgage; Alison Fitzgerald of Phoenix Massage & Personal Training; Robert Kellog of Thread Art; Jeff Miller of Charles Rutenberg Realty; Lisa Seckly of MarketWesleyChapel.com; and Debra Kaplan of Under the Palms Ministry; According to Bassinger's campaign Web site, she is a native of Florida, and was born and raised in Dade City. She is married to Hal; has one daughter, Alesha, who is married to Capt. Jeff Holmes of the Hernando County Fire Department, and is "Nana" to Ashlee, Kyle, Cory, Zach and Alan. Bassinger is vice president for Heritage Bank and has been active in the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce since 2003. ...more

July 18, 2008

A recent report on the county fire department could translate into savings on your homeowner's insurance. ...more

July 12, 2008

A pair of out-of-control wildfires roared along California's central coast Friday, chewing through opposite ends of a parched forest and threatening more than 4,500 homes. ...more

July 5, 2008

His honesty took them by surprise, but it was welcomed. When Hernando County Commissioner Dave Russell overtly said last week Spring Hill Fire Rescue would be consolidated with the county if voters decide against independence, it was a satisfying moment for the fire district. ...more

June 26, 2008

His honesty took them by surprise, but it was welcomed. ...more

June 25, 2008

More than two dozen firefighters contended with a house fire and natural gas leaks in Sarasota early this morning. ...more

June 12, 2008

Firefighters in Polk County are fighting a brush fire near Bartow that so far has burned about 35 acres. ...more

May 29, 2008

A tree trimmer died from electrocution when his chainsaw hit a power line this morning in Sarasota County, officials said. ...more

May 7, 2008

A new study that suggests unifying the county's fire departments has met with staunch resistance from administrators. ...more

January 5, 2008

WINTER HAVEN - One person is confirmed dead in a fire that began about 7 a.m. today at a mobile at 1256 N.W. 37th St. in the Inwood neighborhood. ...more

January 4, 2008