On his first morning home from Iraq, Lt. Rusty Morris woke at dawn next to his wife, their son tucked between them. Loyal, who was just a baby when Morris deployed 15 months earlier, touched his father's face and ears as he drifted in and out of sleep. ...more

March 15, 2009

On March 7, I was a model as a cancer survivor in the Celebration of Life Fashion Show. This was sponsored by the Heartland Realtors Association to benefit the American Cancer Society. It was one of the most enriching experiences I've ever had. I formed friendships that will last the rest of my life. I watched the ladies that worked with us, teaching, prompting and encouraging us pour their hearts into making the show a success. I received e-mail and phone call reminders from a wonderful lady who is dealing with stage 4 cancer of a loved one, yet she was faithful in making contact with us. Thank you, Jessica. There is no way to mention all who helped put this show together. Just to name a few, thank you to Holly from Allure Salon for the make up tips, to her sister who came from South Florida to help, and to Chastini who freshened everyone's lipstick. Thanks to the Bradenton Beauty and Barber School for the manicures and pedicures provided by their students. Marlene, thanks for being there to make sure the music was cued at the right time during practices. Thanks also to Impressive Pix Photography for donating their time during practice and the show. Lastly thanks to Libby for her dedication to helping us with the choice of clothing, to Dayna, our drill instructor, who was not satisfied with anything less than perfection, and to Sherrie Abraham for everything. ...more

March 14, 2009

The draft stock of two-time Biletnikoff Award winner Michael Crabtree took an apparent hit Saturday when his physical at the NFL scouting combine turned up a stress fracture in his left foot. ...more

February 22, 2009

The frantic owner of a 200-pound chimpanzee that went berserk in Connecticut pleaded with police over the phone to help her stop the animal from mauling her friend, begging them to "Hurry, please! He ripped her face off." ...more

February 18, 2009

A Lakeland man is a millionaire after hitting the Jan. 31 Florida Lotto. ...more

February 13, 2009

Debi Joy Olson freely admits she stalked her ex-husband across the country, then stabbed him to death last summer at a Davenport mall. ...more

January 26, 2009

BayWalk had oodles of potential when it debuted in 2000, just like its Tampa contemporaries Centro Ybor and Channelside Bay Plaza. ...more

January 4, 2009

Someday, maybe, the two of you will be comfortably settled into a sweatpants-and-shared-soap domesticity. The kind that inspires pronouncements beginning: "Here's what you can get me for Christmas. ..." ...more

December 21, 2008

Springstead's Dan Barry finished his prep career at the state meet with a fourth-place finish in 100-yard butterfly. ...more

November 16, 2008

Kanye West is to music what Michael Jordan was to basketball - at least that's what West thinks, in his humble estimation. ...more

November 13, 2008