Business prospects are in danger of drying up for local sod farmers and the companies that purchase, deliver and install the turf. ...more

March 31, 2009

Regarding Mr. Garcia's letter to the editor in Friday's Highlands Today, dated Sept. 19, where he states Mr. Grimming brought the FHP into the 21st century, let me tell you my experience with this modern organization. While driving on I-4, heading north for a vacation, we lost the tread on the left inside rear tire on our motor home. I pulled off onto the shoulder and was attempting to get the jack under the axle when I was stung some 25 times by fire ants. A state trooper pulled up and wanted to know if we were OK? Handing him my Good Sam Road Side Assistance card, I asked if he could have his dispatcher call the number on the card. I also told him Good Sam policy was to have someone here to help within 30 minutes. The trooper had a good laugh at that but did ask the dispatcher to call the toll free number. ...more

September 22, 2008

The reddish-brown ants swarmed everywhere on Gayle and Greg Deas' five-acre lot east of Interstate 75, near Myakka City. ...more

September 21, 2008

A flea-size fly imported from South America is killing fire ants in a way sure to please anyone ever bitten by the bugs: The ants' heads fall off. ...more

September 18, 2008

A flea-size fly imported from South America is killing fire ants in a way sure to please anyone ever bitten by the bugs: The ants' heads fall off. ...more

September 17, 2008

In the wake of an 18-month-old pit bull mix being stung to death by a swarm of Italian honeybees this week, local veterinarians and animal activists have issued warnings about six- and eight-legged attacks on the four-legged domesticated varieties. ...more

July 29, 2008

Dick Corbett built much of his wealth in real estate, where "location, location, location" is the mantra. But as a member of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Corbett's slogan has changed. ...more

February 15, 2008

As women, we're supposed to savor the "seasons" of our lives, which, ironically, have more to do with what's going on in our heads than with weather or age. My teen years were one long "season" of angst. Fall started with the school year, but for me it was more "sweater season" than fall. Does this bulky knit make me look fat? And more "football season" than autumn. I'll just die if I don't have a date for homecoming. Winter was the season of holidays. Not another Christmas pageant! Even God must be bored with this. And it was the season of basketball. I'm going to the game even if I do have six hours of homework. Winter was also one, continuous frizzy-hair nightmare. I'd rather be bald! Spring signaled the school year winding down, and final exams loomed like a spectre. Somebody just shoot me, preferably before third period. Summer officially started, not with the solstice, but with the last day of school, which was also the first day of "swimsuit season." It's not bad enough that I never tan; now my white shoulders have zits. ...more

January 27, 2008