Regarding "Congregation Weeps For Pastor, His Son" (front page, May 14): Forrest Pollock will be remembered by the greater Brandon community as a leader who inspired many and whose faith in the Lord helped to focus the church he led. But to the neighborhood to which he belonged, he will be remembered as Dawn's husband and the father to Brooke, Courtney, Preston, Hope, Blake, and Kirk. He was the neighbor at the end of the circle, who took evening walks with his wife, borrowed your shovel to do some landscaping, and drove a little too fast around the corners. He was a man who always showed interest in the lives of his neighbors and his neighbors' children. ...more

May 19, 2008

Seemingly only one thing could stop Pasco star forward Demetrious Larry in the Class 4A-Region 2 quarterfinals against Groveland South Lake on Thursday. ...more

February 15, 2008

Bayshore Christian outscored Seffner Christian 23-12 in the fourth quarter to secure the Class 1A-District 10 championship Saturday with a 56-53 win. ...more

February 10, 2008

The Bayshore Christian-Seffner Christian rivalry will add another chapter in tonight's district final after both teams easily advanced in the Class 1A-District 10 boys basketball semifinals Friday. The teams split their regular-season matchups, each winning on its home floor. ...more

February 9, 2008

A low-key bishop described as an "enlightened conservative" was chosen by senior clergy Thursday to lead Greece's powerful Orthodox Church. ...more

February 8, 2008

Whether this letter be in response to those recently expressing consternation of our federal government or to those who may simply question the direction of Highlands County's elected officials, my message remains the same. The familiar phrase, "Of the people, by the people, for the people" means a great deal to me. In my opinion and quite simply put, "Of the people" signifies that we, the citizens, have given or allowed our government certain powers, which also means that we may restrict them as well. "By the people" then gives us the authority to decide those who will serve in elected positions. "For the people," as I read it, implies that those elected are charged with the responsibility to recognize each person's circumstance and to make proper and just decisions accordingly. This is not an enviable position to be in, for sure. In my life, I've found there are times when doing the right thing is not necessarily popular. Equally, I've come to understand that what's popular is not always right. ...more

January 21, 2008

AVON PARK — Grace Garnett's allergies used to keep her from attending church, but when Resurrection Lutheran Church started a fragrance-free service, she was able to return to worship. "This is the most wonderful gift they could have given me," said Garnett, who attends the services every Wednesday at 7 p.m. When she used to go to regular church services, the smell of perfume would be so overwhelming, she would have to run out the door into the fresh air. Garnett said when she smells strong fragrances, she gets pains in her chest, then starts feeling weak. ...more

January 15, 2008

All Terry Majewski wanted was to run a small business. When her business partner bailed out for financial reasons, all she wanted was to keep it going until she could sell it. ...more

January 9, 2008

One of the biggest needs of our people today is to study God's Holy Word. From the beginning this was God's plan. As our Heavenly Father, we are to be obedient to him because He is an all-wise God, the God of creation. He instructed us to teach His laws to our children when we get up and when we lie down. To do that we have to live it before them 24-7. This is a tedious process which requires prayer and dependence upon the Holy Spirit, but Oh! what a joy to walk with the Master. There are so many wonderful promises in His Holy Word, but they are conditional. ...more

December 13, 2007

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is scheduled to make "the religion speech" Thursday, but don't count on him giving a soliloquy on Mormon beliefs and practices. ...more

December 5, 2007