More than 600 people participated in the first Hike for Hospice, a benefit that raised $100,000 for Gulfside Regional Hospice, organizers said. ...more

December 19, 2007

SEBRING –– David Leidel takes his responsibility as a citizen seriously by getting involved and working within a group with similar goals to better Highlands County. Leidel received his bachelor's in business administration from Stetson University in 1998. Afterward, he moved to Sebring to open the Lake Placid office of the investment firm Edward Jones. In 2004, Leidel was hired by Highlands Independent Bank to open its trust and brokerage department. Each morning he can be heard on 105.7 FM doing a live market commentary. "Most people overreact to the bad economic news they hear, but if you step back and look at the big picture, there's lots of good news," he said. Leidel remains positive no matter what business cycle we're in. He believes there will always be issues, but right now is the best time to buy a home. Currently, Leidel is president of the Sebring Noon Rotary. When he sees bright students through their Interact Club at Sebring High School and Heartland Christian, he is rejuvenated because of their leadership potential. Although he knows some will graduate, go to college and find jobs elsewhere, some will stay here. Leidel believes in cultivating their leadership to benefit the community. ...more

December 10, 2007

Kick. Stroke. Golda Marcus dug her cupped hands into the water, effortlessly gliding through the pool during a recent swim practice at the Brandon Sports & Aquatic Center. ...more

December 9, 2007

It will cost about $1 million more for Sarasota County residents to use their county parks in the coming year. ...more

November 24, 2007

The Springstead High junior advanced to the Nov. 2 Class 2A Finals at the Central Florida YMCA Aquatic Center in the 200-yard IM and 100-yard butterfly. ...more

November 20, 2007

The region championships were fine but when it came time to really make her mark, Kaylee Doback would, well, miss her mark. ...more

November 10, 2007

When Brad Morrison stepped up to the podium during last year's Class 2A state swimming and diving championships, he admitted being a little surprised accepting a medal. This year, though, the Sunlake junior was hoping for a repeat performance. ...more

November 5, 2007

It was a familiar place for Plant's Meg Anderson, while Newsome's Jason Taylor is hoping to make it one. ...more

November 3, 2007

ORLANDO — Megan Wolfe is hoping history will repeat itself, and the Sebring girls 200-yard freestyle relay squad is hoping for a little redemption after the preliminary portion of the Class 2A state swimming meet at the Central Florida YMCA Aquatic Center. Wolfe swam a 24.67 in her preliminary 50-free run, good enough for the fifth seed heading into Friday night's final. Last year, the then-sophomore was the eighth seed heading into the finals and swam her way to a tie for third place. Needless to say, Wolfe is looking for a repeat performance. "I went from eighth to third last year, so I should be able to go from fifth to first, right?" Wolfe joked. "I felt like I could've gone faster than I did in prelims, but I always feel like that." ...more

November 3, 2007

SEBRING — The pool was more quiet than usual this week as the state-qualifying members of the Sebring swim team got their last laps in before the Class 2A state finals, which begin this morning at 9 a.m. Three individuals — junior Megan Wolfe in the 50 free, junior Bryan Kirsch in the 100-breaststroke and senior Shanaan Spiegel in the 100-backstroke — join the Wolfe-anchored 200-free relay team at the Central Florida YMCA Aquatic center in Orlando. That's a total of six Streaks representing Sebring at state, two more than coach Pat Caton had hoped for heading into regionals. ...more

November 2, 2007