"The Venetian Betrayal," by Steve Berry (Ballantine, $26) ...more

February 10, 2008

There is a fine line between crime prevention and a flagrant disregard for rules, laws and basic human rights. I am saddened yet happy that our communities are choosing to draw a line in the sand and take action against our law-breaking youths. ...more

February 10, 2008

All creatures, big and small share the world around us, trying to live in harmony with each other. Man, being the dominant "creature," at times takes liberty to kill without provocation, thus exerting his power over nature, while exhibiting the worst in man. An example of this dominance was reported recently in this newspaper, when two men used a combination of .22 caliber and .45 caliber guns to kill a rattlesnake found in a backyard. The snake, minding its own business, was probably seeking the warmth of the sun in order to reach "operating temperature." When approached and threatened by the humans, the snake assumed a defensive posture as it coiled and moved its head from side to side; saying in effect, "leave me alone, go away, I do not want to harm you." Unfortunately for the snake, the humans did not wish to admire this creature for its beauty and place in ecology, but wished to destroy this perceived threat to "children, dogs and cats that might be in the area." ...more

February 8, 2008

Joshua Harmsen needs an eye patch to save the vision in one eye, but five years ago the 2-year-old wouldn't wear it for more than 30 seconds. ...more

January 2, 2008

In a booming ringtone market that's becoming increasingly individualized, millions of subscribers have learned to reach beyond the traditional wireless catalog - and bypass a per-song charge that's ventured into the $3-per-song neighborhood. ...more

December 27, 2007

Open locker room ...more

December 12, 2007

right past your front yard. You stand alongside the road and plead with them to slow down for fear they will hit a child running into the street after a ball, and what you get back is a fist or finger waved in the air along with the shout for you to mind your own business. ...more

November 26, 2007

Scott and Sally Treverton are used to uninvited guests of the animal kind showing up on their farm off Crum Road. ...more

November 21, 2007

SEBRING — A dollar certainly doesn't go as far as it used to. Miles Baker built a septic tank, delivered it and set it for $75 in 1947. His son Bob, who is the owner and president of Baker Septic Installations, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, puts in tanks for about $3,000. There are other things – besides the cost – that have changed over the years with septic tanks. Bob believes the process is not as labor intensive now compared to when he started in the business more than 30 years ago. "The equipment, the technology, the research that has gone into making a better concrete mixture and product – it's amazing where we've come from and where we are now," said Anne Baker, Bob's wife who is the vice president of the company. ...more

November 4, 2007

Connie Nowe of New Port Richey asks who made President Bush world's dictator. ...more

October 3, 2007