Diane Thomas was suspicious something wasn't quite right with the repairs done to her father's house with city and federal redevelopment money. ...more

February 24, 2008

Angelic House was ecstatic when she learned she could get her storm-damaged home fixed through Hillsborough County's housing rehabilitation program. ...more

February 14, 2008

AVON PARK — The national economic disaster that was 2007 also whacked Highlands County's home building industry. According to figures released by Building Official S.Y. Moseley's office, the value of building permits dropped 30 percent last year. About twice as many single family homes were built two years ago, 1,156 in 2006 versus 563 building permits in 2007. It's affecting contractors and their subcontractors, said County Commissioner Don Bates: "There are a lot of guys who are looking for work, who are ready to go to work, and they're out of work." Because they're skilled tradesmen, some are taking lower wages than they were earning in good times, ...more

January 13, 2008

GULF HARBORS - Lindrick Service Corp. is advising residents of Perry Place and Lawrence Lane to boil water for cooking or drinking until tests show it's safe to consume. ...more

November 29, 2007

SRI-St. Petersburg may be the new kid on Florida's research scene, but by landing a $36.5 million Navy contract, it has quickly established itself as a major player in marine science research. ...more

November 1, 2007

PLANT CITY The housing market is sluggish if not downright disastrous, commissioners said at their meeting Monday. According to city building department records, four residential permits were issued in August. During the height of the boom in 2005-06, about 30 permits were issued monthly, records show. With the downturn in mind, Mayor Rick Lott proposed delaying increases in transportation impact fees until April 1, a move he said would help stimulate residential building permit activity. ...more

September 26, 2007

Edgar Derr and his former co-workers used to get paid to clean up other people's messes. Now, the former custodial staffers have turned to the state, hoping to force their former employer to clean up their tax trouble. ...more

September 9, 2007

In the seven years since CEO Robert Eckert took over Mattel, the world's largest toy maker has gone from struggling with sagging sales and unhappy shareholders to a more profitable company. ...more

September 8, 2007

SEBRING — Although Harder Hall is on track to sell for enough to repay all claims against it, no one but the city of Sebring will see a check. ...more

September 7, 2007

A giant sigh of relief was stifled a bit Wednesday when Sebring City Council members voted to sell Harder Hall for $5.55 million, but have to wait 30 days until the deal is final. Just the same, we're ecstatic that the city was successful finding seemingly quality buyers willing to pay a fair price. ...more

September 6, 2007