It's heartwarming to know that a memorial marker was placed on the crash site in the Philippines in honor of Highlands County's most decorated war hero. That hallowed spot is worth remembering, considering the incredible acts of bravery Maj. Thomas McGuire demonstrated during World War II. McGuire, who earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroics is honored here in Highlands County, were he was born and raised. Medal of Honor Park reminds all of us that a native son did his hometown and nation proud. Charles Martin is the man responsible for the marker at McGuire's plane crash site. He also is a Sebring native who wrote a book on McGuire titled "The Last Great Ace." Parts of the wreckage were still there, according to Martin who was there for the dedication. Martin now lives in Jacksonville. ...more

January 18, 2008

She got the call while at work on a Friday. "Are you sitting down?" the woman on the phone asked. ...more

January 6, 2008

New York is regarded as one of the most interesting and appealing cities in the world. ...more

January 6, 2008

My brother died Tuesday. He was in the truest sense my hero. He taught me how to play baseball, how to throw a football and how to ride a bike. For more than 30 years he taught "shop" in high school - woodworking, car repair, metal working. No one unknown to him will leave flowers at his door, his name will not be headlines news, he was not a thug, nor did he have that mentality. His whole life was spent trying to help others. ...more

November 29, 2007

John T. Kniesel died in combat some 65 years ago. ...more

November 25, 2007

TAMPA – A missing couple has been found dead, the apparent victims of a murder-suicide. ...more

November 5, 2007

I would like to say thank you to the nice gentleman that helped me last week when my car broke down in front of his home on Anoka. I was on my way to work and my car just died. I managed to coast to the side of the road, half on his yard. ...more

October 11, 2007

The Highlands County School Board is on to a great idea. They want to "workshop" the possibility of changing the way we hire school superintendents in our district. We like the idea of considering whether the board appoints school superintendents or whether they are elected. As most folks know, in Highlands County we elect our school superintendent. It's done that way in some smaller districts around the state, but the majority of districts hire superintendents. For many people moving here from other areas, it seems strange that the school superintendent is an elected office. No special education is necessary to land this important post, and no experience is necessary. If you get enough people to vote for you, and have the money to run for office, you have as good of a chance as someone who has spent his or her entire life administering and teaching. Having someone unqualified in that position is scary to a lot of people. ...more

September 16, 2007