SEBRING — It came in the mail last week, although it's dated Jan. 15, a collection notice from FEMA. "I have no idea why they sent this," said Gail Fotheringham, 57, a grandmother who lived in a FEMA mobile home for 18 months with her daughter and three grandchildren. "You have not paid the amount you owe the Federal Emergency Management Agency for Mobile Home Rental," said the letter, which seeks a balance due of $1,357.58. Mary Hudak, a spokeswoman in Atlanta, said FEMA, on an ongoing basis, is collecting money owed to the federal agency for a variety of reasons. After the hurricanes of 2004, which ravaged Central Florida, FEMA provided $1.184 billion in assistance to individuals and households in Florida, and hundreds of mobile homes to families in Highlands and Hardee counties. "If people needed money, FEMA advanced it to them," Hudak said. But they were expected to pay back the federal government. ...more

February 16, 2008

SEBRING — Going to build a new church? The impact fee has gone up another 5 percent, according to a new schedule released by the Highlands County building official's office. The charge is now $1,528 per 1,000 square feet. Last year, impact fees were adopted at 25 percent of the amount Highlands County commissioners plan to eventually charge on new homes and commercial buildings. In September, the five board members decided not to raise impact fees for 2008, then changed their minds a week later and went to 30 percent. ...more

January 16, 2008

A home burned this morning in Valrico, and investigators have not determined the cause. ...more

January 2, 2008

The Shady Oaks Mobile Home Park has survived many a hurricane, but the residents aren't taking any chances. ...more

December 28, 2007

AUBURNDALE - Police are searching for a man who sexually assaulted a pregnant woman during a home invasion Dec. 3. ...more

December 12, 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