The chairman of beleaguered Countrywide Financial Corp. raised eyebrows and tempers with his snippy reply to an e-mail plea from a man who said he was in danger of losing his home. ...more

May 22, 2008

A Jacksonville man accused of fatally shooting a man during a road rage incident after the Daytona 500 last year was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison after pleading no contest. ...more

February 19, 2008

SEBRING – The persistence of one man looks like it will pay off in an additional tax break for Highlands County's 1,500 low-income, senior-citizen homeowners. Frank Parker got the proverbial cold shoulder from the Highlands County Commission in November when he asked commissioners to raise the "Save Our Seniors" homesteaded tax exemption from $5,000 to $50,000 for seniors meeting federal household low-income thresholds. ...more

February 13, 2008

A lawyer who once was ordered by a judge to play a game of rock, paper, scissors is set to appear in court next month to answer a charge of domestic violence. ...more

December 29, 2007

TAMPA - A lawyer who once was ordered by a judge to play a game of rock, paper, scissors is set to appear in court next month to answer a charge of domestic violence. ...more

December 28, 2007

"Signed, Mata Hari," by Yannick Murphy (Little, Brown and Co., $24) ...more

December 16, 2007

On Nov. 1, there was a front page article about a convicted sexual predator named Dale Leland, titled "Family, Friends Plea for Man in Court." It was full of quotes from his friends, neighbors, co-workers and lawyer, all vouching for him. Dale already confessed to detectives. Evidence supported the charges and he was found guilty by the jury. Yet, despite the conviction, these character witnesses implied that the sweet, innocent girls lied, making Dale the victim. MSNBC ran the series, "To catch a predator." Predators would meet "underage" targets online, using sexually explicit language. When the predator showed up for pre-arranged sex, the MSNBC investigator spoke briefly to him, then allowed him to leave. Once outside, local police quickly arrested him. The series concluded with the trial and sentencing of each. Without even touching their underage victims, every predator was convicted. Among them was a doctor, a college professor and a child services worker, all liked and respected in their communities. Like Dale, probably many vouched for them. ...more

November 27, 2007

A man dubbed the "dinnertime bandit" for allegedly robbing wealthy homes - often while residents dined - was brought before a judge Friday for arraignment, nine years after he fled to Europe. ...more

November 24, 2007

Some transportation issues for the children of Wimauma have been overcome due to the help of the Community Foundation of Sun City Center. ...more

November 19, 2007

LORIDA — A man who was arrested and charged with eight counts of sexual acts with a minor is expected to enter a plea to the charges Monday. ...more

November 18, 2007