Santa Claus probably is getting a good rest right about now after a night of fulfilling Christmas wishes. He checked his list (not once, but twice) and sat for hours at the Gulf View Square mall in Port Richey listening to the whispers - and sometimes wails and screeches - of children from Pasco County and nearby areas. ...more

December 25, 2008

Santa spent time with local kids before started to pack his sleigh for his big night. ...more

December 24, 2008

Alya Schwieterman, 2, opens one of the gifts. ...more

December 24, 2008

Santa Claus made an early appearance during a recent Mending Hearts holiday party for children who have lost loved ones. Forty-seven children attended the party at the Gulfside Regional Hospice main office in New Port Richey. ...more

December 24, 2008

Among a forest of designer Christmas trees, a simple ceramic handmade holiday tree holds a special spot in Rhonda Warren's New Port Richey home. Warren makes sure it sits in a prominent spot in the elaborately decorated holiday home. The Warren house sports 22 Christmas trees with themes of everything from Mickey Mouse to M&Ms, a plethora of ornaments and lights, and at last count, 25 gingerbread houses. ...more

December 24, 2008

Some 25 boats decked out in holiday splendor from bow to stern caravanned with Santa Claus in tow on the sprawling lake spanning the community Dec. 13. ...more

December 24, 2008

BUT CAN ELEPHANTS FLY? Santa Claus rode into town on an Asian elephant from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus to deliver toys Monday to a handful of Tampa Bay area children at the Florida State Fairgrounds outside Tampa, which serves as the circus's winter rehearsal grounds for the upcoming season. ...more

December 23, 2008

Santa Claus will roll into some neighborhoods a little bit early this year. ...more

December 20, 2008

Gov. Charlie Crist played Santa Claus to state workers, who have gone two years without a cost-of-living pay raise, by giving them a holiday gift — two paid days off — as a token of appreciation. ...more

December 19, 2008

Santa Claus will roll into some neighborhoods a little bit early this year. On Saturday, he'll deliver skateboards to kids in the Perry Harvey Park area. To help out the fat man, volunteer elves — disguised as employees of Skatepark of Tampa and some former skaters — assembled the skateboards Thursday night. ...more

December 19, 2008