What they hope will be a long summer of baseball is under way for Plant City's 9- to 10-year-old All-Stars. ...more

June 28, 2008

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June 20, 2008

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June 19, 2008

AVON PARK — The city whose council considered and then rejected a city bill that would have made English its official language will host a state convention Saturday for an activist group known for protesting against illegal immigration, and sometimes illegal immigrants. The Minuteman Civil Defense Corps will gather at the Jacaranda Hotel for what its state director Bill Landes called a "training session." "It's not an open meeting," he said. He estimated 15 to 20 Minutemen members from throughout the state to attend the convention, including Chris Simcox, the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps' cofounder. The convention begins at 1 p.m. He expected a few protesters might show up but hoped the members wouldn't be too uncomfortable. ...more

June 17, 2008

AVON PARK — If Rocky Khara had a chance to avoid a playoff on Sunday, he was certainly going to take it. After finishing second in the 2006 and 2007 Bagwell Invitationals, Khara seized on his opportunity to claim top honors when he birdied his final hole to hold off Cory Meade of Haines City and win the overall championship at the 39th annual Bagwell Junior Invitational at River Greens golf course. "It's very satisfying," said Khara, 16, a recent qualifier for the upcoming Florida State Golf Association Amateur championships. "It's something I've always needed to do, and not come in second again." But it didn't come easy: Khara saw his three-stroke lead with five holes to play evaporate on a makeshift leaderboard strapped to the back of one of the dozen or so golf carts following the final group. After sinking a 20-footer on No. 16, he figured he was in good shape to hold off Meade. ...more

June 9, 2008

Polk County sheriff's detectives charged a 19-year-old man with manslaughter in a shooting Saturday night at a place popular for mud bogging in Lake Wales that left another 19-year-old man dead. ...more

June 8, 2008

AVON PARK — Junior golfers in the Heartland will celebrate the first weekend of summer vacation by participating in the prestigious Bagwell Junior Invitational on Saturday and Sunday at River Greens Golf Course. ...more

June 3, 2008