Last Saturday, May 17, our home caught on fire in our kitchen. We would like to thank first God for no injuries. Highlands County Sheriff's Office for being the first to repond. EMS for helping us put out the fire. Three volunteer fire departments: Highlands Park, Lake Placid and Sun 'n Lakes. Chief Richard Giavoni, thanks! Chief of Lake Placid Police and volunteer firefighter Phil Williams. Bringing out our wedding picture is really something we will never forget. Thanks. American Red Cross, you meant so much to us at that time. Especially the stuffed animal that you gave my daughter. The Baldwin Family, thanks. You were there the whole time. ...more

May 26, 2008

Nancy Pratt is a teacher. Some people think of their careers as a "calling. Then there are people who just seem to be born with a predetermined purpose in the world embedded in their DNA. ...more

May 24, 2008

A monthly party hosted by businesses on the city's west side and slated for today will also serve as a fundraiser for a woman who lost her home to a fire last weekend. ...more

May 7, 2008

SEBRING — Highlands County's public access ramp to popular Lake Denton will be reopened at 8 a.m. Saturday. Public access to this exceptionally clear lake off Memorial Drive has been closed since Sept. 13, when the county commissioners' voted 3-2 to close it due to lakefront homeowners' complaints about traffic and parking congestion and rowdy and offensive behavior. ...more

May 6, 2008

Some preseason eyebrows were raised when Michigan State coach Tom Izzo announced his sleeper team in the Big Ten. ...more

February 16, 2008

The Safety Harbor City Commission has a new look. Monday night two newly elected commissioners took the oath of office during a City Hall ceremony that included cake for all who attended. ...more

February 9, 2008

HAINES CITY — After being upset in last Saturday's district finals, the Sebring girls basketball team made sure that didn't happen again, as Whitney Lee scored a team-high 14 points to lead the Blue Streaks to a 55-48 upset victory over District 9 champion Haines City in Thursday night's Class 4A regional quarterfinals. Senior forward Whitney Wells added eight points — all in the second half — to go along with eight rebounds, as Sebring moves on to Tuesday's regional semifinal at district rival Booker. "This is such a sweet win," Wells said. "Our team wanted this win so bad. We were all jumping around and screaming in the locker room because we were so happy. "We felt so bad after losing to Booker in the district finals that we were determined not to let our season end tonight." ...more

February 9, 2008

It was my pleasure last Saturday to attend the Lake Placid Garden Club's fashion show at the Lake Placid High School. It was clear how much hard work had gone into these beautiful surroundings. The "main" room was a "show place," lovely table cloths and napkins and small gift packages for all. The food was delicious and quickly served by the high school students. Then came the fashion show, with styles to please anyone. Models were the garden club ladies, showing off, who really entertained us with graceful walks, struts and some dancing. These clothes were generously donated by: The Lake Placid Feed and Western Wear, Loie's Boutique, The Plum Tree, Steve and Company, Sue's Cubby Hole, and Tropical Island Wear. ...more

February 2, 2008

They Don't Own Streets I thought Gasparilla was for everybody to enjoy and not just the "chosen few." Why is it that the parking on Davis Islands or the side streets between MacDill Avenue and Bayshore Boulevard gets so restricted that one has to pay to park or not go to the event? ...more

February 2, 2008

Just because the smoke has cleared here in Highlands County doesn't mean that competitive barbecuing has come to an end in the area. In fact there is one going on in Wauchula today. And last week by far the largest Florida state contest was held up in Lakeland. At our 12 Hours of BBQ contest there were a total of 42 teams. In Lakeland they had almost 60 professional teams, 80 backyard teams and around 20 kiddie teams. That's a lot of smokin' going on, and a lot of barbecue enthusiasts. And, of course, during this time of our political cycle where there's a crowd of more than three people there is a candidate trying to garner just one more vote. Last Saturday in Lakeland was no exception. Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee siezed the opportunity to shake a few hands. Through the sea of people attending the cook-off I saw some TV cameras and boom mikes and went to see what was going on. It was Huckabee who was the focus of their attention. Since there weren't any more than maybe 20 non-media people around him I elbowed my way to the front of the group. I got to shake his hand and exchange a few pleasantries. What I didn't share with him however was the fact that I had already taken advantage of Joe Campbell's convenient offer to beat the rush and voted early at the county building. ...more

February 2, 2008