Things are tight for city and county governments these days, what with a slow economy and falling tax revenue, so reducing spending is the order of the day. That was the case this week in Tarpon Springs. The financial times there are financially straitened enough that commissioners entertained the idea of cutting from the city's budget for fiscal 2009 money for Christmas decorations. In the end, they decided not to go that far, with Mayor Beverley Billiris stating, "Somehow you just don't mess with Christmas or the holidays." ...more

August 2, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS – The City Commission wasted little time in thanking the local couple who is paying for the city's Fourth of July fireworks show this year. ...more

June 4, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. – The show will go on, after all. Dave and Lisa Ulgenalp, longtime city residents and restaurateurs, have donated $18,000 to sponsor the city's July Fourth fireworks display. ...more

June 3, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS -- There will be no rockets red glare or bombs bursting in air in the night sky over Tarpon Springs this Fourth of July. ...more

May 31, 2008

Government-sanctioned fireworks shows are a staple of Fourth of July celebrations. This year, however, various factors, both local and on the other side of the globe, are prompting many local government, here in Pinellas and elsewhere, to scrap their traditional Independence Day fireworks displays. ...more

May 31, 2008