It was early, and that made the drive out to one of my favorite hiking destinations a traffic-free pleasure. I, along with my dog, Angel, had visited this out-of-the-way conservation area only two days before. We were looking forward to a more thorough, weekend-style exploration of the trails that wind through these bare winter woods. ...more

January 13, 2008

SEBRING — A "body-less" murder trial is uncommon, but it's not unheard of, according to Assistant State Attorney Steve Houchin. Because authorities were unable to locate the body of the alleged newborn that Silvia Zanchez supposedly threw into the trash last November, prosecutors now have to prove through circumstantial evidence that Zanchez actually delivered the baby, if her case goes to a criminal trial. A Highlands County grand Jjury indicted Zanchez, 24, of 109 Sarasota St., Lake Placid, Wednesday, on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. "We're going to have to prove circumstantially that she gave birth to a live human being," said Houchin, who also said that he's never prosecuted a "body-less" trial. ...more

January 11, 2008

A two-week long search for a discarded baby has culminated into an indictment Wednesday and more details into what happened. ...more

January 9, 2008

Jeff Albanese leans over the starboard side of the Green Armada boat and scoops a large plastic bag from the Hillsborough River. He shakes his head while watching water drip off it and through his rubber net. ...more

January 7, 2008

SEBRING — Sheriff's detectives needed a keen sense of smell and sharp ears Wednesday to locate a marijuana growhouse operation, the 60th growhouse raided in the county since November 2006. A strong marijuana smell and the sound of growhouse electrical equipment led to the arrest of a Sebring man and woman in connection with the alleged operation at 8460 Tubbs Ranch Road, in Sebring, off of U.S. 98. ...more

December 14, 2007

Things To Do is a list of some of the most interesting upcoming events. For a complete list of Tampa Bay area events, see this week's Friday Extra. ...more

November 7, 2007

About 300 people took part in Wesley Chapel's first Coastal and Waterways Cleanup on Saturday morning. ...more

September 16, 2007

The article in Sunday's edition concerning cleaning Lake Tulane didn't inform the readers of one important fact. The food and soft drinks that were prepared and served by volunteers from the Highlands County Lakes Association was paid for by a grant from the county using the portion of the Highlands County tourist tax funds dedicated to lake-related spending. ...more

September 13, 2007

It's time to take out the trash along Tampa Bay, and volunteers for the annual International Coastal Cleanup can report to one of several south Hillsborough County locations to volunteer. ...more

September 8, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - Last year, the Land O' Lakes/Wesley Chapel division of the international Coastal and Waterways Cleanup collected 3.25 tons of refuse in the community, an increase from 1.71 tons collected in 2005. ...more

September 8, 2007