James Patterson has created some surreal characters and made them seem real in "The Final Warning." Maximum Ride seems like a normal teenager - until she opens her wings to fly. She and five other kids were born mutants from a genetic experiment and have spent most of their lives escaping from those who want to destroy them. They have recently been asked to help a group of scientists studying global warming in Antarctica. At first Max is not convinced that global warming is all that important or that they could help enough in its prevention. But as they grow more familiar with the wildlife in the Antarctic and see the actual effects of even minor climate changes they become very enthusiastic about being a part of the team. But their enemies have tracked them and manage to capture them. Maximum is afraid that this time their wings won't be able to save them. ...more

February 4, 2009

SHERIFF'S OFFICE This is a partial list of crimes and service calls reported Dec. 25-31 to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Questions about a specific event should be directed to the sheriff's office at (813) 247-8200. 33559 Bearss Ave E, Block 2800, theft in progress, Dec. 30, 1:52 p.m. ...more

January 2, 2009

SHERIFF'S OFFICE This is a partial list of crimes and service calls reported Nov. 2-8 to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Questions about a specific event should be directed to the sheriff's office at (813) 247-8200. ...more

November 12, 2008

The Church of Scientology has added to its downtown property holdings, buying a 5-acre waterfront parcel from church members whose plans for a condominium failed. ...more

August 7, 2008

Shawn Lonsdale, who became one of the most bedeviling local critics of the Church of Scientology, died of an apparent suicide at his Clearwater home this past weekend. He was 39. ...more

February 20, 2008

The Internet-based group Anonymous is calling global demonstrations it organized against the Church of Scientology a great success and plans another event next month to coincide with the birthday of the church's founder, L. Ron Hubbard. ...more

February 13, 2008

CLEARWATER - The Internet-based group Anonymous is calling Sunday's global demonstrations it organized against the Church of Scientology a great success and plans another event next month to coincide with the birthday of the church's founder, L. Ron Hubbard. ...more

February 12, 2008

Members of an Internet-based group known as Anonymous gathered downtown Sunday to protest the Church of Scientology at its spiritual headquarters. ...more

February 11, 2008

CLEARWATER - Members of Anonymous, a Scientology protest group, marched around downtown Clearwater today holding anti-Scientology signs and wearing wigs, sunglasses, bandanas or hats to disguise their identities. ...more

February 10, 2008