SEBRING — It came in the mail last week, although it's dated Jan. 15, a collection notice from FEMA. "I have no idea why they sent this," said Gail Fotheringham, 57, a grandmother who lived in a FEMA mobile home for 18 months with her daughter and three grandchildren. "You have not paid the amount you owe the Federal Emergency Management Agency for Mobile Home Rental," said the letter, which seeks a balance due of $1,357.58. Mary Hudak, a spokeswoman in Atlanta, said FEMA, on an ongoing basis, is collecting money owed to the federal agency for a variety of reasons. After the hurricanes of 2004, which ravaged Central Florida, FEMA provided $1.184 billion in assistance to individuals and households in Florida, and hundreds of mobile homes to families in Highlands and Hardee counties. "If people needed money, FEMA advanced it to them," Hudak said. But they were expected to pay back the federal government. ...more

February 16, 2008

SEBRING — After an internal investigation by Sheriff's Lt. Gus Garcia, a registered nurse in the Highlands County Jail was cleared of an allegation of racism toward a Hispanic coworker. The conclusion: "Basically, she was rude to almost everybody," said Garcia, internal affairs officer. "She even admitted herself that she can be rude." According to the investigation, registered nurse Dorothy Reed, a mental health coordinator, was accused by coworker Edna Rosario-Girona of racial bias and rudeness. On Sept. 26, Rosario-Girona complained to Sheriff's Detention Cmdr. Maj. David Paeplow that Reed was disrespectful and rude to her because she was Hispanic. Reed is a supervisor in the detention bureau medical staff. Rosario-Girona is an LPN and member of the medical staff. ...more

November 5, 2007

SPRING HILL - A Spring Hill woman forged her credentials to get extra pay as a licensed practical nurse at Deltona Elementary School, authorities say. ...more

September 20, 2007