The young man who killed eight people and committed suicide in a shooting rampage at a department store spent four years in a series of treatment centers, group homes and foster care after threatening to kill his stepmother in 2002. ...more

December 7, 2007

AVON PARK — It's 4:30 a.m. Friday. A woman parked in front of Belk department store. Two children also got out. "Get in line," she instructed the pre-teen boy and girl. They didn't move fast enough. "Run like your life depends on it," she yelled. They giggled and made it a race for the back of the line, while she walked more slowly. An after-Thanksgiving sale crowd of 200 people was already waiting to get in, and Christina Starcher was first. She held up a sale flyer from the newspaper, and pointed to a silver-colored Fossil watch with a black face for $115. ...more

November 24, 2007

AVON PARK — Lakeshore Mall won't open its doors until 6 a.m. Friday. But by then, all the department stores will have been open at least an hour. The mall will be a madhouse. "We just try not to get trampled," said Jenny Cheek, the mall's general manager. "It's not for the faint of heart. The die-hard shoppers come in for the door-busters. For some women, it's like an all-day experience. Some will go home, then come back later in the day." Every store will have a sale, Cheek said. "It's the biggest shopping day of the year." Wal-Mart is open all night, so some shoppers will arrive as early as 3 a.m. and begin lining up behind the special they want. ...more

November 22, 2007

This year's ornament, which costs $18, and is sold as a fundraiser for New Horizons Group Homes can be purchased at the organization's annual barbecue from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 10 behind the group homes at 109 and 115 E. Clay Ave. ...more

November 6, 2007

There were no stately columns, gingerbread trim or Southern charm to attract the eye to the subject of this year's New Horizons Group Homes' commemorative holiday ornament. ...more

October 31, 2007

It appears that the Democrats have a certain loathing for our military as well as our country. They are now working diligently to surrender to our enemies. It appears that Randy Ludacer is helping them in their effort by making fun of Gen. Petraeus' decorations. Maybe he thinks that these ribbons and decorations just jump up on his jacket by themselves and do not mean anything. Maybe he thinks they are like a tie pin that he could purchase at a department store or have been the prize in a box of crackerjacks. Every one of the pins and decorations means something and were earned. In other words, they are not "welfare." Of course Democrats wouldn't understand earning something as opposed to having it handed to them for their vote. ...more

September 22, 2007

PLANT CITY - Downtown Plant City's premiere mega-antique flea market — downsized last year to 3,000 square feet — is about to double in size at a new location. ...more

September 21, 2007

Drugstore giant CVS has started construction of a store at Commerce Palms and Bruce B. Downs boulevards, its second New Tampa location. ...more

September 18, 2007

LAKE PLACID – Dollar General Store is moving from its location in the Winn-Dixie shopping center in Lake Placid, but the department store is only going across U.S. 27 to a free-standing building. Dollar General has leased the site of the former hardware store at 108 U.S. 27 N. Developer Bill Harvey bought the building, which he said is 10,050 square feet, last December. Harvey said he liked the location and believed he could lease the building in a short period of time. ...more

September 16, 2007

Drugstore giant CVS has started construction of a store at Commerce Palms and Bruce B. Downs boulevards, its second New Tampa location. ...more

September 15, 2007