Bad idea Editor: As one of only two people who spoke out against the proposed renewal of New Port Richey's "alcoholic beverages in the park" ordinance at the Oct. 20 City Council meeting, I was dismayed, but not surprised, that council is moving forward with extending, and perhaps expanding, this controversial ordinance. I have been an active and vocal opponent of this issue for many years and am saddened that the vast majority of residents, 69 percent, who voted against this idea several years ago, have been totally forgotten. ...more

October 28, 2009

After a dismal start to 2009, business people see more pain ahead, expecting no improvement in economic conditions till late this year at the earliest. ...more

March 5, 2009

After years of drama, deficits and decline, the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary nearly tripled its charitable income last year, according to a recent filing with the Internal Revenue Service. "Yeah, we just had some great donors. We're really blessed in that area," said Michelle Simoneau, spokeswoman for the sanctuary, now in its 37th year of rescuing birds from a home base at Indian Shores. The year sure didn't start out that way. ...more

December 16, 2008

We all recall the old saying that when you are in a hole the first thing to do is stop digging. ...more

December 6, 2008

The situation in Afghanistan is the worst it has been since the U.S.-led invasion of 2001 and the country is in danger of a "downward spiral" into violence and chaos, according to an intelligence report draft. ...more

October 10, 2008

New claims for unemployment benefits jumped last week to their highest level in seven years because of the impact of a slowing economy and Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, the Labor Department reported Thursday. ...more

September 26, 2008

The state will close the eastern portions of the Sunshine Skyway fishing piers because years of deterioration and saltwater corrosion make them difficult to maintain. ...more

August 22, 2008

The state will close the eastern portions of the Sunshine Skyway fishing piers because years of deterioration and saltwater corrosion make them difficult to maintain. ...more

August 21, 2008

United Airlines scrapped its latest attempt to combine with US Airways and create the world's largest carrier, formally backing away Friday from a deal that likely would have meant fewer routes and higher ticket prices for consumers. ...more

May 31, 2008

Recreational boat retailer MarineMax said Thursday that it posted a loss of $3.51 million, or 19 cents a share, for the fiscal second quarter that ended March 31, from net income of $3.3 million in the year-earlier quarter. ...more

May 2, 2008