There has been a lot of discussion about the new health care reform bill before Congress and I would like to add my perspective. First I would like to agree with the conservatives that claim that this is a government intrusion into the private business of health care. Second, I would like to assert that this is a good thing, although I think this assertion is a matter of perspective. If you think Social Security is government intrusion into the retirement planning that we should do on our own, then you will hate this type of government action. If, however, you think we are a society that should and can provide for the health of all of our members then you will agree that this bill is long overdue. The simple issue is this: Do we as a society think it is our duty to make sure health care is available to all, or do we believe that those that want good health care should have planned better and gotten a career that provided health insurance for life and that those that didn't plan better, can simply die from lack of services brought on by their own lack of planning, or inability to get such a job? ...more

November 12, 2009

The 20-month-old child who Avon Park police officer James Parker is accused of seriously injuring March 29 may be taken off life support this week. ...more

May 4, 2009

The DUI manslaughter case against Travis Kelton Hill III will next come before Judge Peter Estrada at a March 18 pretrial conference. ...more

February 13, 2009

One of the suspects charged in the November 2007 shooting of Samuel Tiller was sentenced to 25 years in prison at the conclusion of a Friday plea hearing. ...more

December 13, 2008

The Travis Kelton "T.K." Hill III manslaughter trial was changed from its original January date to Feb. 9. ...more

November 13, 2008

A motion to dismiss the blood alcohol evidence against Travis Kelton Hill III was denied last week by Judge Peter Estrada. ...more

September 21, 2008

SEBRING — The trial date has been continued again for former Avon Park High School quarterback Travis "T.K." Hill, 18, who has been charged with DUI vehicular homicide. "Because there are so many complicated issues in this case, it's way too soon to tell when a trial will take place," Hill's attorney, Richard S. Pipkin said last year. "There are a number of things we have to take into account before we'll be ready – things like blood alcohol analysis and expert witnesses." Hill was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and negligent vehicular manslaughter after the Dec. 30, 2006 death of Kristin Marie Dessingue, 16, of Coconut Creek. She was a passenger in Hill's pickup truck when he lost control while traveling north on County Road 621. The Ford flipped several times, and both Hill and Dessingue were ejected. ...more

May 23, 2008