SEBRING — As the fair approaches, excitement is mounting in the Bickman house. "We look forward to the fair all year," said Samantha Bickman, leader of Country Clovers 4-H Group. "The fairgrounds are our home away from home." Hundreds of families throughout the county are in the same position as the Bickmans, preparing for the festivities of the Highlands County Fair, which starts Friday. Brothers Michael and Justin Bickman wake up at 6 every morning to feed and water their animals. They each have swine, chickens and rabbits to show at the fair. ...more

February 6, 2008

Chalk another one up for the old folks. And the veterans. ...more

February 5, 2008

Every year, Pyro, my canary, re-invents himself. Except for the timing, he is a lot like those of us who make dramatic New Year's resolutions. "I will lose 20 pounds." "I will be kind to everyone." "I will learn salsa dancing." But Pyro actually goes through with his transformation. ...more

December 17, 2007

If your New Year's Eve party is lame, there's a good chance your new year will be. We won't let that happen. ...more

December 10, 2007

SEBRING — Dan Feathers has raised prices at his dry cleaning business and so has florist Ladonna Paedae-Rodriguez. Kenny Long, president of Long's Air Conditioning Inc., might have to do the same thing. Local businesses are feeling the impact of higher gas prices and are trying to find ways to keep costs down. According to the American Automobile Association, motorists are paying about 90 cents a gallon more for gas now than they did last year. Guy Caruso, chief of the Energy Department's statistical division, the Energy Information Administration, predicted recently that gasoline prices, now averaging $3.11 a gallon nationwide, will rise another 10 cents by December. A jump of 15 cents a gallon from current levels, already well above last year's average of $2.23, also would surpass May's all-time record of $3.23 a gallon. ...more

November 25, 2007

Karen Shuey isn't a krewe member, but she knows all about Gasparilla. Especially costumes. ...more

October 31, 2007

Rose Bock had no experience with birds when she met her husband, Scott, 15 years ago. ...more

October 24, 2007