All across the Ocklawaha River Basin, there are signs of distressed lakes, ponds and streams, as well as a huge reduction in the discharge of Silver Springs, the area's most famous water body.

Dear state Sen. Steve Oelrich:I have read your comments regarding your refiling the Airboat

The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Danger Statement from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and interior Volusia counties.

Briefs from around the region.

Many wildfire experts have not seen Marion County's landscape this dry in decades.

This is the season I wait all year to enjoy — and not just for the cooler, dryer weather that makes it a joy to hike, bike and kayak.

A Florida Senate committee voted down State Sen. Steve Oelrich's proposed legislation dealing with airboat noise on Monday and then decided to give the bill a second chance next week.

NOTE: In honor of Boy Scout Week, which runs Feb. 5-11, Xcel Energy is sponsoring a week-long series on the organization, which is celebrating its 102nd anniversary in 2012.

SB 958, filed by state Sen. Steve Oelrich of Cross Creek, more than doubles the allowable airboat noise.

Veteran U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns might be staring into a tough decision about his future on Capitol Hill, depending on how the proposed congressional districts shake out.