One of the biggest complaints about the 2009 Gasparilla Pirate Fest was about long lines outside portable bathrooms. ...more

March 27, 2009

The Hillsborough County Health Department says this year's Gasparilla Fest had only a third as many portable toilets as it should have. ...more

March 26, 2009

The issue: Bypassing the bid process for concession rights at Pine Island Beach. Our opinion: While Willy Kochounian has done a terrific job with Willy's Tropical Breeze Cafe, county commissioners must follow the law to ensure fairness and the best deal for taxpayers. ...more

March 26, 2009

Reducing salt in your diet isn't an impossible dream, says Hillsborough County Health Department nutritionist Barbara Roberts. ...more

March 25, 2009

In a surprise phone call this week, Uncle Sam remembered and made good on a grant pledge made three years ago to Highlands County. ...more

March 25, 2009

More than 400,000 people in the United States will die this year from a tobacco-related disease. For Kick Butts Day this year, SWAT students from Avon Park and Sebring high schools are taking a stand to stop youth from getting hooked on deadly tobacco products. ...more

March 23, 2009

Two facilities assisting people through life's tougher times are now ready to serve their growing populations. This weekend a day shelter for the homeless will open north of the city and next weekend a health care center accepting the noninsured sick opens downtown. The nonprofit faith-based group Grace Chapel Inc. will open a drop-in center for the homeless today, Saturday. ...more

March 21, 2009

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has given the go-ahead for construction to begin on a regional hurricane shelter and health care clinic planned for Arthur F. Engle Memorial Park. ...more

March 20, 2009

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has given the go-ahead for construction to begin on a regional hurricane shelter and health care clinic that will be built in Arthur F. Engle Memorial Park. FEMA sent an approval letter Wednesday to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the office of state Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, reported. ...more

March 19, 2009

Smoke from Saturday's brush fire that endangered Lakeshore Mall and the nearby post office was still visible Monday morning and probably will be for several weeks. ...more

March 17, 2009