In a case that resulted in a minor being charged with rape, a teenage girl leaving a book at the night depository at Bloomingdale Regional Public Library in April was attacked and left for dead. Now the Rough Riders, a Bay area civic organization, has chipped in to buy her a van outfitted to transport someone with medical needs. ...more

December 16, 2008

A national education policy group gave Florida an F for college affordability, even though the state's public universities are among the least expensive in the nation. ...more

December 3, 2008

During a recent visit to the veterans hospital in Los Angeles, I ran across a young man fresh out of the Army. He had fought in Afghanistan and was recovering from some of his wounds. He was also homeless and, quite frankly, a little frustrated by what he saw as cumbersome and inefficient layers of bureaucracy between the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. ...more

November 27, 2008

A pup that almost starved to death is doing well these days, thanks to the staff at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Suncoast chapter. ...more

November 7, 2008

Re: Frances Earl's column, "Nov 4: Last Chance To Get It Right," in the Oct. 30 edition of Hernando Today. ...more

November 2, 2008

At this time, even though the economic situation may seem the only criteria on which to judge a candidate please consider a couple of other points. Remember that Barack Obama is a trained attorney. He has learned to talk a good line in order to sway a jury. How has he managed to raise so much money that he can be in your face every 20 or 30 minutes during the news? Whoever is elected president will only be around four to eight years and doesn't necessarily have the ability to fulfill all his promises. The House and the Senate will have something to say, but the judges he appoints will be around to tell your grandchildren how the world should be run. ...more

October 17, 2008

A woman who won a settlement against a Plant City-based farm over pesticide use this year is testifying against the company in a related probe in North Carolina. ...more

September 11, 2008

The parents of a local first-grader want to know why they weren't contacted when their child received an injury on the school's playground. ...more

September 5, 2008

I oppose the fire tax assessment bill. I've run the New Testament Church and Mission for 32 years. In those years I have only needed to call the fire department once, which was found to be arson. ...more

August 21, 2008

When it comes to saving lives, God trumps doctors for many Americans. A survey reveals widespread belief that divine intervention can revive dying patients. And, researchers said, doctors "need to be prepared to deal with families who are waiting for a miracle." ...more

August 19, 2008