SEBRING — Court fees, traffic fines and an assortment of other charges are going up as a result of the passage of Senate Bill 1790, and clerk of courts officials are scrambling to get the changes recorded before July 1, when these increases kick in. The bill was approved by Gov. Charlie Crist on June 10. The Highlands County Clerk of Court's staff is going through the 73-page senate bill making all the mandatory changes it contains to its fee schedules, said Bob Germaine, senior director of court services. ...more

June 18, 2008

TAMPA - The state attorney's office has opted not to file formal charges against a Tampa woman accused in January of abusing a child, spokeswoman Pam Bondi said. ...more

June 16, 2008

A wood-frame house that burned last week would have been a century old if it could have stood another three or four years. ...more

June 14, 2008

SEBRING — In the old days, which were only a few weeks ago, a Highlands County deputy would cite drivers for speeding in his ticket book. The driver was handed a carbonless copy, and the original went to the sheriff's office, where it was transferred to the county clerk of courts and to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Now, the sheriff's office gives out electronic citations, said Sheriff Susan Benton. ...more

May 4, 2008

A 21-year-old Clearwater man was arrested at Tampa International Airport last weekend after security personnel found a box cutter in a hollowed-out book, authorities said. ...more

February 21, 2008

TAMPA -- A 21-year-old Clearwater man was arrested at Tampa International Airport this weekend after security personnel found a box cutter in a hollowed-out book, authorities said. ...more

February 20, 2008

With local interest already high in the presidential race and Tuesday's vote on constitutional Amendment 1, Pasco County residents also should begin paying special attention to how local races are shaping up. ...more

January 27, 2008

The single-member district proposal which is being circulated would greatly diminish the power of every voter in our county. I urge all county residents to vigorously oppose the petition drive by not signing it and if it makes it to the ballot, vote "no"! ...more

January 27, 2008

Hillsborough County is considering charging irresponsible pet owners more so it can beef up its animal control enforcement. ...more

January 6, 2008

The sundry rules that control the ebb and flow of funds in the state-run investment pool for local governments fail to answer an unexpected question: If investments lose money, whose money is lost? ...more

January 4, 2008