SEBRING — Teachers seeking affordable housing have a new option with the School Board of Highlands County approving an agreement with a local developer. The school district will help get the word out about Las Villas Phase 2, an affordable housing development on Kenilworth Boulevard, east of Sebring High School. Project developer Caribbean Realestate Developers has qualified for a grant to provide workforce housing for personnel considered essential to the county. Teachers are considered essential personnel. "The bottom line is you have the opportunity to provide $50,000, maybe even $70,000 off the purchase of a villa for a teacher," school district teacher recruiter Sean Rego said at a recent school board meeting. The housing agreement requires no monetary responsibility of the school district. ...more

February 4, 2008

Just because the smoke has cleared here in Highlands County doesn't mean that competitive barbecuing has come to an end in the area. In fact there is one going on in Wauchula today. And last week by far the largest Florida state contest was held up in Lakeland. At our 12 Hours of BBQ contest there were a total of 42 teams. In Lakeland they had almost 60 professional teams, 80 backyard teams and around 20 kiddie teams. That's a lot of smokin' going on, and a lot of barbecue enthusiasts. And, of course, during this time of our political cycle where there's a crowd of more than three people there is a candidate trying to garner just one more vote. Last Saturday in Lakeland was no exception. Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee siezed the opportunity to shake a few hands. Through the sea of people attending the cook-off I saw some TV cameras and boom mikes and went to see what was going on. It was Huckabee who was the focus of their attention. Since there weren't any more than maybe 20 non-media people around him I elbowed my way to the front of the group. I got to shake his hand and exchange a few pleasantries. What I didn't share with him however was the fact that I had already taken advantage of Joe Campbell's convenient offer to beat the rush and voted early at the county building. ...more

February 2, 2008

I would like to give praise to the First Assembly of God Church on Kenilworth Boulevard. I went to church there on Sunday for the first time, and they were having a special program, which was Tommy Brandt in concert. Anyone who hasn't heard this young man sing and minister to people through his music should make it a point to see him when he is in Sebring again. A big thank you goes out to the church for having him at their services. ...more

December 15, 2007

SEBRING — The holiday season will kick off this weekend with two events in downtown Sebring – the Christmas parade and the Carousel of Lights. ...more

December 6, 2007

Highlands County commissioners this week committed county staff to assist the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in finishing land acquisition for a national wildlife refuge at Flamingo Villas. ...more

September 13, 2007

SEBRING — Highlands County has a brand-new instant millionaire. ...more

August 9, 2007