A veterinarian had been called to examine a 10-year-old Irish wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. ...more

February 21, 2008

I know editorials are opinion pieces, but opinions that make it to your editorial page should have at least some remote basis in fact. What facts do you have to back your assertion that the rising number of voters registering as independents reflects dissatisfaction with the major party candidates? Surely, you don't mean there is a tide of support for independent candidates, since for all practical purposes there aren't any. Do you have surveys, polls, interviews, etc. to support your statement? Worse, you then lapse into repeating the insipid populist pabulum that we have sent so many jobs overseas that wages have not kept pace with the economy. You really should check the facts. Trade has increased over 10-fold since 1960 to nearly $3.5 trillion –– more than one fourth of our total economy. If it caused unemployment and lower living standards, we would all be on welfare by now. Instead: Real GDP more than doubled, we added 81 million jobs, real per-capita and median incomes rose by a third, inflation and unemployment fell to historically low levels. We still manufacture twice as much as China and the combination of manufacturing, mining, and agriculture as a percent of our GDP remains at near record highs. Yes, the number of people working in manufacturing is declining. The same is happening in nearly every country, including China (where the number of workers in manufacturing has fallen 10-15 percent in recent years). We are witnessing the same miracle in manufacturing today that we saw in agriculture in the mid-20th century. Fewer people making more. It doesn't mean we have more unemployment; it means we have more stuff. ...more

January 15, 2008

LAKE PLACID — John Komasa likes to scuba dive, ride a bike, read and just get out and take walks. Although an accountant by trade, he seems like a natural for a recreation director, and that's what he became a year and a half ago when he headed Lake Placid's parks and recreation department. "I'm not in as good as shape as I used to be, and I took this job to get from behind the desk," he said. ...more

January 14, 2008

NAPLES - When single mother Mary Ann Shaffer scratched a lottery ticket last week, she thought Christmas had come early. ...more

December 24, 2007

The youngest of my three children will graduate from college in two days. It is the fulfillment of a dream for him, and a step toward what I know will be a bright future. I'm happy, and proud, and … sad. Yes, sad, because this is a huge sea change in my life. ...more

December 16, 2007

Looking up at a wall stacked to the ceiling with board games, a pregnant Recia Henry beamed. ...more

December 15, 2007

When I first heard about the idea of a baseball league forming for individuals with disabilities, I felt compelled to find out more about it. I have two brothers-in-law who could benefit greatly from this league. I purely went to see about the who, what, where and whens. After that first meeting, I decided to volunteer to coach. This was my way of helping out. A few weeks later, I was part of the board of directors. I would like to personally thank every board member of the Miracle League of Lake Placid for giving me the chance to help out. ...more

December 13, 2007

A toddler who crawled out a third-floor window during his family's Thanksgiving festivities and fell onto a store roof not only survived - he didn't even break a bone. ...more

November 24, 2007

Business owners in St. Petersburg cleaned up Monday after an arsonist set fire to a series of buildings and cars late Sunday. ...more

November 13, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG – Business owners in St. Petersburg are cleaning up after an arsonist set fire to a series of buildings and cars late Sunday night. Nine fires erupted within two miles of Central Avenue beginning at 11:18 p.m. Sunday. Two fires damaged vehicles, three damaged buildings and the rest involved trash bins , fences or mattresses. ...more

November 12, 2007