LAND O' LAKES - After exploring the minutiae of an anticipated $16 million shortfall in the Pasco County School District's 2008-09 budget for more than two hours Tuesday, school board vice chairman Frank Parker said he felt pessimistic. ...more

May 21, 2008

It seems like I've been getting more e-mails from readers than ever before, which makes sense in a shaky economy. But before they start piling up too high, I would like to take the opportunity to answer a couple in this space. Here are two of the most frequently asked questions in my inbox: ...more

May 4, 2008

Regarding "Housing Manager Criticized" (Metro, Feb. 21): First, I love the county I reside in; I admire our county government, including Sheriff Gee and the services available and provided. ...more

February 24, 2008

No one knows for sure what lies ahead. Are we likely to head full tilt into an all-out recession, or will it just be an inconsequential business slowdown? Whatever the scenario, this is the time to think smart and make good career decisions. ...more

February 24, 2008

Progress Energy, please stop killing our squirrels. I know you are aware of the fact that you have a problem with either the wiring or the transformer at the top of the telephone pole in the 900 block of Shamrock Drive. The reason I know that you know there is a problem is because when a squirrel walks the line where the defect is, he or she sets off a chain of events as follows: 1. The sound of a cannon being fired. 2. The squirrel being electrocuted. 3. The loss of electricity in homes. 4. Progress Energy is called to restore electricity in homes. 5. One hour later Progress Energy arrives 6. Progress Energy, with a long pole, resets the breaker at the transformer, then leaves. ...more

February 16, 2008

My Safe Florida Home officials like to brag about how much money the hurricane inspection and grant program is saving homeowners on their wind insurance premiums. ...more

February 6, 2008

Wal-Mart said Tuesday that it will discount some products as much as 30 percent as it aims to lure customers by under-pricing rivals. Price reductions will be available on thousands of items, including food, televisions, gym equipment and home products. ...more

January 30, 2008

Things are heating up in Wisconsin. After the second snowiest December on record in the state capital - and with temperatures hovering around 20 degrees Tuesday - the Legislature abolished a statewide ban on heated sidewalks, stairs, entrances and pedestrian walkways. ...more

January 18, 2008

It's understandable that some residents take advantage of the opportunity to drop certain property insurance coverage so they can meet monthly or annual expenses. ...more

January 16, 2008

Thousands of homeowners in "sinkhole alley" are going without coverage. ...more

January 12, 2008