Uniform Policy Needed Regarding "Sagging Pants Bill Doesn't Hold Up" (Our Opinion, Jan. 20): ...more

January 26, 2008

It's obvious that state Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, has a real problem with young people showing their underwear. For three years he has filed bills that would require "fashion police" to patrol public schools and suspend kids wearing droopy drawers. Most of his efforts have failed in committee, but he's back with new legislation to deal with the adolescent crime of going beltless. ...more

January 20, 2008

AVON PARK — The sagging pants fashion fad, that is big with some youngsters and young men, is not welcome in Highlands County District Schools. Avon Park Middle School administrators toughened the school dress code this school year because of the big problem with baggy pants. "Before if their pants were falling down we'd give them string or we'd give them a belt and it got to be ridiculous," because it was such a common occurrence, Dean of Students Shane Wirries said Thursday. "We have kids coming with a size 36 waist [pants] and they are a 28." Now students cannot wear pants that are more than one size too big. If they do show up at school with droopy pants they must have a parent come to school with a proper size trouser or the student spends the day at in-school suspension. ...more

January 12, 2008

After waking up Thanksgiving morning and getting my 26-pound turkey stuffed and in the oven, I took the rare opportunity to sit down with my lovely new bride, Michele, and peruse that morning's Tampa Tribune over a cup of strong coffee. As Michele enthusiastically plunged into the pile of post-Thanksgiving sales ads, I made my way through the sports, national and local news and eventually to the obituaries, which I check with regularity to make sure I'm not listed. ...more

December 3, 2007