C. M. Schmidlkofer

That spindly pine tree in Charles Schultz’ 1965 animated holiday special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” is reminiscent of Florida’s sand pine trees and the resemblance has not been lost on those that trek to the Lyonia Preserve in Deltona each December to collect one for their own.

Cultural communities throughout Florida took a sucker punch from Gov. Ron DeSantis when he unexpectedly vetoed pre-approved $32 million in allocated funding from the 2024-25 fiscal budget that helps support art programs, including education, museums and theatres -- many of which depend heavily on the grants to operate.

The agreement stipulates the developer will pay Volusia County $331,178 for roadway improvements related to its proposed development on 10.10 acres at 3141 Howland Blvd. in Deltona.

(The Center Square) – Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell recently defended a $950 million revenue difference between the Independent Fiscal Office and his administration’s 2021 estimate during last week’s Republican Senate Budget Hearing.
Fiscal year-to-date General fund collections totaled $23.9 billion, $901.3 million or 3.9 percent, above estimate.
“It’s one thing if they are close, but they aren’t close,” Sen. Scott Hutchinson said.
Hassell explained the administrati...

Six million dollars for improvements to the LaBelle Fire Station and a firetruck, more than $12 million for the Port LaBelle Utility wastewater improvements, and $11 million for a …

Florida universities and colleges fight against Gov. DeSantis' new law.

Of all the love stories throughout time, one that is rarely mentioned is that of England’s King Henry VII and his Queen, Elizabeth of York. Here, C. M. Schmidlkofer looks at their marriage, considers whether it was true love, and what happened when one of the couple died.
The union of King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York in 1486 coincided with the end of the War of the Roses, a series of civil wars between the House of Lancaster and the House of York, rival branches of the royal House of Plan...

Hires a GPS data collection company to track visitors habits
LABELLE -- Hendry County will have a new marketing tool available that tracks visitors’ activities, interests, and purchases.
Erin Katniss Hitsman, tourism development coordinator for the Hendry County Tourism Development Council explained to the Hendry County BOCC during its regular meeting Aug. 24, 2021 how Datafly, a New Jersey GPS data collection company can gather data from thousands of different apps worldwide that most people...

MOORE HAVEN -- A suggestion to hire a food service supervisor/trainer for the Glades County School District was met with resistance from School Board Member Gloria Reese Aug. 19 during the regular school board meeting.
Administrative Services Director Brian Greseth presented the board with a job description for the position -- which he says he has no expertise with. The addition of a food service supervisor would take the burden from his shoulders.
“The supervisor will keep everybody on the s...

A Miami-based medical waste disposal company is seeking to build a 5,000 square-foot waste transport and treatment plant at 1653 County Road 720 in Glades County.
Glades County BOCC is supportive of the development, which would require a zoning change for approximately 8.75 acres of county-owned property to allow Advanced Medical Sanitation, Inc. to utilize one acre for the proposed facility.
The company sterilizes medical waste such as contaminated syringes and other medical items via an aut...

“We know that there’s going to be challenges with COVID and this new strand but we also know that we are going to approach it with a very positive attitude and an attitude of safety."”
MOORE HAVEN -- Glades County School District wants the community to know it is well-prepared for safely opening its schools next month despite Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ban prohibiting government entities (including schools) and private businesses from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccinations from the public, employee...

Suspect apprehended with reported stolen items loaded into his car
CLEWISTON -- Only two short days after multiple vehicle burglaries were reported within the Fairgrounds Trailer Park on July 15, one of Clewiston Police Department’s finest made an arrest of the suspect, nabbing him with a vehicle full of stolen merchandise.
After viewing surveillance video of the burglaries, Clewiston Police Officer Tico Salgado initiated a traffic stop of the suspect on July 17, uncovering women’s handbags, ...