When people have less money, they cut out the extras. One discretionary expense is entertainment and recreation, that's the reason why only four adult softball tournaments are scheduled in Sebring for the rest of 2008, Parks and Recreation Director Vicki Pontius told the Highlands County Commission at its Tuesday meeting. ...more

October 22, 2008

Marge Brewster Center in Sebring will be losing five employees as part of layoffs announced by Winter Haven Hospital's behavioral health department, which sponsors Marge Brewster. ...more

October 21, 2008

Since 99.9 percent of the pro-Ron Grimming for sheriff letters come from Lake Placid, I think the fine folks there ought to elect him as their next police chief and let the rest of us in Highlands County tend to the business of re-electing Susan Benton as sheriff. We know what we have in Sheriff Benton. She is one of us. She worked her way through the sheriff's department, she has lived in this community for many years, raised her family in this community, buried her husband Jim in this community and in every decision she makes as sheriff, it is with the best interests of this community in mind. On the other hand, who is Ron Grimming? Him visiting his parents in Lake Placid once a year for 25 years doesn't exactly make him an old friend. He's an outsider; all we know about him comes from quotes from his friends or the local Republican Party headquarters. ...more

October 20, 2008

Yesterday, we received in our mail yet another political publication. This one, however, was from a different source, the Florida Police Benevolent Association; the one which often solicits for donations to its "causes." Its large red headline stated: "Sheriff Susan Benton Accused of …" Accused! Not convicted, not charged, accused! This country's legal system proclaims a person to be innocent until proven guilty. We were astounded that such an organization, which supposedly bases its existence on that proclamation, could so blatantly accuse one of its own as if already proven guilty. Regardless of one's political loyalties and choices, such a charge is both immature and just plain wrong. We see this piece of paper as libel. Yes, our country has freedom of speech, but libel is not freedom of speech. Acting to damage someone's reputation without proof of fault is actionable in a court of law. For shame! ...more

October 18, 2008

On Oct. 30, 2007, 10 Highlands County Sheriff's detectives knocked on the door of Nelson Rodriguez. Inside, the squad seized 120 marijuana plants weighing 258 pounds, which were taken from Lake Placid to non-air conditioned storage units in Sebring. ...more

October 17, 2008

Integrity is the most important quality of any human being to possess, especially politicians. Trust of the people is imperative! As a former mayor and city councilman for the city of Sebring and a member of the sheriff's rescue unit, I know how important it is to have a leader that you can trust. Three out of four of our children are in law enforcement: Major Mark Sauls, Sgt. Monica Sauls and Agent Gene Sauls Jr. of I.C.E. We the people expect and deserve honesty. I supported and voted for Susan Benton during the last election. I had high hopes that she would have the vision and integrity to make the needed changes in the Highlands County Sheriff's Office. Some of the changes she has effected have made a difference; higher salaries for the troops, some new technology, more deputies on the road. What she did was what should have been done. Nothing new or spectacular, simply what needed to be done. ...more

October 16, 2008

On Sept. 7, these comments were made by Frank Parker: "You shall know a tree by its fruit." The problem is no fruit is hitting the ground, which is to say, us, the working class people. ...more

October 16, 2008

President Reagan once said (Jan. 26 1982) "We don't have to turn to our history books for heroes. They are all around us." This is true in our Highlands County. We have the honor and privilege to have the finest law enforcement officers in the county. Many of these courageous officers have faced death and suffered hardships while protecting our lives and properties. ...more

October 16, 2008

The weekend work release program is now up and running fully again, following a Friday meeting between the sheriff's office, the clerk of court's office and Highlands County Court Judge Anthony Ritenour. ...more

October 15, 2008

The Highlands County Sheriff's Office released the results Monday of its inventory of over 20,000 evidentiary items. ...more

October 14, 2008