SEBRING — Several local students, seniors and political volunteers talked issues – rather than individual candidates – when discussing the upcoming presidential election, Monday. Bill Allen, 78, was motoring a golf cart while his dog, Keno, rode in the passenger seat, near his Tanglewood home. "I'm more interested in what's happened to our country," said Allen. "People really aren't talking about people, they're talking about the whole economy and more about the issues." Fellow Tanglewood resident Loretta Nafis said the economy hit her and her neighbors on fixed incomes particularly hard. "People are more complacent," said Nafis. "And they're so fed up. We need a change." ...more

February 25, 2008

AVON PARK –– Panther Field is a lot like Wrigley Field when the wind is blowing out –– you can expect a high-scoring game. The South Florida Community College baseball team took advantage of the windy conditions to pound out 21 base hits on its way to a 20-8 win over the Tampa University "B" team in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday. The second game was rained out. "We play in a small yard and when the conditions were like they were, the ball has a chance to travel a long ways," said Panther coach Rick Hitt. "We were fortunate to get some balls up in the air and they got out of the park." ...more

February 24, 2008

AVON PARK — Renovations to South Florida Community College's Lake Placid Center and University Auditorium are in the works. The SFCC Board of Trustees approved an architecture firm and construction management company at Wednesday's meeting. College officials will now begin negotiating contracts with Chastain-Skillman and Mathews Construction. ...more

February 21, 2008

HERNANDO –– Steven Levine broke a seventh-inning tie with a three-run homer and Wiggy Vazquez picked up the save as South Florida Community College edged Pasco-Hernando 10-9 on Sunday. Levine's blast made a winner of Jasper Brown as the Panthers improved to 10-9 overall. "We got solid production from our offense and played well in a good conference atmosphere," said SFCC coach Rick Hitt. "We battled the whole game, got some big hits and got just enough pitching to get a win." Brandon Decker contributed to the Panther attack by going 2 for 4 with a double and a home run. ...more

February 19, 2008

LAKE PLACID — Marjorie O'Meara has a lot to show for her 70 years. She's positive and creative because her focus is to have fun and be happy. For the past 35 years, O'Meara has lived in Sebring where she raised her son. In addition to being a social worker, she's a professional artist who's taught through the Highlands Art League, SFCC community art education, and had her own art gallery and studio on the downtown Circle. ...more

February 18, 2008

CLEARWATER – When your starting pitching puts nothing but zeroes on the scoreboard, your chances of winning go up exponentially. South Florida Community College used strong starting pitching and timely hitting to sweep a doubleheader from Clearwater Christian College by scores of 5-0 and 8-1 on Saturday. Sophomore Jeff Bloomer tossed a complete-game shutout to get the Panthers off on the right track, while freshman Chaz Abeln allowed one run and struck out seven in six innings of work to earn the win in game two. ...more

February 18, 2008

AVON PARK — Johnny Sedlock gave the South Florida Community College baseball team six solid innings, but the Panthers had trouble at the plate on Friday as Lake Sumter CC cruised to a 5-0 victory. "We are a very inconsistent bunch," said SFCC coach Rick Hitt. "I thought we were managing the game well, but we lack any form of consistent approach at the plate. "We have some guys who have to grow up." ...more

February 17, 2008

GAINESVILLE — Every winning streak has an end. The South Florida Community College baseball team saw its five-game winning streak come to a halt with an 8-2 loss to Santa Fe Community College on Saturday. Freshman left-hander Johnny Sedlock pitched 4 2/3 innings and took the loss for the Panthers. "Johnny didn't pitch poorly, but he made one mistake with the bases loaded and gave up a grand slam," said SFCC coach Rick Hitt. "His command could have been better because he gave up three walks, which is uncharacteristic of him." ...more

February 11, 2008

PALATKA — The Panthers exploded for 11 runs in the first inning on Friday and never looked back as the South Florida Community College baseball team crushed St. John's River CC 12-0 to start a three-game road trip out with a bang. "We talked before the game about being ready for the first pitch," said SFCC coach Rick Hitt. "And they definitely were, which was nice to see." ...more

February 10, 2008

St. Augustine — The South Florida Community College softball team opened the season by competing in the Triple Crown Tournament over the weekend. The Panthers went 1-4 in their five games losing on Friday to Coastal Georgia 5-2. On Saturday, SFCC split a pair of games, losing to Florida Community College of Jacksonville 8-0, but the Panthers bounced back to defeat St. Johns 2-1. SFCC's Lindsey Andree picked up the win on the mound. "We looked nervous and didn't make plays that we normally make," said SFCC coach Carlos Falla. "We had some kids play well and we had some that didn't play up to their potential. "They are learning that you have to come to play every day and that you can't let an error in the field or a bad at-bat get you down. ...more

February 5, 2008