When Citigroup warned in early November that it was likely to write down its portfolio by $8 billion to $11 billion in the fourth quarter because of exposure to bad loans, investors recoiled at the size of the losses. Some now say those early estimates appear drastically understated. ...more

December 28, 2007

Some people bake cookies. Some sing carols. On Christmas Eve, Melissa Gualario shops. ...more

December 25, 2007

Three of the six foster children in Mary Walton's care never have had a bicycle. ...more

December 22, 2007

Three of the six foster children in Mary Walton's care never have had a bicycle. ...more

December 22, 2007

SEBRING — By mid-January, Highlands County is likely to become the third county in the state to give county residents serving in the military in combat zones a monthly stipend. The proposed stipend being considered is $75 per month of combat duty. The idea has been pending before the Highlands County commissioners since early November, but is likely to move quickly now that Joseph Dionne, the county's veterans services officer, is ready to make a recommendation. Dionne said Thursday he plans to send to county Attorney Ross Macbeth a proposal for the county to award the $75-per-month stipend to all full-time Highlands County residents currently serving in the military and deployed in what the federal government classifies as combat zones. ...more

December 21, 2007

UNIVERSITY AREA - Three of the six foster children in Mary Walton's care never have had a bicycle. That will change this Christmas, when all six find new bicycles around the tree. Walton and other foster parents recently received 200 bicycles from the all-volunteer group God's Pedal Power. A ministry outreach at University Baptist Church, God's Pedal Power provides bicycles to children and adults in need. ...more

December 19, 2007

Alex Rodriguez set another record for baseball's highest contract, finalizing his $275 million, 10-year agreement with the New York Yankees on Thursday. ...more

December 14, 2007

With great fanfare and probably with no fewer than three pre-announcement, Vaseline-lens, tinkling-piano feature stories, University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow - or Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden or Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel - will be revealed Saturday at approximately 8:50 p.m. as the winner of the 2007 Heisman Trophy. In 1966, when Florida quarterback/future ballcoach Steve Spurrier won the award, the method of informing the winner was decidedly more low-key. ...more

December 4, 2007

Construction of single-family homes in October skidded to the lowest level in 16 years although the slide was cushioned somewhat by a rebound in apartment building. ...more

November 21, 2007

HOLMES BEACH - A 38-year-old man told police his drug habit was so bad that he stole from children and a church, according to police reports. ...more

November 19, 2007