A man who authorities say was found dead while swimming with his family in Jupiter had been celebrating his wedding just days before. ...more

July 19, 2009

Republicans are up in arms about Gov. Crist's support of the stimulus package. Many are also surprised that the governor is contemplating a Senate run rather than standing for re-election. A possible reason for both relates to something I have pondered for some time: Florida should raise the sales tax by one cent, at least temporarily. The stimulus package, manna for our charmed governor, will likely enable Florida to balance its budget this year. But unless the economy improves significantly, next year we will be back to where we are now, cutting into the marrow of our already bare bones state programs. Perhaps the governor sees raising taxes in the near future as the only logical way to maintain the modest quality of life the state provides to its citizens, while understanding that, as a Republican, raising taxes would likely end his political career. The smart thing is to let someone else do it. ...more

February 14, 2009

A farm couple in Colorado opened their fields in November to gleaners, giving away what was left of their harvest. Expecting about 5,000 people, they were shocked when 40,000 arrived. This might be a sign of the times. As the economy plummets, we enter an environment ripe for scavengers. From field gleaners to garage-sale aficionados, they are everywhere and are coming from everywhere. I am one of them, a modern hunter-gatherer. ...more

December 6, 2008

Dunedin and North Port will meet Friday afternoon for the start of the best-of-3, Class 5A regional finals and a trip to the Final Four at Sarasota's Ed Smith Stadium on the line. Aside from sharing the same field at Dunedin's Englebert Sports Complex, little much else will be in common between the two programs. ...more

May 7, 2008

The Rev. Charles Ringe considers Communion an important part of the Christian experience. ...more

October 13, 2007

The Rev. Charles Ringe considers Communion an important part of the Christian experience. ...more

October 11, 2007