SEBRING — The number of school expulsion recommendations nearly doubled in the 2007-'08 school year compared to the previous year after drug-related incidents increased more than threefold. About 135 expulsion recommendations were made in the 2007-'08 school year, including 68 that were drug- or alcohol-related. The 2006-'07 school year had 70 expulsion recommendations with 20 that were drug or alcohol-related. ...more

July 5, 2008

AVON PARK — Were it not for a school worker, a doughnut would have almost killed an Avon Park Middle School student. A group of Avon Park Middle students decided to make a game out of a doughnut treat and dared each other to swallow one in one go. Melvin Prewitt stuffed one in his mouth. In a moment, it got stuck in his throat, and Prewitt started to turn blue from a lack of oxygen. ...more

June 11, 2008

SEBRING — The State Education Practices Commission will consider a settlement agreement concerning a former Highlands County teacher who is serving community supervision for a number of drug offenses. ...more

May 26, 2008

The Media Specialists and Reading Coaches of Highlands would like to thank the following for their support of the visiting author, Alane Ferguson, to several of our schools. It simply would not have been possible with them. ...more

May 7, 2008

AVON PARK — This Wednesday evening provides Floridians with the last total eclipse of the Moon that will be visible from our part of the world until Dec. 20-21, 2010. If the weather cooperates, Wednesday's eclipse should be a spectacular event. An "Eclipse Star Party" will be held from 8:30-11 p.m. at the Avon Park Middle School for all students, their families and faculty. Six telescopes will be set up and binoculars will also be available. A total lunar eclipse occurs because the sun, the Earth and the Moon are aligned in a straight line, with the Earth taking the in-between position. As sunlight passes the Earth, the shadow of the Earth is cast on the Moon. The shadow will slowly move across the disc of the Moon, almost but not quite hiding the Moon's surface features. Through the telescopes, because of the magnification, one can see the shadow slowly moving across the surface feature, such as a crater or mountain. This actually is the Moon moving in space, in its orbit around the Earth. ...more

February 19, 2008

SEBRING — Staying poised in front of a crowd can be tough for a 13-year-old in an evening gown and high heels. But what worries Celeste Breylinger more is making the judges fall in love with her hog, Cledius. Breylinger has her sights set on both a beauty pageant crown and a blue ribbon for the hog competition at the Highlands County Fair. The annual Highlands County tradition returns to Firemen's Field from Friday, Feb. 8 through Saturday, Feb. 16. ...more

February 7, 2008

AVON PARK — The sagging pants fashion fad, that is big with some youngsters and young men, is not welcome in Highlands County District Schools. Avon Park Middle School administrators toughened the school dress code this school year because of the big problem with baggy pants. "Before if their pants were falling down we'd give them string or we'd give them a belt and it got to be ridiculous," because it was such a common occurrence, Dean of Students Shane Wirries said Thursday. "We have kids coming with a size 36 waist [pants] and they are a 28." Now students cannot wear pants that are more than one size too big. If they do show up at school with droopy pants they must have a parent come to school with a proper size trouser or the student spends the day at in-school suspension. ...more

January 12, 2008

AVON PARK — With upcoming council member Al Joe Hinson's arrival, the council will have two Southside representatives and two black council members for the first time in the city's recent history. And several Southside residents were hoping this would boost the influence of the economically under-served part of the city. Shirley Johnson, the Southside Community Redevelopment Agency chairwoman, said she thought Hinson –– who she and most of his friends call "Al Joe" –– would be a major boost for the Southside's representation in the council. "He won, and I'm glad he won, and I know people on the Southside are," Johnson said. "People were ready for another person to join in with Miss (Brenda) Gray... I think the people are ready to see some positive things happen with Gray and Hinson." ...more

November 20, 2007

AVON PARK — With both major precincts counted, an unofficial count had Mayor Sharon Schuler almost 100 votes ahead of the next-highest candidate for mayor, while Avon Park Middle School teacher Al Hinson held a sizable lead in the council election Tuesday night. Schuler, with 329 votes, will likely remain mayor for another three years as she holds an insurmountable lead over former Gordon Marshall in the mayoral race. Marshall, with 223 votes, is a distant second, while Ed Dickerson had 159 votes and Gonzalo Lezama 47. Schuler said she wasn't expecting it. Truly. "Everyone has an opportunity to win," she said as she came to the supervisor of election's office to see the vote counting. "I'm very happy." Hinson, meanwhile, has 250 votes, holding a solid lead over Paul Miller's 202 backers, Michael Shirey's 177 and James Rahenkamp's 140. Hinson, reached by phone Tuesday evening, was cautiously optimistic that he would hold on to the lead. "I thought it would be close," he said. "I feel good... I guess the people went out and voted. Hopefully it's official but I am happy." ...more

November 6, 2007

AVON PARK — Jose Gonzales doesn't know who could have spray painted racial slurs on his house and set fire to his garage and car. "I can't sleep," he said Monday afternoon. "I don't know who did this." State Fire Marshal Public Information Officer Kevin Shireman said the fire was intentionally set and a cash reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information. A Folk-Nation gang sign was sprayed painted on the garage. ...more

October 2, 2007