County commission chairman Ted Schrader and Tampa firefighter John Nicolette will face off in a closed Republican primary Aug. 26 in probably the biggest surprise of qualifying day Friday. ...more

June 21, 2008

SEBRING — Contract talks between the Highlands County School District and the school support personnel union have recessed until September when negotiators will have more information on which to base their salary talks. The state budget issues will be a little clearer in a few months, said Michel Bernier, chief negotiator for the support personnel union. Also, after school starts in August, the district will know how many support workers they'll need based on student enrollment. The state funds school districts a certain amount per student. More students bring in more state monies to school districts. ...more

June 19, 2008

Regarding "Candidates Should Not Have To Choose," June 1: All of the presidential Republican candidates except for Ron Paul came forward and endorsed the presumed nominee, U.S. Sen. John McCain. Why would asking local Republican candidates to pledge to do the same be considered "ungentlemanly" and "using a hammer"? ...more

June 8, 2008

TALLAHASSEE — Less than one percent of traditional Florida public schools are in line for financial penalties for failing to meet Florida's class size reduction requirements after State Board of Education rulings Monday. ...more

February 5, 2008

Americans who are interested in making a government for the people must vote this year for no one holding public office. This should be a year for starting a campaign to vote everyone from city, county, state and federal officials out of office and start a new slate. It is apparent that they are not representing the people. Once elected, public officials think they have a lifetime job and apparently once in office, they gain so much power and money that it is almost impossible to vote them out of office. That is the reason I am advocating re-elect no one. I will make one exception to that rule. Charles Bryan, the Highlands County tax collector. ...more

February 2, 2008

Donald Trump, who pays $1 million a year on a single Palm Beach County mansion, helped Gov. Charlie Crist raise money Thursday for a ballot question that could cap all property taxes while providing cuts for most homeowners. ...more

December 7, 2007

A hearing officer has recommended rejecting a lawsuit filed by a Pasco teachers union over staffing at emergency shelters at area schools. ...more

November 20, 2007

SEBRING — After continuing to work under last year's contract since the start of the school year, the school district's support personnel will likely get their annual salary increase along with a retroactive raise before the holidays. The Highlands County Educational Support Personnel Association and the School Board of Highlands County reached a tentative contract agreement late Monday afternoon. The tentative agreement calls for an average salary increase of 4 percent and a total salary and benefit package increase of 5.86 percent. ...more

November 14, 2007

SEBRING — The Highlands County School District and the teachers union reached a tentative agreement Wednesday on an 18-month teachers contract. ...more

October 10, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - The Pasco County school district and the teachers union have reached a tentative agreement on a bonus-pay plan that teachers will vote on in two weeks. ...more

September 5, 2007