WAUCHULA — Although it was only for a fairly uneventful hearing, Jean Claude Meus made his first appearance in three years Monday afternoon at the Hardee County Courthouse. Attorneys from both parties filed motions, which were granted by Judge Jeff McKibben, to allow the lawyer time to collect witness depositions before a tentatively scheduled evidentiary hearing. In 2003, Meus was convicted of the death of Nona Moore, 40, and her 8-year-old daughter Lindsey. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. ...more

January 30, 2008

On the eve of Florida's presidential primary, two local Republican lawmakers talked property tax relief, state budget challenges and homeowners insurance to about 30 people in a town-hall meeting. ...more

January 29, 2008

A year after Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, enforcing desegregation and making it illegal to discriminate based on race, color, religion or national origin. ...more

January 19, 2008

SEBRING — What do the Highlands County Courthouse and NASA Kennedy Space Center have in common? Both buildings are now cooler, thanks to Winsulators. The clear, acrylic interior window attachment uses magnets to fasten to the inside of windows and keeps the heat trapped outside, much like a double-pane window. Winsulators have been added to all 94 windows in the historic courthouse, with hopes of reducing the electricity bill. "Installing new windows would have been cost prohibitive," said Edward VerVane, inventor of the Winsulator. "The change also would have taken away from the historic look of the building. The Winsulator creates a 'green' facility that is friendlier for the environment." ...more

January 19, 2008

SEBRING — The Highlands County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday afternoon that they have arrested three suspects on first-degree murder charges relating to the Nov. 24, 2007 death of Samuel Tiller. ...more

January 18, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - A woman was arrested today after bailiffs said she tried to bring a handgun into the Pasco County Courthouse. ...more

January 17, 2008

Pasco County's code enforcement division long has relied on residents to police their neighborhoods and call attention to abandoned cars, errant signs and other unauthorized activity. ...more

January 11, 2008

Residents soon may get the chance to tell the county commission just how they want their tax dollars spent. ...more

January 5, 2008

SEBRING — Often, kids who enter the Highlands County Courthouse are more afraid of the front lobby than they are of actually going inside a courtroom. With this in mind, bailiffs at the courthouse have been celebrating the holidays by handing out stuffed animals to kids. After going through the building's metal detector and letting their items pass through an X-ray machine, children are allowed to choose a toy amongst a group of stuffed animals sitting underneath a Christmas tree. "It's been pretty successful," said bailiff William Dilling. "We had a little girl come in a few days ago who was afraid to go through the metal detector, but we were able to convince her that she'd get a (stuffed animal) out of it." ...more

December 24, 2007

SEBRING — Highlands County Clerk of Courts Luke Brooker announced Friday morning that he would not seek re-election in 2008. According to Highlands County Courthouse Director of Court Services Bob Germaine, Brooker made the announcement during an employee of the year meeting, saying that he wants to focus on his family after his term expires in January 2009. "Luke's been here for a long time, and he's been an excellent boss," said Germaine. "I think it came down to wanting to be able to spend more time with his family. He wants to focus on his grandchildren and his health." Brooker, who has been elected to serve for four terms, could not be reached for comment Friday. Brooker originally took office in January 1993. He ran unopposed in 1996 and had opposition in 2000 and 2004. ...more

December 22, 2007