The back-to-back blasts of cold last week hit Hillsborough County's tropical fish farmers hard, costing them more than $1.7 million in dead aquarium fish and snails, according to preliminary reports. ...more

February 10, 2009

Conservatism Not Racism I read with amazement "Commentator's Rush To Bitterness," (Views, Feb. 8) in which Frank Harris essentially calls Rush Limbaugh a racist because Limbaugh hopes President Barack Obama fails. ...more

February 10, 2009

Hundreds of people lined up in the cold for the grand opening of the community's first major department store today. Within 20 minutes after Bealls' officials celebrated the ribbon cutting at 9 a.m., hundreds more had walked through the doors. ...more

February 6, 2009

A precipitous drop in water temperature at the end of last month shut most fishing down for a few days. It was clear and cold for nearly a week, but not cold enough to kill any fish. At least I heard no such reports. The water temperature got as low as 57 degrees in the gulf, but it climbed back to 62 a few days later. If that's winter's best shot, we'll take it. ...more

February 4, 2009

With mid-winter conditions in effect, anglers have stayed on the dock for the most part. Small-craft warnings combined with morning temperatures in the high 30s make local fishing a challenge most are not willing to accept. And you can bet that the fish are not biting after a 10-degree drop in water temperature. ...more

January 29, 2009

The Ruskin Chamber of Commerce's 81st Annual Awards Banquet & Silent Auction was the chamber's way of thanking its membership for a successful 2008, a venue for it to recognize businesses and individuals for their contributions to the community and an opportunity to raise operating funds for the chamber. ...more

January 28, 2009

At 86, Janet Olewine was getting along in her Kings Point home of 22 years, cooking, cleaning and taking care of herself. ...more

January 28, 2009

The children's choir at Saint Anne Roman Catholic Church, Les Petits Chanteurs de Sainte Anne, which means "Saint Anne's Little Singers" in French, sang and signed "Silent Night" at a special Mass for families on Christmas Eve. Wayne Warren, director of music, conducted them, with the help of Cindy Cyman, director of religious education. Parishioner Bridget Cassese taught the kids sign language. ...more

January 28, 2009

Even though it's a buyer's market, first-time home buyers' choices often are limited. Harbour Isles, in Apollo Beach, is not only affordable for first-time buyers, but it's in a great location and has an abundance of amenities, says Cara Kane, regional public relations director with KB Home. ...more

January 25, 2009