Linda Taggart doesn't claim to be an expert in music. ...more

December 6, 2008

To head off holiday thieves, Tampa police will patrol shopping malls between now and Christmas on horseback, on motorcycles and in unmarked cars. Officers will begin these special patrols this morning at WestShore Plaza. The extra police presence aims to prevent car burglaries and other property crimes. ...more

November 26, 2008

Just like that, Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden has given voters the single reason why they should not elect Barack Obama president of the United States. ...more

October 25, 2008

(AP) Gulf County Commissioner Billy Traylor says he is supporting Amendment 4 on the Nov. 4 ballot because he prefers the tiny fishing villages and pine tree farms of his rural county to the widespread development of South Florida. ...more

October 19, 2008

The largest drop in wholesale prices in nearly two years in August failed to spur consumers to spend more at shopping malls, raising new worries about a possible recession as the temporary boost from tax rebate checks becomes a distant memory. ...more

September 13, 2008

SPRING HILL Members of the Spring Hill Amateur Radio Club (SHARC) will participate in a yearly nationwide demonstration of emergency communications known as "Field Day" on Saturday and Sunday, June 28-29. ...more

June 27, 2008

Longing For Florida Another gloomy, miserable day on the southern shore of New England influences my desire to be home in the warmth and blue skies of Florida. ...more

June 11, 2008

This is reprinted from the spring 2008 issue of FORUM, the statewide magazine of the Florida Humanities Council ( www.flahum.org.) ...more

June 8, 2008

Government Social Club Ongoing widespread staff wrongdoings and wrangling at county government suggest it is a well-endowed social club interrupted occasionally by work. Generously compensated people are paid by overtaxed citizens to be members of it. ...more

June 5, 2008

As Cargill shuts down its juice plants in Avon Park and Frostproof, it's a reminder that Highlands County is changing. Fewer and fewer citrus farms exist. Farms that are more valuable as housing developments or shopping malls than they can possibly produce in orange juice. Slowly, the citrus groves along U.S. 27 are disappearing. So are the groves on U.S. 98, between U.S. 27 and Spring Lake. They will remain along our country roads. Cargill Juice North America is laying off an additional 20 to 25 workers at Avon Park and Frostproof by Jan. 31. The company is getting out of the citrus processing business in Florida. Imagine saying that in the days of Ben Hill Griffin Jr., when oranges were king. ...more

December 23, 2007