Last week, the Answer Man wrote about the hackers’ targets pasted on the backs of small businesses, the “sitting ducks,” unprepared to hack back. It was about banks and small businesses nationally losing $2 billion a year to cyber thieves … Find out how to read more online.

You can hardly turn around in Charlotte County without bumping into a hibiscus of some type. The hibiscus is one of the most popular shrubs in our area due to its tropical nature and color. From low, spreading types to … Find out how to read more online.

Dorothy Carter is a woman on a mission. Taking advantage of Senior Discount Day on a Monday afternoon last month at Bealls Outlet in Punta Gorda, the Gulf Cove resident searched for hard-to-find 95 percent discount items to donate to … Find out how to read more online.

Love bugs are curious creatures that appear a few times a year and then vanish. While more of an annoying phenomenon than anything else, love bugs have curious behaviors and life cycles that are underappreciated and misunderstood by the general … Find out how to read more online.

Larry Brady did what he normally does this time of year. The 70-year-old South Gulf Cove resident went to the Englewood post office to forward his mail temporarily for the next few months he’d be living in New York State. … Find out how to read more online.

ONA — I see empty dog food cans, beer bottles, soda cans, juice jugs and milk bottles in my recycling bin. Howard Solomon might see an octopus window-washing team (“they really stick to it”). Solomon sees art and irony in … Find out how to read more online.

The drama surrounding Warm Mineral Springs is both maddening and amusing. The Springs have been exactly where they are now for eons and they won’t be going anywhere, whether they are owned by the public or a private company. Strangely … Find out how to read more online.

With increasing numbers of people bringing in an insect pest for identification called a bagworm (not to be confused with the indoor household casebearer), I thought that it would be a good idea to reveal some information on this cryptic … Find out how to read more online.

In July 2011, Sally Smith received a phone call from Nationwide Readers Service to “renew or update” her magazine subscriptions. She only subscribes to National Geographic. “I was assured the call was coming from National Geographic,” the Punta Gorda resident … Find out how to read more online.

When she was little, Angie Taillon loved going to school. When the school year ended, she would call her school every day of the summer. “I used to call and say, ‘Do you know who my teacher is?’” she said. … Find out how to read more online.

North Port City commissioners have been discussing sweeping changes to the city’s advisory boards. The impetus ostensibly is to standardize the processes and procedures that allow citizens to volunteer to participate in government through advisory board involvement. We endorse the … Find out how to read more online.

During the next meeting of the Rotonda West Association Board of Directors, it would not be surprising if Steve Miller’s classic song, “Take the Money and Run” was playing in the background, nor would it would be a shock to … Find out how to read more online.

Did you know that some plants can make their own herbicide? Certain plants have the ability to produce chemicals that suppress or prevent the growth of other competing plants nearby. The term for this type of chemical warfare is allelopathy. … Find out how to read more online.