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Guest AuthorMarch 31, 2015

Dear legislator: A number of years ago I was playing golf at Solivita, a community near Poinciana on the Polk County side of Osceola County. The area looked strangely familiar, especially the cypress swamps and pine woods between the holes. As I came up one fairway and looked into an oak hammock, I saw the […]

Guest AuthorMarch 31, 2015

Dear legislator: A number of years ago I was playing golf at Solivita, a community near Poinciana on the Polk County side of Osceola County. The area looked strangely familiar, especially the cypress swamps and pine woods between the holes. As I came up one fairway and looked into an oak hammock, I saw the […]

Phil AmmannMarch 30, 2015

Compassion can be a powerful force, especially when it’s a company doing the right thing for employees and clients. Despite threats of law enforcement action and regulatory sanctions, a Lakeland hospice ordered to close by the state over a “disputed clerical error” is still taking care of its personnel and terminally ill patients. Florida’s Agency […]

Phil AmmannMarch 30, 2015

Compassion can be a powerful force, especially when it’s a company doing the right thing for employees and clients. Despite threats of law enforcement action and regulatory sanctions, a Lakeland hospice ordered to close by the state over a “disputed clerical error” is still taking care of its personnel and terminally ill patients. Florida’s Agency […]

Phil AmmannMarch 27, 2015

Florida may be known for its warm weather, but lately a cold wind has been blowing from the state bureaucracy. A Lakeland hospice ordered to close over a “disputed clerical error” has lost its initial appeal for a hearing with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Last week, Compassionate Care Hospice on Drane Field Road filed a […]

Peter SchorschMarch 27, 2015

A hospice care group is facing imminent revocation of its license to administer services in Florida on a technicality, despite concern over the interruption of care administered to terminally ill patients who rely on their delicate work. The state Agency for Health Care Administration has denied Compassionate Care Hospice‘s motion to stay a disruption in payment to the group […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 5, 2015

In the latest effort to meet increasing consumer demand for electricity, Duke Energy Florida (DEF) is asking state regulators to approve the purchase of a Polk County power plant owned by a subsidiary of Calpine Corp. Duke has been working on the deal since August, but didn’t file official documents seeking approval from the Florida […]

Guest AuthorOctober 24, 2013

The tragedy of Rebecca Ann Sedwick’s suicide continues to be compounded. One young life has been lost and two more are in danger of ruin, and one wonders which was worse, the lack of adult supervision that caused Rebecca’s death or the overabundance of it in the reaction that followed. Rebecca was 12 when she […]

Guest AuthorOctober 17, 2013

When it comes to law enforcement agencies, Polk County and its largest city, Lakeland, offer a study in contrasts. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd – despite his flair for publicity-seeking – is generally regarded as running a model department. The Lakeland Police Department hasn’t had the benefit of leadership of Judd’s caliber. Several years ago, […]

Guest AuthorOctober 10, 2013

If ever you want to start a controversy, there’s no better way than to put the words “God” and “America” together on a sign and put it where everyone can see it. There’s sure to be a controversy about freedom of religion, freedom of speech, whether America is a Christian or a secular nation, whether […]

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Rick Dantzler — Dear Legislator: Where will Fla. kids learn to hunt and fish?

Rick Dantzler: Dear legislator, where will Fla. kids learn to hunt and fish?

Threatened Lakeland hospice does “right thing,” keeps paying workers

Threatened Lakeland hospice does "right thing," keeps paying workers

A cold wind blows: Hospice ordered to close over “clerical error” denied appeal by AHCA

Compassionate Care Hospice group faces shutdown despite good-faith effort

Duke Energy seeks PSC approval to buy Auburndale power plant

Cary McMullen: An eye for an eye is not justice for Rebecca

Cary McMullen: Lakeland police chief on the firing line

Cary McMullen: Here’s your sign: follow the rules