SARASOTA - When 15-year-old Alexandra Pickhardt heard that toys were being recalled because they had lead in them, she wanted to make sure her three younger siblings were safe. ...more

February 18, 2008

LAKE PLACID — With a recent $50,000 donation from Glades Electric Cooperation Inc., Recreation Director John Komosa hopes the ongoing work at a baseball field for disabled players will finish up by September. New fences and benches already circle a playing field at June Park, in preparation for the future Miracle League Field. Installation of a special rubberized turf to protect players from injury is scheduled when funding is obtained. The Glades Electric donation goes a long way toward the $250,000 fundraising goal. The turf alone will cost $121,000, said Komosa. ...more

February 18, 2008

City workers on Wednesday found the body of a dog killed two days earlier by an alligator at Al Lopez Park. ...more

February 14, 2008

TAMPA - City workers on Wednesday found the body of a dog killed two days earlier by an alligator at Al Lopez Park. ...more

February 13, 2008

With construction of the long-awaited New Tampa skate park about to begin, city recreation leaders have scheduled two final meetings to receive public input about the project. ...more

February 13, 2008

It may be several days before a trapper can snare an alligator that killed a dog at Al Lopez Park on Monday. ...more

February 13, 2008

TAMPA - It may be several days before a trapper can snare an alligator that killed a dog at Al Lopez Park on Monday. ...more

February 12, 2008

Full-time homeowners wondering how to take advantage of a new $50,000 homestead exemption may want to tune in to or attend Tuesday's county commission meeting. ...more

February 11, 2008

Landscaping costs in the three Highlands County incorporated areas: (budgeted costs vary wildly, and shouldn't be directly compared, since most employees perform several tasks not connected with landscaping, while grant funding varies and pays for many improvements.) • Highlands County-$2.5 million yearly budget for landscaping of 40 county owned properties which includes the cost of a four-person, full-time department. • Avon Park-$52,000 of Avon Park city funding goes to contractor Cutting Edge, which maintains the U.S. 27 corridor, the Main Street mall and other city properties. Inmates perform much of the landscaping at no cost to the city, as is the custom in many areas of the county. Five recreation department employees oversee upkeep of the city ball fields with a $16,000 yearly budget. ...more

February 10, 2008

Though the Super Bowl ended less than a week ago, a new football season is about to start in South Shore. ...more

February 9, 2008