SEBRING — Land values have increased significantly since 1993 in Highlands County. But the fee assessed on building permits to fund acquisition of conservation lands has remained the same since it was adopted 14 years ago. As a result, in December, the Highlands County commissioners are expected to consider a request from the county's Natural Resources Advisory Commission to raise the "environmental clearance waiver fee." That fee, assessed on building permits on two acres or less, has never been changed from its original levels of $100 for residential and $250 for commercial. "The resources that that fee were intended to purchase have become vastly more expensive" over the past 14 years, said Reed Bowman, chairman of NRAC's Environmental Fees Committee. ...more

November 13, 2007

In the Highlands Today front page story of Oct. 31, statements were made which strongly appear to be lies. Jim Brantley, spokesman for the U.S. Fleet Forces Command, said: 1. "Although this exercise involved bomb replicas, live bombs will be dropped in less than a year." This statement does not preclude that live bombs are not being dropped currently. 2. "The noise generated from live bombs shouldn't be much louder than operations out there now." This statement does not preclude that live bombs are not now being dropped. In fact, it enforces the fact that they are now being dropped! ...more

November 10, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - A man behind bars on charges he kidnapped and raped a woman last month now is accused of another sexual assault in July. ...more

November 9, 2007

Next year, Amy West will be prepared for anything that might happen at the state golf tournament. ...more

November 7, 2007

D.G. Murray of New Port Richey says education critical in boosting Pasco County recycling. ...more

November 7, 2007

Two employees in the city's computer systems department resigned six days after police, without warning, took over supervision of their office. ...more

November 6, 2007

Do you know a child hero? St. Joseph's Children's Hospital is taking nominations for their 11th annual Kids Are Heroes campaign, which awards children, between 5-18, who have shown extraordinary courage or charity. ...more

October 30, 2007

There will be one more chance for Dunedin residents to sound off on proposed revisions to the city's noise ordinance. ...more

October 27, 2007

After the first two days of tryouts, it looks like the Riverview High School boys soccer team is going young this year. ...more

October 20, 2007

Does your pet have the perfect costume ready for Halloween? The Carrollwood News & Tribune would love to check out your pet in costume before the holiday. ...more

October 20, 2007