Somebody was watching out for Mike Driggers on Friday. Like his neighbor, who spotted two males in a white Ford Econoline van lurking about the middle-class neighborhood just off CR 17A, north of the city. Suspiciously, they drove past the Driggers' house, turned around at the end of the cul de sac, parked and waited several minutes before they came back. ...more

August 3, 2008

Regarding "Gates Ousts Air Force Leaders" (front page, June 6): I commend Defense Secretary Robert Gates for his decisive action in removing Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne and Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley from their posts as a result of the investigation over control of nuclear weapons and their components. ...more

June 9, 2008

SEBRING — Going to build a new church? The impact fee has gone up another 5 percent, according to a new schedule released by the Highlands County building official's office. The charge is now $1,528 per 1,000 square feet. Last year, impact fees were adopted at 25 percent of the amount Highlands County commissioners plan to eventually charge on new homes and commercial buildings. In September, the five board members decided not to raise impact fees for 2008, then changed their minds a week later and went to 30 percent. ...more

January 16, 2008

AVON PARK — The national economic disaster that was 2007 also whacked Highlands County's home building industry. According to figures released by Building Official S.Y. Moseley's office, the value of building permits dropped 30 percent last year. About twice as many single family homes were built two years ago, 1,156 in 2006 versus 563 building permits in 2007. It's affecting contractors and their subcontractors, said County Commissioner Don Bates: "There are a lot of guys who are looking for work, who are ready to go to work, and they're out of work." Because they're skilled tradesmen, some are taking lower wages than they were earning in good times, ...more

January 13, 2008

Regarding "Chats With Teen Girl Get Lafave Arrested" (Metro, Dec. 5): Stop the presses. Call out the National Guard. Fly in all the network anchors for the story of the year: Debra Lafave speaks to co-worker. ...more

December 11, 2007

SEBRING — In January 2005 alone, the four-man crew from S.Y. Moseley's office inspected 1,682 residential, commercial and other buildings. ...more

October 17, 2007

SEBRING – When asked about impact fees, Wayne Gourley's response likely echoed the opinion of many in construction as well as some outside of the industry. "If their purpose is to slow down growth they came up with a heck of a good plan," said Gourley, the owner of Gourley Plastering. The Highlands County Commission began collecting impact fees — charges on new residential, industrial and commercial buildings for things such as roads and schools – this year. The commission voted last week to raise the fees at 30 percent of their recommended level in 2008 – a 5-percent increase from the 25 percent rate now in effect. ...more

September 16, 2007