SEBRING — While most of the eight kids eased into the new YMCA swimming pool Tuesday, 9-year-old Dalton Hiller splashed everyone else when he hit a perfect cannonball. Everyone laughed, and then practice began. Hiller and the other students, 6 to 14 years old, were preparing for the July 12 Heartland Triathlon. Depending on age, the kids will swim either 100 or 200 yards, bike three or six miles and run either half a mile or a full mile. Hiller is a Cracker Trail Elementary student and said he lifts weights at home. He hopes to improve on last year's 31st place he earned during the inaugural kids event – maybe even enough to win this time. ...more

June 12, 2008

SEBRING — A small wildfire in the northeast part of Highlands Hammock State Park was extinguished Monday evening, causing no injuries or property damage. The rain helped firefighters and forestry officials put a quick end to the fire. Chief Scott Mann of the West Sebring Volunteer Fire Department said the fire affected about five acres before it was put out 7:30 p.m. ...more

June 3, 2008

TAMPA - A 55-year-old man was arrested today after the 1-year-old boy he was babysitting wandered off about half a mile from home. ...more

May 28, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - The Pasco County sheriff's deputy noticed the Dodge Ram had one flat tire as it drove past him, and he flicked on his emergency lights Sunday just before 2 p.m. ...more

May 28, 2008

It's pretty hard to look at those gorgeous illustrations of the proposed new baseball stadium in downtown St. Petersburg, with its soaring sail covering, and not think to yourself that this is where I want to be on opening day in April a few years from now. ...more

May 19, 2008

The gray, misty morning and winter-brown dog fennel that ringed the back pasture cast a gloom over Little Creek Ranch, scene of a horse slaying. ...more

January 19, 2008

Sunday will probably be the busiest day with the stores opening at their usual times with a lot of "Johnny-Come-Latelys" looking for that last minute gift. Wednesday, the day after Christmas, will find many returns and exchanges and everyone looking for the after-Christmas price reductions. ...more

December 20, 2007