Students in grades four, eight and 10 will face the first round of assessment testing for the 2008-09 school year this week, with the writing portion of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test being given Tuesday. ...more

February 9, 2009

As Florida school districts face the most pressing financial crisis in modern history, an opportunity has once again surfaced that would help level the playing field of school governance with the other 49 states. ...more

February 8, 2009

To erase $157,000 in revenue shortfalls, City Manager Sarah Adelt has recommended 33 budget cuts and ideas to save money. ...more

February 8, 2009

The Highlands County School Board is thinking about the possibility of terminating high school sports and extra curricular activities in local high schools. As a 15-year-old at Lake Placid High, I am very active in my schools athletic and extra curricular activities. I am in the marching season Color Guard, band during concert season, student government association and on the girl's basketball and softball teams. I know that the purpose of doing away with sports is only because of budget cuts, but having sports and extra curricular activities in our high schools is a good thing. Most of the kids in Lake Placid don't only play sports because we love it, but because of the support and help we get from our teammates and coaches. You see, we get more out of sports in schools than we do in any other activity in Highlands County. ...more

January 30, 2009

The city's fire department plans to hire three dozen new firefighters after being approved for a $4 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ...more

January 29, 2009

Last year, schools were "held harmless" by budget cuts. This year, cities, counties, constitutional officers and human service agencies didn't feel the knife as severely. ...more

January 29, 2009

The city's fire department will be able to boost its ranks, thanks to a $4 million federal grant. The money will come from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's SAFER grants, or Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response. ...more

January 28, 2009

Balloons, cake, speeches and the presentation of the American flag by the Armwood High School JROTC made Lilly Sewell's second birthday Jan. 15 all the more special. ...more

January 28, 2009

Gov. Charlie Crist says residents of the Sunshine State should urge their friends in the chilly north to buy Florida real estate. ...more

January 26, 2009

As families and advocates ask Gov. Charlie Crist to veto budget cuts affecting the developmentally disabled, lawmakers are trying to find a way to restore at least some of those dollars. ...more

January 24, 2009