SEBRING – Highlands County could hire a new tourism director in February 2008 if the interview process moves along without a hitch, according to county Administrator Carl Cool. Cool presented the job description for the position and talked in general about the hiring process during Thursday's Highlands County Tourist Development Council meeting. The county will be seeking a replacement for Jim Brantley, who resigned as director earlier this year. Brantley is continuing to work for the county as a consultant. Cool told the council there was a difference of opinion between the county's Human Resources department and Brantley regarding the minimum amount of education for the position. The county staff wants the individual to have a four-year college degree, while Brantley doesn't believe it should be required. ...more

December 9, 2007

When Gladys Sanchez learned an elementary school girl needed eye surgery, she slid behind her desk and picked up the telephone. ...more

November 14, 2007

SEBRING –– The Highlands County Tourist Development Council favors retaining the operation of the tourism program as it is and asking the county to advertise for a director to replace Jim Brantley. The council spent about two hours Thursday discussing options and receiving input from the public concerning the future of the county's tourism program. Since the council is an advisory board to the Highlands County Commission, it can only make recommendations. The county commission will make the final decision. The recommendation is expected to come before the board in December. County Administrator Carl Cool, who attended the workshop, said the tourist council wants to review a proposed job description for the director at its next meeting, which is scheduled for Dec. 6. If the council approves the description, the item could be on the Dec. 11 commission agenda. ...more

November 2, 2007

Terry Boehm, 56, grew up surrounded by people of faith. She attended Catholic school in Wisconsin, where she learned the value of helping others. Today, Boehm is coordinator of ministries at Corpus Christi Catholic Church of Temple Terrace, 9715 N. 56th St. ...more

October 27, 2007

Terry Boehm, 56, grew up surrounded by people of faith. She attended Catholic school in Wisconsin, where she learned the value of helping others. Today, Boehm is coordinator of ministries at Corpus Christi Catholic Church of Temple Terrace, 9715 N. 56th St. ...more

October 27, 2007

Terry Boehm, 56, grew up surrounded by people of faith. She attended Catholic school in Wisconsin, where she learned the value of helping others. Today, Boehm is coordinator of ministries at Corpus Christi Catholic Church of Temple Terrace, 9715 N. 56th St. ...more

October 26, 2007

Every morning, a hired car picks up Margie Conner at her north Lakeland home and drives her 20 or so miles to Bartow and the school district transportation center. A round trip can cost more than $50. ...more

October 25, 2007

Every morning, a hired car picks up Margie Conner at her north Lakeland home and drives her 20 or so miles to Bartow and the school district transportation center. A round trip can cost more than $50. Once there, the 58-year-old school bus driver reports to a guard shack, where she sits alone doing nothing for nearly six hours – at $11 an hour. Sometimes she reads a book. She gets two 15 minute breaks and uses the bathroom at the main office. At the end of the day, another hired car takes her home. All this is paid for by Polk County taxpayers, roughly $1,700 so far. ...more

October 24, 2007

The job description is a bit cluttered. Effectively set the ball, block the opposing shot, feed your hitters, feed the other setter, pass the ball, finish your own attack, communicate, have court presence, be a leader. ...more

September 11, 2007

It's the money job. If you are thinking billionaire investors, bankers, hedge fund managers or oil barons, guess again. ...more

September 9, 2007