SEBRING — Sheriff's investigators were still investigating Wednesday a possible link between a bad check arrest at Circuit City and a bomb threat Monday afternoon at the Sebring store. Highlands County sheriff's deputies arrested Shermon Bernetta Ward, 30, of Orlando, after they say she passed a bad check for $1,473.27, drawn on a SunTrust Bank account. ...more

December 27, 2007

SEBRING — The shuttle buses were late the first day of school and a false fire alarm on the second day were just a couple of minor glitches for an overall successful debut of the Kindergarten Learning Center. ...more

December 26, 2007

SEBRING — Beckie Townsend cuts a cardboard letter "N" that will have a noodle attached to it to help students at the Kindergarten Learning Center learn the alphabet. Next, she cuts a "B" that will be accompanied by a bean to also be used for a letter recognition exercise. One day a week Townsend volunteers in her 5-year-old daughter's class and reads stories and sings songs. She also makes copies and prepares materials in the teacher work area. As vice president of the school's parent teacher organization (PTO) and co-chair of the school advisory council (SAC) and volunteer, Townsend is a very involved school parent. But despite various efforts by school administrators to reach out to parents, many don't become actively involved in school events and functions. ...more

November 19, 2007

SEBRING — Don't be surprised if you see more shaved heads than usual in Highlands County schools. It's all for a good cause. Five principals and teachers wanted to show support for Kindergarten Learning Center Dean "Mr. K" Rick Kogelschatz who has cancer. So they decided to shear their locks. Kogelschatz had a kidney transplant about 1½ years ago. During the summer he was treated for testicular cancer, which spread to a lung for which he is currently receiving chemotherapy. His fellow faculty and students from three schools, who've been associated with him as a teacher and dean, have tried to bolster Kogelschatz's spirits. ...more

October 30, 2007

SEBRING — Staff bonuses are in the offing at seven Highlands County schools that will receive incentives totaling more than $500,000 for their academic achievement in the 2006-07 school year. The state's School Recognition Program awards $100 per student to schools that achieve an "A" based on the school grading criteria or improve at least one grade from the previous year. ...more

October 3, 2007