The Jose Gasparilla anchors a flotilla of pleasure boats Saturday as it sails along Hillsborough Bay toward the Tampa Convention Center, where Mayor Pam Iorio handed over the key to the city. Guided by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, the ship signals the beginning of the invasion of Tampa. ...more

February 8, 2009

South Tampa residents have a love-hate relationship with the annual pirate invasion. ...more

February 6, 2009

Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla pirates disembarked from their ship-float Tuesday afternoon at downtown's Lykes Gaslight Square and demanded to speak with Mayor Pam Iorio. ...more

February 4, 2009

Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla "pirates" disembarked from their ship/float Tuesday afternoon at downtown's Lykes Gaslight Park and demanded to speak with Mayor Pam Iorio. "Where's the mayor? We want the mayor!" the pirates said. Pirates led Iorio to the park from Tampa City Hall, across Kennedy Boulevard. The mayor refused to hand over the city to the pirates as a crowd of onlookers took photographs, shot video and collected beads and plastic swords from the pirates. ...more

February 3, 2009

Thousands of people holding signs and waving American flags cheered wildly Saturday to honor the pilot who safely landed a US Airways jetliner in the Hudson River. He told them he and his crew were only doing their jobs. ...more

January 24, 2009

The bagpipes that traditionally mark the passing of police officers and firemen sounded for Denise Lee today, as the community that was shocked by her murder a year ago gathered to memorialize her legacy of reform to Florida's emergency response system. ...more

January 17, 2009

The city that a year ago watched the unfolding tragedy of the abduction and murder of 21-year-old North Port mother Denise Lee will pause today at City Hall to remember her. ...more

January 17, 2009

The city that a year ago watched the unfolding tragedy of the abduction and slaying of 21-year-old North Port mother Denise Lee will pause Saturday at City Hall to remember her. ...more

January 16, 2009

There are a lot of perks that come with being queen. Having two birthdays a year is one of them. ...more

June 15, 2008

Before they sign off on a request to dredge miles of silt- clogged canals here, state and federal regulators must approve a plan to replace about an acre of seagrass beds that would be uprooted when the project gets under way. ...more

June 8, 2008