Technology has changed the way political campaigns are run, according to several local politicians, candidates and party officials. Chuck Oakes, state committeeman from the Highlands County Republican Party, said that the Internet made a major impact on political campaigning. "Instead of people coming out at night and listening to speeches, they rely on the Internet," said Oakes. "Instead of watching a debate on television, they're watching segments on the Internet." One real advantage is the number of computer savvy-younger voters who get their political information from the web. ...more

June 25, 2008

SEBRING — First-term Republican Highlands County Commissioner Barbara Stewart won a second-four-year term Friday afternoon when nobody filed to run against her for the commission seat from the Avon Park district. Meanwhile, state Rep. Denise Grimsley, R- Lake Placid, will have a potentially formidable opponent in her bid for re-election. At 3:30 p.m. Friday, three and a half hours after the noon deadline for certifying candidates, the Florida Division of Elections certfified a potentially formidable independent candidate who goes straight to the November general election. ...more

June 20, 2008

SEBRING – Zane Thomas, who works in the Highlands County planning department, has filed to run for county commissioner. As an independent, Thomas automatically goes into the November general election for the county commission seat held by Guy Maxcy. Maxcy, a Republican, is running for his fifth consecutive four-year term. Thomas unsuccessfully ran two years ago as a Democrat for the state representative's seat held by Denise Grimsley, R-Lake Placid. ...more

June 18, 2008

LAKE PLACID — State Representative Denise Grimsley's condo used more water than any other piece of residential property in Lake Placid through all of 2007 and the first three months of 2008, the town's water usage records indicate. The condo at 19 Sunset Lane had used more than 50,000 gallons a month from January 2007––the earliest records obtained in a countywide request of all municipal and county water usage records––to March 17, 2008. Her usage cut down to 11,000 gallons per month from March through May 16. Lake Placid utilities director Gary Freeman said the typical Lake Placid resident consumes 2,000 to 3,000 gallons of water per month. ...more

June 9, 2008

Highlands County officials have every right to be upset with Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. That's because he's apparently broke his promise to Highlands County and every other "fiscally constrained" county in Florida that will take a big tax hit. The citizens of Highlands County should be just as upset and make sure the governor's office knows about it. ...more

February 21, 2008

SEBRING — Highlands County government leaders expect Gov. Charlie Crist and the Legislature to come through on their promise to this and the five other "fiscally constrained" counties. ...more

February 20, 2008

SEBRING — Highlands County voters will have lots of decisions to make in 2008. On Jan. 29, the primary will give Democrats and Republicans the opportunity to choose their presidential nominee. At the same time, voters can decide whether to lower their own taxes. The deadline to register to vote in the primary is Dec. 31, said Norma Stokes, assistant supervisor of elections. Early voting for the primary starts on Jan. 14. Voters can go to the libraries in Lake Placid and Avon Park, or at the Highlands County Government Center in Sebring. The last day to call for an absentee ballot to be mailed to the voter's home is Jan. 23, Stokes said. ...more

December 28, 2007

SEBRING — The town of Lake Placid wants $2.7 million for a new water plant. ...more

December 6, 2007

SEBRING — A rumor that he wouldn't run for a third term in the Florida Senate is not true, J.D. Alexander confirmed Wednesday. "I have every intention of running," said Alexander, R-Lake Wales. So far, he's the only candidate who's filed in District 17, but others, including Denise Grimsley, are keeping their eyes on the race. On Nov. 20, the Lakeland Ledger ran a five-paragraph story. "Rumors continue in Tallahassee that Alexander may not run in 2008," the Ledger reported. "Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, and Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Lake Placid, want to run for the Senate seat if Alexander doesn't run. But they don't want to wait until the week of qualifying in June of 2008 to find out if he is really pulling out. By then it could be too short of time to raise the amount of money needed and to campaign for the Aug. 26 party primary." ...more

November 30, 2007

SEBRING — The election season started early for presidential candidates, but it's also revving up in Highlands County. ...more

October 25, 2007