AVON PARK — "It's not like they have been collecting dust," Avon Park Police Cmdr. Mike Rowan said, but the department's four bicycles haven't seen much use outside of special events and odd assignments. They've been sitting inside the station since the last Christmas parade. The last time they were used for catching crooks was several months ago while Rowan and three other officers were looking for a cat burglar. ...more

June 2, 2008

AVON PARK — "It's not like they have been collecting dust," Avon Park Police Cmdr. Mike Rowan said, but the department's four bicycles haven't seen much use outside of special events and odd assignments. They've been sitting inside the station since the last Christmas parade. The last time they were used for catching crooks was several months ago while Rowan and three other officers were looking for a cat burglar. And for a regular patrol? Then-chief Tony Velong used to ride around town back in the early '90s, and the city had one officer patrolling from his bike 10 years ago. ...more

June 1, 2008

Frustrated in their three-year attempt to force repair of a vacant house owned by a former longtime city board member and Christmas parade organizer, a dozen Gilchrist Heights residents have posted yard signs urging the home's condemnation. ...more

May 24, 2008

Visitors to the Florida Strawberry Festival will notice some changes this year, from a large gate to get them into the grounds faster to a strictly enforced ban on eating and drinking in livestock tents. ...more

February 20, 2008

PLANT CITY - Visitors to the Florida Strawberry Festival will notice some changes this year, from a large gate to get them into the grounds faster to a strictly enforced ban on eating and drinking in livestock tents. ...more

February 13, 2008

A report that details the circumstances surrounding a 9-year-old boy's death during the Plant City Christmas Parade has been posted on the city's Web site. ...more

January 31, 2008

The 2008 festival celebrating the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday included some longtime traditions along with some changes. ...more

January 24, 2008

The presence of law enforcement was adequate when the Plant City Christmas Parade was marred by the death of a 9-year-old boy, but measures should be taken at future events to streamline communication between emergency responders, according to a report released by city officials on Jan. 11. ...more

January 23, 2008

The presence of law enforcement was adequate when the Plant City Christmas Parade was marred by the death of a 9-year-old boy, but measures should be taken at future events to streamline communication between emergency responders, according to a report released by city officials Jan. 11. ...more

January 23, 2008

Commissioners on Monday voted unanimously to ban the distribution of beads and candy at parades. ...more

January 19, 2008