The message of change being delivered by the voters in campaign '08 is directed as much against Des Moines, Lansing and Tallahassee as it is against Washington. ...more

January 28, 2008

Florida's high court on Wednesday denied a stay of execution for a child killer although the U.S. Supreme Court has not yet ruled whether the lethal injection procedure used in most states, including Florida, is cruel and unusual punishment. ...more

November 8, 2007

A lot rides on the success of Highlands County's asphalt plant, expected to go on line in May. We're not just talking of the money involved or the cynical "I told you so" that asphalt contractors are hoping to throw at the county should the project fail. ...more

October 29, 2007

The state officially dropped its challenges to the Wiregrass Ranch development Wednesday, allowing plans for future residential phases to proceed. ...more

October 18, 2007

There's no doubt that Avon Park's city elections next month are crucial to the town. All the more reason for voters to scrutinize the candidates –– even though there are quite a bushful of them –– and come out and vote. A proposed ordinance that would have fined businesses and landlords who catered to illegal immigrants may have set the tone for some candidates to seek office, but growth remains the overarching issue for the city. Voters should look for candidates who can help Avon Park navigate some of these growth problems, at a time when the rest of the county seems to be growing at a faster rate and tougher challenges coming from Tallahassee lie ahead. ...more

October 15, 2007

Dear Abby: I recently began attending a private high school in Manhattan, N.Y., on scholarship. The commute can take two hours - or more - each way. In the beginning, I was willing to accept the challenge and make it work. However, as the long days continue, I'm wondering whether it's worth it. ...more

October 14, 2007