Mitch Traphagen
Having faith in a roll of the dice
By MITCH TRAPHAGEN
mitch@observernews.net
On November 23, 1999, I knew what my responsibilities were. I was just 24 hours into my 37th year and was beginning the
Jeb Bush says 'no' to 2012 White House run
By MITCH TRAPHAGENmitch@observernews.net One year ago it would have been almost unthinkable, but a lot can change in a year. Florida’s former governor, the brother and ...
School year kicks off in Hillsborough County
South County students joined approximately 190,000 children across Hillsborough County in kicking off the 2010-2011 school year on Tuesday. At far left, Ruskin Elementary ...
A senseless and violent act; lives change forever
She felt the first blow as a crowbar struck her in the back of her skull. She didn’t feel the second blow. In that instant, ...Chambers bring South County businesses together at South Bay Hospital
Mitch Traphagen photos A multi-chamber event last week brought together a veritiable powerhouse of South County business leaders at South Bay Hospital in Sun City ...
School Begins Tuesday —
Slow down to save a child and your walletMitch Traphagen File PhotosSouth County schools return to session Tuesday, August 24 and school speed zone limits ...
The Forecast? Hot. Welcome to Florida
Mitch Traphagen photo. A hot (but typical) summer day in the Tampa Bay area looking out towards the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. By ...
At the dawn of the new school year, chambers honor new teachers
South County chambers of commerce and local businesses honored new teachers last week with breakfasts in Ruskin and Riverview. At the event in Ruskin, held ...Divers swim back in time in North Port spring
By MITCH TRAPHAGENmitch@observernews.net Dr. John Gifford prepares to dive to the 90-foot deep ledge at Little ...
HCSO opens new Bloomingdale office
Mitch Traphagen photo HCSO Major Ronald Hartley, Community Resource Deputy Curtis Warren, along with members of the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce and guests ...Author info
Mitch Traphagen
Mitch Traphagen is a photojournalist, columnist and online editor for the Observer News Publications. He is the recipient of 55 awards of excellence from the Community Papers of Florida for his photography and writing. He has worked for some of the nation’s largest corporations, as Press Secretary for a U.S. Congressman, owned and published a weekly newspaper, and produced a commercial documentary video on sailing. He is a Commodore in the Seven Seas Cruising Association (ssca.org). Mitch is a writer, photographer, sailor and traveler with a bit of a geek thing going on. You can visit his personal website at mitchtraphagen.com