LAND O' LAKES - Prekindergarten students at Kids' Stuff Preschool in Land O' Lakes went on a Christmas shopping spree Dec. 19 and 20 at Kmart in Land O' Lakes, spending money earned through household chores and parent donations on toys and clothes. ...more

December 26, 2007

SEBRING – There is not a lot of time left to find that perfect gift for that special somebody and apparently a bunch of Christmas shoppers are in that predicament. As of Dec. 18, just one week before Christmas, about 19 percent of men — and about 14 percent of women — had yet to begin their shopping, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation. The survey showed that 16.5 percent of all consumers hadn't started shopping. In Highlands County, some merchants agree with the survey about seeing more shoppers getting a late start, while other store managers don't see it that way. "We're swamped," said Tom Short, manager of Michaels Arts and Crafts at the Shops At Shelby Crossing in Sebring. "They are buying Christmas stuff like it is going out of style." ...more

December 23, 2007

SEBRING — Is Santa Claus full of hot air? Dozens of bigger-than-life inflatable blow-up Santas and various Christmas displays are popping up in yards all over Highlands County. Erick Kelecseny has $8,000 worth Christmas decorations, including eight blow-ups in his front yard on Duffer Road. There's the compulsory Santa, plus Mickey and Minnie, and even a full band, including shade-wearing musicians, which pumps out funky Christmas carols. "I grew up poor my whole life and now I say I do it for the kids," said Kelecseny, about the holiday displays with fans that quietly hum all night long. "But I really do it for my own enjoyment." Kelecseny said on Thursday night that he enjoys turning off the house lights, sitting in the yard with his daughter, 15-month-old Ericka, to watch the reaction of motorists and pedestrians. ...more

December 22, 2007

Florida's new discount drug card should lessen the cost of prescription drugs for up to 3.8 million uninsured Floridians and fill in gaps for those covered by Medicare, Gov. Charlie Crist said Thursday during a trip to Clearwater. ...more

December 21, 2007

CLEARWATER - Florida's new discount drug card should lessen the cost of prescription drugs for up to 3.8 million uninsured Floridians and fill in gaps for those covered by Medicare, Gov. Charlie Crist said Thursday during a trip to Clearwater. ...more

December 20, 2007

Gift cards are more popular this year and are easier to use, thanks to key rulings by the Federal Trade Commission and efforts by a number of states to regulate them, several retail experts said. ...more

December 18, 2007

Sears Holdings Corp. stumbled to its worst performance yet under Edward Lampert, earning just $2 million in a dismal third quarter that heightened questions about his strategy and Sears' future as a retailer, and prompted a huge sell-off in its stock Thursday. ...more

November 30, 2007

For five weeks, Barbara Del Castillo feared for the whereabouts of her only son, who suffered from schizophrenia and loved to visit Wal-Mart stores and comic book stores on their weekly outings. ...more

November 29, 2007

TAMPA - For five weeks, Barbara Del Castillo feared for the whereabouts of her only son, who suffered from schizophrenia and loved to visit Wal-Mart stores and comic book stores on their weekly outings. ...more

November 28, 2007

Irony is a useful tool in framing perspectives. It can be mildly amusing when your dentist's name is Dr. Paine or your lawyer is Crooks, or perhaps you've heard of the plumber named Leake? ...more

November 12, 2007