The last weekend day of this year's holiday season has packed Tampa International Airport, sending roughly 18,000 more people through the terminal than on a typical day last month. ...more

January 4, 2009

When 93-year-old Walter Farley was found shot dead in his home, his son's wife, Mary, asked Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, "Are you going to do everything you can to find who killed my father-in-law?" ...more

January 4, 2009

Like most folks, I made up a short list of New Year's resolutions last week. When I read it over later, it struck me as funny that I started with "abs, abs, abs" and ended with "be nicer to everyone." ...more

January 4, 2009

Lightning center and No. 1 overall draft pick Steven Stamkos is making the transition this season from junior star to NHL regular. Throughout the season, the 18-year-old from Markham, Ontario, will share his experiences with Tribune writer Erik Erlendsson to give readers an insight into a new way of life during his rookie journey. ...more

January 4, 2009

The Polk County Sheriff's Office today charged someone in the New Year's Eve shooting death of a 93-year-old Lakeland man: his son. ...more

January 3, 2009

Crystal Rusaw had scheduled a Jan. 9 Caesarean delivery for her second child, but Pasco County's first baby of 2009 had other ideas. ...more

January 3, 2009

The year 2009 has dawned. In the nation's capital, Barack Obama and Congress will soon begin trying to pull the nation out of a severe recession. We just hope they don't do anything to delay the recovery that would happen on its own, absent major interference from the political sector. In Tallahassee, state lawmakers will soon tackle a $2.3 billion budget shortfall. Here's hoping they don't try to solve that problem with taxes that invariably fail to raise the amounts of revenue their supporters claim. ...more

January 3, 2009

The new year began in Hernando County with a street fight that resulted in a broken nose for the suspect and the victim's mother nursing a bump to the head. ...more

January 3, 2009

The new year of 2009 is here. Last year at Manna saw a substantial increase in the number of families served, a new director and physical building changes. The one obvious fact that we are still open means that God is still blessing us. He blesses us through our wonderful donors. You have given generously of food, clothing, household goods and funds. I would like to say thank you. There have been many sad, wonderful and amazing things happen at Manna this year. Some I have shared with you, others God knows about. Recently I had a lady come in asking for help. Her husband's unemployment had run out, she had been laid off from her job and the prospects of Christmas for her three children were slim. She came to us too late for the Toy Store at the church, all the toys were gone. ...more

January 3, 2009

A Tampa Bay star has hit the big screen, and fans can't get enough. One of the Labrador retrievers in the movie "Marley & Me" is a local. Eight years ago, Rudy was a stray in the care of the Hillsborough County Animal Services shelter. ...more

January 3, 2009