The research vessel Rich Paul is a 20-foot Bay Rider. The boat's shallow draft will allow Audubon of Florida researchers to get near shorebird nesting islands in Tampa Bay and other parts of the state. It will be used to conduct population surveys and for environmental education and habitat restoration. ...more

February 16, 2008

The research vessel Rich Paul is a 20-foot Bay Rider. The boat's shallow draft will allow Audubon of Florida researchers to get near shorebird nesting islands in Tampa Bay and other parts of the state. It will be used to conduct population surveys and for environmental education and habitat restoration. ...more

February 14, 2008

SEBRING — It's finally official. Sebring's 246-seat Olive Garden restaurant will open March 24. Applications for the crew of 165 waiters and cooks will be accepted in two weeks, said Mara Frazier, a spokeswoman. ...more

February 13, 2008

After growing up an Army brat, it's still surprising to Peggy Blanton that she hasn't moved in the past 55 years. ...more

February 2, 2008

Live Oak Preserve developer TOUSA on Tuesday joined a growing list of South Florida homebuilders to file for Chapter 11 restructuring. ...more

January 30, 2008

SEBRING – It has been a long time – 35 years to be exact – since Ruby Tuesday has had a makeover. The casual dining restaurant chain is in the midst of transforming more than 600 company-owned restaurants in the United States. The Sebring store, located on Sebring Parkway near U.S. 27, has been remodeled. Mike Roder, vice president of operations for Ruby Tuesday, said the remodeling program "kind of evolved" following the introduction over the last 18 months of new menu choices emphasizing fresh and high-quality food. ...more

December 16, 2007

SEBRING – The refrain is the same from restaurant owners – regardless of the size of the eatery – when asked about a pay increase for employees who receive tips: it's part of the cost of doing business. Florida restaurateurs face another increase on Jan. 1, 2008 when the direct wage for "tipped employees" goes up to $3.77 an hour. According to the Agency for Workforce Innovation, the employer must pay tipped employees a direct wage. The direct wage is calculated as equal to the minimum wage ($6.79) minus the 2003 tip credit ($3.02) or a direct hourly wage of $3.77. Florida's minimum wage will increase to $6.79 per hour on Jan. 1, which is up from $6.67 this year. The majority of local businesses are now paying employees above the minimum wage. ...more

December 16, 2007

Donnie Mills started his career in the theme park industry 33 years ago in Tampa as a King High School teenager with a seasonal job at Busch Gardens. ...more

December 15, 2007

A Miramar-based liquor distributor plans to add as many as 550 employees and build a shopping-mall-sized warehouse facility in south Hillsborough County as part of a massive local expansion. ...more

November 30, 2007

LAKE PLACID — Woody's BarBQ, which has been vacant and is for sale, is not expected to be on the market long, according to the Realtor who is listing the Lake Placid restaurant. "We're getting a lot of interest," said Ireland Sanders, broker/owner of Prudential Sanders Realty. Sanders said he believes the property, which is located on U.S. 27 in front of the Tower shopping plaza, will be sold within the next six months. Sanders said a couple of prospective buyers have told him they would like to open a Mexican restaurant there. The 4,700-square-foot building sits on one acre of land. It seats 200 people, has a drive-thru lane and a bar with a separate entrance. There are 82 parking spaces. ...more

November 18, 2007