All creatures, big and small share the world around us, trying to live in harmony with each other. Man, being the dominant "creature," at times takes liberty to kill without provocation, thus exerting his power over nature, while exhibiting the worst in man. An example of this dominance was reported recently in this newspaper, when two men used a combination of .22 caliber and .45 caliber guns to kill a rattlesnake found in a backyard. The snake, minding its own business, was probably seeking the warmth of the sun in order to reach "operating temperature." When approached and threatened by the humans, the snake assumed a defensive posture as it coiled and moved its head from side to side; saying in effect, "leave me alone, go away, I do not want to harm you." Unfortunately for the snake, the humans did not wish to admire this creature for its beauty and place in ecology, but wished to destroy this perceived threat to "children, dogs and cats that might be in the area." ...more

February 8, 2008

The county has a new ordinance that prohibits commercial fishermen from unloading their catch and washing, refueling and repairing their boats while moored to residential property. ...more

January 15, 2008

PEBBLE CREEK - Bill Place's long drive to bring miniature golf to New Tampa ended up in 2007 as a slice into the rough. His plan, unveiled in fall 2005, for the 18-hole, forest-themed course at the entrance to the Pebble Creek community immediately drew opposition. ...more

January 2, 2008

LAKE PLACID — Everybody dreams. Many dream of running their own business, while others dream of owning their own home. Sometimes those two wishes conflict. Five years ago, Joanne and Paul Heinsohn moved into Highlands Park Estates and sought peace and quiet. During the past two years, Joanne Heinsohn has called the Highlands County Code Enforcement Office eight to 10 times with complaints that a truck trailer is parked in the neighborhood. In February, that neighbor received a warning citation from the county for parking a truck trailer in a residential area, and was given seven days to comply. ...more

December 15, 2007

SEBRING — Over the summer months, 11 children and two adults became lost among the spacious area that is the Sun 'n Lake of Sebring's Preserve. A faster emergency response system with vehicles that could easily prowl the land became something district officials deemed necessary, so they purchased three four-wheeler ATVs in October. "(The vehicles) can be used for a number of things," said Sam Henderson, Sun 'n Lake's director of public safety. "The main thing is that they will help out our response time during emergency situations." Over the last few weeks, the district organized its own Rural Rescue Response Team, featuring firefighters to man the vehicle. Henderson estimated that Sun 'n Lake has more than 3,000 acres of wooded land that sit behind its residential area and are popular with bikers and hikers. ...more

December 10, 2007

Daystar, the agency that helps the poor and homeless on property at the United Methodist Church on Lazella Street, has been found in violation of the county's zoning code. ...more

December 1, 2007

This small community prides itself on its pretty, pedestrian-friendly downtown. City leaders are wondering how to make sure downtown stays appealing, in spite of construction and renovation projects. ...more

November 13, 2007

When local protests stymied plans to build Wesley Chapel's first hospital in a mostly residential area off traffic-clogged State Road 54, hospital officials said they would go back to the drawing board. ...more

October 25, 2007

A proposed real estate office at the corner of Holly Lane and North Dale Mabry Highway is being delayed for several weeks so a zoning hearing officer can review the petition. ...more

October 15, 2007

Bill Place's hard-fought battle to add miniature golf to his Pebble Creek holdings was dealt a setback Tuesday by the Hillsborough County Commission, which rejected his request for a zoning modification. ...more

October 13, 2007