Tampa News

St. Petersburg Times

• Bill amendment would hinder annexation of Lealman

  St. Petersburg Times – 2 hrs 1 min ago  

  The proposal protects Lealman from being swallowed up and shelters the fire district. Full Story »

• Pinellas Park hit-and-run leads to bomb squad visit in St. Petersburg

  St. Petersburg Times – Tue Dec 15, 12:12 am ET  

  What started as a hit-and-run crash in Pinellas Park on Monday led to the discovery of a grenade in an abandoned car and the bomb squad being called out to St. Petersburg. Full Story »

• Tampa police plan crackdown on pedestrian violations

  St. Petersburg Times – Tue Dec 15, 12:10 am ET  

  First, Tampa police will warn pedestrians who don't use crosswalks. Then come fines. Full Story »

• Hernando Quarry Preserve plan squeaks by 3-2

  St. Petersburg Times – Mon Dec 14, 11:19 pm ET  

  BROOKSVILLE The 4,280-acre Quarry Preserve project set for old mining property north of Brooksville took a critical first step toward approval Tuesday. Full Story »

• Hudson hurricane shelter built to withstand winds of 190 mph

  St. Petersburg Times – Mon Dec 14, 11:18 pm ET  
  

  The $7.5 million Mike Fasano Regional Hurricane Shelter can house up to 1,000 people. Full Story »

The Tampa Tribune

• USF's Leavitt strongly denies report he struck player

  The Tampa Tribune – Tue Dec 15, 12:13 am ET  

  USF head coach Jim Leavitt denied an online report that he struck one of his players, Joel Miller. Full Story »

• Bucs offense plans to rely less on Freeman

  The Tampa Tribune – Tue Dec 15, 12:12 am ET  

  In theory it made plenty of sense. It was just one pass, after all, and if Josh Freeman completes it, well then his confidence is right back where you want it, strong as ever and standing on its own again. Full Story »

• Belichick defends Moss

  The Tampa Tribune – Tue Dec 15, 12:12 am ET  

  New England coach Bill Belichick fired back Monday at two Carolina defenders who criticized the effort of wide receiver Randy Moss. Full Story »

• Blockbuster: Phillies deal for Halladay

  The Tampa Tribune – Tue Dec 15, 12:11 am ET  

  The Phillies have a tentative agreement to acquire star pitcher Roy Halladay in a trade with Toronto, and the former Cy Young Award winner was in Philadelphia on Monday for a physical required to complete the deal. Full Story »

• Morris questions offense's effort

  The Tampa Tribune – Tue Dec 15, 12:11 am ET  

  On the day after New York newspapers ridiculed his 1-12 football team in the wake of a 26-3 setback, Bucs coach Raheem Morris acknowledged Monday that the current regime must turn things around quickly. Full Story »

Bradenton Herald

• Salvation Army hopes to have toys for 250 ‘angels’

  Bradenton Herald – Mon Dec 14, 11:59 pm ET  

  MANATEE — A mountain of toys collected during the Salvation Army’s annual Angel Tree drive is being sorted and prepared for distribution to almost 2,500 children. Full Story »

• Local woman killed in crash is identified

  Bradenton Herald – Mon Dec 14, 11:59 pm ET  

  MANATEE — The family of Paige K. Sedgley was planning her funeral Monday. Full Story »

• Adopt-a-Family begins holiday gift giveaway

  Bradenton Herald – Mon Dec 14, 11:56 pm ET  

  WHITFIELD — Mary Lang, Rebecca Jeffrey and Johanna Farias may not know each other. Full Story »

• Duette’s doors will stay open

  Bradenton Herald – Mon Dec 14, 11:56 pm ET  

  BRADENTON — Donna King fought back tears as she addressed the Manatee County School Board on Monday about the fate of Duette School, where she’s taught for 18 years. Full Story »

• 12/15 POLICE BRIEFS: Accident sends two to hospital

  Bradenton Herald – Mon Dec 14, 11:52 pm ET  

  MANATEE — A three-vehicle crash sent two people to the hospital and tied up northbound Interstate 75 for more six hours Monday afternoon. Full Story »

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune

• Manatee wants equal billing at arts fest

  The Sarasota Herald-Tribune – Tue Dec 15, 1:03 am ET  

  By DALE WHITE County says if it contributes to Ringling event, it won't be No. 2 Full Story »

• Body lay by road overnight after 911 call

  The Sarasota Herald-Tribune – Tue Dec 15, 1:02 am ET  

  By JOHN DAVIS Caller didn't have road name, so dispatcher sent no officer Full Story »

• Sarasota Ponzi suspects: Diamond trial to go ahead; Morgans in U.S. jail

  The Sarasota Herald-Tribune – Tue Dec 15, 1:02 am ET  

  By MICHAEL BRAGA Prosecutors say they are set to try Beau Diamond Full Story »

• Sobriety traffic stops are criticized

  The Sarasota Herald-Tribune – Tue Dec 15, 1:02 am ET  

  By TODD RUGER One DUI-related arrest made out of 633 cars stopped Full Story »

• Report: USF coach hit player

  The Sarasota Herald-Tribune – Tue Dec 15, 1:02 am ET  

  The Associated Press The University of South Florida plans to look into a report that football coach Jim Leavitt struck one of his players in the face during halftime of a game last month. Full Story »

WTSP-TV Tampa

• Sarasota's South Gate Post Office to stay open

  WTSP-TV Tampa – Mon Dec 14, 9:14 pm ET  

  Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Postal Service has cancelled the possible closure of the South Gate Post Office, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) announced Monday. Full Story »

• Robber maces men for oxycontin

  WTSP-TV Tampa – Mon Dec 14, 8:44 pm ET  

  Bradenton, Florida -- A teenager sprayed two men with mace in a failed attempt to steal their prescription of oxycontin , the sheriff's office said today. Full Story »

• Putting the brakes on teens texting and driving

  WTSP-TV Tampa – Mon Dec 14, 8:29 pm ET  

  Tampa, Florida - A new report shows while teenagers understand the danger of texting while driving, the overwhelming urge to stay connected is so strong that many times their safety simply takes a backseat. Full Story »

• Chairman of Sports Authority says taxpayers overcharged

  WTSP-TV Tampa – Mon Dec 14, 6:44 pm ET  

  Tampa, Florida -- It is a little know agency that costs taxpayers more than $3 million a year. The Tampa Sports Authority , which runs the stadium and city golf courses, is involved in an internal battle between its chairman of the board and its outside legal counsel. Full Story »

• Proposed bill calls for tougher Pre-K teacher requirements

  WTSP-TV Tampa – Mon Dec 14, 6:29 pm ET  

  Pinellas Park, Florida - Thousands of families sign up their children for the state's universal pre-k program. The summer program held by local school districts has a certified teacher in class, but the fall program that follows the school year schedule does not. Full Story »

The Lakeland Ledger

• Webinar to Offer Help in Cutting Utility Expenses

  The Lakeland Ledger – Tue Dec 15, 1:18 am ET  

  If you're looking for some tips to cut your utility expenses, a webinar Thursday may help. Full Story »

• USFP is Offering Registration Help

  The Lakeland Ledger – Tue Dec 15, 1:18 am ET  

  The University of South Florida Polytechnic is offering registration-help workshops on six days, from today through Jan. 7, for students who need assistance in registering for classes. Full Story »

• Guardian Ad Litem Volunteers Sought

  The Lakeland Ledger – Tue Dec 15, 1:17 am ET  

  The Guardian ad Litem program, which serves abused and neglected children across Polk County, is seeking volunteers. Volunteer guardians help represent children who are involved in court proceedings. Guardians must be at least 19 years old and undergo background checks and a certification process. Full Story »

• Service for Burke Kibler is Thursday

  The Lakeland Ledger – Tue Dec 15, 1:03 am ET  

  A memorial service for D. Burke Kibler III, chairman emeritus of the Holland & Knight law firm, will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive in Lakeland. A reception after the service will be at the Lakeland Yacht & Country Club. Full Story »

• New School to Have Open House

  The Lakeland Ledger – Tue Dec 15, 1:03 am ET  

  A new school for students with dyslexia opening next year will hold an open house Monday. Full Story »

ABC Action News Tampa Bay

• The rules for giving holiday gifts at work

  ABC Action News Tampa Bay – 2 hrs 14 mins ago  

  Don't blow it when it comes to giving and receiving gifts in your office this holiday season. Full Story »

• How to choose a chiropractor that's perfect for you

  ABC Action News Tampa Bay – 2 hrs 14 mins ago  

  Expert advice from Angie's List : Why chiropractors get mixed reviews in a national survey, and how to choose one that works for you Full Story »

• Speling counts most on your resume

  ABC Action News Tampa Bay – 2 hrs 14 mins ago  

  More sad-but-true examples of real-life resumes scuttled by bad spelling. Full Story »

• Walgreen's Offers H1N1 Vaccine

  ABC Action News Tampa Bay – Mon Dec 14, 11:32 pm ET  

  Walgreens drugstores in the Tampa area are offering the H1N1 vaccinations on a walk-in basis, while supplies last. Full Story »

• Report: Florida home prices to plunge in 2010

  ABC Action News Tampa Bay – Mon Dec 14, 11:32 pm ET  

  The numbers suggest prices in the Bay Area could fall by 23 percent. Full Story »

FOX 13 Tampa Bay

• Did inmate forge his way out of jail?

  FOX 13 Tampa Bay – Mon Dec 14, 11:33 pm ET  

  Earlier this year, a suspect was charged with passing bad checks at banks all over the Bay Area. Those cases put him in the Pinellas County Jail, and detectives say he used the very same skills that landed him in jail to break out. Full Story »

• Manic Monday at the post office

  FOX 13 Tampa Bay – Mon Dec 14, 9:03 pm ET  

  Dressed in their Christmas best, U.S. postal workers shipped more packages Monday than any other day of the year. Full Story »

• Salvation Army seeks donations online

  FOX 13 Tampa Bay – Mon Dec 14, 7:19 pm ET  

  You say you don't have time to pick up some toys for charity this year? Not a problem. The Salvation Army is going to make donating easier than ever before. Just a few clicks, and you're done. Full Story »

• Where's the help for Chinese drywall?

  FOX 13 Tampa Bay – Mon Dec 14, 6:37 pm ET  

  With their health and their money at stake, homeowners across the Bay Area are fighting their nightmare with Chinese drywall, looking anywhere for help. Full Story »

• Students injured in school bus crash

  FOX 13 Tampa Bay – Mon Dec 14, 4:07 pm ET  

  Two school buses were involved in an accident in Citrus County Monday afternoon, injuring several students. Full Story »

Bay News 9 Tampa Bay

• Fog delays ships, more fog expected overnight

  Bay News 9 Tampa Bay – Mon Dec 14, 9:28 pm ET  

  According to the Coast Guard, at least seven ships had to wait about eight hours in the Gulf of Mexico for access to the Port of Tampa Monday. Watch the story   More fog expected overnight Full Story »

• Three-car crash causes backup on I-75 in Manatee

  Bay News 9 Tampa Bay – Mon Dec 14, 7:13 pm ET  

  A multi-car accident in Manatee County caused quite a back-up on Interstate 75 Monday afternoon. Full Story »

• 'Tis the season for Online Charities

  Bay News 9 Tampa Bay – Mon Dec 14, 6:16 pm ET  

  More people are turning to the Internet for ways to help others in need, even for charities that traditionally have collected on the street, such as the Salvation Army red kettles. Watch the story   IRS database for charities and nonprofits Web poll: Will you or have you donated this holiday season? Full Story »

• Truck hauling concrete overturns on interstate ramp

  Bay News 9 Tampa Bay – Mon Dec 14, 6:01 pm ET  

  A truck hauling concrete overturned on the exit ramp to the Pinellas Bayway off Interstate 275 in St. Petersburg Monday afternoon. Video from scene Larger image Crash location  Bay News 9 traffic resources Full Story »

• It's the busiest mailing day of the year

  Bay News 9 Tampa Bay – Mon Dec 14, 5:46 pm ET  

  Monday is reportedly the busiest mailing day of the year. Full Story »

The Polk County Democrat

• Cosmetic Improvements, Code Changes Proposed To Enhance Downtown

  The Polk County Democrat – Sat Dec 12, 10:18 am ET  

  Improving the appearance of downtown Bartow can involve things as simple as putting more colorful plants in planter boxes and as dramatic as changing the city code to allow zero-setbacks for commercial buildings and to encourage residential use of second floors. Full Story »

• The Manor at West Bartow Offers Affordable ‘Fine Living’ for Seniors

  The Polk County Democrat – Sat Dec 12, 10:17 am ET  

  Fine living doesn’t have to come at a high price for senior citizens at The Manor at West Bartow. Full Story »

• Don’t Pine Away — Get A Christmas Tree

  The Polk County Democrat – Sat Dec 12, 10:17 am ET  

  Jingle bells are ringing, and it’s time for Christmas. Full Story »

• Bartow Becomes Winter Wonderland Friday Night

  The Polk County Democrat – Sat Dec 12, 10:17 am ET  

  Snow may not line the streets of downtown, but Christmas season will reach its peak on Friday with the Main Street Bartow annual Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. Full Story »

• Man Killed When Car Flips

  The Polk County Democrat – Sat Dec 12, 10:17 am ET  

  A 23-year-old man was killed, but three passengers were spared injury, when his vehicle skidded and flipped Monday about 11:38 p.m. at the intersection of Eagle Lake Loop and Starling Roads. Full Story »