Program lifts students' hopes [Times photo: Dan McDuffie] The majority of students in ALPHA meet state academic goals. It may expand from three to all Pasco elementary schools.

Pasco begins vote count
NEW PORT RICHEY -- The Pasco County Supervisor of Elections office on Saturday separated ballots that did not register a vote for president.

Stocks, heads spin on outcome
Amid financial hand-wringing and the glare of TV lights, state lawmakers seek a resolution.

Firefighter in battle with Lyme disease
HUDSON -- As a firefighter and EMT, Vincent Sota spent the past decade saving lives.

Charges fly over highway extension
County officials say hired engineers fumbled the River Road project. The firm accuses the county of inaccuracies.

Kids deserve same liberty thousands fought to save
Editor: It was Dec. 7, 1941, when the biggest attack on the American way of life started. This country fought not only for our way of life but, as it turned out, for most of the rest of the world's as well.

The fix is in, but water worries don't go away
The quartet or so of narrow streets is tucked away west of Alt. U.S. 19 in Holiday, a short walk to the Pinellas County line. There's plenty of shade and the southern end of the neighborhood abuts a picturesque bayou.

Naughty or nice, all helpers get presents
ZEPHYRHILLS -- Forget Santa Claus.

Pair of teammates kept Spartans in the hunt
Saddlebrook had the opportunity to defend its state title this season because of the play of Mariana De Biase and Kelly Froelich.

Basketball success for Rams' Sherwood begins at home
Alayna Sherwood, Ridgewood senior, has been a volleyball and basketball starter for three seasons, and this year is leading the Rams hoopsters in scoring as arguably the county's best player.

All County Girls Golf Team
GOLFERS OF THE YEAR: Mariana De Biase and Kelly Froelich, Saddlebrook.

Garden Club offers first Florida Holiday House
A historic Dade City home has been decorated with plants and flowers native to Florida for public viewing today.

On battlefield, history repeats itself
Each year, volunteers reenact the famous Dade battle that sparked the Second Seminole War.

Doctor to give free eye screenings
Dr. Mark Beiler of Eye Site, 5308 Little Road in New Port Richey, is offering free vision, cataract and glaucoma screenings from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. For information, call (727) 375-0300.

Costume queen settles into local theater
SPRING HILL -- When the Wicked Witch of the West dropped by Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, she went straight to Ruth Osborn for a new cloak and hat.

On Tuesdays, porch is an art studio
The Zephyrhills Depot Museum, 39110 South Ave., holds "Art on the Porch" from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. Participants are invited to bring art supplies and pack a lunch. Zephyrhills Art Club members will be available to answer questions. For information, call (813) 783-1685.

Lake's biggest threat takes an ironic twist
Original Carrollwood residents protested a county plan, but it turns out they pose a larger threat to Lake Carroll.

Lutz dump truck detour proposed
The route would divert a busy sand pit's truck traffic away from residential Sunlake Boulevard.

Trees may decide extension's fate
WEST MEADOWS -- The proposed extension of Highwoods Preserve Parkway must clear one major hurdle next week: convincing the city to allow the felling of some 338 trees standing in the way.