Florida's public employee pension plan has lost more than a quarter of its peak value, but Gov. Charlie Crist and other officials Monday said the fund is built for the long haul and there's no need to panic. ...more

November 17, 2008 |

The city of Tampa wants to turn its yard waste and recycled newspapers into ethanol. ...more

October 12, 2008 |

Fees, fees, fees. Gee, can't wait to go to the park and read advertisements. It's like the fun of walking nature trails and running into beer cans. Well, I guess that's "ads" also. ...more

October 4, 2008 |

To Ms. Kraft who wonders what Mr. Maxcy has been doing the last 2-16 years? He's been doing his part in helping to cut the millage and the unemployment rates, both of which were higher when he took office. He has been doing everything he could to help to make this a better county to live in along with the other four commissioners. You do realize that there are five of them that vote on things? May I ask what you have been doing these last two years? Have you been attending the meeting or committee meetings to help understand the goings on in our local government? ...more

September 26, 2008 |

Regarding "Crisis In Leadership Threatens Support For Lowry Park Zoo" (Our Opinion, Sept. 18): ...more

September 21, 2008 |

To Highlands County citizens: I want to express my sincere heartfelt gratitude for your continued support of me as your property appraiser. I am honored and humbled each day to have the opportunity to serve the residents of our county in this capacity. ...more

September 20, 2008 |

Highlands County Commissioner Guy Maxcy asked an interesting question at this week's meeting where next year's budget was approved. He asked if anyone in the audience thought they received tax relief from the governor or the legislature last year. All that was heard was a groan from the large crowd. That is a perfect example of how the Legislature and governor have passed the buck to local governments, claiming they are cutting taxes, when in fact they are not. ...more

September 19, 2008 |

When residents of several neighborhoods near Orlando International Airport go to bed, they wonder what most homeowners don't: Is there a bomb under my house? ...more

September 18, 2008 |

Trim Notice Nightmare Having received my shell game/smoke and mirrors notice, known by some as the Trim Notice, I assume that I am as disgusted and enraged as many property owners in Florida. Allowing for an additional $25,000 homestead exemption and the whopping less than 5 percent loss in value according to the appraiser's office (another travesty), it's actually possible that my property taxes may drop by less than $10. ...more

August 23, 2008 |

at least until the appeal - Amendment 5 off the ballot. In his ruling, Cooper held the proposed change to the state constitution "fails to fairly inform the voter, in clear and unambiguous language of the chief purposes of the amendment." ...more

August 20, 2008 |