TAMPA - To improve boater safety, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office marine unit deputies are offering volunteer boat safety inspections Saturday at Williams Park boat ramp in Riverview. ...more

June 27, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - The channel under Johns Pass Bridge will be closed to boat traffic from 11 p.m. Sunday to 8 a.m. Monday as construction crews continue work to replace the aging drawbridge between Madeira Beach and Treasure Island. ...more

June 19, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - The bills for the wicked hurricane seasons of 2004-05 are still coming in, and Floridians with insurance policies covering everything from autos to boats to homes are going to have to dig deeper to cover the tab. ...more

June 10, 2008

I read with interest the article by James J. Dean regarding the channel between Little Lake Jackson and Lake Jackson. Also, the article about the canal cleanup at Lake Istokpoga. Both of our local newspapers should interview residents of Erin Park, who live on the three canals to Little Lake Jackson, and also take pictures of the three canals, as two of them are literally "seas of grass." We have little water in the middle canal and in the past few weeks, a lot of the fish have died and we've gotten flocks of buzzards on the bank feeding on the dead fish. We haven't had our boats or pontoons out on either lake for almost two years. A lot of the boats and pontoons are sitting high and dry. It would cost each owner around $600 to have a crane come in and remove them. We have contacted local county officials several times, but all we get are words! Something needs to be done. ...more

May 24, 2008

Tax Maze Class Still in Session As I sipped my morning coffee with CNBC stock futures playing on the TV in the background, I eagerly read Michael Bates' article on real estate taxes, hoping to gain new clarity. Well, I get it, but it's not really clear. ...more

May 3, 2008

More than 1,000 sailors and 170 boats from 30 states will compete on Tampa Bay out of St. Petersburg today through Sunday in the Sperry Top-Sider National Offshore One-Design Regatta. ...more

February 15, 2008

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - The eighth annual Bay Crest Park holiday boat parade is on tap from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, with participants from all across the Tampa Bay area encouraged to participate. ...more

December 14, 2007

GO FISHING is a daily look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Randy Rochelle. ...more

November 6, 2007

Flotilla 74 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Brandon is offering free safety inspections for any boat that comes to Williams Park on Saturday, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. ...more

November 1, 2007

When I saw the make up of the Lake Denton Special Citizens Committee appointed by our county commissioners, I was concerned that boaters were apparently excluded. I suggested in a previous letter titled "Where's The Boater" that the words "boat ramp" would soon morph into the words "swimming beach." Seems like that's on its way to become a fact. ...more

October 18, 2007