Martin T. Girling has been elected by his peers at South Florida Baptist Hospital as the new chief of staff. The West Point, N.Y., native has been in Florida almost 20 years and maintains a podiatry office in Plant City. ...more

August 20, 2008

SEBRING — A jury deliberated less than two hours Thursday before convicting Oral Williams, 21, of nine counts of rape, kidnapping, robbery and burglary. The jury acquitted Williams, of Sebring, on two counts of forcing the victim's boyfriend of engaging in sexual activity with the female. "I would be just guessing why," said Asst. State's Attorney John Kromholz, who rested his case at 2:45 p.m. Thursday. Williams's attorney, Bruce Nants of Bartow, also rested his defense without calling Williams or other witnesses to testify in his defense. ...more

June 20, 2008

SEBRING — Both the prosecution and the defense rested Thursday afternoon in the case of Oral Williams, 21, who was accused of taking a Lake Placid woman and her Avon Park boyfriend to the DeSoto City cemetery on May 5, 2005, holding a knife to her throat, and sexually assaulting her for hours. The victim and her boyfriend were then 18. According to a May 5, 2005 sheriff's report by Det. John Barcinas, both victims were sitting in her vehicle on Orange Blossom Blvd. when two masked men approached. One was armed with what appeared to be a machine gun. ...more

June 19, 2008

SEBRING — In May 2007, after explicit trial testimony, an all-white, all-female jury of six found Julius Jamall "Gussy" Nixon, 21, of Sebring, guilty in the 2005 kidnapping and sexual assault of a teenaged couple. ...more

June 14, 2008

It's getting increasingly difficult for Doug Thomas to travel with the young country singer he has been managing, so the artist known as Victoria K is staging a benefit concert with that in mind. ...more

May 30, 2008

My letter is in regard to the four-wheel ATV accident in Orange Blossom Estates last week. I have for seven years tried to get the four-wheel ATV vehicles off our county roads and the rights of way, with little success. In 2007 there was an accident on Canter Path Silver Fox. A young man speeding, wrecked and had to be airlifted in critical condition. Now we have a fatality and another hospitalized. It is time that the laws regarding ATVs be changed. Captain Blackman of the Highlands County Sheriff's Office stated that the fine for using an ATV on our roads is on $78; this is not sufficient and needs to be amended. The price of an officer to respond, wear and tear on the vehicle and the cost of fuel is greater than $78. This law needs to be amended. A four-wheel ATV is like a car or even a gun in the wrong hands, under the wrong conditions. People are severely injured and in this case killed. ...more

February 19, 2008

Thank you Mayor George Hensley for opening words at the Orange Blossom shuffleboard tournament. Sebring's Orange Blossom Tournament was sponsored by Dell Realty and the Blue Crab Restaurant and Sports Bar. The people who made this happen, John Bushee, Tony Beckwith, Jim Edwards, Harold Miller, Jim Mondry, Don Rohman, George Rosema, Peter White and Carl Wile. These people worked in the cold outside from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. both days. ...more

January 8, 2008

SEBRING — It was a strong showing for local shufflers at the annual Orange Blossom shuffleboard tournament, which finished up play on Thursday at the Sebring Recreation Club. ...more

January 5, 2008

SEBRING — The conditions weren't exactly ideal for shuffling on Wednesday morning during the opening round of the Orange Blossom Classic shuffleboard tournament. ...more

January 4, 2008

SEBRING — 'Tis the season to spread a bit of the bounty of Highlands County to friends and family up North. There are several locally produced and unique products and goods available for shipping a piece from the Sunshine State or for gifts for friends closer to home. At Maxwell Groves, Highlands County grown citrus is shelved along with orange blossom honey, assorted jellies and even citrus bubble gum. Owner Steve Maxwell said his plant is the only commercial house for orange production in the county. He bought much of the machinery still used, and on display, in 1970 and said it was 30 years old then. Then, there are several outlets for local artists to display and sell their wares. The Caladium Arts and Crafts Co-Op in Lake Placid, and Sebring's LK Gallery and Village Gallery, and gift shop of the Highlands Art League specialize in locally produced and affordable art. Other locally produced food products include Everglades Seasoning, direct from the manufacturer, and wines, gift baskets and other assorted goodies from Henscratch Farms and Winery. ...more

December 11, 2007