Heated e-mails were exchanged this weekend between the critics and author of a plan designed to boost Hernando County's economy. ...more

March 4, 2009

The last few days there have been numerous letters to the editor in Highlands Today and also The Tampa Tribune regarding the State Farm Insurance abandonment of the state of Florida homeowners insurance. I wonder why I haven't seen anything about the 25 percent increase awarded to Progress Energy which took effect on Jan.1? This outrageous increase hits us during one of the country's worst economic recessions in recent memory. I have written letters to Governor Crist and our local Rep. Denise Grimsley trying to get them to rescind or even delay this increase. The governor forwarded my letter to the Public Service Commission and I received a letter from them outlining the reasons why the increase to Progress Energy was awarded. They tell me that one of their reasons was the increase in the cost of fuel and another was the building of a nuclear power plant. ...more

February 6, 2009

The Florida Department of Transportation has hit another obstacle in its attempts to get started on the Central Florida commuter rail project. ...more

February 4, 2009

State budget cuts could take away a $2.5 million state grant for Habitat for Humanity of Highlands County's 100-townhouse Ridgeview project. ...more

January 30, 2009

We all know there is a need for cutbacks in the budget, nationally, on the state level, and even in our own homes, but I feel the State of Florida has gone too far in their budget cuts. I attended the District School Advisory Council meeting at the Highlands County School Board for January and came away disheartened at how little our children seem to mean to the State of Florida. According to the paperwork I received there, our state ranks 50th in school spending and the budget just keeps getting cut further. ...more

January 19, 2009

We salute the Palms of Sebring on their 50th anniversary. A number of their residents had been volunteers in our community, especially for our youth in the public schools. Also, we salute the civic and governmental agencies that continue to aid our youth in spite of the economic downturn, statewide and nationally. ...more

January 13, 2009

An unbiased evaluation of the Hillsborough City-County Planning Commission, contracted for a state agency, praises the board's independence and value. ...more

January 6, 2009

State food monitors aren't performing required inspections for more than a fourth of food service establishments that pose the highest risk to the public, according to a report from the state's accountability office. ...more

January 2, 2009

State food monitors aren't performing required inspections for more than a fourth of food service establishments that pose the highest risk to the public, said a report from the state accountability office. ...more

December 31, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - A charter school has withdrawn its application to have its charter fall under the jurisdiction of the Florida Schools of Excellence Commission rather than the Pasco County School Board. ...more

December 19, 2008