SEBRING — Highlands County commissioners will consider seeking grant money to continue the neighborhood revitalization of the Washington Heights neighborhood from the city of Sebring into the abutting Lincoln Heights area, which lies in the unincorporated area. Commissioner Barbara Stewart raised that idea last week after the five commissioners voted unanimously to donate $1,000 for equipment rentals for the June 21 Juneteenth community festival in Washington Heights. Both Stewart and Edgar Stokes, chairman of the county commissioners, said they were impressed by the streetscape project, which is improving the appearance of Lemon Street at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, the center of the Washington Heights neighborhood. Further improvements to the neighborhood will be discussed by neighborhood residents and city leaders at two "visioning" sessions, scheduled for 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 18 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 19. ...more

May 25, 2008

SEBRING — A Sebring contractor has filed a construction claim of lien against the city of Sebring for its building in the Sebring Circle, currently occupied by the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce. Mark Stewart, owner and president of MCS Contracting, doing business as Stewart Construction, located at 2714 Kenilworth Blvd., swore out the claim of lien on May 15, stating that his firm provided labor, services and materials to remodel the old chamber building. According to the document filed with Highlands County Clerk of Courts L.E. "Luke" Brooker, Stewart claims his business did the remodeling for $43,429.46, starting on Nov. 29 and completing the job on March 13. ...more

May 19, 2008

My profound thanks to friends Ed and Stella McGowan for taking me to the Highlands Little Theatre last Friday night to see Cole Porter and friends, a cabaret style musical extravaganza. This was directed by Pete Pollard and a talented cast of singers. Hearing all of these "old" songs brought back memories. I have been a "season ticket holder" for 28 years and I was once told that I have never said anything "bad" about our shows, and I never could. Coming in May, our brilliant "young" director, Cameron Reck will bring youth shows. In June we'll see "Dearly Departed." The last "fall show" will be "AIDA," directed by Tammie Pollard, and this is one you cannot miss. Tammie has discovered a young singer who will "blow your socks off." ...more

May 5, 2008

SEBRING — Luke Brooker isn't, but Bob Germaine is. The sheriff is, and so are all the other constitutional officers. Germaine called a press conference at 1 p.m. Wednesday to announce he'll seek the clerk of courts seat being vacated by Brooker. Germaine, 57, said if he's elected, he won't be a one-term clerk. He's been working in the office for 36 years and is Brooker's chief deputy on the criminal courts side. "I help people every day," Germaine said to the 20 people gathered in the supervisor of elections office when he announced. "I don't feel like I've done anything if I don't help someone." ...more

January 3, 2008

SEBRING — Highlands County Clerk of Courts Luke Brooker announced Friday morning that he would not seek re-election in 2008. According to Highlands County Courthouse Director of Court Services Bob Germaine, Brooker made the announcement during an employee of the year meeting, saying that he wants to focus on his family after his term expires in January 2009. "Luke's been here for a long time, and he's been an excellent boss," said Germaine. "I think it came down to wanting to be able to spend more time with his family. He wants to focus on his grandchildren and his health." Brooker, who has been elected to serve for four terms, could not be reached for comment Friday. Brooker originally took office in January 1993. He ran unopposed in 1996 and had opposition in 2000 and 2004. ...more

December 22, 2007

SEBRING — Although Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency members agree downtown parking is a problem, they are considering an option that would eliminate parking in the Circle. CRA members discussed, at Monday's meeting, the possibility of widening the sidewalk eight feet around Circle Park and removing the parking spaces. "It would give us a lot more space for tables and chairs for sidewalk cafes and more room for landscaping," said Gene Brenner, chairman of CRA. "We are only talking about 21 spaces, so it won't take that much away." CRA members will consider this option as they create plans for Streetscape IX, which will make aesthetic improvements and fix structural problems with the Circle and surrounding streets. "When you create a destination location, parking becomes a problem," said Pete Pollard, executive director of CRA. "We are reaching the point where parking is moving up the list in terms of priority. If we are going to attract shops and restaurants that generate life after 5 (p.m.), wider sidewalks are an asset, but parking is important too." ...more

November 28, 2007

SEBRING — The Community Redevelopment Agency is looking into the future, building a road map for how to best revitalize and redevelop the downtown district. At a workshop Monday, CRA members examined some long-term zoning changes that could limit what is allowed downtown. Through a series of workshops, the CRA plans to develop a concept for downtown development and then specifically work through zoning changes on a site-specific basis. ...more

November 23, 2007

SEBRING — Riders are revving up their motorcycles for this weekend's Run to the Heartland. Lora Todd, marketing director for Run to the Heartland, said she estimates the attendance will be about 60,000 for the three-day event, hosted by Heartland Riders Association. This year the event is the official Southeast Regional Convention for the American Motorcyclist Association, which generates a lot of additional traffic, Todd said. ...more

October 4, 2007

SEBRING — The Nan-Ces-O-Wee Hotel has a new owner, who has plans to revitalize it into a vibrant part of downtown. Jhonson Napoleon, owner of Napoleon Real Estate in Miami, closed Friday on the hotel, located at 139 N. Ridgewood Dr. "I want to make the hotel into a project that will make the city of Sebring proud," Napoleon said. He is already working with an architectural firm in Lakeland on plans for condominiums on the upper floors and a restaurant on the ground level. ...more

October 3, 2007

SEBRING — The Washington Heights area is getting a facelift in the form of new sidewalks, landscaping and lighting. Streetscape 8 will feature new sidewalks lining the roads, removal of overhead power lines, antique street lights and new landscaping, beautifying Lemon Avenue, Martin Luther King Boulevard and North Ridgewood Drive. "We are trying to make the area aesthetically appealing and address health and safety concerns," said Pete Pollard, executive director of Community Redevelopment Agency. "We are hoping our efforts will attract reinvestment into the community." ...more

September 25, 2007