I shook my head in wonder as I read John Padget's column, "Florida must win education competition" (Other Views, Dec. 27). I recognize and embrace his "sense of urgency to get change implemented and student outcomes accelerated." ...more

December 29, 2009

I am not given to writing letters to the editor but have felt compelled with a sense of urgency to respond to the accusations put forward recently by one of our Spring Lakes residents. Having served a little over nine years on the SLID board, my background is quite deep and I can without hesitation say that the current commissioners are not and do not intend to do anything that would be out of line financially or authoritatively on their watch. This is for the most part a thankless job and not a member of the board over the years as far as I know has ever undertook the job of soliciting votes to serve the Spring Lake Community for financial gain. If anything, there are times when I know a board member has requested themselves from voting on an issue that might have questionable ramifications. ...more

December 6, 2009

A conservative state senator stunned his colleagues on Thursday when he announced that he was switching his "yes" vote on a commuter rail proposal to "no." Other senators who voted "no" in the past said they don't know how they will vote this time -- leaving the future of SunRail and TriRail all the more uncertain. ...more

December 3, 2009

For starters Sunday, he looked every bit the rattled rookie. He could barely hold onto the football. He was stripped on sacks, fumbled, bungled. He messed up. Josh Freeman was miserable, and so was the Bucs' offense, save for the now right-footed legend named Connor Barth. ...more

November 16, 2009

With the word's "let's roll," U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and relatives of United Flight 93 victims have turned shovels of dirt at a groundbreaking ceremony for a permanent national memorial at the western Pennsylvania crash site. ...more

November 7, 2009

A fast-paced Hudson squad did all it needed to collect a 25-14, 25-12, 25-20 win against Zephyrhills in the Class 4A-Region 2 quarterfinals. ...more

November 5, 2009

This wasn't what Sebring had in mind when it said it wanted a crisp, efficient tune-up for the rest of districts. ...more

October 28, 2009

From an Antarctic research base to the Great Pyramids of Egypt and beyond, the world switched off the lights on Saturday for Earth Hour, dimming skyscrapers, city streets and some of the world's most recognizable monuments for 60 minutes to highlight the threat of climate change. ...more

March 29, 2009

No. 11 North Carolina may have been upset Saturday had coach Sylvia Hatchell not broken up the Tar Heels' two-week layoff before the NCAA tournament with one last game. ...more

March 21, 2009

As the local economy continues to lose steam, Hillsborough County commissioners are pushing county officials to cut red tape so hundreds of building permits can move forward. ...more

February 26, 2009