AVON PARK — With upcoming council member Al Joe Hinson's arrival, the council will have two Southside representatives and two black council members for the first time in the city's recent history. And several Southside residents were hoping this would boost the influence of the economically under-served part of the city. Shirley Johnson, the Southside Community Redevelopment Agency chairwoman, said she thought Hinson –– who she and most of his friends call "Al Joe" –– would be a major boost for the Southside's representation in the council. "He won, and I'm glad he won, and I know people on the Southside are," Johnson said. "People were ready for another person to join in with Miss (Brenda) Gray... I think the people are ready to see some positive things happen with Gray and Hinson." ...more

November 20, 2007

Remnants of the failed Championship Park project could be resurrected under a commissioner's proposal to steer up to $40 million to parks countywide. ...more

October 21, 2007

The position taken by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Democratic Parties in the states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina is harmful to Florida and other states, selfish, probably illegal, and should be reversed. It is causing harm to Democratic efforts to win Florida and the White House. ...more

October 7, 2007

Florida's sex predator penalties became among the nation's toughest Monday as a new law took effect tripling maximum sentences to 15 years for solicitation and child pornography. ...more

October 2, 2007