The local officials and newspapers are bashing Amendment One, but the state and the people want local officials to reduce spending to get the taxes under control. But, what do our local commissioners do just in the last couple of weeks? They create four new director positions at salaries ranging from $65,000 to $123,000. They don't care what we the people want or what the state says needs to be done. They snub their noses at the governor and legislature. Hopefully, our state officials will stand up like men and women and force these out-of-control politicians to do what the people want. If not, you will see more leaving Florida than coming. ...more

January 29, 2008

Some of the strongest men and women in professional powerlifting will converge on the Quality Inn and Suites, on U.S. 19 in New Port Richey, this weekend for the Raw Unity Powerlifting Championships to compete and show off their sheer physical might. ...more

January 24, 2008

In regards to "We Must All Tighten Our Belts," by K.L. Adams; the mere fact that these firefighters and officers of the law did, indeed, choose these dangerous jobs says that they respect and hold dear the lives of others as their own. ...more

January 15, 2008

The Veterans Administration deserves praise for new ideas that should provide quality treatment for veterans. Someone figured out that proper caring for veterans starts early and involves all kinds of services. It's happening right here in Highlands County. Besides VA hospitals, clinics are providing a lot of care for veterans. Just as important, when soldiers return to the states, before they are discharged, mental health evaluations begin and continue long after leaving the service. For combat soldiers there is continual monitoring so problems not first realized immediately upon arrival back in the country are dealt with if they do surface. That often happens, according to experts. ...more

January 11, 2008

Have we lost perspective when we consider the issue of providing $75 per month to Highlands County military personnel on active duty in combat zones? From a moral prospective the idea has merit. When viewed from an ethical point of view it may point to greater problems relating to administration, bookkeeping and opportunity for fraud. ...more

January 4, 2008

I am writing in response to the letter entitled, "Just a Lot of Hype" (Letters, Dec. 20). ...more

January 4, 2008

A Brookridge couple has mailed 1,000 care packages to troops overseas. They don't plan to stop anytime soon. ...more

December 27, 2007

AVON PARK — An additional 20 to 25 workers will be unemployed by Jan. 31 as Cargill Juice North America exits the citrus processing business in Florida. The company announced plans in August to close the Avon Park and Frostproof plants. "It's interesting," said Tom Abrahamson, president. "When we decided to shut down the plants for good, we said at the time that we still had inventories of juice, and we estimated they would last until December 2008." ...more

December 23, 2007

The receptionist's job can be an excellent steppingstone, entry-level job leading up the organizational ladder. The career gurus don't tell you that thousands of successful people started out as receptionists. ...more

December 16, 2007

•Hailing from Gainesville, Sister Hazel plays Tampa Theatre on Friday. Plan on hearing cuts from their holiday album "Santa's Playlist." ...more

December 10, 2007