Voter excitement, always increased by a presidential election, is pushing registration through the roof so far this year, with more than 3.5 million people rushing to join in the historic balloting, according to an Associated Press survey that offers the first national snapshot. ...more

May 6, 2008

NATION Bank Unclear On Debt Bank of America, which has announced plans to buy Countrywide Financial, said in a regulatory filing that there were no assurances that a big chunk of the distressed subprime mortgage lender's debt would be redeemed, assumed or guaranteed. ...more

May 3, 2008

WASHINGTON - President Bush acknowledged that the economy is weakening, but expressed hope that tax rebates that start going out on Monday should help shore things up. ...more

April 25, 2008

TAMPA BAY AREA Home Sales Up In March The Greater Tampa Association of Realtors reported that area homes sales rose in March to 1,162, a 43 percent increase from 833 reported in February. Home sales typically rise in March after a slower winter selling season. ...more

April 11, 2008

Ruth and I took a ride out into the country earlier this week to the visit Edd and Rita Vowels, who just about a year ago sold off all but one of their McDonald's restaurants. Last Feb. 15, I wrote the final chapter on the couple's highly successful business ventures in the tri-county area as well as their influence on so many of the area's community affairs. Then on the 21st of that month they signed the papers that closed out that phase of their life. They then officially joined the ranks of the relaxed retired ones. "One thing about retirement," Edd says in his soft-spoken manner, "when I wake up I wonder, 'What day is this?'" ...more

February 9, 2008

SEBRING — Healthy Families Florida in Highlands County already has about 25 referrals and is welcoming more. "We are so enthused that the program has been so well received by the community," said Deborah Hadley, program manager for Highlands County. "We have a lot of parents calling asking about it and very excited to start the services." Healthy Families Florida is a nonprofit organization designed to prevent child abuse and neglect before it starts. The program provides voluntary, community-based home visitation services focused on promoting child health and development and positive parent-child interaction. THE PROGRAM EXPANDED INTO HIGHLANDS COUNTY IN FALL 2007 AFTER THE STATE LEGISLATURE ALLOCATED $2.2 MILLION TO THE EXPANSION STATEWIDE. HIGHLANDS COUNTY RECEIVED $296,000 TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM LOCALLY. ...more

January 26, 2008

I was very active with exercising, but I never exercised enough to keep from gaining weight. Blood tests showed a sugar- and carb-intolerant metabolism. My metabolism did not process the carbs I ate efficiently. ...more

January 22, 2008

It doesn't take much to get a dog to wag his tail - a pat on the head, a kind word, a run or a walk in the fresh air. ...more

January 12, 2008

It doesn't take much to get a dog to wag its tail - a pat on the head, a kind word, a run or a walk in the fresh air. ...more

January 12, 2008

It doesn't take much to get a dog to wag its tail - a pat on the head, a kind word, a run or a walk in the fresh air. ...more

January 10, 2008