We meltdown or wind down at 2009's end. We've hit speed bumps that annoy, even jolt, but lead to needed slowdowns and lifesaving stops in our personal and national lives. Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid said: "Instead of joining us on the right side of history, all the Republicans can come up with is, 'slow down, stop everything, let's start over.'" Reid intended to denounce, but let's ponder his unintended wisdom. ...more

December 17, 2009

A woman hot dog vendor was killed and a man injured when they were struck by a runaway trailer on Hillsborough and Taliaferro avenues on Monday afternoon, Tampa police said. ...more

August 24, 2009

When the state's development friendly lawmakers aren't trying to undo growth management laws, they're trying to gut or eliminate altogether the agency charged with enforcing them, the Department of Community Affairs. ...more

March 8, 2009

Landowners hoping to develop their property have until Tuesday to tell Pasco County officials. After that, the doors to the county's comprehensive plan are shut until next year. ...more

March 7, 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

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 25, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - Teachers and other schools employees in Pasco County finally have a contract, but the union that represents them doesn't consider the results anything to brag about. ...more

February 4, 2009

Teachers and other schools employees in Pasco County finally have a contract, but the union that represents them doesn't consider the results anything to brag about. Frank Roder, a vice president with United School Employees of Pasco, told the school board today that this was "one of the worst contracts" ever ratified by the employees. Under the agreement, the employees don't get raises this year or even the usual automatic step increases in pay that are awarded based on years of service and, in the case of teachers, education level. ...more

February 3, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - After months of tense negotiations, Pasco County school employees may get new contracts next week. ...more

January 31, 2009

Afghans were paying close attention last week when Barack Obama was sworn in. After all, Obama has pledged to move Afghanistan to center stage in his new administration's foreign policy concerns. ...more

January 27, 2009