SEBRING –– Old State Road 8 is too narrow, too bumpy and, in some places, sometimes under water. For Highlands County's plan to reconstruct this road over the next year, the state giveth $2.3 million. County officials are hoping the state, facing a billion-dollar revenue shortfall, won't taketh away. The fate of this project rides on the special 10-day session of the Florida Legislature starting tomorrow. Legislators and Gov. Charlie Christ need to chop $1.1 billion in spending to balance the budget. Highlands County Engineer Ramon Gavarrete said the reconstruction of Old State Road 8 isn't expected to get the "ax." But, he said, nothing will be certain until the Legislature finishes its budget cutting. ...more

October 2, 2007

The Tribune, on Aug. 27, published an 'other view' written by Peter Pitts, entitled 'One Size Medicine Does Not Fit All.' What Pitts said just wasn't right, at least as far as I was concerned. In essence, he was condemning those who believe in the concept of 'evidence-based medicine.' I believe in it. ...more

September 20, 2007

Plaintiffs vowed to take the fight over gay marriage in Maryland to the Legislature after the state's highest court threw out a suit Tuesday challenging a law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. ...more

September 19, 2007

The U.S. Department of the Interior remains prepared to step in and issue rules for Class III gaming in the state's Seminole casinos but will continue to hold off doing so while the tribe and governor's office work on a deal of their own. ...more

September 12, 2007