Jessica Simpson's concert at the Florida Strawberry Festival may have gotten mixed reviews from music critics. But the 28-year-old pop-turned-country singer's looks at the festival were a big hit. The blond diva put to rest rumors of a weight gain the minute she took the stage. At least three celebrity Web sites ran photos and stories on Simpson and the Daisy Duke short-shorts she wore during her hourlong concert. ...more

March 11, 2009

It's time to sharpen those knives and get the grills smokin' - at least for these contestants. ...more

January 7, 2009

Just because the smoke has cleared here in Highlands County doesn't mean that competitive barbecuing has come to an end in the area. In fact there is one going on in Wauchula today. And last week by far the largest Florida state contest was held up in Lakeland. At our 12 Hours of BBQ contest there were a total of 42 teams. In Lakeland they had almost 60 professional teams, 80 backyard teams and around 20 kiddie teams. That's a lot of smokin' going on, and a lot of barbecue enthusiasts. And, of course, during this time of our political cycle where there's a crowd of more than three people there is a candidate trying to garner just one more vote. Last Saturday in Lakeland was no exception. Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee siezed the opportunity to shake a few hands. Through the sea of people attending the cook-off I saw some TV cameras and boom mikes and went to see what was going on. It was Huckabee who was the focus of their attention. Since there weren't any more than maybe 20 non-media people around him I elbowed my way to the front of the group. I got to shake his hand and exchange a few pleasantries. What I didn't share with him however was the fact that I had already taken advantage of Joe Campbell's convenient offer to beat the rush and voted early at the county building. ...more

February 2, 2008