While federal and state fishery regulators conjure up management schemes to maintain certain spawning potential ratios, the rapidly increasing price of fuel has dramatically changed that equation. This is a pivotal moment in the history of Florida fishing, as recreational boat owners, charter skippers and the commercial fishing industry must evaluate the serious cost/benefit ratio of offshore fishing. ...more

August 1, 2008

Editor's note: This is an excerpt from former Sebring resident Charles A. Martin's book "The Last Great Ace." The book is about Highlands County's most decorated soldier. Maj. Thomas B. McGuire, Jr. earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroics as a pilot fighting in the South Pacific. Here is the final of three parts from chapter 28 of the book. This chapter tells of some of his heroic feats that earned him numerous honors, and nearly killed him. If you're interested in purchasing the book and reading the entire history, visit: http://www.lastgreatace.com/ Part 3 The Zekes (Japanese fighter planes) had broken off, but his troubles were not over yet. McGuire pulled the yoke back to bring the P-38 out of a dive, but his controls were useless and he realized that the bullets passing through the cockpit had severed the control cables. He'd have to get out of the plane while it was still in a steep dive. He chopped both throttles and pulled the emergency hatch release. The canopy ripped away in the slipstream. He released his seat belt and shoulder harness, climbed into the seat and jumped. The thought of that great knife-like elevator at the back of the plane flashed through his mind as he went into the blasting air of the slip stream. ...more

February 8, 2008