What the railroad wants, the railroad gets. That seems to be Florida's policy since the state has doled out millions to six of these privately run businesses to improve their tracks. ...more

January 7, 2008

Since its creation, I've been an active participant in each of the Lake Denton Committee meetings. It's been my shared opinion with others, this issue revolves around overcrowding at the boat ramp by scuba divers seeking certification, a lack of parking space in the immediate neighborhood for them, and some of the illicit and/or illegal activities that too often occurs in secluded areas. Working together, committee members, county employees and several other concerned people have developed a short-term plan that will reopen Lake Denton to the public. I'm glad to say they've made a lot of progress and presented the proposals to the Board of County Commissioners. However, I am very much opposed to one particular aspect of the committee's recommendation. In order to pay for (or at least offset) the costs of improvements and needed personnel, a per diver fee of $25 per day was agreed upon. This amount, after much discussion by the divers present, was deemed to be reasonable and a customary cost incurred as part of their normal certification process. This fee would be waived for the instructors and "Dive Masters" present. ...more

January 6, 2008

SEBRING — Don Bates, the Highlands County commissioner who chaired the special Lake Denton Citizens Advisory Committee, admits there still are unanswered questions about the county's closing of public access to the county's most popular lake. ...more

January 2, 2008

After more than a year of setbacks that saw a proposed monument for war veterans lose its preferred location and then its high-profile artist, a committee dedicated to the project said it will again gain momentum in 2008. ...more

December 26, 2007

Pasco County officials on Thursday gave the developers of Meadow Pointe another year to extend Beardsley Avenue eastward from its junction with Meadow Pointe Boulevard. ...more

December 21, 2007

Putting a school auction online seemed like an easy way to get more exposure and raise more money than the old-fashioned alternative. ...more

December 8, 2007

Breaking news: Youths and grown-ups got together Monday afternoon, maturely discussed the city skateboard park and seemed to come to a meeting of the minds. ...more

November 20, 2007

SEBRING –– Public access could be restored to Lake Denton as soon as January, under a plan tentatively adopted by a special seven-member citizens committee. Highlands County commissioners may receive the proposal in December. It calls for restricting access through limited parking, weekend user's fees, and closing the county boat ramp at 4 p.m. daily. During summer weekends, dozens of vehicles carrying scuba divers, swimmers, sunbathers and a few boaters often overflowed the county's parking lot at the lake. Committee members are recommending that parking be limited to only eight spaces. Vehicles parked outside of the designated spaces could be ticketed or towed. ...more

November 16, 2007

Two top Yahoo officials on Tuesday defended their company's role in the jailing of a Chinese journalist but ran into withering criticism from lawmakers who accused them of complicity with an oppressive communist regime. ...more

November 7, 2007

Their goal was to make sure Penny for Pasco money is being spent properly. ...more

October 17, 2007