SEBRING — The 2007 rainy season, which ends in November, didn't alleviate the ongoing water shortage, so South Florida Water Management District's staff recommended last week that its governing board increase watering restrictions at the Dec. 13 monthly meeting. Southwest Florida Water Management District will also discuss watering rules at its 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 26 meeting at Quorum Hotel Westshore, 700 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa. ...more

November 23, 2007

SEBRING — Three of Sebring's prominent residents have died within less than one week. Former Police Chief Lonnie Curl, 87, died Tuesday at his Sebring home. Former Police Chief Bob Baker attended Curl's funeral Friday and then died of a heart attack later that night. Former Postmaster Ray Graddy, 92, died Saturday. "To me Ray Graddy represents what the old pioneers of Sebring are all about," said Craig Johnson, a friend of Graddy. "He cared about his community, and he gave back." Johnson said Graddy was a nice man who always treated people well. ...more

November 20, 2007

A lot of people are jaded these days, believing that they cannot affect change for the better. One group of people, though, didn't buy into that and made a big change in their own neighborhood. ...more

November 8, 2007

LAKE PLACID — The noise started early Monday morning. But the loud and regular pounding and scraping was welcomed by neighbors like Donna and Sergio Guzman as about a dozen workers prepared former mobile home park Viking Village for demolition. "Sergio and I are enjoying the sound of heavy metal — aluminum crashing to the ground," said Donna Guzman, with a broad smile. In mid-September, the 18-unit trailer park was condemned by the county, and the property owner was threatened with daily fines. Most of the trailers and buildings at the park, located at County Road 17 and Lake June Road, are dilapidated with gaping holes and broken windows. ...more

November 7, 2007

They're the roadside equivalent of junk mail - tiny signs that advertise everything imaginable: cheap houses, health insurance, eligible singles, telemarketing jobs and even salvation. ...more

October 31, 2007

BRANDON - They're the roadside equivalent of junk mail – tiny signs that advertise everything imaginable: cheap houses, health insurance, eligible singles, telemarketing jobs and even salvation. The illegal signs annoy residents, mangle lawnmowers and stymie county workers who pulled them out of the ground by the tens of thousands last year. ...more

October 30, 2007

LAKE PLACID — Since condemnation notice proceedings were posted Tuesday on most buildings in his neighborhood, Francisco Garcia said it's time to move out. ...more

October 10, 2007

Although entering the building is a misdemeanor offense, the condemned Nan-Ces-O-Wee Hotel has become a hotbed for activity lately. ...more

September 27, 2007

A cycle shop owner facing a possible jail sentence over code violations has cleaned up his property enough to earn a time extension. ...more

September 26, 2007

Abandoned trailer homes. Long grass. Broken windows. Strange candles burning in the night in what should otherwise be empty homes. ...more

September 20, 2007