BALM - Listening to the voices of the 36-member choir, one could have imagined they were singing in a neighborhood church. ...more

December 27, 2007

in priority order - the global war on terrorism, the shrinking U.S. dollar, the increasing trade deficit, threat of a recession, and the increasing national debt. Most alarming about this list is what didn't even make the top five. ...more

December 26, 2007

John Brown got into the security business about two months ago after a back injury forced him out of the pest control industry. ...more

December 26, 2007

TAMPA - The Bay area is making a name for itself as a producer of humanitarian children. This week, a Palm Harbor boy was named CNN's Viewers' Choice winner, and a Valrico child is waiting to hear whether he has won a Butterfly Award. ...more

December 7, 2007

BARTOW - Margie Conner is out of the shack and back on the bus. But she's still not driving. ...more

November 21, 2007

You don't have to be a Boy Scout to live by the motto "Be prepared." Many American workers learn that lesson each year, as foreign competition, technology and other factors force their companies to shut down or move overseas. People ask, "How am I going to make it?" ...more

November 11, 2007

SEBRING — Teachers overwhelmingly approved their employment contract Friday, which represents about a 9 to 11 percent increase in salary and benefits over an 18-month period starting Dec. 1. Also, the number of pay steps have been reduced for the second consecutive year, which helps teachers move up the pay ladder faster, said chief negotiator and union president Steve Picklesimer. Two years ago there were 19 steps. Last year two steps were eliminated. This year's agreement cut out four more steps resulting in a total of 13 steps. The 18-month contract roughly represents a 3 - 4 percent increase in salary and benefits this year and a 6 - 7 percent increase in salary and benefits next year, Picklesimer said Monday. ...more

November 6, 2007

SEBRING — A dollar certainly doesn't go as far as it used to. Miles Baker built a septic tank, delivered it and set it for $75 in 1947. His son Bob, who is the owner and president of Baker Septic Installations, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, puts in tanks for about $3,000. There are other things – besides the cost – that have changed over the years with septic tanks. Bob believes the process is not as labor intensive now compared to when he started in the business more than 30 years ago. "The equipment, the technology, the research that has gone into making a better concrete mixture and product – it's amazing where we've come from and where we are now," said Anne Baker, Bob's wife who is the vice president of the company. ...more

November 4, 2007

Karen Anrriguez, a 19-year-old University of South Florida sophomore, says her mother now calls her for advice about plants. ...more

October 10, 2007

It's almost that time again: open enrollment season. If you're fortunate enough to work for an employer who provides a benefits package, you have some decisions to make soon. ...more

October 7, 2007