SEBRING – The Highlands County Tourist Development Council will consider three options in deciding how to replace former Tourism Director Jim Brantley during a workshop on Nov. 1. The workshop will begin at 8:15 a.m. in Room 3 at the Highlands County Agri-Civic Center, located at the corner of U.S. 27 and George Boulevard, in Sebring. Brantley left the position in September, but is continuing to work as a consultant for the county. The council will make a recommendation to the Highlands County Commission. The commission will make the final decision on how the council will be run. Before he departed, Brantley and Highlands County Administrator Carl Cool talked about the situation and came up with a suggestion. However, it was not presented as a recommendation from either Brantley or Cool. ...more

October 28, 2007

SEBRING — Thursday evening's Heartland Idol competition was a chance for 16 local performers to wear goofy hats, sport huge shades, or to wear it short and tight and dance up a storm. The music – and especially the dress – of Madonna and Elton John took center stage at the Downtown Circle as four contestants were eliminated from a pool of 16. It was at least the third time that each singer had performed for ever-increasing audiences, emcee Don Elwell pegged Thursday's crowd at 400. As part of a regular refrain, Elwell told performers to "leave nothing on the stage" and none did. ...more

October 20, 2007

For three years, you've spoiled me and allowed me to try to do the same for you. I hope I did my part in successfully accomplishing your patient care needs. Unfortunately, with the transition from a contracted facility to a VA-run operation which takes place Nov. 1, it was decided that someone else was more qualified than me. It was a privilege having that opportunity to work for you. I hope your VA care between us was exceptional. ...more

October 15, 2007

Traffic delays this week may occur during midday hours on two major north and southbound arteries. ...more

October 13, 2007

Construction is hampering traffic flow at a major intersection leading to and from Carrollwood neighborhoods. ...more

October 6, 2007

Amid growing concern about identity theft, Experian has joined the nation's two other major credit bureaus in allowing consumers to freeze access to their credit files. ...more

October 5, 2007

TAMPA - Northbound lanes on Lake Magdalene Boulevard will be closed intermittently between Tara Groves Drive and Bearss Avenue for the rest of the month, county officials say. ...more

October 3, 2007

Florida Medicare beneficiaries will have more choices than ever for 2008, according to information released late Thursday by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. ...more

September 28, 2007

PLANT CITY - Downtown Plant City's premiere mega-antique flea market — downsized last year to 3,000 square feet — is about to double in size at a new location. ...more

September 21, 2007