And Floridians Get Screwed
It's important to note that had the driver stopped that February night, probably no charges would have been filed. But leaving the scene of a deadly crash is a serious felony. The detective decided he couldn't put a 16-year-old cheerleader named Jordan Valdez at the wheel of the Nissan Murano believed to have hit Sjostrom. He gave the teenager a ticket and a stern lecture at her lawyer's office as she cried. Then the case was administratively closed...........more
Meet Loaf
Brand New, Hardly Used
Congratulations
George Howell and former County Commissioner Jan Platt are trying to stave off demolition for 30 days to find a way to restore and maintain the house. Howell said he has contacted U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, and Hillsborough County Administrator Pat Bean for help.........here
Bush joked about how much time his father, former President George H.W. Bush, and Clinton spend together. He said his mother, Barbara Bush, "said President Clinton and Father share the stage so much, he's like a son to her."............more
There could be a bounty on the head -- and frighteningly long body -- of the Burmese python, serpent scourge of the Everglades..........more
One of the St. Petersburg Times' sharpest minds and most fearless columnists 
Assorted Chinese 
Support one of the coolest theatres not only in Tampa, but across the whole United States this week by purchasing just about anything at Barnes and Noble..........here
Last week during the heavy and prolonged rains in Palm Coast Florida, an osprey nest with two chicks was completely destroyed. The osprey family was obviously distraught and hung around the nest location trying to survive...........here
Kiley Gardens, the hotly contested riverfront park nestled between Kennedy Boulevard and the new Tampa Museum of Art off of Ashley Street, will be saved after all. Well, most of it will be saved........more
Pork Chops
Last week, 2008 congressional challenger Annette Taddeo suggested she might be interested in a possible run for CFO. This would be a very good idea. If you already know about Annette and agree, go sign the petition and encourage her to jump into the race.........here
And It Was Commissioner Al Higginbotham's Idea
As if the past dirty deeds and developer-driven agendas of many of our Hillsborough County commissioners wasn’t proof enough (yes, we mean you Team Sprawl) now the Florida Legislature has shown you exactly why we need Florida Hometown Democracy (FHD). FHD is a citizen-driven initiative that would allow voters to make growth decisions instead of leaving it in the greased and dirty hands of politicians. To help make the case for FHD, there is this year’s legislative session........more 
Folks, many of you used the now-closed Friendship Trail and want the trail re-opened. Well, you'll get your chance to talk at two important public meetings to held by the Friendship Trailbridge Oversight Committee -- a public panel made up of county commissioners and staff members from both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties..........here
