Houses of style
The five largest houses in Hillsborough County are in Avila. A French-style chateau and Arabian-like palace are under construction right now.

Pruning and planting should keep you busy
Don't be fooled by the new school calendar; it's still summer in your garden. August is no time to take a break from the multitude of chores that need to be completed.

Compromise reached for center
CROSS CREEK -- The County Commission voted to allow a child care center and office complex on Cross Creek Boulevard near Brookron Drive.

Two political opponents are planning a rematch for state House seat
NEW TAMPA -- With a rematch looming in the race for the state House District 61 seat, both candidates have vowed a clean race, but both stress their differences.

Meeting on road plan is not too neighborly
LUTZ -- Two county governments caught heat from constituents in the same meeting this week.

Petition seeks to calm trafficnear new middle school
WESTCHASE -- Kingsford resident Derek Rotolo had a front row view of the kinds of traffic problems neighbors in his quiet enclave feared would accompany the opening of Davidsen Middle School.

Out to pasture
Suzanne Moore's farm is like a nursing home for ailing horses.

School will be needing a name, by George
Like parents naming a new baby, some groups are pushing for the new high school to be named after Steinbrenner, others for Town 'N Country.

Baseball all-stars play well at series
Things started well in California for the all-star baseball team from Forest Hills, but the 12-year-olds encountered some disappointment in later rounds of the PONY Baseball World Series.

Man charged with kidnapping, battery
CARROLLWOOD -- A 32-year-old Oldsmar man was arrested after he was accused of forcing two underage girls into his car and driving them to Pinellas County, said deputies from Hillsborough and Pinellas County sheriff's offices.