For the past few years, the lives of the Ainsworth family have been in constant turmoil. ...more

January 6, 2010

If you thought state budgets were in bad shape last year, just wait: 2010 promises to be brutal for lawmakers — many facing re-election — as they scramble to find enough money to keep their states running without raising taxes. ...more

January 3, 2010

In an upshot, if 2009 made us all a little poorer, it also made us all cleaner and more hygiene-oriented. It brought heartaches, joy and astonishment to Highlands County residents. It also brought closure to the family of a Florida Highway Patrol trooper ruthlessly killed while on duty. The economy continued to roil; residents endured not one but three anthrax hoaxes; ordinary residents prodded city hall into action in Venus and Sun 'n Lake, and swine flu got us all a little closer to sanitizers. ...more

January 1, 2010

Two local needy families with children with disabilities were smiling this past holiday season as Santa Claus and his Ridge Area Arc elves delivered gifts, food and money. ...more

December 30, 2009

As her three kids politely opened their presents on Christmas morning, Emily Lewis-Hunter lamented that they don't get excited like they used to. ...more

December 26, 2009

Toys for Kids, a program at the University Area Community Development Corp. gives a helping hand to working parents who couldn't otherwise afford to buy Christmas presents for the kids. ...more

December 25, 2009

It has been said that recognition of a problem is half of the solution. Forty percent of the tax in our country is paid by 1 percent of the people. Likely about 49 percent of the population pay more than their pro-rata share, 35 percent pay their pro-rata share and 15 percent are strictly parasites (not temporarily recession caused unemployed). ...more

December 5, 2009

The drive for rail As a transportation professional I'm optimistic about the rail discussion and its impact on our region. ...more

December 3, 2009

Mr. Alviano, you have made Mr. Doty's letter look like it's the more sensible of the two; in fact, your letter is hilarious to most reasonable Americans. First, the conservative Republicans only want our government to follow the constitution which the liberal Democrats want to ignore or re-write to their wishes. Social Security, Medicare and unemployment payments are programs that we have taken out of our paychecks; they are not giveaways. ...more

November 30, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) — With more Americans going hungry than ever before, the Agriculture Department is concerned that dozens of states aren't adequately administering food stamp programs designed to provide food to low-income Americans. Many of the states that struggled were among the most populous, including Florida, where 57 were enrolled. ...more

November 24, 2009