A Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy knew something was amiss about a backhoe chugging along in Gibsonton about 3 this morning, an affidavit states. The deputy pulled over the backhoe on Nundy Avenue just west of U.S. 41 South after noting the driver wasn't using slow-moving-vehicle indicators. Further investigation and a chat with the driver, Charles James Smith, 24, revealed the backhoe was stolen, an affidavit states. ...more

April 28, 2009

Little League baseball opened its season with the Florida Strawberry Festival queen throwing out the first pitch and a raising of the American flag. ...more

March 11, 2009

If cleanliness is next to godliness, Underoath is taking an alternate route. "We wear the same clothes onstage every night," keyboardist Chris Dudley says. The closest the threads come to the laundry, he says, is getting laid out to dry after the show. ...more

November 20, 2008

There was no upset. No magic visor. Steve Spurrier may be the man who turned Florida Field into "The Swamp," but no longer can he walk there without getting his feet wet. And Saturday evening the Ol' Ball Coach was last seen neck-deep in troubled water. ...more

November 16, 2008

When the coach's whistle blasts, signaling the start of special teams drills during University of Florida football practice, it quickly becomes obvious that things are done a little differently here. ...more

September 5, 2008

A Bushnell man was arrested on a charge of carjacking today after the victim identified him as her attacker later that morning, authorities said. ...more

August 30, 2008

Early this morning, police pulled over a 2006 Honda Ridgeline pickup at Waters and Armenia avenues because, they say, it had a broken left brake light. When the driver consented to a search, police found a baggie of cocaine that was purchased by a father for his son, police say. ...more

July 29, 2008

An Avon Park maintenance man formerly employed as a subcontractor with Maronda Homes was free Friday on $43,000 bail, after he was arrested on charges of defrauding another subcontractor out of $43,827.26 by diverting his checks, according to a sheriff's arrest report. ...more

July 14, 2008

AVON PARK -- An Avon Park maintenance man formerly employed as a subcontractor with Moronda Homes was free Friday on $43,000 bail, after he was arrested and accused of defrauding another subcontractor out of $43,827.26 by diverting his checks, according to a sheriff's arrest report. Charles Michael Detore, 60, also known as "Chuck" of 2420 State Road 17 S., Avon Park, was booked into the Highlands County Jail on Thursday, on charges of grand theft $20,000 or more but less than $100,000, fraud – swindle obtaining property $20,000 or more but less than $50,000, fraud – impersonation by misrepresenting himself to commit personal ID fraud, forgery of or altering a bank bill, note, check or draft and fraud by issuing a false bank bill, note, check or draft. ...more

July 11, 2008

Two University of South Florida students were pulled over on a South Carolina highway in August because of the color of their skin, their attorneys argued Wednesday. ...more

February 21, 2008