man who was tried on a rape charge this week was sentenced to prison today. Just not for rape. A jury deliberated two hours before finding Steven Vanwart not guilty of sexual battery, false imprisonment and aggravated assault. The 42-month prison sentence came as a result of Vanwart's no contest plea to an identity theft charge. Vanwart, 42, entered the plea Friday while the jury was deliberating the rape charges. Keeping the identity theft charge separate meant jurors considering the rape charges didn't hear some evidence. Among the evidence kept from the panel were booklets investigators found when they searched Vanwart's travel trailer. Among the titles were "Vanishing Point, How to Disappear in America Without a Trace" and "How to Get Lost — and Stay that Way," records show. ...more

July 25, 2008

Walk in the front doors at the Hillsborough County animal shelter and you get a blast of air conditioning and relief from the broiling weather outside. ...more

July 24, 2008

There are so many things to love about summer; the warm weather, the grilling outdoors every night and the coveted summer vacation. If I had to define myself, I would fall into the "homebody" group. ...more

July 16, 2008

Twenty-five Pinellas County sheriff's deputies are to lose their jobs as of Aug. 8, but all they have to do to land a job elsewhere is look across Tampa Bay. ...more

July 11, 2008

It was pandemonium. On what should have been a happy occasion for local students, dozens of angry parents and family members waited outside guarded doors at the Hernando High School gymnasium on Tuesday, clamoring to gain access the graduation ceremony taking place inside. ...more

June 12, 2008

Lack of space angers parents attending Hernando High graduation ceremony. ...more

June 11, 2008

The state releases FCAT scores in math, reading and science for grades 4 to 10. Students doing OK in reading and math, but science remains a struggle. ...more

June 10, 2008

Frequent flyers, the Los Angeles Lakers were allowed an unlimited number of carry-on items for their trip home. ...more

June 10, 2008

One week was all it took. The encouraging signs seven days ago were merely another reason for motorists to have false hope. ...more

June 9, 2008

CRUDE OIL SPIKES TO $138.54 PER BARREL ...more

June 8, 2008