Polk County deputies say they've solved the case of a young woman who was killed and then had her body set on fire in Poinciana this month. ...more

November 28, 2007

On Nov. 1, there was a front page article about a convicted sexual predator named Dale Leland, titled "Family, Friends Plea for Man in Court." It was full of quotes from his friends, neighbors, co-workers and lawyer, all vouching for him. Dale already confessed to detectives. Evidence supported the charges and he was found guilty by the jury. Yet, despite the conviction, these character witnesses implied that the sweet, innocent girls lied, making Dale the victim. MSNBC ran the series, "To catch a predator." Predators would meet "underage" targets online, using sexually explicit language. When the predator showed up for pre-arranged sex, the MSNBC investigator spoke briefly to him, then allowed him to leave. Once outside, local police quickly arrested him. The series concluded with the trial and sentencing of each. Without even touching their underage victims, every predator was convicted. Among them was a doctor, a college professor and a child services worker, all liked and respected in their communities. Like Dale, probably many vouched for them. ...more

November 27, 2007

The city is planning a two-pronged approach to smooth the bumps on Bayshore Boulevard and make the road safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. ...more

November 14, 2007

SEBRING – A merger, a company buying a competitor's office, consolidating offices and Realtors moving to other companies are all part of the local real estate business that is dealing with a difficult housing market. Coldwell Banker Highlands Properties LLC, a Sebring and Lake Placid Coldwell Banker real estate affiliate, has merged with Realty World Act Real Estate that became effective Nov. 1. "Basically this merger has allowed us to double our size because both of our offices were, generally speaking, the same size with the same amount of listings," said Jim Carroll, the former owner of Realty World Act Real Estate, and now the sales manager for Coldwell Banker Highlands Properties. "So now we have potentially brought ourselves into a much stronger market share in this area by doing this merger." "I believe the increased signage and doubling of listings, and its potential sales volume, ...more

November 11, 2007

After nearly six years together as general manager and coach of the Lightning, Jay Feaster and John Tortorella have been through this before. ...more

November 10, 2007

With reference to your Nov. 1 first page story "Family, friends, plea for man in court," I have a comment and a couple of questions, the second of which is beyond your area of responsibility to answer. I would like to have been in court to show whatever support I could for my good friend Dale Leland. Question one. In a case involving inappropriate touching, isn't that adequate without you having to describe it in detail? ...more

November 10, 2007

Rene Roman should have been celebrating his 39th birthday Friday. Instead, he was making preparations to take the charred remains of his slain daughter home to Puerto Rico. ...more

November 10, 2007

René Roman should have been celebrating his 39th birthday today. Instead, he was making preparations to take the charred remains of his slain daughter home to Puerto Rico. ...more

November 9, 2007

When Lightning C Ryan Craig reported to the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL for a two-game rehabilitation assignment, assistant general manager Claude Loiselle reminded him not to take the league lightly. ...more

November 9, 2007

Time Has Been Served Regarding "28-Year Fugitive Crept Under Nose Of The Law" (front page, Nov. 1): ...more

November 8, 2007