Brooklyn-born and Brooklyn-reared, Jackie Lewnes was for much of her working — that is, paycheck-earning — life a trainer in self-defense techniques for the New York City police department. But as she crisscrosses Pasco County during the final days of the run-up to Election Day, she wants one thing made perfectly clear, her curriculum vitae notwithstanding. ...more

October 31, 2008

Every month firefighters from six North Pinellas fire departments pose a frightening scenario and then practice rescuing people and pets from the mock danger. ...more

August 30, 2008

Editor's note: This is an excerpt from former Sebring resident Charles A. Martin's book "The Last Great Ace." The book is about Highlands County's most decorated soldier. Maj. Thomas B. McGuire, Jr. earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroics as a pilot fighting in the South Pacific. Here is the final of three parts from chapter 28 of the book. This chapter tells of some of his heroic feats that earned him numerous honors, and nearly killed him. If you're interested in purchasing the book and reading the entire history, visit: http://www.lastgreatace.com/ Part 3 The Zekes (Japanese fighter planes) had broken off, but his troubles were not over yet. McGuire pulled the yoke back to bring the P-38 out of a dive, but his controls were useless and he realized that the bullets passing through the cockpit had severed the control cables. He'd have to get out of the plane while it was still in a steep dive. He chopped both throttles and pulled the emergency hatch release. The canopy ripped away in the slipstream. He released his seat belt and shoulder harness, climbed into the seat and jumped. The thought of that great knife-like elevator at the back of the plane flashed through his mind as he went into the blasting air of the slip stream. ...more

February 8, 2008