For some beach businesses outside Northwest Florida, the effects of the BP oil spill may have resulted from perception, not reality. Consider the case of the Tradewinds Island Resort on St. Petersburg Beach.

Family Massacre Suspect Planned To Kill Himself

The man accused in a shooting rampage on Thanksgiving Day in Jupiter that claimed the life of four of his family members fled to the Florida Keys to commit suicide. In new documents released last week, Paul Merhige ordered a copy of Final Exit: The Practicalities of Self-Deliverance and Assisted Suicide for the Dying from a Border's Express in Key West on December 1st.

Diverse businesses helped build Orlando Magic's Amway Center

Orlando and Magic officials say NBA arena's construction brought jobs, contracts to minority community, women When Eugene Roberson Jr. buys a ticket to an Orlando Magic game in the soon-to-open Amway Center, there may be no one better at picking the best seat.

Florida education news: Fund raising, stimulus money, charter schools and more

IT TAKES A VILLAGE: Pasco County's brand new Odessa Elementary School turns to parents and community leaders to help collect money for technology. GOOD DEAL — FOR THE SCHOOL: Several Florida universities make money when their students carry debt on university branded credit cards, the Miami Herald reports. • For-profit colleges are growing in Florida, along with student complaints about them ...

Florida education news: Fund raising, stimulus money, charter schools and more

IT TAKES A VILLAGE: Pasco County's brand new Odessa Elementary School turns to parents and community leaders to help collect money for technology. GOOD DEAL — FOR THE SCHOOL: Several Florida universities make money when their students carry debt on university branded credit cards, the Miami Herald reports. • For-profit colleges are growing in Florida, along with student complaints about them ...

Florida education news: Fund raising, stimulus money, charter schools and more

IT TAKES A VILLAGE: Pasco County's brand new Odessa Elementary School turns to parents and community leaders to help collect money for technology. GOOD DEAL — FOR THE SCHOOL: Several Florida universities make money when their students carry debt on university branded credit cards, the Miami Herald reports. • For-profit colleges are growing in Florida, along with student complaints about them ...

Coyotes Set For First Big ‘Guarantee’ Game

VERMILLION — The foray into big-time Division I football will be a quick one for the University of South Dakota.

College football: Miami hasn't been same since losing to OSU, but appears to be on right path

The celebration had begun. Fireworks erupted. Confetti fell. At that one brief instant, when Craig Krenzel's overtime pass to Chris Gamble in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl hit the ground, the University of Miami's football program was at its apex.

County wants to change how we live, get around

In Florida, living in a residential subdivision and getting around by automobile are a part of the state's identity - like college football and the palm tree.

County wants to change how we live, get around

In Florida, living in a residential subdivision and getting around by automobile are a part of the state's identity - like college football and the palm tree.

LAWRENCE: Local teens have an âAmerican Idol Experienceâ

A trip to Disney World is a dream come true for many young persons. For Avery Epstein of Princeton and her friend Taylor Blanton of Lawrenceville, the dream came true, along with an unexpected role in the park’s “American Idol Experience” and a chance to audition for the hit television show.

News by location

Get local and national news updates via E-mail. Red grouper flock to bait. Scamps send out a scout to investigate as the group hangs back. But gags, they're really savvy.

Tampa Bay area personnel appointments, promotions and announcements

By Dolly Brosan, Times Staff Writer Friday, September 3, 2010 Brownstein Engineering Richard Tillery has been named senior transportation planner at RS&H, Tampa. Tillery was a project manager at Renaissance Planning Group, Tampa. Legal Rachel L. Drude has been named an associate at Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & Wein PA, St. Petersburg, and will lead the firm's estate planning and probate department ...

Florida Population Growing Again

Florida may have seen a slight population increase between 2009 and 2010, but experts at the University of Florida say the small boost indicates the economic recovery has a long way to go.

Sports Briefs: USF volleyball team goes 4-0 in tourney

The University of Sioux Falls volleyball team went 2-0 on Saturday in the USF Classic to finish 4-0 in the two-day event. The Cougars (10-3) defeated Waldorf (Iowa) 27-25, 25-14, 25-16 and Mayville State 25-18, 25-8, 22-25, 25-21. Against Waldorf, Rachel Heeney had 18 digs, Alyssa Chambers 16 and Tashayla Person 12 for the Cougars. Amber Nieuwsma had seven kills and Kayla Rolsma and Sarah Kohler ...

Perkins: Fall is a great time to catch a deal

With summer almost over and school back in session, crowds will depart, making family tourist hot spots such as Disneyland and Disney World and beaches prime spots for your next vacation.

Big day of football at East Side; Flyers will face Florida power in finale of Classic

If you like speed and raw athletic ability featuring two of the top high school football programs in the nation, then Clyde Jordan Stadium in East St. Louis is the place to be today.

Florida defense steps up for 34-12 win over Miami (Ohio)

Florida's defense bails out a struggling offense to get a season-opening victory.

Want to sue BP? No oil required

Pensacola's Levin Papantonio law firm retained by Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to help members navigate oil spill claims process.

Paintings preserve Keys maritime history

David Harrison Wright still builds and plays with models. Though the 65-year-old has long outgrown the ones from the hobby shop, he now creates handmade, detailed wood models of historically... read more

$1K laptop apparently walks away from home

KEY WEST -- A computer was stolen from a Seminary Street home on Wednesday, reports say. The homeowner told police a $1,100 laptop computer was stolen sometime between 9:45 a.m. and 1:20 p.m.... read more

Mile Markers

KEY WEST School hosts open house Home School High School (HS2) invites the public to its open house at its new location. The event will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at 1127... read more

Most Broward cities planning to jack up property tax rates

South Florida property values took another dive this year. And despite the desperate times many homeowners are facing, that is forcing cities to raise rates just to bring in the same money as last year.

USF Bulls' special teams in need of a fix after troubles in season opener

By Kerry Klecic, Times Correspondent Sunday, September 5, 2010 TAMPA — There weren't too many things that went wrong for USF during a 59-14 victory against I-AA Stony Brook, but there is one aspect coach Skip Holtz said needs a lot of improvement: special teams. Though the Bulls looked impressive on offense and defense, special teams slipups came more often than Holtz hoped for, including two ...

Orlando's gay community center open to all, director says

Randy Stephens took over as executive director of the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Central Florida in May. A former attorney and lobbyist, Stephens moved to Orlando in 1999 and became politically active in the Human Rights Campaign.

FSU Gives Jimbo Fisher 1st Victory

The Jimbo Fisher era kicked off with a home/season opening victory against the Samford Bulldogs.

Miami must strive to be greener

Last Tuesday, The Miami Student reported that the Farmer School of Business (FSB) is using half of the energy of comparable buildings on campus.

Dreams do come true

Girl can’t make it to Disney, so Make-A-Wish brings it here

Florida slow to spend federal stimulus cash

Florida agencies have spent only about 40 percent of their share of federal stimulus money, a slow flow of funds that has made a limited impact on the state's dire job market.

TV producers bringing firm, 117 jobs to Lakewood Ranch

LAKEWOOD RANCH — The Sarasota County Film Commission laid the foundation some time ago.

Florida slow to spend federal stimulus cash

WASHINGTON — Florida agencies have spent only about 40 percent of their share of federal stimulus money, a slow flow of funds that has made a limited impact on the state's dire job market.

For-profit schools grow -- as do complaints

The advertisements are everywhere -- on local television stations it's Everest Institute, or Brown Mackie College. On South Florida highway billboards, it's the University of Phoenix. All are selling a quick, convenient college education, and the dream of a better life.

Sarasota and Manatee fall behind in fiber race

They say speed kills. But on the Internet, speed innovates, speed enables and speed creates jobs.

Hidden gem

Old U.S. 301 at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport may not be top-of-mind when it comes

Florida fests offer vacation fun close by

Summer is over but there's nothing to keep you home this month. Check out some of the events around the state and plan a mini-vacation.

Soccermania grips Manatee (photos)

Todd Raleigh takes refuge from the rain Saturday morning under a soccer ball-patterned umbrella during the 2010 SCI Labor Day Showcase. The soccer tournament, hosted by the Clearwater Chargers Soccer Club, involved 170 teams from across Florida and was held at the Sarasota Polo Grounds in Lakewood Ranch.

South Florida Bulls coach Skip Holtz debuts with win

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist Saturday, September 4, 2010 TAMPA — The program has had bigger days. For that matter, the coach has, too. Still, you have to admit they kind of looked good together Saturday night. It sort of felt like they belonged, this football team in search of a fresh direction and its new coach with his sights set on the stars. The Skip Holtz era has begun at South ...

Florida's offense has little bite in season opener

Florida struggles against Miami of Ohio until the fourth quarter. Florida struggles against Miami of Ohio until the fourth quarter.

Florida's offense has little bite in season opener

Florida struggles against Miami of Ohio until the fourth quarter. Florida struggles against Miami of Ohio until the fourth quarter.

KC priest finishes bike tour that raised awareness about poverty

KEY WEST, Fla. | A Jesuit priest from Kansas City arrived in Key West on Saturday after a 5,000-mile bike ride to raise awareness about poverty. The Rev. Matt Ruhl of St. Francis Xavier Church touched his bike’s front tire to a Florida Keys icon — the marker for the Southernmost Point in the continental U.S. Ruhl and 11 others made the trek from Cape Flattery, Wash. The tour lasted 99 days and ...

KC priest finishes bike tour that raised awareness about poverty

KEY WEST, Fla. | A Jesuit priest from Kansas City arrived in Key West on Saturday after a 5,000-mile bike ride to raise awareness about poverty. The Rev. Matt Ruhl of St. Francis Xavier Church touched his bike’s front tire to a Florida Keys icon — the marker for the Southernmost Point in the continental U.S. Ruhl and 11 others made the trek from Cape Flattery, Wash. The tour lasted 99 days and ...

Miami Hurricanes looking for redemption against Ohio State

The memories are still painful for Ken Dorsey and his former UM teammates who played in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl. They're hoping for a different outcome when the teams meet again Saturday.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cut ties with receiver Michael Clayton, get roster down to 53 players

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer Saturday, September 4, 2010 TAMPA — An emotional Michael Clayton summed up his six seasons with the Bucs on Saturday night, from a savior as a rookie to a survivor as a veteran. "It was an experience," Clayton said. "It was good, it was bad, it was ugly, it was pretty. It was a life experience. But I don't regret it, not one experience, because I gave it my all ...

Daniels leads South Florida past Stony Brook 59-14

South Florida launched the Skip Holtz era with an unexpected star sharing the spotlight. Joel Miller, the reserve who was involved in a locker room incident that led to the firing of former coach Jim Leavitt after last season, scored the first touchdown of his college career in Saturday night's 59-14 season-opening rout of Stony Brook.

USF Alzheimer's center rising above shortcomings in research

A panel found results disappointing nationwide but recommended a course USF already follows.

Jesuit priest finishes bike tour for poverty

Key West, Fla. (AP) -- A Kansas City Jesuit priest has arrived in Key West after his 5,000-mile bike ride to raise awareness about poverty. The Rev. Matthew Ruhl touched his bike's front tire Saturday to a Florida Keys icon -- the Southernmost Point in the continental United States.

Jesuit priest finishes bike tour for poverty

Key West, Fla. (AP) -- A Kansas City Jesuit priest has arrived in Key West after his 5,000-mile bike ride to raise awareness about poverty. The Rev. Matthew Ruhl touched his bike's front tire Saturday to a Florida Keys icon -- the Southernmost Point in the continental United States.

Florida GOP lawyers want Scott Rothstein testimony

The Republican Party of Florida would like a sit-down with Scott Rothstein. In June, Rothstein was sentenced to 50 years in an undisclosed prison related to his $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme.

Evan Landi makes fast moves at receiver for USF Bulls

USF receiver Evan Landi drives past defenders in the first quarter. The sophomore had a game-high 104 receiving yards.

B.J. Daniels shines, South Florida begins Skip Holtz era with 59-14 victory over Stony Brook

TAMPA, Fla. - B.J. Daniels threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns Saturday night, helping South Florida launch the Skip Holtz era with a 59-14 rout of Stony Brook in the season opener for both teams.