Our recession is tough, but imagine an America where the jobless rate was 25 percent instead of 10 percent, where the blue-plate special was 25 cents and many people still couldn't afford it, where there were no unemployment checks or food stamps, where farmers couldn't afford to feed their cattle. ...more

November 8, 2009

Highlands Hammock State Park will play host today to the 24th annual Civilian Conservation Corps Festival, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ...more

November 7, 2009

FRIDAY 'Fiddler On The Roof' opens tonight SEBRING - The first performance of - "Fiddler On the Roof" is set for tonight at 8 at Highlands Little Theatre, 356 W. Center Ave., in Sebring. ...more

November 6, 2009

There will be fun for the whole family from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, at the 24th annual Civilian Conservation Corps Festival at Highlands Hammock State Park. ...more

November 4, 2009

SEBRING — Maybe it was because he was in great shape. Maybe it was Darrel Smith's helmet that made the difference and saved his life after a car struck his bike in August. Perhaps, Smith thought, it was the thousands of prayers given for him from other park rangers, his fellow bicyclists and the entire community. In a little more than three months, Smith came out of a month-long medically induced coma, regained 20 pounds of lost muscle and just last Thursday took a two-mile ride on his tricycle for the first time since the accident. "Yes, it hurt like hell... I got nine pieces of stainless steel (in me) right now. Two of them are cables," he said, showing his right hip. His smile and his beaming optimism goes against the grain of the aches he described. Smith's trainer, Keith A. Bowyer Jr., thinks it was Smith's drive that got him where he is now. Smith's hoping by Friday that he will get back on his job at Highlands Hammock State Park. By Christmas, Smith's hoping he can try out a bicycle. ...more

December 11, 2007

I also wanted to respond to the letter from Ms. Walker. So sorry for her and Darrel Smith whom I have ridden with on his way to work. I have been riding the path since day one, and there are a lot of nice considerate drivers out there, then there are some not so. Yes, I have to stop and get off my bike a lot, but I'd rather do that than have someone hit me or someone complain. Sometimes it is even embarrassing when someone stops to let me go through and I have already gotten off the bike, because it takes me a while to get the thing going again. I will bet that these people driving cars and complaining about us bikers also sometimes have to walk where there is traffic. Think about it. Bet they hate it when the vehicle will not stop to let them by. I also drive a car, and yes, I do stop and motion a pedestrian (even if not in a crosswalk) to pass in front of me. I do not have a stop sign in front of me either. ...more

September 14, 2007

SEBRING — Highlands Hammock Park Ranger Darrel Smith remains hospitalized at the Lakeland Regional Medical Center Sunday after his tricycle collided with a car Friday evening, according to a spokesman from the park. Smith, 60, was in critical condition when he was airlifted Friday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The staff at Lakeland Regional refused to provide any information on Smith's condition Sunday afternoon, declining to confirm if he was there, and not stating why. However, Park Ranger Steve Barrera from Highlands Hammock State Park said Smith had "multiple injuries" but was "stabilized" at the hospital. ...more

September 3, 2007