One thing's for sure: The state did not fulfill its promise to hold education harmless. ...more

June 3, 2008

AVON PARK — A property owner that has been at odds with the Avon Park Executive Airport for years over his development plans is pushing forward with a new plan for a 43-acre, 346-unit working-class housing project. Roland Dilley's attorney Warwick "Bud" Furr said the plan for the property, located across State Road 64 from the airport, would not conflict with the city-owned airport's runway protection zones. "We've done everything that they asked us to do," Furr said. "We really think it's inappropriate for the city or the county to object." ...more

May 28, 2008

More property owners than ever failed to pay their tax bills this year, Pasco County officials are finding, as they prepare for their annual tax certificate sale. ...more

May 26, 2008

SEBRING — The number of tax certificates being advertised for Saturday's annual certificate sale is about 50 percent greater than last year's, showing a huge spike in the number of delinquent property taxes. Investors looking to make interest off the unpaid property taxes will have 16,458 properties to choose from, compared to the 10,895 certificates for sale from the 2006 tax roll. The county creates a certificate on a property when its owner owes taxes that are more than two years overdue. Investors buy them for the amount owed and earn interest until the property owner pays them off. After two years, the certificate holder could also try to get back the investment by forcing a foreclosure. Highlands County Tax Collector Charles Bryan blamed the increase on both the growing number of properties on the tax roll and on two property owners in Sun N' Lake of Sebring that owe taxes on 2,885 properties. He acknowledged the current economy has a role in it as well. ...more

May 25, 2008

Imagine waking one morning to the sound of someone pounding on your door and then delivering an ominous message. ...more

May 22, 2008

Tenants have rights, can force landlords into foreclosure, attorney says. ...more

May 21, 2008

Some neighbors complain that people are loitering outside Lee's Grocery, giving the impression that drug dealing is taking place. ...more

May 21, 2008

The city's controversial sprinkler law is facing its first major challenge. ...more

May 12, 2008

A two-alarm fire was under control in less than hour today and did not threaten a nearby Eagle Lake elementary school, Polk County Fire Rescue officials said. ...more

May 5, 2008

SEBRING — Those beaming smiles made by a group of new land owners on Thursday were contagious, just a day prior to the group's land purchase at mobile home park Hammock Estates. ...more

February 21, 2008