After a three-hour, emotional hearing filled with apologies, tears and requests for mercy, a former Wharton High School teacher and basketball coach was sentenced to three years in prison followed by three years probation after pleading guilty to a sexual relationship with one of her students. ...more

December 6, 2007

The former treasurer of the Belleair Civic Association was arrested Tuesday, accused of stealing $6,800 from the association and more than $16,000 from the Wonders Foundation while she was on the charitable organization's board of directors, police said. ...more

November 28, 2007

BELLEAIR - The former treasurer of the Belleair Civic Association was arrested today on charges she stole $6,800 from the association and more than $16,000 from the Wonders Foundation while she was on the charitable organization's board of directors, police said. ...more

November 27, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - The health problems and other personal setbacks that caused Cathi Martin to miss numerous Pasco County School Board meetings in the last year continue to haunt the third-term board member. ...more

November 26, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - A 22-year-old motorcyclist was killed this morning in a wreck at 30th Avenue North and 49th Street, St. Petersburg police said. ...more

November 21, 2007

CBS News writers authorized their union leaders to call a national strike, the Writers Guild of America said Monday, escalating a labor impasse. ...more

November 20, 2007

Gov. Charlie Crist this week appointed Sheriff Bob White to the Task Force for the Remediation of Illicit Drug Labs, a statewide initiative combating illegal drug use and sales. ...more

November 15, 2007

SEBRING – A merger, a company buying a competitor's office, consolidating offices and Realtors moving to other companies are all part of the local real estate business that is dealing with a difficult housing market. Coldwell Banker Highlands Properties LLC, a Sebring and Lake Placid Coldwell Banker real estate affiliate, has merged with Realty World Act Real Estate that became effective Nov. 1. "Basically this merger has allowed us to double our size because both of our offices were, generally speaking, the same size with the same amount of listings," said Jim Carroll, the former owner of Realty World Act Real Estate, and now the sales manager for Coldwell Banker Highlands Properties. "So now we have potentially brought ourselves into a much stronger market share in this area by doing this merger." "I believe the increased signage and doubling of listings, and its potential sales volume, ...more

November 11, 2007

LAKELAND – Five people were arrested Tuesday night and charged with underage drinking at a house party on Garden Chase Drive, authorities said. ...more

November 7, 2007

PLANT CITY - Executives of a local company that has supplied the city with John Deere equipment since 1996 say an upcoming merger with Ocala-based Highland Tractor Co. will strengthen both businesses. ...more

November 7, 2007