The Little Sunshine Preschool and Learning Center was buzzing at midmorning last Wednesday. It was filled with the distinctive white noise that dozens of happy, active 4-year-olds can create. "They're still having fun at the same time," said director and owner Stephanie LeDouaron. "They don't even know they're learning." ...more

February 13, 2008

Now that a new admissions committee at the University of South Florida has weighed in on some of Jim Leavitt's prospects, its decision and the timing of its actions are likely to affect the coach's recruiting long into the future, two analysts said. ...more

February 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

As far as kickoffs are concerned, this one was a snap. All Tony Harris and his staff at the Progress Village Recreation Center had to do was briefly explain the project, sign up the children and hand out disposable cameras with 27 exposures each. The free sandwiches and chips were just a bonus, lending a party atmosphere to the event. ...more

January 21, 2008

SEBRING — Joseph Paul Graham reportedly admitted to shooting Samuel Tiller, 82, at his Falcon Avenue home on Nov. 24, according to arrest reports provided by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office. Graham, 18, of 3806 Leeway Court, Sebring, was arrested on Tuesday, along with Gerald Sanders, 18, of 243 Mandy Circle, Sebring, and Nick Mezie, 17, formerly of Sebring, in connection to Tiller's death. All three suspects were charged with first-degree murder. A representative at Sebring High School confirmed Friday that Graham and Sanders are enrolled as students at the school. Arrest reports indicate that the trio broke into Tiller's residence around 4 a.m. by breaking a window on the north side of the home. Reports state that one of the suspects used the window opening to gain access to the home, then opened the front door of the residence for the other two suspects. ...more

January 19, 2008

SEBRING — The Highlands County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday afternoon that they have arrested three suspects on first-degree murder charges relating to the Nov. 24, 2007 death of Samuel Tiller. ...more

January 18, 2008

For the first time in a decade, new investors will be able to put money into a mutual fund that helped fuel Fidelity Investments' rapid growth in the 1980s and '90s, but has recently seen many retirement-age investors withdraw their cash. ...more

January 15, 2008

With more states declining an abstinence-only approach to sex education, Florida remains a big promoter of abstinence education, even as new studies show the emphasis is failing to keep many kids from having sex. ...more

January 2, 2008

Lynne Marie Flareau had two docks and a boat lift installed several years ago at her home on Fifth Isle in the Gulf-front Leisure Beach community. ...more

December 27, 2007

A high-speed pursuit on Thursday night left a wake of busted fences, three wrecked cruisers and a whole host of questions. ...more

December 18, 2007