SEBRING — Two changes to the Highlands County Sports Complex are in the works and a third is planned but as of yet unfunded. On Saturday, Gordon and Mary Delp, whose specialty was their Philly cheeseteak at their former restaurant on South Commerce Avenue, will open up Park Place Snackbar & Grill at the sports complex. The Delps signed a one-year lease, with an option to renew it for up to four years, with the county to prepare and sell food at the sports complex. ...more

May 21, 2008

SEBRING –– The Sebring Senior Softball League games form last week had no big blowouts, just moderate scores, and no budding all-stars shining. Discount Aluminum caught a lot of attention with their new classy uniform shirts and caps, plus they had a winning score of 23-14 over the Klingons. Aluminum was in the lead until the fifth inning. Klingons poured on some coal and scored 11 runs, but Aluminum put a sudden stop to that and won the game. Discount Aluminum's James Gilbert was the hot hitter by slugging out two home runs. Four players going 3 for 4 were Mike Ellis with three RBIs, Jim Larnard, Rudy Pibble and Tom Walsh each earning two RBIs. The new kid on the team, Rod Palmer, went 3 for 3 with 2 runs scored. Some of the Klingons doing their share were Don Sheets and Ross "Spider" McMinn with two home runs. It was double Bank Day when Highlands Independent Bank Avon Park and Highlands Independent Bank Sebring faced each other on the diamond. ...more

February 24, 2008

SEBRING — The longest game this season for the Sebring senior softball league took place on Tuesday between the Reflections and Discount Aluminum Teams. The merry-go-round slugfest, which went 10 innings was won 25-24 by Reflections. Gary Vanthournout led Reflections at the plate, going 4 for 6 and getting on base in the 10th inning. Joe Hynzy then slammed a double to drive Gary home for the winning run. Hynzy finished 5 for 7 with two doubles, while Bill Yeager was 4 for 6 with a home run, Wayne Hill was 5 for 6, and Kyle Saunders, Ron Lewis, Cal Bready, Ed Lindberg each went 4 for 6. For Discount Aluminum, James Gilbert was 5 for 5 with two homers, Leslie Smith was 4 for 5 with a home run and Rudy Pibble and Ken Crandall were each 4 for 5. ...more

February 18, 2008

SEBRING – A review of the past year, a look ahead at the year ahead and the presentation of awards were the order of business during the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet Friday night at the Restoration Center. Megan Klootwyk was recognized as the Ambassador of the Year. Kim Heintz was presented with the Director of the Year award. Bob and Nadine Tedstone received the Volunteer of the Year award. This is the first time that a couple has been honored with the award. Highlands Independent Bank was named the Business of the Year. ...more

February 17, 2008

SEBRING – Whenever someone moves to another country, the adjustments of language, food, culture and customs are overwhelming. Dr. Kye Pahk arrived from Korea in 1967 and interned in Nashville, at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and then in Orlando. In 1973 a Sebring internist, Dr. Robert Rengarts, encouraged him to move here and open his practice in urology. Softening the uphill challenge of starting a new business was the fact that when Pahk came here he was the only urologist in Highlands County. His practice grew and within two years he was able to add a partner. ...more

January 28, 2008

SEBRING – The Sebring Senior Softball League experienced some near wins and near losses, causing heart-throbs at the Highlands County Sports Complex on Jan. 15. Discount Aluminum nailed a 19-18 victory on Highlands Independent Bank Sebring. At the end of the third inning, HIBS led 11-3, but Discount Aluminum came alive by scoring three in the fifth, four in the sixth and five in the seventh innings bringing the score to 18-14. In the bottom of the eighth, Discount scored five more runs, making the final score 19-18. ...more

January 21, 2008

Last Tuesday marked a huge milestone for the Sebring Senior Softball League games. It was the beginning of the League's use of the new Highlands County Sports Complex in Sebring. At 9 a.m. more than 100 players arrived and were anxiously trying to locate their appropriate designated areas. When the time for "let's play ball" came, eight teams began to play simultaneously on four fields, a first time ever for the League to be gathered in one place. There had been reorganizing of the teams with added players and new managers. ...more

January 14, 2008

SEBRING –– David Leidel takes his responsibility as a citizen seriously by getting involved and working within a group with similar goals to better Highlands County. Leidel received his bachelor's in business administration from Stetson University in 1998. Afterward, he moved to Sebring to open the Lake Placid office of the investment firm Edward Jones. In 2004, Leidel was hired by Highlands Independent Bank to open its trust and brokerage department. Each morning he can be heard on 105.7 FM doing a live market commentary. "Most people overreact to the bad economic news they hear, but if you step back and look at the big picture, there's lots of good news," he said. Leidel remains positive no matter what business cycle we're in. He believes there will always be issues, but right now is the best time to buy a home. Currently, Leidel is president of the Sebring Noon Rotary. When he sees bright students through their Interact Club at Sebring High School and Heartland Christian, he is rejuvenated because of their leadership potential. Although he knows some will graduate, go to college and find jobs elsewhere, some will stay here. Leidel believes in cultivating their leadership to benefit the community. ...more

December 10, 2007

The Highlands Art League would like to thank our sponsors for their continued support and contributions. An event as large as the festival would not be possible without community support, and we appreciate all our community does for us. Our title sponsor this year was Mid Florida Credit Union. Our Friday night activities were underwritten by the city of Sebring CRA with Golden Palms Catering Company providing all the food for the weekend activities at the Yellow House. We have been able to count on them for their support for the past four years. The Florida Mentor, Dr. and Mrs. Pigman, and Happy Owl teamed together to be our Community Street Sponsors. Progress Energy came back and sponsored Children's Street this year. Crutchfield and Sons joined them to provide for the Children's Fest Tent. The children were able to make small crafts for free, thanks to them. ...more

November 24, 2007

AVON PARK – More than than 40 area companies and government agencies will be participating in the 2007 Fall Employment Fair at South Florida Community College. The event will run from 4 - 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1 at Building B on the Highlands campus, 600 W. College Drive., Avon Park. The participating companies include: Alan Jay Automotive Network, AFLAC, Avon Park Youth Academy (Securicor), Bank of America, Children's Home Society of Florida, Cohan Radio Group, Comcast Cable, Country Mortgages by Farm Credit, Cross Country Automotive Services, CTL Distribution Trucking, DeSoto Memorial Hospital, Florida D.O.T. Motor Carrier Compliance, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Hospital Heartland Division, Florida Institute of Neurological Rehab, Florida Integrated Neurological Group, Florida's Natural Growers, Four Points by Sheraton, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation, H&R Block, Heartland National Bank, Heartland Sun Times, Highlands County Board of County Commissioners, Highlands County Family YMCA, Highlands County School Board, Highlands County EMS, Highlands County Sheriff's Office, Highlands Independent Bank, Hope Hospice & Community Services, Lake Placid Health Care Center, Lykes Bros. Inc., Merrill Lynch, Michaels, Moore Haven Correctional The GEO Group Inc., Newsom Eye & Laser Center, Quality Inn & Conference Center, Resolve Staffing, Sears, SeaBreeze Homes Inc., SFCC Public Service Academy, SFCC Human Resources, Sunshine Staffing, The Palms of Sebring and Verizon Wireless. ...more

October 28, 2007