Homebuilders Revive Stalled U.S. Projects as Banks Unload Lots at Discount

Construction crews are returning to the Cascades of Groveland, a gated 55-and-older community west of Orlando, Florida, almost three years after its bankrupt developer left owners of the existing 238 houses surrounded by empty lots, partially built homes, and an unfinished clubhouse.

University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft will be the featured speaker when the USF Women's Club celebrates its 50th anniversary with its scholarship luncheon Sept. 19.

Tuesday's International Football Results

(Home teams listed first) 2012 European Championship Qualifying Group A Austria 2, Kazakhstan 0 Germany 6, Azerbaijan 1 Turkey 3, Belgium 2 Group B Ireland 3, Andorra 1 Macedonia 2, Armenia 2 Russia 0, Slovakia 1 Group C Italy 5, Faeroe Islands 0 Serbia 1, Slovenia 1 Group D Albania 1, Luxembourg 0 Bosnia-Herzegovina 0, France 2 Belarus 0, Romania 0 Group E Hungary 2, Moldova 1 Netherlands 2,...

GOP to stage rally in Sarasota

Sarasota will be at the heart of Florida politics Saturday -- at least for Republicans.Senate

A Swamp snub for fans of USF?

South Florida Bulls fans root for a 13-year-old football team, and yes, they have a chip on their

Pressure rises on Florida pastor who wants to burn Quran on Sept. 11

German airline rejects SRQ service

MANATEE — This Condor won’t be landing at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport anytime soon.

Key sees the damage in rural Canterbury

A visit to the outlying areas of Christchurch has reinforced to Prime Minister John Key the severity of Saturday's earthquake.

Florida Budget Deficit Slashed

Florida economists say the budget shortfall for the year ahead has shrunk by almost three billion dollars.

Sarasota National Cemetery work lags

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs got a very public nudge Tuesday to get back on schedule with construction of Sarasota National Cemetery.

Fort Myers police investigating robbery at McDonald's

Fort Myers Police are investigating a robbery at the McDonald’s near the intersection of Colonial Boulevard and Metro Parkway.

Girl Scouts Use Courts To Get Cookie Dough

So far as the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida are concerned, failure to pay the bill is no small cookies. That's why the council is taking an unusual step, and suing some girl scout troop leaders who the council claims failed to turn in the cookie 'dough' after the annual Girl Scout Cookie sale ended.

FSU expects to see ‘different’ Oklahoma team this week

Oklahoma looked vulnerable on Saturday. Florida State appeared unbeatable. Saturday’s clash between the two could yield a bit of both. The first test of the season for both storied programs comes at 2:30 p.m. CDT in Norman, Okla. The 17th-ranked...

USF seeks another marquee win against Florida

TAMPA — Skip Holtz was eager to celebrate in the aftermath of his first-ever victory as USF head football coach last Saturday, but a sobering thought entered his mind. Eighth-ranked Florida was next on the Bulls’ schedule. “It brought me down...

King says he'll pay Fla. for tax break

Kernan F. King, the Republican candidate for state general treasurer who has, since 2005, received a property-tax break available only to permanent residents of Florida, said Tuesday that he would reimburse a Florida county for the tax break.

Woman's suit for false jailing nears trial

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 7 (UPI) -- A lawsuit filed by a Florida woman wrongly jailed for a day eight years ago in an identity theft foul-up may be getting close to trial, records show. Florida - Lawsuit - Crime - Theft - United States

Business buzz: Carlson Studio wins LEED first place

Carlson Studio Architecture of Sarasota won first place in the LEED for Homes category at the U.S.

Martin, St. Lucie apartment occupancy climbs, but trails other Florida markets

Though apartment occupancy rates in Martin and St. Lucie counties have increased since a year ago, the rates are still lower than any of Florida’s seven largest markets.

Tampa shelter calls pest pros to put bite on bedbugs

By Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer Tuesday, September 7, 2010 Chris Lapointe, left, and Cley Hobelmann of Emory Brantley & Sons Termite and Pest Control secure a tent Tuesday at New Beginnings of Tampa before fumigation for bedbugs. TAMPA — They skulked into the North Tampa transitional home a couple of months ago — tiny, silent and thirsty for blood. Bedbugs. Yes, the creepy creatures that ...

Miami Dolphins to Work Out Pro Bowl Return Specialist Clifton Smith

Possibly not content with their current kickoff and punt returners, the Miami Dolphins will work out Pro Bowl return specialist Clifton Smith Wednesday, Sept. 8. Smith, who was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during final cuts Saturday, worked out for the Green Bay Packers today and reportedly has at least a few offers on the table. A member of the same undrafted class that produced Dolphins ...

Parcells hands keys to Ireland without explanation

In week of Dolphins opener, the man who hates distractions made himself one After an awful Atlanta preseason game, Bill Parcells approached Ricky Williams in the Dolphins' locker room and said, "I remember you and Ronnie [Brown] talked of rushing for 1,000 yards in a season. Why don't you start by rushing for 20 yards in a game?"

Miami-Dade parks get moving with healthy kids' programs

Miami-Dade's public parks are joining in first lady Michelle Obama 's national ``Let's Move'' campaign to fight childhood obesity and promote healthy living.

Clinton condemns Florida pastor's Koran burning as disgraceful and disrespectful

A controversial plan to burn the Koran on September 11 was condemned as "disrespectful and disgraceful" by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton late Tuesday. Speaking at a function to celebrate Islam's Holy Month of Ramadan, Clinton blasted the planned demonstration by a Florida pastor, Fox News Channel...

Dave Hyde: Parcells hands Dolphins' keys to Ireland without explanation

There are all sorts of Oliver Stones out there seeing ghosts, health issues and arguments with owner Steve Ross. But the most plausible reason is that Bill Parcells had planned this all along. It lets Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano stand on their own.

Chelsea confident Lampard and Terry will be right for West Ham

Carlo Ancelotti Frank Lampard John Terry Chelsea West Ham United Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is confident that two of his key players will be available to take on West Ham United this weekend. Midfielder Frank Lampard and defender John Terry both missed England’s Euro2012 qualifier with Switzerland on Tuesday due to injury but Ancelotti expects them to be able to take their place at Upton ...

Sporting News NHL preview schedule

Nine years of futility lead to another housecleaning in Florida. Will Tomas Vokoun help Dale Tallon's plan succeed? From Sept. 7 to Oct. 6, Sporting News will preview a different NHL team every day.

Tampa police trail robbery suspect to Largo bank, arrest him

By Rodney Thrash, Times Staff Writer Tuesday, September 7, 2010 LARGO — With an undisclosed amount of money in his shirt, Kevin James Algood emerged from the BB&T Bank on Walsingham Road just before 12:30 p.m. Friday. There had been five other bank robberies in Tampa as well as Hillsborough and Pasco counties, Largo police Lt. Mike Loux said, and Algood was suspected in all of them. Police said ...

LAWRENCE: Local teens have an âAmerican Idol Experienceâ

A trip to Disney World is a dream come true for many young persons. For Avery Epstein of Princeton and her friend Taylor Blanton of Lawrenceville, the dream came true, along with an unexpected role in the park’s “American Idol Experience” and a chance to audition for the hit television show.

Miami Dolphins' Jeff Ireland has been at Bill Parcells' side both in Dallas and South Florida

Miami Dolphins: Bill Parcells Becomes Consultant Role As Jeff Ireland Takes Over

In what seems like the creation of an necessary distraction five days before the regular season opener, the Miami Dolphins have announced that Bill Parcells will move into a "daily consultant" role, with general Jeff Ireland taking on a larger role. According to the team's official press release , Ireland will "assume full control over all aspects and decisions in regard to the Miami Dolphins ...

Urbanite

Mayor Michael Bloomberg yesterday stepped into another divisive religious debate, this time defending a Florida church that’s planning to burn Qurans on Sept. 11.

Miami Hurricanes: Three Keys To Beating the Ohio State Buckeyes

Everyone knows about "The Call" so I won't even go there. Its a new year and two new teams. Its really hard to see what either the Hurricanes or Buckeyes even have at this point. Miami routed Florida A&M 45-0 and OSU beat Marshall 45-7. We can only assume what we already know, this should be a heck of a game. Miami has been down and battered for the last few years. This game will really show ...

Miami Hurricanes to get key defensive tackles back for Ohio State game

Florida's state budget shortfall shrinks in new forecast

News Service of Florida Tuesday, September 7, 2010 TALLAHASSEE — Florida's looming budget shortfall has been cut in half by state analysts, who credit federal stimulus dollars, years of spending cuts and Indian gambling money as helping to forge a brighter picture — but still leaving the state in a $2.5 billion hole. A year ago, state forecasters projected a $5.5 billion gap for 2011-12, as the ...

Florida's state budget shortfall shrinks in new forecast

News Service of Florida Tuesday, September 7, 2010 TALLAHASSEE — Florida's looming budget shortfall has been cut in half by state analysts, who credit federal stimulus dollars, years of spending cuts and Indian gambling money as helping to forge a brighter picture — but still leaving the state in a $2.5 billion hole. A year ago, state forecasters projected a $5.5 billion gap for 2011-12, as the ...

Girl Scouts sue S. Fla. troop leaders for cookie cash

FORT LAUDERDALE – Although Girl Scout troop leaders are supposed to teach good character, five of them in South Florida failed to fork over thousands of dollars earned from cookie sales.

Super Bowl cities that usually receive warm receptions

Twelve cities/areas have hosted the Super Bowl. Only three of those could be considered cold-weather cities -- Minneapolis, Detroit and Atlanta. Indianapolis and New York have been awarded future Super Bowls. Only five cities have ever hosted more than two Super Bowls, and all are warm-weather climates that are popular vacation spots. That's why South Florida, New Orleans, Tampa, Los Angeles and ...

Miami Hurricanes to get key defensive ends back for Ohio State game

Tampa Bay Buccaneers news and notes

By Joe Smith, Times staff writer Tuesday, September 7, 2010 Trash talk of the day First-round pick DT Gerald McCoy was surprised to see a Florida State hat propped up in his locker Tuesday. The former Oklahoma standout laughed, but got serious when it came to predicting Saturday's matchup between his Sooners and FSU, well aware that TV cameras were in his face and LB Geno Hayes (a former ...

Florida High School Football Poll

A loss to Niceville cannot keep Lincoln from the top 10 in Class 4A in the latest Florida Prep Poll.

Nothing Mickey Mouse about this nurse

If you have been a patient in the emergency department at the Brantford General Hospital, you likely did not know it, but one of the nurses that may have cared for you, studied, get this: theme park management at Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida! What does that have to do with being a nurse, [...]

Florida Marlins ' Josh Johnson might be done for season because of back and shoulder concerns

Fort Myers family fights with Brazilian government for daughter

A Fort Myers family says the Brazilian government is holding their daughter.

RI treasurer hopeful to repay a Florida tax break

The Republican candidate for Rhode Island general treasurer says he plans to reimburse Florida for a property tax break that he says he improperly received since 2005. Rhode Island - Florida - United States - Republicans - Politics

Former Armwood star Ryne Giddins chose USF over Florida, who the Bulls play this week

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer Tuesday, September 7, 2010 TAMPA — USF and Florida have never met on a football field, so with a meeting in Gainesville coming Saturday, the closest thing the Bulls can claim to a victory against the Gators came Jan. 10, 2009, just two days after Florida won its second national championship. In the middle of a key recruiting weekend, Armwood defensive end Ryne ...

Former Armwood star Ryne Giddins chose USF over Florida, who the Bulls play this week

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer Tuesday, September 7, 2010 TAMPA — USF and Florida have never met on a football field, so with a meeting in Gainesville coming Saturday, the closest thing the Bulls can claim to a victory against the Gators came Jan. 10, 2009, just two days after Florida won its second national championship. In the middle of a key recruiting weekend, Armwood defensive end Ryne ...

Key Wester closes its doors

The doors to Key Wester closed abruptly Tuesday. The Florida Keys-themed seafood restaurant, which opened along Route 59 in Naperville in August 1996, was described as a labor of love on the part of restaurant owner Dick Portillo, and closing it was a "tough decision."

Key Wester closes its doors

The doors to Key Wester closed abruptly Tuesday. The Florida Keys-themed seafood restaurant, which opened along Route 59 in Naperville in August 1996, was described as a labor of love on the part of restaurant owner Dick Portillo, and closing it was a "tough decision."