EAST LAKELAND — Garrett Deross motioned to his coaches that the ball was at eye-level after taking a called third strike to end the game, but his disgusted expression told the story of the game and Sebring's tournament. Poinciana's Tony Lima hit a two-run homer to cap off a three-run third inning, as the top-seeded team eliminated Sebring with a 7-2 win in the Dixie Youth Majors "O" Zone (ages 11-12) state tournament in East Lakeland on Sunday. "That last call left a bitter taste in my mouth," said Deross of the called third strike. "We had the talent to go far in this tournament, but we just didn't get it done." ...more

July 7, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Ian Hensley waved at parade-goers along Central Avenue on Saturday, a homemade art piece of fake orchids, roses and sequins radiating from behind his head. ...more

June 28, 2008

LAKE PLACID — Garrett DeRoss looked over at his teammate in frustration as he watched ball four duck into the catcher's mitt. DeRoss was given first base after his second intentional walk of the inning, but his Sebring teammates made Lake Placid pay for their generosity. Sebring erupted for seven runs in the game-changing fourth inning, as the boys in blue defeated host Lake Placid 13-4 in the opening game of the two-team Dixie Youth Majors (ages 10-12) "O" Zone District 8 tournament at Lake June Recreational Complex. ...more

June 18, 2008

Alan Hensley exited Interstate 75 Wednesday afternoon and was about to turn onto U.S. 301 when "the most god-awful sound I ever heard in my life" filled the air. ...more

June 5, 2008

SEBRING — The laughs start just after the curtain goes up when "Daddy Bud" kicks the bucket in "Dearly Departed," Highlands Little Theatre's newest comedy. But this show is a little different from other Little Theatre plays – non-actor guests will grace the stage. Opening night is Friday, June 6, with 12 notable residents taking their turn – for different performances – to die as Daddy Bud. Mayor George Hensley and Carl Cool, former county administrator, will both perish beneath the footlights. ...more

June 4, 2008

SEBRING — Pastor Mike Karl fell down a glacier last week, but considering he did it while on a cruise to Alaska, he doesn't mind the bruise. The cruise is just one of the perks Mike and Pat Karl received after being chosen as the 2007 recipients of the Judge Clifton Kelly Champion for Children Award. The Karls have run New Testament Church and Mission for 31 years and have served people more than one million meals and housing to get them back on their feet. Now the Children's Services Council and Foundation are looking for their next "Champion for Children," whose name will be announced at the ninth annual gala, Sept. 25. ...more

June 2, 2008

SEBRING — Tyler Bertoniere was money from both sides of the ball on Tuesday, as he scored three runs and struck out four in the final two innings to seal the deal during the Elks 12-7 win over the Firemen in Dixie Youth Majors (ages 11-12) "O" Zone action at Max Long Recreational Complex on Tuesday. ...more

May 7, 2008

LAKE PLACID — The Schooni's Family Restaurant team rallied from seven runs down and then held off the Michelle Yates Insurance team for a 15-14 victory in Lake Placid senior softball league play on Wednesday at the Lake June Ball fields. The tying run was on third base and the winning run was on second when the final out was recorded. Manager Jim Guild had a bases-loaded triple to lead the rally for Schooni's. Cliff Bluml and Howard Carney each contributed three hits and several others had two hits for the winners. ...more

February 21, 2008

Yates Tops Seminole Tire LAKE PLACID — Michelle Yates Insurance moved back into first place in the Lake Placid senior softball league with an 11-5 victory over Seminole Tire during Monday's league play at the Lake June Ball fields. Moe Pier led the winners at the plate with four hits, including a triple. Doran Quigg, Emery Graves, Eli Rivera and Duke Hensley also contributed two hits each for the win, with Hensley leading the way with a double and a home run. ...more

February 14, 2008

On Al Chipps' day, his Schooni's Family Restaurant team squeaked out a 7-6 win over the Lake Placid Marine team in Lake Placid Senior Softball league play last Wednesday at the Lake June Ball fields. As the league celebrated Al Chipp's 90th birthday, he made a play at the plate that helped lead to the one-run win. On this windy day, several excellent plays were made in the field for both teams, particularly in right field by Howard Carney for the Schooni's team and Larry Lane for the Lake Placid Marine team. Paul Brand, Bob Fee, Jim Guild, Paul Stephenson, Bob Sheets and Ray Hensley all had two hits each. Sheets, with one out in the bottom of the seventh, got a double and was then driven in by Ray Hensley with what proved to be the winning run for the Schooni's team. Crafty Cal Bready routinely "served" the ball to an open spot over the infield for a 4 for 4 day to lead the Lake Placid Marine effort. Dave Holloway and Bob Fox were 3 for 4 and Glenn Wearsch and Jeff Stanley were 2 for 4 in the losing effort. ...more

February 12, 2008