After the birth of her daughter Ryan four years ago, Beth Powell enjoyed dressing her baby girl in style. Reveling in ribbons and bows, Powell thought it could not possibly be as much fun to dress a boy. She changed her tune, though, with the arrival of her son Drew in 2006. ...more

February 20, 2008

Jan Nelson didn't so much volunteer to organize an art festival as much as she was drafted into it. ...more

February 20, 2008

A local group of trainers was growing leery of two trends. The first was obvious. There was an increase of obese and overweight people in Hernando County who were dissatisfied with their appearance, diet and overall health. ...more

February 2, 2008

A local group of trainers was growing leery of two trends. ...more

February 1, 2008

Whether this letter be in response to those recently expressing consternation of our federal government or to those who may simply question the direction of Highlands County's elected officials, my message remains the same. The familiar phrase, "Of the people, by the people, for the people" means a great deal to me. In my opinion and quite simply put, "Of the people" signifies that we, the citizens, have given or allowed our government certain powers, which also means that we may restrict them as well. "By the people" then gives us the authority to decide those who will serve in elected positions. "For the people," as I read it, implies that those elected are charged with the responsibility to recognize each person's circumstance and to make proper and just decisions accordingly. This is not an enviable position to be in, for sure. In my life, I've found there are times when doing the right thing is not necessarily popular. Equally, I've come to understand that what's popular is not always right. ...more

January 21, 2008

You might think that a business that rarely advertises and doesn't splash its logo onto every product it generates would struggle to stay afloat. ...more

January 14, 2008

AVON PARK — The city's code enforcement office sent out 75 warnings to landlords for not holding rental permits since its enforcement began in December. The grace period ended last month, following the city council's passing of a minimum maintenance ordinance that gave code enforcement officers the right to annually inspect homes while also requiring landlords to get an annual $37.50-per-unit permit to lease within the city. Capt. Donald Simmons, Avon Park's head code enforcement officer, said he was going by "word of mouth" to find other landlords and rental properties in the city, since his office doesn't have an active list of residential rental properties in the city yet. His fellow officers sent the warnings so that landlords are aware of the requirement. "This is the first year this has been done in Avon Park," Simmons said. "This is brand new. A lot of people aren't aware of it." ...more

January 8, 2008

Rana Younas got the call early Thursday from a nervous friend - a Pakistani-American like him - from Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. ...more

December 28, 2007

Cabdrivers say they plan to boycott International Plaza tonight because they're tired of getting chased off Bay Street, a popular drop-off and pickup spot at the mall. ...more

December 24, 2007

In a time when family-owned businesses are dying off, a handful of citrus growers have found a way to thrive doing things the old fashioned way. ...more

December 17, 2007