Anyone who was around here on Aug. 13, 2004, can easily empathize with the feelings of loss and disorientation experienced this week in Moore, Okla. We also recognize the challenges that lay ahead for residents as they try to rebuild … read more.

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With hundreds of miles of roads that traverse neighborhoods and rural area, Polk County is a mecca for bicycle enthusiasts. Children ride on streets near their homes while more experienced riders can be seen pedaling great distances. Most area residents … read more.

To those interested and invested in education, we humbly respect all of the educators and support staff in our schools. We also feel there is not a better candidate for our next superintendent than David Lewis. Polk County Schools have … read more.

Few things make a parent prouder than to see a child or grandchild recognized as one of the top performers among his peers, be it for academics, athletics, artistic prowess, citizenship, or any of a host of other laudable achievements. … read more.

One thumb up for the new elections reform law that substantially returns Florida’s voting system to pre-2012-debacle levels and even adds some beneficial tweaks. The bill was approved by the Legislature late last week after one controversial passage was withdrawn … read more.

Forty years ago, when citizens band radio was all the rage, it was said that CB radio had given millions of people with nothing to say a forum on which to say it. Gimme a big 10-4 on that, Good … read more.

House Speaker Will Weatherford, Senate President Dan Gaetz and Gov. Rick Scott made ethics reform a top priority as this year’s legislative session opened in March. When that session closed Friday, a range of ethics and campaign finance reform measures … read more.

It wasn’t that many years ago that cities disposed of their garbage by dumping it on a piece of vacant land and setting fire to it. “Fire” is perhaps an exaggeration, since the wet and rotting garbage was more prone … read more.

It now seems that the Florida legislature (i.e. the Florida House) is turning down the federal dollars that would greatly expand Medicaid in Florida. While I strongly disagree with turning away any money to expand medical coverage to Floridians, I … read more.

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For more than 100 years, Florida has the nation’s most comprehensive open records and meetings laws, now collectively known as the Sunshine Law. It guarantees meetings of elected officials are open to the public and ensures access to public records, … read more.

Bartow’s ambiance reached a new level in the past two months with the unveiling — literally and figuratively — of public art. Once the province of large cities, outdoor sculpture increasingly is finding its way to smaller communities, and now … read more.

With its part-time schedule, low pay and term limits, the Florida Legislature seems to be a perfect mold to create citizen-lawmakers. These altruistic public servants would rise from their communities full of personal and business experience to impart their real-life … read more.

I have participated in the Polk Senior Games for 15 years with some degree of success. Each time my picture/story appears in the newspaper, I receive compliments and encouragement from my family, friends and strangers. After enjoying “the moment,” I … read more.