SEBRING — Whether or not charges are filed in the state attorney's office investigation of the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce, the results will be become public. According to Florida's sunshine laws, the records are currently closed because the investigation is ongoing, said Assistant State's Attorney Steve Houchin, who manages the Highlands County office. But when the investigation concludes, if the case is closed and no action is taken, then the findings can be released to the public, Houchin said. ...more

May 26, 2008

AVON PARK — Quintin Jerome Kinder, expected to be the key witness in the trial of Joshua Altersberger, 20, has been set free by Georgia law enforcement authorities, even though Highlands County officials had requested he be held until they could bring him back here. Kinder, 22, who lived last year at 1800 Melady Ave., Sebring, was a passenger in January 2007 when Altersberger's car was stopped by Trooper Nick Sottile. Police allege Altersberger shot the Highway Patrol sergeant, who died at the scene between Lake Placid and Sebring. Kinder ran into an orange grove, so he was charged with misdemeanor trespassing into a posted horticultural property. He was returned to his native state of Georgia to face a violation of probation charge. ...more

May 23, 2008

SEBRING — With 13 murder cases on his hands, Assistant State Attorney Steve Houchin is just running from one thing to another – his words. If it's not Joshua Altersberger, it's Leslie Lewis, Albert Stevens, Brandon Johns, Arthur Aul, Terrence Barnett, Leann Parker, Silvia Zanchez, Donald Henry, Edgar Otero, Joseph Graham, Gerald Sanders or Nicholas Mezie. ...more

May 8, 2008

SEBRING — Look at it like this. At least they didn't raise taxes. That'll come in November. But the Florida Legislature did pass 270 bills this session, which ended Friday. They will become law with Gov. Charlie Crist's signature. ...more

May 7, 2008

SEBRING — A Highlands County grand jury formally indicted three suspects on murder charges Tuesday morning in connection to the November 2007 shooting of Samuel Tiller. ...more

February 5, 2008

SEBRING — A "body-less" murder trial is uncommon, but it's not unheard of, according to Assistant State Attorney Steve Houchin. Because authorities were unable to locate the body of the alleged newborn that Silvia Zanchez supposedly threw into the trash last November, prosecutors now have to prove through circumstantial evidence that Zanchez actually delivered the baby, if her case goes to a criminal trial. A Highlands County grand Jjury indicted Zanchez, 24, of 109 Sarasota St., Lake Placid, Wednesday, on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. "We're going to have to prove circumstantially that she gave birth to a live human being," said Houchin, who also said that he's never prosecuted a "body-less" trial. ...more

January 11, 2008

The search for a baby or fetus discarded by its mother Nov. 23 continued at the county landfill today and was scheduled to go on Tuesday, according to Highlands County Sheriff's Maj. Mark Schrader. ...more

December 3, 2007

SEBRING — While the number of searchers for a discarded baby increased Friday at the Highlands County Landfill, sheriff's detectives investigated what actually happened on Nov. 23, when the baby's mother tossed the infant into the trash. ...more

November 30, 2007

WAUCHULA — Jury selection for the trial of former Zolfo Springs Police Chief David Scheid will begin on Feb. 11, 2008 at the Hardee County Courthouse. Scheid is facing charges of grand theft, tampering with a witness, fabricating physical evidence and petty theft. Scheid had a trial scheduled in October that was delayed because of medical issues with defense attorney Gil Colon Jr. ...more

November 22, 2007

SEBRING — Dale Roger Leland was sentenced Tuesday afternoon to six and a half years in prison as friends and family members gave testimony, vouching for the man they said was an "outstanding" man and former church deacon. ...more

November 1, 2007