Judges to rule on mayor issueThe consolidation of power in Hillsborough County government through an elected county mayor is now going to a three-judge panel.Historic school demolishedAmid protests from preservationists, workers demolished the historic Gary Adult High School in Ybor City, which may make way for a sports complex, the property owner says.Bilirakis' biometrics billU.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, the first-term Republican representing the Tampa Bay Area's Ninth Congressional District of Florida, has sponsored a bill to require the government to use more biometrics.Budget deficit loomsFor the first time in a decade, Sarasota County might be operating under a budget deficit.Food distributor finedThe Palmetto-based branch of Sysco Food services, one of the largest food and beverage distributors on the Gulf Coast, has entered into an agreement with the state Attorney General's office regarding allegations that it sold fish labeled as grouper that was actually other varieties and species.Tourism numbers declineThe estimated number of visitors to Lee County declined 6.7% in July to 443,166 compared with the same month a year ago, according to figures compiled by Davidson Peterson Associates for the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau.Whole Foods at MercatoWhole Foods Market, the natural and organic food supermarket, opened its first store in Southwest Florida in Naples.Tourism tax increaseManatee
