SEBRING — Sebring's planning and zoning commission is no longer limited to city residents. Two commissioners may now be property or business owners in the city that do not reside within the city limits. Gary Lower, zoning supervisor, said he has difficulty finding city residents to fill vacancies on the commission, which has seven members and two alternates. ...more

May 11, 2008

Recent newspaper articles have referenced plans to expand the Highlands County Jail in downtown Sebring and build a new sheriff headquarters facility on George Boulevard behind the Agri-Civic Center south of Sebring. These are extraordinarily important and costly budget items. While these issues have been discussed in the newspaper, jail expansion is not in the 10-year capital improvement budget plan, according to county Engineer Ramon Gavarrete. ...more

January 31, 2008

SEBRING — At least three candidates are challenging incumbents for Sebring City Council. Dan Andrews, president of the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce, and Ken Melvin, consultant for recycling and demolition, and Robert Horne, a contractor, have turned in their paperwork for the March 11 election. Incumbents Jeff Carlson, Margie Rhoades and Bud Whitlock are also running for their positions. ...more

January 18, 2008

SEBRING — Despite the sheriff's recommendation to restrict vehicular traffic on Eucalyptus Street to protect pedestrians, Sebring City Council has decided to keep limited access at its intersection with Sebring Parkway. Sheriff Susan Benton said because so many pedestrians cross Eucalyptus Street to access the government center and courthouse, she suggested the possibility of creating a cul-de-sac instead of connecting it to the Sebring Parkway. ...more

January 17, 2008

SEBRING — Although no one has come forward with a check, potential buyers are still expressing interest in Harder Hall. City Administrator Bob Hoffman said he receives as many as three phone calls a week from investors wanting more information about the historic hotel and 13.6 acres of property on Little Lake Jackson, and the city is not marketing or advertising it. John Joyner, a Sebring resident who previously managed luxury hotels in Miami, said he is interested in a joint venture with some other local investors to restore the hotel and build condos. ...more

December 8, 2007

Everyone old enough has heard of the Kennedy compound, but we haven't seen many photos. I'm sure they have gardens, but I would bet they don't come within a mile of matching those of this family compound in Plant City. ...more

November 26, 2007

The neat gray structure on U.S. 41 no longer houses a family, but it does have all the charms of home. ...more

November 22, 2007

SEBRING — A traffic signal will be added to the intersection of Scenic Highway and Sebring Parkway within six months. Sebring City Council approved at Tuesday's meeting spending $75,000 for the $150,000 project. Ramon Gavarrete, county engineer, said the county has been considering a signal at the intersection since the Parkway opened in 2002. Traffic is now at a high enough capacity that a signal is warranted, Gavarrete said. ...more

November 22, 2007

BARTOW - Margie Conner is out of the shack and back on the bus. But she's still not driving. ...more

November 21, 2007

Every morning, a hired car picks up Margie Conner at her north Lakeland home and drives her 20 or so miles to Bartow and the school district transportation center. A round trip can cost more than $50. ...more

October 25, 2007