Christmas is over, so the political season is starting. One of the first races to draw attention is Highlands County Commission District 2, where Edgar Stokes is the incumbent. District 2 is southeast Highlands County. ...more

December 27, 2009

This year, said Clerk of Courts Bob Germaine, county employees paid 200 percent more for their health insurance. ...more

December 18, 2009

Edgar Cronin's letter of June 21, titled "Obama's Crusade," was very timely and insightful. In reference to his third point, "Provide funding for embryonic stem cell research," I would like to submit the following comment. This funding would not only be wrong but ridiculous, since adult stem cell research and umbilical cord research have resulted in at least 29 cures to date, as opposed to zero, nada cures to date by embryonic stem cell research. Of course embryonic stem cell research involves the taking of a life. This would indicate that the expenditures of our hard earned tax dollars would be better spent by putting them exclusively into adult stem cell and umbilical cord research. ...more

June 25, 2009

Concerns that the economy could get worse led the Highlands County commissioners to put on hold construction of the new law enforcement building for the sheriff's office. ...more

March 3, 2009

In response to Edgar R. Cronin's worry over The Freedom of Choice Act: First, I find it offensive that on more occasions than not, it is a man who is against a woman's right to choice. I would suggest to Edgar and men like him that his message of life be better fought against humans (mostly men) already alive who fight wars and kill if he wants to save life and families. ...more

February 21, 2009

Seven people were injured, five seriously, when a van flipped on Interstate 4 in Polk County late Saturday night. Two of those with injuries the Florida Highway Patrol described as serious were teens, and one was 5 years old. ...more

December 21, 2008

A man accused of robbing a Lakeland bank on Friday was arrested today in Sarasota, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said. ...more

December 8, 2008

Like me, many people will reduce their income to barely one third of the original upon retirement. It may be a health issue or just a choice that should be respected. After all, the law allows one to do that, after 65 years of age, with the return of one's Social Security contributions. ...more

December 1, 2008

In a 3-2 vote Tuesday, the Highlands County commissioners tripled the property tax break granted to low-income senior homeowners who have a Homestead property. ...more

November 19, 2008

The Highlands County commissioners appear evenly split - two for, two leaning against and one undecided - on raising the low-income senior homeowners Homestead exemption. ...more

November 17, 2008