Perhaps you look at the political wrangling in Washington, D.C., during the worst health care crisis in 100 years – and you wonder what has become of our great country.

You may have seen on the news that we had a pretty scary situation happen in the southeast unincorporated part of our county.

Did you dream of owning a flying car when you were young? I know I did.

This Christmas season, we thought a neat gift we could give to our citizens would be free pet adoptions from our Animal Control facility during the week before Christmas and all the way until Christmas Eve.

Our nation has survived the worst health care crisis in 100 years.

My agency and I have a long-standing commitment to protecting children, especially those who have been victimized or exploited.

“(Recently) Dunn-Rankin’s lead editorial stated that the government was taking 40% of his profits. I believe he should take a close look at his bookkeeper or accountant. The corporate tax rate is 21% flat, or better yet get Donald Trump's accountant. The Donald didn't pay any taxes 10 of the…

It was nine months ago, almost to the day, when I wrote my first column about the world’s new pandemic — a term usually found only in crossword puzzles — and its impact on our lives.

“Hey David. Your column about politicians not respecting small business blamed both Republicans and Democrats for the delay in passing another COVID-19 relief package.

In October, I went on a mission to find the best dessert in Polk County. The article was so well-received that I decided to keep it rolling. All November long, I tried the best voted tacos in the county.

You’ve probably heard me talk about how safe it is here in Polk County.

America’s official Christmas tree — if there is such a thing — is the one erected each year at Rockefeller Center.

A bullying, unappreciative partner. There’s no other way to describe it.

Many years ago — make that many, many years ago — I began struggling with that question that has vexed parents for generations: Is there a Santa Claus?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year at Polk County Animal Control – each December, we are thrilled to hold our annual Pet Fest at our facility in Winter Haven.

Phil Robinson and Christa Morgan met while both were working at Tanners Lakeside. Phil is a chef and Christa’s background is in the hospitality industry.

“OK, Google, I’m ready for my morning medical check-in.”

The holidays are rapidly descending upon us.

Another fellow American is dying from COVID-19 while you read this sentence.

“Hi Grandfather.”

Every year before Halloween, our special victims unit detectives remind registered sexual predators and sexual offenders who have restrictions related to having contact with children and participating in holidays that involve children.

It feels like we are in a unique moment in history.

Located at 253 Avenue A SW in downtown Winter Haven, Michelle’s Resale Closet is the brainchild of Michelle Reddick.

The month of November is Aviation History Month, so I figured it would be interesting to not only take a look back at the history of the Aviation Unit at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, but also fill you in on what the unit does for our fine community.

Sometimes I get emails from readers that sound something like this:

Geanie Folder formerly worked in a nursing home but has long had a love of vintage items, so she started a vintage market called The Beatnik Exchange in Lakeland as a side-hustle.

As you may have guessed by now, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office will not be hosting our annual Haunted Jail Tour this year due to the threat of the COVID-19 virus.

Please don’t judge me.

WINTER HAVEN — Whether you are an expecting or new mom — or have one in your life you’d like to get a gift for — there’s a new retail shop in downtown Winter Haven that is worth visiting.

Did you know the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has a great program that can actually help recover your stolen car before you even know it’s missing?

One of our thoughtful readers wrote me a note disagreeing with me in such a polite way that I wanted to share much of their note with everyone else.

Last month, I went on a mission to find the best desserts in Polk County.

When the state of Florida legalized medical marijuana, it created a lot of confusion as to what is legal and illegal.

Every week I receive lots of emails from readers.

Occasionally, our family observes half-birthdays.

This week, I was proud to stand with Governor DeSantis when he introduced The Law Enforcement Protection Act.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a column about how 10 percent of all the drivers on Florida roads are driving on a suspended license. This epidemic of suspended licenses is because Florida imposes heavy court fees we expect everyone to pay, regardless of their income. If you can’t pay your fees and…

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month – reminding us that suicide is an unthinkable reality in our world. And one we must not ignore.

Reader T. wrote me the following note about what it is like to own a small business right now:

From time to time, different scams will pop-up on our radar. It’s really disappointing that some folks are always looking for ways to take advantage of others.

“And that’s when she bit my arm.”

In Polk County, we have over 550 lakes, which means we have lots of fishing opportunities. That kind of fishing is fun.

Driving for just 15 minutes on U.S. 27, I passed about 30 cars committing the same crime.

The three most stressful days in a parent’s life, in my opinion (and this is a subject with which I have a fair amount of experience), are:

Some people may not realize this, but law enforcement officers respond to a fair amount of medical calls — especially here in Polk County where we answer 9-1-1 and dispatch not just for law enforcement, but also for Polk County Fire Rescue.

Most of us are embarrassed by the fiasco that is Florida’s unemployment system. During this crisis, people without an income to feed their family waited weeks and months to get their first unemployment check.

Over the past several weeks, we have worked three different drug-related investigations with an alarming trend – each one had something to do with the illegal sale of marijuana via the social media application “Snapchat.”

This newspaper asked our elected representatives in Washington, D.C., where they stood on additional support for our Main Street merchants. Our area’s economy went backward in July. Our locally owned small businesses still need help.