Ruth and I took a ride out into the country earlier this week to the visit Edd and Rita Vowels, who just about a year ago sold off all but one of their McDonald's restaurants. Last Feb. 15, I wrote the final chapter on the couple's highly successful business ventures in the tri-county area as well as their influence on so many of the area's community affairs. Then on the 21st of that month they signed the papers that closed out that phase of their life. They then officially joined the ranks of the relaxed retired ones. "One thing about retirement," Edd says in his soft-spoken manner, "when I wake up I wonder, 'What day is this?'" ...more

February 9, 2008

In his final basketball home game Wednesday night, Eddie Blackshear got a surprise: His coach at Dunedin High School sent him running out with the starters. Eddie, a senior whose mother is in prison on cocaine charges, is designated as mentally disabled but trainable and is something of a celebrity at Dunedin high. He learned to read in high school and has progressed enough to enter a career education program. ...more

January 31, 2008

Perhaps life isn't as complicated as we make it out to be. Take high school. Maybe it's not the SAT or grade-point averages that determine where a student truly ranks in his class. And maybe it's not the football player's touchdowns or the basketball player's game-winning shots that earn the most respect. ...more

January 31, 2008

Lake Magdalene Drive, between the road's cul-de-sac and Armenia Avenue, recently opened to all traffic after a monthlong project to upgrade a stormwater lift station. ...more

January 5, 2008

Accidents at the diagonally angled intersection of Gunn Highway and Linebaugh Avenue have initiated design changes. ...more

November 24, 2007

Accidents at the diagonally angled intersection of Gunn Highway and Linebaugh Avenue have initiated design changes. ...more

November 21, 2007

Consultants hired to study the intersection of Gunn Highway and Linebaugh Avenue are recommending a $2.4 million upgrade to smooth the daily traffic jams. ...more

November 21, 2007

Consultants hired to study the intersection of Gunn Highway and Linebaugh Avenue are recommending a $2.4 million upgrade to smooth the daily traffic jams. ...more

November 19, 2007

A major overhaul of the crossroads at Gunn Highway and Linebaugh Avenue is on the way. ...more

November 5, 2007