A troubled youth mental health center in Riverview has laid off more than a third of its staff now that the state has removed many of the children in its care. ...more

January 4, 2009

A troubled youth mental health center in Riverview has laid off more than a third of its staff now that the state has removed many of the children in its care. ...more

January 3, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG - In Perry, Ohio, they are going to need a new baseball coach for the 14-year-olds. The Bridge Band, which plays contemporary Christian music, is going to need a new bass player. ...more

December 5, 2007

A Pinellas County sheriff's deputy has died of a gunshot wound that authorities think was self-inflicted. ...more

November 29, 2007

The lives of Richard and Kathleen Ross were taken in the middle of the night, their heads crushed with a baseball bat gripped in the hands of the son whom they loved. ...more

November 17, 2007

Talk about a travesty and miscarriage of justice! Let me see if I have this straight. Mr. Hunt was charged with negligent homicide, manslaughter, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and obstruction of justice. But, because of a plea deal, he was only charged with the manslaughter count. Prosecutor David Ward stated, "The plea was below (sentencing) guidelines." Dear God, may I ask you who obstructed justice? Did the Bemis family offer and agree to this plea? I was Bobby's spiritual leader and youth minister for many years. He was a troubled youth, but a day prior to his death, he had called me asking "Mr. P, you always said if I was ready to straighten my life out, you would help. Do you still mean that?" I responded that I did. Bobby's next question was "When is the next youth meeting?" I told him tomorrow and that we would pick him up. He was elated. Bobby's tomorrow came but was cut short as his untimely death occurred. Doing Bobby's funeral was a heartbreaking task for me. Now, I have questions for Mr. Hunt and Mr. Ward. Did Mr. Hunt give Bobby a "plea deal?" Did Mr. Hunt give Bobby a reduced sentence? Because of Mr. Hunt dastardly deed, will Bobby only serve seven and a half years? Will Bobby receive ten years probation? Who determined that Bobby's life only had a value of $5,000? Bobby had a lifetime ahead of him. Now, last but not least, I ask if justice was served? The answer is "no." Only obstruction and miscarriage of justice. ...more

November 13, 2007

He has the acting chops. We know that much about Charles S. Dutton, the charismatic, bald and burly performer whose awarding-winning work has appeared on television and stage and in the movies. ...more

November 2, 2007