Current law says a former band director faces up to 45 years in prison for allegations that he engaged in sexual activity with a student. ...more

July 17, 2009

Avon Park City Manager Sarah Adelt said Tuesday night she received a voice mail from Brian Koji, a city attorney and partner with Allen, Norton & Blue, P.A., that a lawsuit filed against her and the city is still pending. ...more

March 25, 2009

On May 20, the city will have its 84th birthday as an incorporated community. ...more

March 14, 2009

On May 20, the city will have its 84th birthday as an incorporated community. It could be right around that time residents will decide whether the city will see an 85th anniversary. On Tuesday, City Council voted 3-2 to approve on second reading an ordinance calling for a referendum that will ask voters to decide whether the city will continue to exist or be dissolved and absorbed into unincorporated Pasco County. ...more

March 14, 2009

On May 20, the city will have its 84th birthday as an incorporated community. It could be right around that time residents will decide whether the city will see an 85th anniversary. ...more

March 12, 2009

The federal government has agreed to pay an undisclosed amount of money to a Massachusetts mobster who was accidentally shot by an FBI agent in Tampa in 2004. ...more

February 27, 2009

In this day of constantly changing technology, government officials must be even more vigilant about properly communicating county business - even when it comes to their home computers. ...more

February 18, 2009

In a response filed this week to Preston Colby's public records lawsuit against Highlands County officials, Ross Macbeth, county attorney, admitted to one allegation in the lawsuit. ...more

January 29, 2009

Reference is made to the Sept. 12 article in which the sheriff's attorney, Mike Durham, described the leader of a controversial evidence audit as "a disgruntled former employee." If Mr. Newell was a disgruntled part-time employee of the Highlands County Sheriff's Office, it is apparently the first time in his reported 34 year career as a law enforcement officer that he had been, as described, "disgruntled." ...more

September 21, 2008

Mark Darling's recent guest column, "In Defense of Sheriff Benton," is not a defense of the sheriff, but rather a diversion from issues. Darling, who will ramble to anyone who will listen to him, is friends with Sheriff Benton and former FHP command personnel who retired or were demoted during an internal affairs investigation. Mr. Darling doesn't even know Ron Grimming. Sour grapes and dirty politics? You bet! ...more

September 19, 2008