Many of Pasco's business and government leaders turned out last week perhaps hoping one of the Southeast's top bank economists had some words of hope for the county's struggling economy. Mark Vitner, senior economist of regional banker Wachovia, was the featured speaker at a luncheon held as part of the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce's Business Development Week. What he said underlines the county's failure over three decades to create an economy not almost totally dependent on housing construction and sales. ...more

February 4, 2009

Convincing local businesses to sponsor a fashion show during a sputtering economy has been a monumental challenge for three local women. ...more

January 18, 2009

Some Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High parents have agreed to take a portion of the school's students "under their wings" in an effort to show them positive behaviors. ...more

January 7, 2009

A Polk County Fire Rescue battalion chief who helped a choking toddler this year was honored recently at a luncheon hosted by an awareness group founded by instructors of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. ...more

December 16, 2008

TAMPA -- About 400 people gathered today for a luncheon and fashion show that included wives of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers players and other local celebrities as models to benefit the St. Joseph's Hospitals Foundation. ...more

December 11, 2008

America's Second Harvest of Tampa Bay held its 14th Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon on Nov. 20 at Lykes Gaslight Park. More than $50,000 was collected to help raise awareness and money for those who are hungry in the Tampa Bay area. ...more

December 3, 2008

Students, parents and district officials made a stop at New River Elementary School's Helping Hands Cafe recently to enjoy homemade soup, camaraderie and a sense of community. ...more

November 28, 2008

Students, parents and district officials made a stop at New River Elementary School's Helping Hands Cafe last week to enjoy homemade soup, camaraderie and a sense of community. ...more

November 19, 2008

More than a dozen local churches will mobilize Nov. 23 with a massive mission - to gather enough groceries to stock the shelves of Tampa Bay area charities for an entire year. ...more

November 5, 2008

The Bay area's battered economy is poised to receive a significant boost in late January with the arrival of Super Bowl week, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday. ...more

October 13, 2008