What We Learned on Patch This Week

Outsourcing Mowing Services: What Does it Mean?: In a 3-2 vote during the Sept. 8 Special Budget Meeting, the Gulfport City Council passed the first reading of the Operating Budget for fiscal year 2012. The Gulfport Parks Department is among the departments slated to receive funding cuts. What does that mean for the Gulfport Parks Department, its employees and services?

Outsourcing Police Dispatch: A Financial and Emotional Decision: Some Gulfport residents are willing to pay more in property taxes to keep their services in town. Why? They see it as a safety issue, but others believe it's worth the cost savings.

Palm Scans Speed Up Lunch Lines: Long gone are the days of punch cards at lunch. The Pinellas County middle and high schools now have a new scanning system to enhance lunch line service. The new palm-scanning program was piloted last spring at Boca Ciega High School.

Health Officials Stress Mosquito Awareness: Four more sentinel chickens have tested positive for St. Louis Encephalitis, bringing the total number of infected chickens in the county to nine.

School Board Passes Trimmed-Down Budget: Pleas from Pinellas County Schools employees were not enough to stop school board members from voting in favor of the $1.33 billion budget and a small tax increase.

Caring for Animals Offers 100% Return on Investment: Professionals, volunteers and foster and adoptive pet parents provide heartfelt care for countless animals in our community, and the animals care for them right back.

Little Dog Spent Her Final Months Brightening Lives: Ginger Muffin made a big impression for such a little thing running through the rain into our lives, and then quickly back out again.

8-Year-Old's Heartfelt Art Project Welcomes Patrons to the Library: Almost a dozen crayon drawings line the wall next to the book check out at the Gulfport Public Library. The detailed drawings of the library staff are the work of an 8-year-old girl who wanted everyone to feel welcome at the library.

Get Hooked on 'Catch and Cook' Restaurants: Anglers don't have to rush home and heat up the oil after a day on the water. The Tampa Bay area boasts a few places that will cook your freshly-caught fish.

Cooking . . . Love it Hate it?: Sharing your love of cooking with others can be just as satisfying as eating that great meal.

How Much Should Parents Help With Homework?: Parents have a role in homework, but too much involvement can hurt more than it helps.

5 Easy Ways to Go Green at School: From the moment you step out the door until the final bell rings, here are a few tips for reducing your environmental impact during the school day.

Is Fantasy Football Illegal? Florida Says Yes: Feeling good about drafting Josh Freeman in your 'pay-to-play' fantasy football league? You may have committed a criminal offense.