Editor's note: "Pit Bull" is widely considered a category of dog type that includes several American Kennel Club and United Kennel Club recognized breeds and/or any mixed breed dog that contains fifty percent of its lineage from those breeds. ...more

October 26, 2008

If you're looking for Halloween thrills on the cheap, Mike Witherow has your fix. ...more

October 24, 2008

It's that time of the year. Those tired of Highlands County's summer doldrums should get their planning calendars out. Longtime residents will attest that from October to April, the roads are not the only things that get busy. Bands rev up for their acts; crafts and art shows offer back-to-back fares for Christmas shopping; dance clubs get moving, and residents get something to do. This year, there will be some big and small changes in the events schedule. A longtime November arts and crafts festival has been replaced by a smaller one in March. The Highlands Art League, which sponsors this festival, has refocused its efforts with brand new art events for the community. The Sebring downtown Gallery Walk has been discontinued for now and may restart later in the season. The Sebring Carousel of Lights will be more amped up. At least one new Halloween spook-out awaits the young and the young-at-heart. A community "paint out" has been planned for next year, and a new dance club is in town. Here's a list of what to expect new this season: ...more

September 27, 2008

Recently in Hudson, an ancient species got a little help to make it through the 21st century. In a win-win undertaking, animal welfare and environmental protection organizations joined forces with a developer to move 114 gopher tortoises. The slow-moving reptiles were transplanted from the 10-acre Hudson Apartments housing development site at S. R. 52, in the Hudson area, to Nokuse Plantation, a 50,000-acre private conservation area in Walton County, in the Panhandle. ...more

September 17, 2008

This week's column is dedicated to the staff and volunteers of animal shelters throughout our country. So often you hear people say, "I would love to come and help, but it is too sad to see all of those animals there and without homes." I felt that way long, long ago. ...more

September 14, 2008

Activists with The Humane Society of the United States removed more than 100 gopher tortoises during the weekend from property slated for development. ...more

September 11, 2008

Activists with the Humane Society of the United States removed more than 100 gopher tortoises during the weekend from property slated for development. ...more

September 10, 2008

As we see more and more of the pets in our community losing their homes due to economic circumstances, the public needs to understand the safest and most compassionate procedures for surrendering and helping our homeless pets. ...more

August 17, 2008

Disasters include more than hurricanes and wildfires. Even puppy mill rescues may call for rushing trained professionals to the aid of animal victims. ...more

August 14, 2008

Gory and bucolic all at once, cockfights have drawn crowds to small-time pits and full-blown arenas in towns across Louisiana for generations. By the end of the week, they'll be against the law. Everywhere. ...more

August 11, 2008