Our adventure began on the beautiful Banana River, which is part of the Indian River lagoon. This lagoon is said to be the most diversified estuary in North America. The water is brackish, as there is no current, and flows to the Sebastian inlet.

One of the main reasons we live in Florida is the weather, and as the temperatures are on the rise, lots of folks are heading to the beaches, lakes and pools to cool off.

I’ve tried to help our readers understand how the state of Florida government managed to cut taxes at the state level every year since 2009.

Getting out and walking is a good way to stay healthy, and it can be very enjoyable. But it’s good to make an effort to be safe about it.

ONA — Nestled back in the woods of Ona lies a castle that fairy tales are made of.

April is Animal Cruelty Prevention Month — and a perfect time to remind people what it means to be a responsible pet owner.

The Florida legislature is dramatically changing how public notices work in Florida.

“I don’t even want to calculate the hours of my life over the last 50 years that I’ve spent in public meetings and hearings listening to self-appointed scolds telling the rest of us that we’re not preserving enough of Florida before they return to the comfort of their air-conditioned single-…

Early last month, two of our elderly citizens were scammed out of over $65,000 by criminals who played on their emotions — and I can’t begin to express how angry I am over this. The sad truth is that these victims will likely never get their money back, even if we can identify and arrest the…

No trip to Lake Wales would be complete without a visit to the beautiful Bok Tower Gardens.

“Hey David, I read your note on national immigration. If it is true, as you say it is, that GDP is the sum of productivity growth and population growth, why not focus instead on just productivity growth. Why do we have to grow the pie and then divide it among even more people? If the populat…

An organization called Smart Growth America published a study in early March regarding the most dangerous metropolitan areas in the United States for pedestrians.

“For someone who a few weeks ago complained about how much taxes your company had to pay, you sure make it sound like the Republicans in Tallahassee are all to blame. Yet you think they should raise state taxes to take the ‘burden‘ off local governments. Isn’t that what local governments are…

It goes without saying that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are working from home.

One of the great things about living in the U.S. is that our city and county governments are required to keep their citizens informed about their actions.

In reading feedback from readers about my column on immigration, I realized many of us don’t have useful information on the subject. Let’s see how much we know about immigration.

You will likely be seeing a lot of Jeeps in the area as February comes to a close.

Even though I am in my 60s, part of my brain still thinks I am still in my 20s. My 20-year-old self doesn’t want to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

When I began my career with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office 48 years ago, I remember stopping in at the Mulberry police station and watching the dispatcher answer and dispatch calls from a radio room tucked away in a tiny corner of that police station.

Several readers took me to task when I wrote in a previous column that small business is not being treated fairly.

Every year, traffic crashes kill more than 30,000 people in the United States.

One of my favorite messages in scripture is from Ecclesiastes 3.

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.