Christmas shopping is not fun anymore. I used to love it. We'd make our lists and at 9 a.m. or 2 p.m. or some other decent hour (not 4 a.m.) we'd get bundled up in coats and boots and mittens, drive downtown (no, not to the mall), and walk from store to store along snow-covered sidewalks. We'd buy gifts until we couldn't possibly carry any more, then we'd meet back at the car to stow them in the trunk and head out to buy some more. ...more

November 29, 2009

Friday morning as a Rotary volunteer I worked the Salvation Army Circle for Cash and Cans. Giving is definitely down with our economy. However, nickels and dimes do count and they add up so next time you see a bell ringer and don't have any folding money just give your change. It all adds up. ...more

November 28, 2009

There could be less jingle in the Salvation's Army's hallmark red kettles this season. The charity is testing kettles that take debit and credit cards. ...more

November 25, 2009

Some will invite guests and cook an elaborate meal for Thanksgiving. Some will fly home. ...more

November 14, 2009

Pasco County officials say they seriously underestimated the demand for federal stimulus money intended to prevent homelessness, and they are being overwhelmed with calls for help. ...more

November 4, 2009

Pasco County officials say they seriously underestimated the demand for federal stimulus money intended to prevent homelessness, and they are being overwhelmed with calls for help. ...more

November 1, 2009

A second suspect has been arrested in a home invasion-robbery in which a sheriff's deputy was shot in the neck. ...more

October 28, 2009

Regarding "Bedlam plagues clunker program" (Aug. 2): In America, it seems, we have a tendency to buy new and dispose of old items even if they are still usable. An idea: Do not destroy the vehicles. I am sure that at least 25 percent to 50 percent are drivable. Maybe the miles per gallon might not be the best, but donate them to the Salvation Army, Goodwill, VFW or the Kidney Foundation. Maybe even our military and their families could use a vehicle. ...more

August 4, 2009

During its July meeting, South Florida Community College's District Board of Trustees elected new officers to the board. David Leidel of Highlands County was elected as 2009-10 chair, and Gary Delatorre of Hardee County was elected as vice chair. ...more

August 2, 2009

Former Hillsborough High baseball player Keith Diaz, who recently graduated from Central Florida Community College, was named the Florida Community College Activities Association Male Scholar Athlete of the Year. ...more

June 28, 2009