Alabama starts college title defense with win

Trent Richardson ran for two touchdowns as the University of Alabama began the defense of its national college championship with a 48-3 win over San Jose State on Saturday. Greg McElroy passed for 218 yards as the Crimson Tide shrugged off the absence of injured Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and suspended defensive end Marcell Dareus in the opening mismatch.

Florida defense steps up for 34-12 win over Miami (Ohio)

Florida's defense bails out a struggling offense to get a season-opening victory.

Coyotes Set For First Big ‘Guarantee’ Game

VERMILLION — The foray into big-time Division I football will be a quick one for the University of South Dakota.

Want to sue BP? No oil required

Pensacola's Levin Papantonio law firm retained by Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to help members navigate oil spill claims process.

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.

Paintings preserve Keys maritime history

David Harrison Wright still builds and plays with models. Though the 65-year-old has long outgrown the ones from the hobby shop, he now creates handmade, detailed wood models of historically... read more

$1K laptop apparently walks away from home

KEY WEST -- A computer was stolen from a Seminary Street home on Wednesday, reports say. The homeowner told police a $1,100 laptop computer was stolen sometime between 9:45 a.m. and 1:20 p.m.... read more

Mile Markers

KEY WEST School hosts open house Home School High School (HS2) invites the public to its open house at its new location. The event will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at 1127... read more

Most Broward cities planning to jack up property tax rates

South Florida property values took another dive this year. And despite the desperate times many homeowners are facing, that is forcing cities to raise rates just to bring in the same money as last year.

USF Bulls' special teams in need of a fix after troubles in season opener

By Kerry Klecic, Times Correspondent Sunday, September 5, 2010 TAMPA — There weren't too many things that went wrong for USF during a 59-14 victory against I-AA Stony Brook, but there is one aspect coach Skip Holtz said needs a lot of improvement: special teams. Though the Bulls looked impressive on offense and defense, special teams slipups came more often than Holtz hoped for, including two ...

Orlando's gay community center open to all, director says

Randy Stephens took over as executive director of the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Central Florida in May. A former attorney and lobbyist, Stephens moved to Orlando in 1999 and became politically active in the Human Rights Campaign.

FSU Gives Jimbo Fisher 1st Victory

The Jimbo Fisher era kicked off with a home/season opening victory against the Samford Bulldogs.

Miami must strive to be greener

Last Tuesday, The Miami Student reported that the Farmer School of Business (FSB) is using half of the energy of comparable buildings on campus.

Dreams do come true

Girl can’t make it to Disney, so Make-A-Wish brings it here

Florida slow to spend federal stimulus cash

WASHINGTON — Florida agencies have spent only about 40 percent of their share of federal stimulus money, a slow flow of funds that has made a limited impact on the state's dire job market.

Orlando's K-9 patrol: 'Hardest-working unit' sometimes pushed to limit

Officer Hobie's legs gave out and he collapsed on the clinic's water-soaked floor. His partner, Officer Tim Stanley, crouched beside him, stroking his head as the medical team rushed in and out of the small room with ice packs, wet towels and alcohol to cool him.

TV producers bringing firm, 117 jobs to Lakewood Ranch

LAKEWOOD RANCH — The Sarasota County Film Commission laid the foundation some time ago.

Florida slow to spend federal stimulus cash

WASHINGTON — Florida agencies have spent only about 40 percent of their share of federal stimulus money, a slow flow of funds that has made a limited impact on the state's dire job market.

For-profit schools grow -- as do complaints

The advertisements are everywhere -- on local television stations it's Everest Institute, or Brown Mackie College. On South Florida highway billboards, it's the University of Phoenix. All are selling a quick, convenient college education, and the dream of a better life.

Sarasota and Manatee fall behind in fiber race

They say speed kills. But on the Internet, speed innovates, speed enables and speed creates jobs.

Sarasota and Manatee fall behind in fiber race

They say speed kills. But on the Internet, speed innovates, speed enables and speed creates jobs.

Hidden gem

Old U.S. 301 at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport may not be top-of-mind when it comes

Florida fests offer vacation fun close by

Summer is over but there's nothing to keep you home this month. Check out some of the events around the state and plan a mini-vacation.

Soccermania grips Manatee (photos)

Todd Raleigh takes refuge from the rain Saturday morning under a soccer ball-patterned umbrella during the 2010 SCI Labor Day Showcase. The soccer tournament, hosted by the Clearwater Chargers Soccer Club, involved 170 teams from across Florida and was held at the Sarasota Polo Grounds in Lakewood Ranch.

Many minorities, women helped build Orlando Magic's Amway Center

Orlando and Magic officials say NBA arena's construction brought jobs, contracts to minority community, women When Eugene Roberson Jr. buys a ticket to an Orlando Magic game in the soon-to-open Amway Center, there may be no one better at picking the best seat.

South Florida Bulls coach Skip Holtz debuts with win

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist Saturday, September 4, 2010 TAMPA — The program has had bigger days. For that matter, the coach has, too. Still, you have to admit they kind of looked good together Saturday night. It sort of felt like they belonged, this football team in search of a fresh direction and its new coach with his sights set on the stars. The Skip Holtz era has begun at South ...

Florida's offense has little bite in season opener

Florida struggles against Miami of Ohio until the fourth quarter. Florida struggles against Miami of Ohio until the fourth quarter.

Florida's offense has little bite in season opener

Florida struggles against Miami of Ohio until the fourth quarter. Florida struggles against Miami of Ohio until the fourth quarter.

KC priest finishes bike tour that raised awareness about poverty

KEY WEST, Fla. | A Jesuit priest from Kansas City arrived in Key West on Saturday after a 5,000-mile bike ride to raise awareness about poverty. The Rev. Matt Ruhl of St. Francis Xavier Church touched his bike’s front tire to a Florida Keys icon — the marker for the Southernmost Point in the continental U.S. Ruhl and 11 others made the trek from Cape Flattery, Wash. The tour lasted 99 days and ...

KC priest finishes bike tour that raised awareness about poverty

KEY WEST, Fla. | A Jesuit priest from Kansas City arrived in Key West on Saturday after a 5,000-mile bike ride to raise awareness about poverty. The Rev. Matt Ruhl of St. Francis Xavier Church touched his bike’s front tire to a Florida Keys icon — the marker for the Southernmost Point in the continental U.S. Ruhl and 11 others made the trek from Cape Flattery, Wash. The tour lasted 99 days and ...

Miami Hurricanes looking for redemption against Ohio State

The memories are still painful for Ken Dorsey and his former UM teammates who played in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl. They're hoping for a different outcome when the teams meet again Saturday.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cut ties with receiver Michael Clayton, get roster down to 53 players

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer Saturday, September 4, 2010 TAMPA — An emotional Michael Clayton summed up his six seasons with the Bucs on Saturday night, from a savior as a rookie to a survivor as a veteran. "It was an experience," Clayton said. "It was good, it was bad, it was ugly, it was pretty. It was a life experience. But I don't regret it, not one experience, because I gave it my all ...

Daniels leads South Florida past Stony Brook 59-14

South Florida launched the Skip Holtz era with an unexpected star sharing the spotlight. Joel Miller, the reserve who was involved in a locker room incident that led to the firing of former coach Jim Leavitt after last season, scored the first touchdown of his college career in Saturday night's 59-14 season-opening rout of Stony Brook.

USF Alzheimer's center rising above shortcomings in research

A panel found results disappointing nationwide but recommended a course USF already follows.

Jesuit priest finishes bike tour for poverty

Key West, Fla. (AP) -- A Kansas City Jesuit priest has arrived in Key West after his 5,000-mile bike ride to raise awareness about poverty. The Rev. Matthew Ruhl touched his bike's front tire Saturday to a Florida Keys icon -- the Southernmost Point in the continental United States.

Jesuit priest finishes bike tour for poverty

Key West, Fla. (AP) -- A Kansas City Jesuit priest has arrived in Key West after his 5,000-mile bike ride to raise awareness about poverty. The Rev. Matthew Ruhl touched his bike's front tire Saturday to a Florida Keys icon -- the Southernmost Point in the continental United States.

USF home opener

Saturday marked a new era for the U.S.F. Bulls. They kicked off the first game under their new coach and fans couldn't be more excited.

Florida GOP lawyers want Scott Rothstein testimony

The Republican Party of Florida would like a sit-down with Scott Rothstein. In June, Rothstein was sentenced to 50 years in an undisclosed prison related to his $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme.

Florida GOP lawyers want Scott Rothstein testimony

The Republican Party of Florida would like a sit-down with Scott Rothstein. In June, Rothstein was sentenced to 50 years in an undisclosed prison related to his $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme.

Evan Landi makes fast moves at receiver for USF Bulls

USF receiver Evan Landi drives past defenders in the first quarter. The sophomore had a game-high 104 receiving yards.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers news and notes

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer Saturday, September 4, 2010 The brownout? Although the news is good for WR Reggie Brown , one of seven receivers on the roster, he has work to do. The six-year veteran isn't a big special teams contributor and likely will have to improve that part of his game or be one of the team's top three wideouts to be active on Sundays. "Reggie is going to have to have a ...

B.J. Daniels shines, South Florida begins Skip Holtz era with 59-14 victory over Stony Brook

TAMPA, Fla. - B.J. Daniels threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns Saturday night, helping South Florida launch the Skip Holtz era with a 59-14 rout of Stony Brook in the season opener for both teams.

Florida soldier killed in Afghanistan

A Florida man was among four soldiers killed in Afghanistan this week, the Pentagon announced Friday. Enemy forces used a roadside bomb on Tuesday to attack the vehicle in which Pfc. James A. Page, 23, of Titusville was riding in Logar province, a Department of Defense announcement said.

Border patrol beefs up at marinas for Labor Day holiday

In anticipation of a busy Labor Day weekend, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents were fanning out in teams to specific South Florida marinas to process small vessel arrivals, including in-person immigration processing.

Florida Gators have unpromising start to season

Florida began the post-Tim Tebow era unimpressively, committing mistakes galore in a much-too close victory over heavy underdog Miami (Ohio).

Florida Gators have unpromising start to season

Florida began the post-Tim Tebow era unimpressively, committing mistakes galore in a much-too close victory over heavy underdog Miami (Ohio).

USF Bulls 59, Stony Brook 14

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer Saturday, September 4, 2010 TAMPA Everybody at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday night knew USF had a new coach in Skip Holtz. But by the end, as the Bulls wrapped up a 59-14 rout of Division I-AA Stony Brook, what was exciting was how many new faces stepped up and made plays for their new coach. "I would imagine program sales were high tonight, with all the ...

Central Florida downs Coyotes, 38-7

ORLANDO, Fla. -- As expected, Central Florida did just aboutwhat it wanted to offensively against the University of SouthDakota in a 38-7 victory in the football season opener for bothteams in front of 34,373 at Brighthouse Networks Stadium hereSaturday.

Florida panel takes aim at legal injustices

QB Rob Calabrese early strong start leads Central Florida in a 38-7 win against South Dakota

ORLANDO, Fla. - Rob Calabrese strengthened his hold on Central Florida's starting quarterback job, completing his first nine passes and throwing for 176 yards and a touchdown in a 38-7 over South Dakota on Saturday.