SEBRING — Most people cringe when they open the dreaded electric bill — especially during the summer months. That's not the case for Robert Seybolt of Sebring. "I was very, very happy," Seybold said of the $48 bill. "I used to pay $130 to $140 a month. "I think anyone would be happy." Seybolt is sold on solar power. He has solar yard lights, a solar ventilator fan and solar charger on his boat. ...more

January 27, 2008

On Jan. 29 the voters of Highlands County will be deciding on an amendment to the Florida Constitution which, if passed, will result in some property tax relief. Is it everything we need in tax reform? No! However it does provide much needed relief to Florida residents who are "stranded" in their homesteads, unable to move to either a larger or smaller home because they would lose the protection they have accrued over the years through the Save Our Homes exemption. Amendment 1 will, if approved, make Save Our Homes portable. If the amendment passes, a young family will be able to take their lower tax rate with them when they outgrow their residence and purchase a larger home. A retired couple will be able to "downsize" without running the risk of doubling or tripling (or worse!) their current property tax bills. ...more

January 27, 2008

For 29 years, the state of Florida has provided tuition grants for Florida residents attending a private Florida college or university full time. ...more

January 19, 2008

LAKE PLACID — Those aren't typical grandmothers at the local restaurant, A Creative Chef. Although these five grannies throw baby showers in the restaurant where they work and fawn over a pregnant mother who will soon account for the group's 32nd grandchild, these ladies aren't retired at home, but hustling in a busy eatery. These grandmothers usually know which regular customers take their coffee black, with poached eggs, and often they know the local news before it hits the newspapers. ...more

January 19, 2008

North and Central Florida aren't feeling very neighborly as they battle over water from the St. Johns and Ocklawaha rivers. ...more

January 14, 2008

but I've learned that I don't love hot weather that lasts way past summer with no end in sight. I moved from Washington State in June and I'm not used to summer being 12 months long. ...more

January 11, 2008

In 1969, on my first day as a graduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I heard as I strolled across campus a noise I could not decipher. ...more

January 6, 2008

The NFL has proclaimed Sunday's game between the Bucs and the New York Giants a sellout. Ticketmaster says otherwise. ...more

January 4, 2008

Although good seats remain available for their NFC playoff game against the New York Giants, the Buccaneers have no doubt Raymond James Stadium will be filled to capacity Sunday. ...more

January 3, 2008

Minority students are increasingly choosing graduate school as the path to success in their chosen careers, a positive development that will help to fuel economic growth all over country. The Council of Graduate Schools reported recently that minority enrollment in graduate schools increased by 2 percent last year. Minorities now make up 28 percent of total graduate school enrollment. ...more

December 27, 2007