Last Friday, the Pasco County Commission began reviewing the county's proposed budget for fiscal 2010. With the collapse of the Florida real estate-housing sector, on top of the nationwide economic slowdown, the county's projected revenue could fall about $37 million short of the planned spending in the $900 million-plus budget. Commissioners have received a list of proposed spending cuts meant to close the budget gap. "This is going to hurt a lot of people, seriously," County Commissioner Pat Mulieri said after pondering the cut list. ...more

June 17, 2009

As new homebuilding sinks to record lows nationwide, the effects are trickling down from suburban areas surrounding major cities to more separated, suburban communities, including Sun City Center. ...more

March 4, 2009

Two men sentenced to federal prison for cheating investors out of more than $100 million in an insurance scheme have failed to convince an appeals court that they were unfairly convicted of mail fraud. ...more

February 2, 2009

Gov. Charlie Crist says residents of the Sunshine State should urge their friends in the chilly north to buy Florida real estate. ...more

January 26, 2009

Although the Florida Legislature slashed budgets for schools, children's health care and living assistance for the elderly in its recent special session, it ignored a couple of easy fixes - loopholes in corporate tax law - that could have produced revenue to avoid some of the worst cuts. ...more

January 22, 2009

While the Florida Legislature slashed budgets for schools, children's health care and living assistance for the elderly in its recent special session, it ignored a couple of easy fixes – loopholes in corporate tax law -- that could have produced revenue to avoid some of the worst cuts. ...more

January 21, 2009

City officials hope development of a proposed industrial park in the northeast section of the city will make an early contribution to efforts to diversify the city's tax base. Almost two years ago, local developer Manuel Lindiakos asked city commissioners to rezone his roughly 7-acre property between Jasmine Boulevard and U.S. 19 from industrial to residential use in order to build town homes. ...more

January 17, 2009

Ellen Posivach obviously relishes challenges. Six months after stepping down under pressure after nine years as city manager of Tarpon Springs, she has signed on with another riverfront town, Port Richey. On a contract basis Posivach is doing the job of assistant Port Richey city manager and economic development manager. ...more

November 12, 2008

Larry M. Starnes is banking on bigger and better things as the new president of 4-year-old Patriot Bank. ...more

August 8, 2008

TRINITY -- Larry M. Starnes is banking on bigger and better things as the new president of 4-year-old Patriot Bank. The Trinity-based community bank with five branches in West Pasco and North Pinellas lured Starnes from Wachovia Bank, where he was formerly the area president for Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. ...more

August 6, 2008