A 37-year-old man was shot dead by a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputy after he ignored an order to stop pointing his handgun at the deputy, a sheriff's office spokeswoman said today. Three deputies responded to a domestic violence call at 10:55 p.m. Sunday at the Preserve at Deer Park apartments, 15420 Livingston Ave., Lutz. ...more

November 12, 2007

SEBRING – Population wise, Highlands County is a proverbial small fish in the big pond of Florida. But it's making a big splash statewide with its decision to build the state's first government-owned and operated asphalt plant. The project, scheduled to begin production in May, has reportedly set off a drive by the state's asphalt paving industry for a state law to stop this idea from spreading to other counties. ...more

October 12, 2007

AVON PARK — Because of the way Florida statutes were written, where the line between lewd molestation ends and child cruelty begins may surprise some people. A 17-year-old girl reported Wednesday that she was inappropriately touched by her friend's father on Oct. 3, in the afternoon after an overnight visit. Her mother said she was outraged Friday to learn the suspect was being charged with child cruelty rather than some form of molestation. The mother and victim's name have been left out to protect the alleged victim. Stephen Lance Walker, 56, of Avon Park, was released on $5,000 bail Thursday after he was booked into the Highlands County Jail on Oct. 3 and charged with cruelty toward a child - abuse without great harm. ...more

October 7, 2007

Neighbors in four Tarpon Springs subdivisions close to Howard Park beach are divided about what to do with a dilapidated lighthouse sign at their entrance way. ...more

September 22, 2007