Thank you for all the visits, phone calls, flowers, and kindness shown to all of our family during the loss of Purvis (Turkey) Thomas., a son, dad and brother. A special thank you to Highlands County Sheriff and also the staff at the Good Shepherd Hospice; your nurses were tops. ...more

December 21, 2007

There was an early Grinch who stole our church trailer and "Thanks-For-Giving Bags" being collected by members of our parish to be distributed to needy families through our Community Cupboard Food Pantry ("Church Bemoans Theft Of Trailer Full Of Holiday Fare," Metro, Nov. 14). ...more

December 15, 2007

The family of Alexa Faye Hall would like to thank everyone for their prayers, love and support during this most difficult time. There are so many people to thank, some of which our family has never even met. ...more

December 14, 2007

The Hayes family wishes to thank everyone for their prayers and kind thoughts to help us through our sorrow, during the sickness and passing of Dorothy E. Hayes. ...more

December 12, 2007

The separation of church and state is not meant to expel God from our schools or government functions. Our founding fathers established that separation so that no particular branch of organized religion could force their way of worshipping God to be the only way. One of the reasons immigrants came to the United States was so that they could be free to worship as they pleased. Separation of church and state simply guarantees that no one branch of religion, be it Protestant, Catholic, Islam, Buddhist or any of the worlds many other religions, is sanctioned by the state. To include prayers or rites from one of these religions in our schools and not include similar prayers from all of them has the effect of the state promoting that one religion. ...more

December 1, 2007

I was on a bus trip in mid- November as a guest of the Red Hatter's club. It was a very pleasant day with upbeat, friendly and cheerful people. It is a great way to begin any journey. We traveled to the Vero Beach Mall for an afternoon of shopping. We all stopped at a restroom, where I washed my hands. I said to my friends: "Did you hear that? I just heard a clink." I immediately felt this sick sensation in my stomach. I quickly checked my hands. I thought that I had lost my wedding ring. But it was not until we had returned to the bus that I realized I'd lost my mom's "Eastern Star" pinkie ring, a precious gift to me. I sat there stunned. What to do? What a loss! I was encouraged by many to call the mall management office and explain my dilemma. I did just that. When the bus ride was over, many said "I'll say a prayer that you'll recover your Mom's ring," Others joined in: "I'll pray to St. Anthony for you," "Prayers can only help," I said to myself. ...more

November 24, 2007

This Thanksgiving there is much to be thankful for. I am thankful for the men and women of the armed forces who defend this great country. ...more

November 22, 2007

Talk about a travesty and miscarriage of justice! Let me see if I have this straight. Mr. Hunt was charged with negligent homicide, manslaughter, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and obstruction of justice. But, because of a plea deal, he was only charged with the manslaughter count. Prosecutor David Ward stated, "The plea was below (sentencing) guidelines." Dear God, may I ask you who obstructed justice? Did the Bemis family offer and agree to this plea? I was Bobby's spiritual leader and youth minister for many years. He was a troubled youth, but a day prior to his death, he had called me asking "Mr. P, you always said if I was ready to straighten my life out, you would help. Do you still mean that?" I responded that I did. Bobby's next question was "When is the next youth meeting?" I told him tomorrow and that we would pick him up. He was elated. Bobby's tomorrow came but was cut short as his untimely death occurred. Doing Bobby's funeral was a heartbreaking task for me. Now, I have questions for Mr. Hunt and Mr. Ward. Did Mr. Hunt give Bobby a "plea deal?" Did Mr. Hunt give Bobby a reduced sentence? Because of Mr. Hunt dastardly deed, will Bobby only serve seven and a half years? Will Bobby receive ten years probation? Who determined that Bobby's life only had a value of $5,000? Bobby had a lifetime ahead of him. Now, last but not least, I ask if justice was served? The answer is "no." Only obstruction and miscarriage of justice. ...more

November 13, 2007

Morris "Sandy" Weinberg Jr. and Kevin Hayslett, attorneys for Nick Bollea, have released the following statement on their client's behalf: ...more

November 7, 2007

Since my father-in-law started this business back in 1959, there has been many a letter from our customers thanking us for quality service, friendly staff, and for being honest with them. Each and every one of these letters we have treasured. Well, the tables have been turned on us this month. Now it is my turn to say thank you. Recently Charles, owner of Cooper and Son Inc., had to have quadruple bypass surgery in Orlando. It was totally unexpected for all of us, especially Charles. We had expected a stent but not a major "overhaul" on his system. To make matters worse, after returning home from a near perfect operation, complications set in and we were faced with another stay in the hospital locally. ...more

October 27, 2007