On Nov. 1, there was a front page article about a convicted sexual predator named Dale Leland, titled "Family, Friends Plea for Man in Court." It was full of quotes from his friends, neighbors, co-workers and lawyer, all vouching for him. Dale already confessed to detectives. Evidence supported the charges and he was found guilty by the jury. Yet, despite the conviction, these character witnesses implied that the sweet, innocent girls lied, making Dale the victim. MSNBC ran the series, "To catch a predator." Predators would meet "underage" targets online, using sexually explicit language. When the predator showed up for pre-arranged sex, the MSNBC investigator spoke briefly to him, then allowed him to leave. Once outside, local police quickly arrested him. The series concluded with the trial and sentencing of each. Without even touching their underage victims, every predator was convicted. Among them was a doctor, a college professor and a child services worker, all liked and respected in their communities. Like Dale, probably many vouched for them. ...more

November 27, 2007

With reference to your Nov. 1 first page story "Family, friends, plea for man in court," I have a comment and a couple of questions, the second of which is beyond your area of responsibility to answer. I would like to have been in court to show whatever support I could for my good friend Dale Leland. Question one. In a case involving inappropriate touching, isn't that adequate without you having to describe it in detail? ...more

November 10, 2007

Sixteen-year-old Michael Mauritzen never lost consciousness Sunday night after he was hit by a minivan and then run over a by a Ford Taurus. ...more

October 24, 2007

SEBRING — Tradition has been a rich part of the Sebring Fire Department from the day the firemen laid the first bricks at Central Station. From games at Firemen's Field to the ritual of the Valuable Man Award, the fire department's history is chronicled in the book, "The Story of the Sebring Firemen," written by the city's first paid fire chief, Allen Altvater. The complete history, however, stops at 1961, when the book was printed. ...more

August 20, 2007