West blows by Croatan 47-12 in Shootout marred by penalties, injuries, too much mouth

EVANS KISTLER MOREHEAD CITY — After a close first half, the 12th annual Golden Corral Shootout turned into a second-half blowout as the West Carteret High School football team took care of archrival Croatan 47-12 in a bitter, slobber knocker of a game.

Florida education news: School calendar, fundamental schools, free Bibles and more

ONE MORE TIME: The Hillsborough School Board changes the 2010-11 academic calendar again, switching days off and putting the final day of classes back to where it was a week ago. MOVING TEACHERS: Pasco schools begin transferring teachers and hiring some new ones to meet class size rules. NO CUTS: The Hernando School Board adopts a budget without major cuts after learning it had money left over ...

Florida Minister Still Plans To Burn Quran

Florida evangelical church leader Terry Jones plans to burn copies of the Quran on the anniversary of 9/11. His threat to go ahead comes despite warnings from senior military leader General David Petraeus, and senior administration officials about the potential damage to relations with the Muslim world.

News by location

Get local and national news updates via E-mail. More AP Top 25 voters are buying into Boise State as the No. 1 team in the country.

Fort Myers McDonald's armed robbery turns deadly

Fort Myers police are investigating a robbery that left a police dog and suspect dead Tuesday evening.

Fines for red-light camera violations begin Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale

Drivers could pay $158 for violations at six intersections Running that red light at some intersections in Fort Lauderdale will cost you starting Wednesday.

Florida State's Christian Ponder is OU's obstacle this week

Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder swears he's not about to get cocky.

Florida pastor rebuffs Petraeus' pleas not to burn Koran

The pastor of a tiny, fringe evangelical church in Florida rebuffed a plea for restraint Tuesday from Gen. David Petraeus, who warned that a plan to burn the Muslim holy book could provoke violence against American troops and citizens overseas.

Florida pastor rebuffs Petraeus' pleas not to burn Koran

The pastor of a tiny, fringe evangelical church in Florida rebuffed a plea for restraint Tuesday from Gen. David Petraeus, who warned that a plan to burn the Muslim holy book could provoke violence against American troops and citizens overseas.

Florida pastor has legal right to burn Qurans

Florida pastor Terry Jones will undoubtedly offend and infuriate many people around the world if he follows through on a plan to burn Muslim Qurans at his church this weekend.

Florida pastor has legal right to burn Qurans

MIAMI -- Florida pastor Terry Jones will undoubtedly offend and infuriate many people around the world if he follows through on a plan to burn Muslim Qurans at his church this weekend.

Florida pastor has legal right to burn Qurans

A Florida pastor's plans to burn Qurans at his church on the ninth anniversary of Sept. 11 might offend and infuriate people across the world.

Florida Tech ranked No. 13 in women's college soccer

Florida Tech was rewarded for its 2-0 start in women's college soccer. The Panthers now are ranked No. 13 in NCAA Division II.

UCF's George O'Leary pleased with Knights' consistency

ORLANDO — The University of Central Florida Knights breathed a sigh of relief following Saturday's 38-7 win against South Dakota.

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 dean building regional campus plan

MIDDLETOWN - About 100 Miami University Middletown staff members and Middletown residents gathered in Miriam G.

Miami tailback has to sit for foul

OXFORD — Two personal fouls called against Miami University seniors in the team’s opener at Florida were “really disturbing” to RedHawks head football coach Michael Haywood.Tailback Thomas Merriweather was ejected from the game in the second quarter, and a penalty on wide receiver Armand Robinson might have cost Miami a touchdown.

Miami tailback has to sit for foul

OXFORD — Two personal fouls called against Miami University seniors in the team’s opener at Florida were “really disturbing” to RedHawks head football coach Michael Haywood.Tailback Thomas Merriweather was ejected from the game in the second quarter, and a penalty on wide receiver Armand Robinson might have cost Miami a touchdown.

Watercolorist loved city's vibrant hues

Of the many places Sandford Birdsey loved to paint, Key West ranked first. "Key West has the best colors, she used to say," said her son, Paul "Pablo" McGrail. Friends and family on Tuesday... read more

City vets new noise rule

The Key West City Commission is asking its street musicians to turn down the volume. The commission on Tuesday night gave tentative approval to new regulation that would limit how loud musicians... read more

Mile Markers

KEY WEST Community meeting scheduled The monthly District 4 community meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Nutrition Center at the Frederick Douglass Gym, 111 Olivia... read more

West Virginia Notebook: Lazear injured, status uncertain against Marshall

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- The status of West Virginia senior middle linebacker Pat Lazear, who missed the season-opening win against Coastal Carolina Saturday, is unclear for Friday's game at Marshall.

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

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.

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

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.

FSU ready for challenge of national spotlight

TEAM READY FOR SPOTLIGHT TALLAHASSEE -- After cruising to a 59-6 victory over Football Championship Subdivision opponent Samford last weekend, Florida State will have much better indication of how talented the team is this weekend.

Miami-Dade-based media watchdog gets $100,000 grant

The Florida Center for Investigative Reporting, a bilingual investigative nonprofit based in Miami-Dade County, has received a $100,000 grant from the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation.

Miami-Dade-based media watchdog gets $100,000 grant

The Florida Center for Investigative Reporting, a bilingual investigative nonprofit based in Miami-Dade County, has received a $100,000 grant from the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation.

Outdoors notebook: Deeks, Jones win Gifts of Generosity

The fourth annual Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Gifts of Generosity inshore fishing tournament, the seventh sanctioned event on the Florida Flatsfishing Association’s 2010 calendar, was fished by 26 teams Saturday out of Loggerhead Club and Marina in Vero Beach. More than $2,650 was raised for the Gifts of Generosity Fund, a fund used by the sheriff’s office to aid individuals and ...

Robber hits Tampa Palms bank

A man wearing a Florida Gators baseball cap pulled low, covering part of his face, robbed the Bank of America branch on Amberly Drive and left with an undisclosed amount of money Aug. 30, Tampa police officials said.

USF Women's Club celebrates 50 years

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

Swamp snub for USF fans?

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.

Florida Senate Race: On Charlie Crist and Flip-Flopping

Florida Senate candidate Charlie Crist fights flip-flopping charges as the GOP's Marco Rubio surges ahead in some polls and the Democrats' Kendrick Meek appeals to the left

Florida Senate Race: On Charlie Crist and Flip-Flopping

Florida Senate candidate Charlie Crist fights flip-flopping charges as the GOP's Marco Rubio surges ahead in some polls and the Democrats' Kendrick Meek appeals to the left

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.

Tampa Bay pummels sliding Boston

BOSTON -- The Tampa Bay Rays hit five home runs to support David Price's strong six-inning performance and beat the Boston Red Sox 14-5 on Tuesday night to gain a game in the AL East race. Boston Red Sox - Sports - United States - Florida - Metro Areas

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.

St. Lucie, Martin 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 ...

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?"