It was an old-fashioned family picnic held at Tom Varn Park on June 13, with a family picnic was sponsored by the Hernando County Democrat Party. ...more

June 18, 2009

We're coming up to fall, my favorite time of the year for two reasons: it's football season, and it's the season of opening up the house to enjoy the great weather. I love the way my energy bill goes down as we don't need to use heat or air conditioning this time of the year. Any general tips for improving indoor comfort in the coming months? ...more

September 25, 2008

Bill Fanning of Hudson says Republicans under Bush have disgraced America and McCain will do the same. ...more

July 9, 2008

Hundreds of lightning-sparked wildfires have turned the air of Northern California into an unhealthy stew of smoke and ash, forcing the cancellation of athletic events and other outdoor activities. ...more

June 29, 2008

The day's extreme wind conditions warning came early for Phil Mickelson when the defending champ's visor blew off his head and into water on the opening hole. ...more

May 12, 2008

For the most part, three kinds of people live in Highlands County: The recent newcomers, who laughed off Wednesday's cold weather, saying it "felt good." The Florida natives who bundled up and acted as if we were on the North Pole. And then there are many of us who have been here just enough years that we want to act like the cold was nothing, but were shivering to the bone, wondering at what point our blood finally thinned. ...more

January 4, 2008

The Just Sing, Florida contest has picked three finalists in its quest for a new state song. You can go to www.justsingflorida.org to hear for yourself, then pick your favorite. Voting ends Jan. 11. Can't decide? The Tampa Tribune's Curtis Ross offers his quick take on each of the contenders here. ...more

December 12, 2007

SEBRING –– Wallace and Lillian Pechtel wish they could open their home's windows to catch the cool winter breezes. But, living in the Thunderbird Hills South mobile home park, that's something they rarely can enjoy. "We very seldom open our windows in the winter months, because of the smell," Lillian said. Referring to the problem plagued Thunderbird Hills Wastewater Treatment Plant, she added, "We definitely have an odor problem and it needs to be fixed." Odors from the treatment plant are not constant, Lillian said, but when it does stink "it's as if we were living next to a pig farm, that's what the odor is like." ...more

October 29, 2007