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Top Stories
KP Federation board adopts its recall procedures
 By MELODY JAMESON
mj@observernews.net

Kings Point — Amid voices of dissent, four members of this community’s federation board have adopted a 23-point prescription said to be prepared by their attorneys for removing two colleagues.

Feb 4, 2010 - 12:35:25 AM

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Mural dedication ceremony a Valentine to Ruskin
RUSKIN — Called “Seed To Bloom, a Mural-in-the-Round,” the 2009 Ruskin Community Mural completely covers the Mary and Martha House building on Shell Point Road in Ruskin. Painted by a team of dedicated community members under the direction of artist Josette Urso during the Big Draw last fall, the unusually shaped building serves as the canvas for colorful abstract elements and was inspired by natural images in the surrounding area.

Feb 4, 2010 - 12:33:21 AM

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South County joins national veteran’s history projec
The Library of Congress wants your story!

 By Penny Fletcher
penny@observernews.net

SOUTH COUNTY — It’s starting in Sun City Center but those involved hope to include all those with war stories to tell.
Feb 4, 2010 - 12:26:46 AM

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South Bay Hospital responds to Medicare change
 By MELODY JAMESON
mj@observernews.net

Prompted by new Medicare requirements, South Bay Hospital is rearranging one area of its outpatient services. 

Feb 4, 2010 - 12:24:24 AM

Obituaries
Obituaries 2-4-10 Dean, Struckman, Weller

Feb 4, 2010 - 12:20:59 AM

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Condo community conflicts go to attorneys
 By MELODY JAMESON
mj@observernews.net

Kings Point – In a contentious session characterized by a call for compromise at any cost, by a charge of conflicting interests, by criticism hurled at the news media, federation directors here voted Friday to put community recalls of two of them in the hands of attorneys representing them.
In a second vote, they also moved to assess the federation membership for any costs associated with the attorneys’ efforts.

Jan 28, 2010 - 8:54:21 PM

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Leave plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs alone until mid-February
 By Penny Fletcher
penny@observernews.net

SOUTH COUNTY- Your plants, trees, flowers and shrubs may look ready for the compost pile, but underneath all those dead branches and leaves, there may still be life.
While species of plants and trees that have not withered and lost leaves in the last 20 or more years, like the fronds of hardy species of palms and some Florida perennials, may look like they’ll never blossom again, experts say they very well might.
Jan 28, 2010 - 8:49:26 PM

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Mid-day golf cart ride on U.S. 301 ends in jail
 By MELODY JAMESON
mj@observernews.net

Sun City Center — Maybe they thought they could pass as the first Walmart shoppers to reach the supercenter via golf cart, but two Wimauma men tooling south on U.S. 301 clutching a big-screen TV didn’t fool a sheriff’s deputy.
And, with arrest of the pair, deputies think the mini crimewave of daring daylight burglaries at the end of last year here has been halted.

Jan 28, 2010 - 8:42:46 PM

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Widespread fish kills result of extreme cold weather

Jan 28, 2010 - 8:21:03 PM

Obituaries
Obituaries 1-28-10 Brosi, Otto

Jan 28, 2010 - 8:17:56 PM

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Apartments secure funding; project’s retail portion in negotiations now
 By Penny Fletcher
penny@observernews.net

GIBSONTON — Since the update on area developments in the January 7 edition of The Observer News and Riverview Current one major developer has secured funding for Phase I of a three-phase project and begun preconstruction work on the site.
Jan 27, 2010 - 8:35:28 AM

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White House model to be displayed at State Fair
 By Julie Ball

SUN CITY CENTER — Six years after Don Crescent’s miniature woodworking of the White House was given to George and Laura Bush, he is at it again. In 2004, Shirley Carroll watched as Don worked for months and months completing his model.

Jan 21, 2010 - 11:59:18 PM

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KINGS POINT Recall of two federation directors officially underway
 By MELODY JAMESON
mj@observernews.net

Kings Point – As charges and counter-charges swirl, residents determined to make leadership changes here have formally moved to recall two federation directors.

Jan 21, 2010 - 11:57:08 PM

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New fire station generating heat again
 By MELODY JAMESON
mj@observernews.net

Ruskin – A proposed new fire station here has re-ignited a firestorm of protest.

Jan 21, 2010 - 11:51:49 PM

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South County fish farmers lose thousands as freeze kills stock
 By Penny Fletcher
penny@observernews.net

SOUTH COUNTY — Statewide, fish farmers have lost between 60 and 90 percent of their stock and South County is no exception.
The U.S. Weather Service in Ruskin has verified tropical fish farmers’ claims that last week’s cold spell was the longest on record for this area.
Jan 21, 2010 - 11:38:40 PM

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Relief for Haiti rolling across the South County
 By MELODY JAMESON
mj@observernews.net

Touched by the horror and the heroism that is a destitute Haiti in the grip of earthquake aftershocks, South County individuals, organizations and enterprises are responding however possible.
Jan 21, 2010 - 11:31:38 PM

Obituaries
Obituaries 1-21-10 Brand, McMillan, Merish, Payne, Stroud, Visconti

Jan 21, 2010 - 11:21:51 PM

Top Stories
Where everybody knows your name
What do Florida retirees, baby boomers and college students share in common? A growing fascination with small towns in Florida. How does the history and environmental impact affect the personality and character of the residents? Actually, many Hillsborough County residents trace their roots to farms or small town origins.


Jan 14, 2010 - 12:16:21 PM

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Getting out ”Events in and out of the area” 1-14-10

Jan 14, 2010 - 12:01:15 PM

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South County bikeway project not funded, still in mix
 By MELODY JAMESON
mj@observernews.net

Despite long standing plans and strong local support, a proposed south county bikeway considered important on multiple levels has not made any key transportation to-do list.

Jan 14, 2010 - 11:59:08 AM

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Area chambers plan strategies for 2010
 By PENNY FLETCHER
penny@observernews.net

SOUTH COUNTY — All four chambers of commerce located in south Hillsborough County say their membership fluctuated throughout 2009. They gained some members, but then lost others because of the economy.
Jan 14, 2010 - 11:46:45 AM

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Local, federal agency leaders not on same page over grant monies
 By MELODY JAMESON
mj@observernews.net

Ruskin – Leaving the door wide open for continued pursuit of a US Department of Agriculture grant, Florida officials have kicked back this community’s application aimed at funding a local business incubator study.
Jan 14, 2010 - 11:31:32 AM

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Cooperative effort helps dangerous intersection
 By Melody Jameson
mj@observernews.net

Balm — Persistence pays, they say, and there’s an improved intersection here that might be a case in point.

Jan 14, 2010 - 11:26:16 AM

Obituaries
Obituaries 1-14-10 Heimbaugh, Hurley

Jan 14, 2010 - 11:10:56 AM