OCALA - Over the past decade or two, the sprawling horse farms that once buffered downtown Ocala from the chaotic bustle of Interstate 75 have given way to progress. Now, out-of-town travelers seeking respite in the natural beauty of the Ocala National Forest or heading to meetings at downtown offices pass by scores of convenience stores, chain restaurants and strip malls. Despite the changes, Ocala has remained a truly Southern town. Like much of the South, Ocala faces continuing questions — from residents and outsiders — about race relations. ...more

January 11, 2008

The Tower Dairy on 78th Street that sits against a backdrop of industrial buildings and is surrounded by grazing cattle, is among the last remnants of the way Palm River once was. ...more

January 10, 2008

Four years after she won a city council seat, making her what is believed to be Georgia's first transgender politician, Michelle Bruce is battling a lawsuit launched by an unsuccessful opponent who claims she misled voters by running as a female. ...more

November 23, 2007

During a lunch speech Tuesday, an economist from Portland, Ore. - a city known for its bicycle paths and hybrid car drivers - shared his vision for how the Tampa Bay area can succeed economically from Earth-friendly policies. ...more

October 24, 2007

It's been a tough year for Main Street's merchants. The economy is bad, nearby strip malls continue to siphon customers from the city's downtown thoroughfare, and then there's the ongoing, problem-plagued drainage project. ...more

October 19, 2007

She's there behind the carport, her green eyes wide, clearly waiting for Mike Bundas but poised to bound away at a moment's notice. ...more

September 29, 2007

I'm always sad to see the summer end. The kids go back to school and the relaxed attitudes that go hand-in-hand with hot weather shift. But the one thing I don't mind about the change in seasons is an opportunity to clean out my closet. ...more

September 23, 2007

The northern stretch of North Dale Mabry Highway won't turn into a chain of strip malls, but could look like a strip of residential-styled offices. ...more

September 22, 2007

The northern stretch of North Dale Mabry Highway won't turn into a chain of strip malls, but could look like a strip of residential-styled offices. ...more

September 19, 2007