Gov. Scott's Obamacare Flip-Flop: What Do You Think, Largo?

He said he wouldn't, but he did. Gov. Rick Scott announced Wednesday, Feb. 20, that Florida would expand its Medicaid program. What's your take?

Five Things to Know Before Joining a Health Club

Florida's Division of Consumer Services suggests you consider these five things before joining a health club. Plus, an easy way to find sports and fitness centers and gyms in Largo.

Is one of your New Year's resolutions to lose weight and exercise more? If so, you might be considering joining a health club. Florida's Division of Consumer Services recommends you do some homework before joining a health club, or the only thing you may end up losing is money. Here are some tips from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for a fiscally fit workout: Thanks to Florida's Division of Consumer Services for passing this information along. For additional information, visit www.800helpfla.com or call 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) within Florida. 

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White House: Florida, Other States Cannot Secede From U.S.

A petition with more than 37,000 signatures to allow the Sunshine State to withdraw from the United States has been denied. What do you think, Largo?

It looks like the United States will be stuck with Florida whether folks in the Sunshine State like it or not. A petition before the White House to allow Florida to peacefully secede from the United States was denied Friday by the White House.  More than 37,000 people had signed the petition, and similar petitions in eight other states, including Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Texas. Also denied was a petition to deport everyone who had signed a similar petition.  Secession was put out of the realm of state rights after the Civil War, partially through the 14th Amendment, Slate reports, and a Supreme Court interpretation confirmed as much in 2010, according to Politico.com. Those arguments are …

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Jason Bartolone

9:55 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Did any Patch readers sign this petition? And if so, why?   more ›

Floridians Choose Favorite State License Plate

Voting for four designs took place over a three-week period.

After three weeks of online voting for the new Florida license plate, the design with the solid green bars and the artistic orange forming the “O” in the word Florida is the most popular. A total of 50,124 votes were cast in the online contest. The online poll represents one part of the process to select the new plate design. Before the design is manufactured, the public’s vote will be factored in with input from the governor, Cabinet and policy makers. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles needs to upgrade the basic Florida plate to a design that increases readability and features a seven-character configuration. A committee of more than 20 stakeholders, including state agency personnel, law enforcement, tax …

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What's Tampa Bay Saying?

Should Texting While Driving Be Banned in Florida?

Are you in favor of such a law? Do you think it goes too far, or not far enough?

Florida could soon join 39 other states that have banned texting while driving. A bill filed last week by state Rep. Doug Holder, R-Sarasota, would make texting while driving a secondary offense under which a driver can receive a citation, but only after he or she is pulled over for a primary offense such as speeding or reckless driving, TBO.com reports. The bill doesn't prohibit all use of handheld devices while driving, as some state laws do, and cell phone calls would still be permitted. "If you are texting while driving, you are 23 times more likely to have an accident," Holder told TBO. "I think the timing is right. I think we are going to get something passed." Are you in favor of such a law in Florida? Do you think it goes too far, …

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Yellow Banks Groves: Selling Citrus for More Than 50 Years

The Largo citrus market picks, packs, sells, and ships fresh Florida fruits.

For more than 50 years, John Buck, 78, of Largo, has sold fresh Florida citrus from his Yellow Banks Groves on Walsingham Road. The citrus picking, packing, selling and shipping business started when Buck visited his mother in Florida. "I was building houses in Indiana. I was so cold, so I came here to see my mom and made the decision to start over," Buck said. When Buck started his citrus business, the fruit was picked from groves along Walsingham Road. Yellow Banks still picks its own fruit today, but now it comes from Winter Haven, said store manager Danielle Carter. The citrus fruit is packed, shipped and sold from the Largo store, where visitors can sample fresh slices of navel oranges, ruby red grapefruits and tangerines. Honeybells …

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Melissa Lattman

1:02 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Thanks for letting us know William!   more ›

Floridians Asked to Choose Favorite License Plate

Voting takes place Nov. 26 to Dec. 14.

From the Florida Highway Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: Stopped in traffic somewhere around Largo, ever glanced around at the variety of license tags? Floridians will get a chance to pick their favorite license plate design in an upcoming Web vote from Nov. 26 through Dec. 14. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles wants to upgrade the basic Florida plate to a design that increases readability and features a seven-character configuration. A committee of more than 20 stakeholders, including state agency personnel, law enforcement, tax collectors and affiliated associations, participated in the development of the final license plate designs. DHSMV’s in-house graphics artist created the designs. Starting Nov. 26…

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Plans for Wawa at Ulmerton Crossing Move Forward

The proposed new Wawa will be located at the corner of Ulmerton and Starkey roads.

Plans for the proposed Wawa at the corner of Ulmerton and Starkey roads continue to move forward. The popular convenience store from the Northeast is known for its built-to-order hoagies, fresh-brewed coffee, breakfast sandwiches and fresh produce. Largo approved the development order for the proposed 5,537-square-foot gas and convenience store Nov. 9. The pre-construction meeting for the Wawa at Ulmerton Crossing is planned for this week. The 2.46-acre site is located at 8910 Ulmerton Rd. The city is currently reviewing building plans for the project, Planner Thomas Wojtkiw said. The Wawa is part of a larger 11-acre retail project. Plans for the shopping center include a proposed Walmart Neighborhood Market and possibly two more retail …

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When Will Election Results Be Announced in Pinellas County?

Polls close in Pinellas County at 7 p.m.

Once you have been to your polling location, or otherwise cast your ballot, you may be wondering when voting results will be announced in Pinellas County. It's hard to predict exactly when the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections will have all of the county votes in and counted, but here's what we do know: The statewide results for Florida might take a bit longer because portions of the panhandle are in the Central Time Zone and polls will close there at 8 p.m. EST.

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