When Yendry Diaz slipped out of the Cuban soccer team's hotel on Cypress Street two months ago, he had high hopes for his new life in the United States - and dreams of a contract with a pro soccer team. ...more

May 27, 2008

Former University of South Florida WR Amarri Jackson had the swagger of a first-round draft pick during the first day of Tampa Bay's rookie minicamp. ...more

May 3, 2008

Verizon officials unveiled a few of their internal missteps to city of Tampa officials Thursday, by way of explaining that they're aware of customer service glitches and are improving. ...more

May 2, 2008

After getting a mild surprise from Cool Coal Man and a dominant showing from War Pass, often-loquacious trainer Nick Zito needed only one word to describe his emotions. ...more

February 25, 2008

The Grace Christian cheerleaders entered the 19th annual Florida Christian College National Cheerleading Championships this month with high hopes, competing against teams from 20 states. Last year, Grace Christian walked away with a junior and senior stunt national title, as well as small junior high and small varsity national titles. ...more

January 30, 2008

This is not the way Florida State women's basketball coach Sue Semrau envisioned her 11th season unfolding, and first since leading the Noles to the program's inaugural Sweet 16 appearance a year ago. ...more

January 15, 2008

Don't you hate these election times of stress when you can't believe anybody, whether a trusted official or someone with high hopes of higher places? Reading the cherished columns in Sunday's papers would leave you wondering just who is telling the truth and who is electioneering! Two writers state the country is going to pot in a handbasket if we keep on with the "now" regime. A couple of wordy culprits think all's fine and all we need is common sense and some fine-tuning. So far, we can't help but observe that we still do have a republic here and we are a long ways from becoming a kingdom or a Muslim nation. This country will survive no matter who raises the most money or is elected in the driver's seat, but God help the man or woman who says we need to wear long gowns and face the East. Predictions ... The so-called war will continue regardless of whom is elected, because our responsibilities run too deep. ...more

December 5, 2007

This week's Pinellas County football games ...more

November 8, 2007

For some local businesses, beginning a global outreach to sell products is a scary prospect. For others, it's a big opportunity. That's why a few businesses in Highlands and Hardee counties showed up to meet a delegation of officials from Peru Wednesday. The Peruvians stopped in Wauchula as part of a whirlwind tour of Florida looking for trading partners. Very few people from this area took part in the networking meeting, but the ones who did have high hopes of selling their goods. The idea of selling outside the country leaves a lot of people feeling weak in the knees, but the people who do it say many safeguards are in place, and there's no reason why local manufacturers cannot find new markets. We hope that's the case, and we hope more local business people take advantage of future trade meetings. ...more

October 19, 2007

Tennessee reminded Georgia who owns Neyland Stadium. Arian Foster rushed for 98 yards and three touchdowns, Lucas Taylor made the most of his very short time as a quarterback and Tennessee put an emphatic end to No. 12 Georgia's winning streak in Knoxville with a 35-14 victory Saturday. ...more

October 7, 2007