First, it was too dry. Then it was too wet. Bill Carlisle would like to set the wilds on fire, but Mother Nature isn't cooperating. ...more

July 12, 2008

At E.G. Simmons Park, contract workers scale towering Australian pines and lop off limbs before felling the trees and feeding them to an industrial-sized wood chipper. ...more

July 12, 2008

Hillsborough County commissioners will hold a public hearing Wednesday on whether to schedule a Nov. 4 referendum that will decide whether to continue the county's taxpayer-funded environmentally sensitive land-buying program first approved more than 20 years ago. ...more

July 11, 2008

About 40 residents voiced fears about planned cuts to after-school and summer-school programs and staffing during a town hall meeting Thursday at the Westchase Recreation Center. ...more

July 2, 2008

Backers of the Brandon Community Advantage Center have cleared another hurdle in their attempt to get $2.5 million in county cash for construction of the proposed civic and cultural hub. ...more

June 25, 2008

Laregos Williams spent time just having a barbecue lunch with his 5-year-old son and talking to him about school, baseball and the food. ...more

June 21, 2008

County Commissioner Jim Norman once dreamed of funding Hillsborough parks with money spent by soccer-mad parents and their youngsters at a $40 million complex near Plant City. ...more

June 18, 2008

County commissioners are set to decide Tuesday whether to give $2.5 million in park funds to a group of business and civic leaders working to build the Brandon Community Advantage Center. ...more

June 14, 2008

It's the last day of school and a thunderstorm brews nearby as 11-year-old Jessica Sabogal sums up why she likes the Jackson Springs Recreation Center. ...more

June 11, 2008

TAMPA - It's the last day of school and a thunderstorm brews nearby as 11-year-old Jessica Sabogal sums up why she likes the Jackson Springs Recreation Center. "It feels safe," said the soon-to-be sixth-grader, who participates in the center's free after-school program while under the watchful eye of Hillsborough County employees. But Jessica's parents may have to pay for that care this fall if Hillsborough County commissioners decide to levy a fee to help offset a shrinking county budget. ...more

June 10, 2008