2021-12-16

2021-12-16 E-Edition

Fixing the Flow

Everyone is in agreement — somewhat — on a new plan that reduces waters sent from Lake Okeechobee to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie.


THIS HASN’T HAPPENED IN YEARS: FLORIDIANS ARE in agreement — a rarity anywhere these days, about any subject. Democrats and Republicans are in agreement, somewhat. People from the state’s east and west coasts are in agreement, more or less. Water managers, water users and water advocates are in agreement, even if lukewarm. Here’s what they agree on: The U.S. Army […]

FGCU’s Buzasi continues pioneering work in unique study of stars


Florida Gulf Coast University’s resident star man, Derek Buzasi, is making news again. The researcher known for his ability to measure stars has revealed the mass and age of Mimosa — a massive blue star that is represented on the flags of multiple nations, including Australia. He is part of an international team of researchers studying this phenomenon. According to […]

H2O



What if we’re drinking the same water as Moses or Jesus or Gautama Buddha or Julius Caesar or George Washington or the Dalai Lama? The same water that Elizabeth the First, Abigail Adams, Aretha Franklin or Ivanka Trump swallowed? And Ms. Trump drinks a lot of water, she claims. “I pretty much only drink water, Tazo passion tea, or coffee […]

The IOC is a craven handmaid of Beijing



It should be a rule of thumb that the Olympic Games shouldn’t be held in countries that operate concentration camps. If this strikes you as a reasonable demand, you aren’t suited to serve on the International Olympic Committee. The IOC has doggedly defended Beijing as the host of the 2022 Winter Olympics even as the Chinese Communist Party pursues its […]

Turn your “Ho ho ho!” into a “Ha ha ha!” with these gift ideas



[Capt. Dennis Kirk is on hiatus. For now, enjoy this gem from December 2012.] I like to have fun and have a good laugh. This is the time of year when I laugh a lot because of the Christmastime assortment of totally useless — and oftentimes stupid and ridiculously funny — gifts. Some people give “gag” gifts as a precursor […]

Motorists, shoppers could get tax breaks



Gov. Ron DeSantis pitched $1.156 billion in tax breaks for next fiscal year — on such things as gasoline, back-to-school items and storm supplies — as he released a $99.7 billion budget proposal last week. The biggest potential tax break, which Gov. DeSantis had previously announced, would suspend state gas taxes for five months starting July 1, the beginning of […]

The pancreas can cause big problems when inflamed



No one gives the pancreas much thought until it causes trouble. But when it does, watch out! Pancreatitis — the “itis” suffix indicating that the organ is inflamed — is a common occurrence in dogs. When it’s happy, the pancreas works quietly in the background, but when aggravated, it becomes angry and temperamental. My dog Keeper is currently fighting his […]

Pets of the WEEK

These animals are available for adoption at the Animal Welfare League, 3519 Drance St., Port Charlotte. All animals are microchipped, neutered and current with their shots. We are open by appointments only. All of our adoptable pets are on the AWL website (www.awlshelter.org). If you see a pet that you would like to meet, call to make an appointment. We […]

Compound discovery could pave way for more effective cancer drugs



University of Florida researchers have developed a new compound that simultaneously attacks two key proteins critical for a cancer cell’s survival, a discovery that could aid in the development of more effective leukemia, lung and colon cancer drugs. In a study published Nov. 25 in Nature Communications, UF College of Pharmacy researchers Guangrong Zheng and Yaxia Yuan, along with a […]