Midway through preseason, Florida coach Urban Meyer confessed he was starting to panic a little bit over the way his team was coming together after...

CORAL GABLES — Ohio State and Miami no longer need to pretend otherwise. Marshall and Florida A&M, they were merely warmup acts.

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.

Parents turn to 'digital' grounding

Not so long ago, teenagers in trouble lost their evenings out, maybe the keys to the family car. Punishment has taken a new turn. United States - Florida - Florida Keys - Corporal punishment - Children Youth and Family

Running mates in Florida don't go anywhere after leaving office

Jennifer Carroll became a statewide figure Thursday morning when she accepted Rick Scott's offer to become his running mate for Florida governor. But if the Scott-Carroll ticket succeeds in getting elected in November, Carroll will have a job that has been a political death sentence for the nine people who've held it. Since the position was created in the Florida Constitution in 1968, no ...

Running mates in Florida don't go anywhere after leaving office

Jennifer Carroll became a statewide figure Thursday morning when she accepted Rick Scott's offer to become his running mate for Florida governor. But if the Scott-Carroll ticket succeeds in getting elected in November, Carroll will have a job that has been a political death sentence for the nine people who've held it. Since the position was created in the Florida Constitution in 1968, no ...

Mile Markers

FLORIDA KEYS Don't drive drunkenly AAA Auto Club South and Alex's Towing & BK Towing offer a free ride home for drinkers and their vehicles this Labor Day holiday. Call Tow... read more

Man 'exposes' himself to felony drug charges

KEY WEST -- A Big Coppitt Key man who allegedly exposed his buttocks on Simonton Street early Friday morning was charged with felony drug possession. Jesus Diaz, 42, was charged with possession of... read more

Season's lobster prices better than expected

A strong foreign market and good initial harvest has made for a good start to the spiny lobster season for Florida Keys commercial fishermen. The prices that fishermen have been paid in the first... read more

Letters to the editor

Remember past while preparing for future Many Florida Keys residents and visitors know of the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane that caused the deaths of hundreds of people in the Upper Keys, and destroyed... read more

News by location

Get local and national news updates via E-mail. Oh, the places she's been. New England. Hershey, Pa. New Orleans. And then there was Pigeon Forge, Tenn., where they called her up on the stage at Dollywood, asked her to pretend to sing and gave her a prize.

Florida Gator Follies: Why Fans From the Swamp Should Be Concerned

On opening week of the college football season, high expectations surrounded the Florida Gators. The Tim Tebow era was complete, but Gator fans still came out in massive numbers for the first game of the season against the Miami of Ohio RedHawks in The Swamp. Junior quarterback John Brantley led the Florida offense on to the field, ready to show what the high-powered Gator attack would hold in ...

Key maps

A suspected suicide car bombing in north-west Pakistan has killed at least six people, officials say. The explosion took place at a police station in the town of Lakki Marwat in the Khyber region south of Peshawar.

Tour of Central Florida roller coasters has dizzying results

My mission: To size up Central Florida's coasters, pick the best and survive the rest.

Martin County opting to put lines in place

On Florida's East Coast, Martin County already is doing what Sarasota County is considering.The

Sarasota County projects pared

The lingering economic downturn has prompted the county to postpone or scale back a number of

Business people

Sherri Johnson, attorney at Dent & Johnson, has been selected for inclusion in Florida Trend

Region's office vacancy rates vary widely

OFFICE VACANCIES IN SARASOTA County fell during the first half of 2010 as landlords offered

County faces a fiber-optic opportunity

Forget Google Fiber. For the bargain-basement price of $1,000 per mile, Sarasota County could build

Employees trained at ‘camp Disney’

SARASOTA — Voalté recently sent two of its employees to the Disney Institute for an intensive, three-day training where they received a behind-the-scenes look into the theme park’s culture-building and people-management magic.

Employees trained at ‘camp Disney’

SARASOTA — Voalté recently sent two of its employees to the Disney Institute for an intensive, three-day training where they received a behind-the-scenes look into the theme park’s culture-building and people-management magic.

9/6 NAMES & FACES

Gary Coker and Jackie Robertson of Prudential Palms Realty have earned the GRI designation from the Graduate Realtor Institute. The designation is earned by completing a national program of specialized and advanced education. Coker joined Prudential Palms in January following a career in resort management, vacation rentals and vacation ownership. Robertson is an agent in the firm’s Palmer Ranch ...

Florida teams flex their muscle

TURTLE CREEK, Pa. — Florida 2, Pennsylvania 0.

Legislators want to ban synthetic pot

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The sign outside Key West Tanning & Video calls the stuff "herbal incense." But the product, called K2, isnt really meant make your house smell good. People smoke it to get high. After reports of dangerous side eff...

Talking With ... Dick Larsen: Growth is on the table for Orlando-based eatery

Dick Larsen, president and founder of Orlando-based Nature's Table. His company hopes to expand rapidly in the next few years and is working with a franchise development company called Fransmart. Larsen recently spoke with Sentinel staff writer Sandra Pedicini.

Rematch of bitter rivals likely to be closer

It's round two in the race between Republican Allen West and Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Ron Klein . But unlike 2008 when Klein dispatched his challenger with little fanfare, this time the battle is one of the nation's most expensive and closely watched contests.

Fla. Road Ranger, Trooper Injured in I-95 Crash

Five people were injured Saturday morning when a car slammed into the back of a Road Ranger truck that stopped to help a Highway Patrol trooper's disabled car.

USF Bulls try to treat Gator week like any other week

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer Sunday, September 5, 2010 TAMPA — Saturday's game at No. 4 Florida is a huge opportunity for USF — a game fans have been awaiting for years. But the Bulls hope to improve their chances of playing well by treating the trip as they would any other game. "It'll be exciting," QB B.J. Dan iels said. "I was looking forward to going to Florida State (last season), and ...

Tampa police arrest man in fatal stabbing of friend

By Shelley Rossetter, Times Staff Writer Sunday, September 5, 2010 Shivers TAMPA — Gina Wanda Smith and Kenneth Leroy Shivers had been friends for years. At one point they had dated. They seemed to get along well, Smith's family said. Now they are wondering what went wrong. On Saturday night, police say, Shivers stabbed Smith, 48, in the chest, neck and arms. Paramedics brought her to Tampa ...

UF Muslims fear Koran burning may spark violence

Before she left her Miami home to return to the University of Florida this fall, Wajiha Akhtar's parents gave her some unusual advice: stay indoors as much as possible and, whatever happens, don't go near the Koran burners.

Soares, District Attorney, Criticized in Steroid Case

A judge in Florida has allowed the operators of Signature Pharmacy to proceed with a lawsuit that accuses P. David Soares, Albany’s district attorney, of violations.

Race offers fun in bed

Perhaps no moment in Miami sports boasts odder rivalries than the contests that unfolded Sunday on Grand Avenue in Coconut Grove. At the revived Grove bed race, pairs of teams raced homemade beds with four wheels and four people pushing for two city blocks.

N.J. woman who disappeared in Florida found safe

Emily Grace turned up in New York City. A missing New Jersey woman whose belongings were found in Celebration is safe in New York City, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office said Sunday.

Florida, Stony Brook: Same approach for Bulls

TAMPA -- Saturday's game at No. 4 Florida is a huge opportunity for USF football, a game fans have been waiting years for, but the Bulls hope to improve their chances at playing well by treating the trip the same as they would any other game. "It'll be exciting," quarterback B.J. Daniels said. "I was looking forward to going to Florida State (last year) and I'm definitely looking forward to ...

Homecoming for North Fort Myers soldier

It was an emotional homecoming for a North Fort Myers family. After months overseas, a father and husband gets 2 weeks home.

Florida slow to spend federal stimulus cash

Florida agencies have spent only about 40 percent of their share of federal stimulus money, creating a limited impact on the state's job market.

Florida slow to spend federal stimulus cash

Florida agencies have spent only about 40 percent of their share of federal stimulus money, creating a limited impact on the state's job market.

Fort Myers' Page Field sees .51 of an inch of rain in 1 hour

A line of thunderstorms extending from Fort Myers through Venice is moving north at 20 mph.

Disney picks up NZ wines

Winemaker Steve Bird has had his wish upon a star granted with two wines selected by Walt Disney World for its 2011 core wine list.The two signature wines - 2008 Bird Sauvignon Blanc and 2008 Bird Big Barrel Pinot Noir - are to...

Playing again is a personal win for Miami Hurricanes' Cooper

Running back Graig Cooper, who seriously injured his knee last season, made good on his vow to return for the season-opening game.

NL West-leading Padres lose 10th straight

No matter what they try, the San Diego Padres just keep losing. The NL West-leading Padres lost their 10th straight game Sunday as Melvin Mora hit a go-ahead single that sent the Colorado Rockies to a 4-2 win. "We have a sense of urgency right now," Padres pitcher Clayton Richard said. "We have a special opportunity and we are going to do every thing in our control to take advantage...

Miami Dolphins Place Will Allen On I.R., Claim Four Off Waivers

Final cuts may have been made yesterday, but that doesn't mean the Miami Dolphins are finished shaping their roster before the regular season begins next week. The Dolphins made eight roster moves in all Sunday, including placing cornerback Will Allen on injured reserve and terminating the contracts of veteran guard Cory Procter and defensive ends Marques Douglas and Charles Grant. Additionally ...

Florida Gators receivers must improve

Amid all the offensive problems Florida Gators fans are currently concerned about — the bad snaps, stagnant passing game, conservative play-calling — there is one glaring problem that seems to be flying a bit under the radar.

Florida Gators receivers must improve

Amid all the offensive problems Florida Gators fans are currently concerned about — the bad snaps, stagnant passing game, conservative play-calling — there is one glaring problem that seems to be flying a bit under the radar.

Florida running backs Mike Gillislee, Jeff Demps live up to hype

Total Florida Travel For Labor Day Is Projected To Increase 3.9%

AAA officials say Labor Day travel in the state of Florida is projected to increase 3.9 percent from last year with an estimated 1.5 million people traveling by automobile.

Citrus Bowl to keep MEAC-SWAC Challenge through 2013

The MEAC/SWAC Challenge will remain in Orlando through 2013.

Florida Marlins elect not to celebrate Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox

Florida's three-game weekend series against NL East rival Atlanta ended Sunday without any ceremony for departing Braves manager Bobby Cox, who criticized Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria earlier this season.

Florida Marlins elect not to celebrate Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox

Florida's three-game weekend series against NL East rival Atlanta ended Sunday without any ceremony for departing Braves manager Bobby Cox, who criticized Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria earlier this season.