If we can skip past the melodrama surrounding the Bucs' quarterbacks for a moment, it's easier to see today's game against the Saints for what it really is. The Bucs have an extraordinary opportunity to put a boot on the neck of the NFC South. ...more

December 2, 2007

SEBRING — Highlands County commissioners need to find one more person, with the right credentials, to appoint a state-mandated citizens advisory committee on affordable workforce housing. At stake is the county's ability to keep receiving about $900,000 per year in state funding for housing assistance programs. Ten of the 11 seats on the committee have been tentatively filled, but commissioners are waiting to appoint the committee until the 11th position is filled. That person must be a county resident "who is actively engaged as a for-profit provider of affordable housing," according to state law. "Generally, that would be a contractor or a developer," said Jim Polatty, the county's development director. ...more

December 1, 2007

TAMPA - With the University of South Florida's recent struggles and Louisville trying to salvage a disappointing season, practically all of the luster has been lost from Saturday's matchup. ...more

November 16, 2007

Cell phones are driving teachers crazy. As the phones become smaller and more sophisticated, they are becoming a big problem in schools, even with middle and elementary students. ...more

October 30, 2007

TAMPA - Cell phones are driving teachers crazy. As the phones become smaller and more sophisticated, they are becoming a big problem in schools, even with middle and elementary students. "It's amazing – they come to class with no textbook, no pencil, but they have the cell phone on them," said Mark Danish, a science teacher at Tampa's Benito Middle School. ...more

October 29, 2007

THE DIFFERENCE: Jefferson secured its place in the Class 4A playoffs after the Dragons (3-4, 2-0 4A-10) took control with two touchdowns in the first 3:29. Darrell Young took the third snap from scrimmage for a 57-yard touchdown run, and following a fumble recovery by D.J. Penny, quarterback Zack Grossi found Lester Lewis on a 25-yard touchdown pass. Grossi finished the night with four touchdowns, two to Lewis. ...more

October 19, 2007

Turkey's top general warned that ties with the United States, already strained by attacks from rebels hiding in Iraq, will be irreversibly damaged if Congress passes a resolution that labels the World War I-era killings of Armenians a genocide. ...more

October 15, 2007

WHAT WENT RIGHT FOR BUCS: Jeff Garcia passed to Joey Galloway for a 5-yard gain on their first play from scrimmage. ...more

October 8, 2007

SEBRING — The county's long-running dispute with the state over development plans in Highlands County should be settled by mid October. At stake is final state approval that would allow: * Development of 4,637 acres; * Construction of 6,438 housing units, broken down into 4,537 single family homes, 192 mobile homes and 1,739 multi-family units; * Commercial projects totaling 5.1 million square feet; and * Industrial/warehouse projects totaling 5.9 million square feet. That is the total potential growth within 42 large-scale amendments to the Highlands County Comprehensive Plan which were approved by county commissioners in 2004, 2005 and 2006 but not yet approved by the Florida Department of Community Affairs. DCA recently sent the county a final settlement offer to approve all of those comp plan amendments. County commissioners will vote on DCA's settlement offer following a public hearing at their Oct. 16 meeting. ...more

September 30, 2007

Episcopal bishops on Tuesday rejected demands by leaders of the worldwide Anglican Communion to roll back the church's liberal stance on homosexuality, increasing the possibility of fracture within the communion and the Episcopal Church. ...more

September 26, 2007