For Lynda Valdez, the emotions were too much Thursday when she toured the Army tugboat from which her soldier husband disappeared off the North Carolina coast. ...more

March 4, 2009

For Lynda Valdez, the emotions were too much Thursday when she toured the Army tugboat from which her soldier husband disappeared off the North Carolina coast. Lynda Valdez said she broke down when she and other family members visited the Major General Winfield Scott as they struggled to understand the Sunday accident that left 22-year-old Spc. Samuel Valdez of Plant City missing and presumed dead. ...more

February 27, 2009

By now, Highlands County commissioners thought they would have collected $17 million in impact fees. ...more

February 13, 2009

The Highlands County Commission will hear on Tuesday a proposal to change when contractors have to pay impact fees. This makes perfect sense and we hope the commission approves the change. ...more

October 5, 2008

SEBRING — With shoppers usually waiting outside for the doors to open, the Habitat for Humanity Home Supply store is easily the busiest place in downtown Sebring. Although many Habitat for Humanity affiliates have similar stores selling furniture and building materials, most are not as popular or profitable as the one on 137 S. Commerce Ave. "We have one of the most successful home supply stores in the nation," said Jane Breylinger, executive director of Highlands County Habitat for Humanity. Store Manager Chuck Ball said the store had more than $600,000 of sales last year. That's enough not only to cover the administration costs of the nonprofit organization but also to build two houses every year. ...more

February 23, 2008

Gary Word has been through the wars of municipal government. Billy Poe is looking to get onto the battlefield. ...more

February 14, 2008

We enter into a very tough part of the lunar phase — the waning of the full moon — so fishing will be poor. ...more

October 1, 2007