SEBRING — Even though he has maintained straight A's in school, Austin North jokingly says his favorite subject is "lunch." Austin, 14, is your typical run-of-the-mill seventh-grader. He likes video games, talking about cars and ice cream, and has a "great wit," as his mother, Candace North, of Lorida, will attest. But Austin is a little bit different compared to his schoolmates at Hill-Gustat Middle School. Austin was diagnosed with duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMS) when he was 3 years old. The disease, which affects Austin's muscles and his breathing, has left him unable to walk and in a wheelchair. ...more

February 11, 2008

Susan Prestridge has long been a mover and shaker. A former top-rated pharmaceutical sales rep - Prestridge sold diabetic and respiratory medication for MP TotalCare - she said she wanted her own business. ...more

February 7, 2008

An 11-year-old boy was arrested after he brought a loaded semiautomatic handgun to Gulf Beaches Elementary School on Monday, a Pinellas County School District representative said Tuesday. ...more

December 19, 2007

Workers in tomato fields, brightly colored fish and intricate seashells are among the student artwork chosen to grace a set of note cards being sold as a fundraiser for the Friends of SouthShore Library. ...more

December 15, 2007

Lukas Poderis was a normal-sized kid for much of his life until he shot up five inches when he was in the fifth grade. ...more

December 14, 2007

TAMPA - A Hillsborough County elementary schoolteacher is free on $500 bail this morning after being charged Sunday with misdemeanor driving under the influence while driving with her 3-year-old son. ...more

November 19, 2007

A Hillsborough County land-use hearing officer has approved a private preschool's move from the east side of Lutz into the downtown historical district. ...more

November 17, 2007

A Hillsborough County land-use hearing officer has approved a private preschool's move from the east side of Lutz into the downtown historical district. ...more

November 17, 2007

Derrick Brooks enjoyed playing class clown in fifth grade, at least until the day his father put a stop to his shenanigans. ...more

November 15, 2007

Derrick Brooks enjoyed playing class clown in fifth grade, at least until the day his father put a stop to his shenanigans. ...more

November 14, 2007