SEBRING — The School Board of Highlands County decided Tuesday to go ahead with the Career Academy, a technical trade/academic program for students, that will work out of South Florida Community College. Superintendent Wally Cox and other school officials had recommended delaying the program until the 2009-10 school year due to budget concerns and a low number of applicants. In the end, the school board decided that waiting another year was pointless. "The program won't be stronger by delaying it a year," said school board member Wally Randall. "It won't be easier to start next year. With momentum, it will be a success." ...more

May 20, 2008

AVON PARK — Alaina Hobbs collected two degrees at South Florida Community College on Monday night –– her high school diploma and her associate of arts degree. ...more

May 7, 2008

SEBRING — Highlands County School Board members said Monday they want to move forward with the Career Academy in some form, even if the first year has a low enrollment. Through the joint venture with South Florida Community College, the Career Academy would allow students to earn a high school diploma and a certificate or associate's degree in a technical discipline such as computer networking, automotive service technology, medical secretary, cosmetology, computer engineering, culinary arts or electronics. ...more

May 5, 2008

Country music singer Gretchen Wilson has a mantel full of awards in her Lebanon, Tenn., home. Her first single, "Redneck Woman," earned her a Grammy. ...more

May 5, 2008

There has been quite a bit of news lately about how, as the credit crisis continues, it may be more difficult for some families to get student loans. ...more

May 4, 2008

About 4,900 students will graduate from the University of South Florida this weekend, and most will enter a job market where the economic outlook is grim. ...more

May 3, 2008

The Hillsborough Literacy Council has a new slate of officers for 2008 who are committed to helping adults learn to read and write. ...more

February 14, 2008

UNIVERSITY AREA More than 65 percent of residents who participated in the first phase of a community survey said they definitely would or probably would move from the University Area within a year. A report on the survey, conducted by the Jim Walter Partnership Center at the University of South Florida, stated that people wanted to move to get better housing costs, better schools for their children, better stores and other facilities and to live in an area with less racial or ethnic tension. ...more

February 13, 2008

It's not too often that the outcome of a court case is beneficial to all parties involved, as well as taxpayers. But that's truly the case with Pasco County Adult Drug Court. ...more

February 10, 2008

Haunted by images of a fatal crash he saw Wednesday night, a Tampa businessman is offering to help pay for the funeral of a young mother he saw lifeless in her car. ...more

February 9, 2008