Bill Burnside's fascination with pigeons dates back six decades to the day his father caught two of the birds and brought them home. "They fascinated me," Burnside said. His enthusiasm never waned. These days Burnside, 66, owns more than 100 pigeons and is Florida representative of the National Pigeon Association. "Every pigeon has it owns little personality, just like people," Burnside said today as he spoke to students at Long Middle School during the annual Great American Teach-In. Pigeons were just one of the delights students were treated to for the teach-in. All across the county, parents and other community members visited schools to talk about their careers or hobbies. Firefighters, financial planners and cake decorators were among those who shared their stories or demonstrated their skills. Technically, the teach-in takes place all week, but most of the presentations are taking place today. ...more

November 19, 2008

What started as a protest became a show of support Sunday afternoon as nearly 100 people marched down Seventh Avenue on behalf of Ybor City's chickens. ...more

November 17, 2008

What started as a protest became a show of support Sunday afternoon as nearly 100 people marched down Seventh Avenue on behalf of Ybor City's chickens. ...more

November 16, 2008

Daily Fishing Report ...more

November 10, 2008

A pair of threatened Florida scrub jays stands watch atop a bare shrub overlooking one of the few patches of scrub habitat left in Hillsborough County. When trouble looms, they will warn the others with an unusual call: pssshhh, pssshhh, pssshhh. ...more

October 18, 2008

Another group of whooping cranes is set to follow an ultralight from Wisconsin to Florida this week. ...more

October 12, 2008

Nestled in Fox's Corner where Gunn Highway meets North Mobley Road is the Feed Depot, a one-stop shopping mecca for some of man's best friends: not only dogs, but also cats, goats, sheep, rabbits, ducks, birds and - primarily - horses. ...more

August 25, 2008

Save Our Seabirds is soon going to be on the move, or at least hopes to be. The nonprofit organization is planning on moving all of its birds from its Wimauma facility into the former Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary in Sarasota. But can't do so until the Sarasota facility is cleaned and repaired. And one way SOS is trying to raise the needed cash is to host a yard sale on Sept. 20. But to have a yard sale, the organization is asking for donations. Items needed include toys, tools, clothing, artwork, kitchenware, pot and pans, small appliances and books. ...more

August 22, 2008

Roxanne Tobaison had no idea she was an artist until she was grown, married and raising children. ...more

August 20, 2008

Southwest Bartow residents have been in a buzz ever since hundreds of vultures took up roost in their neighborhood. ...more

February 25, 2008