SEBRING — Three major organizers for the July 12-13 Heartland Triathlon who quit last week reconsidered that decision and are back running Highlands County's largest fitness event. Cherie Starr, official race director; Jeff Carlson, former Sebring City Council member and a candidate for county commissioner; plus two-time Heartland Triathlon winner and international triathlete Patrick High have decided to return. ...more

May 6, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG -- One week after his appointment as secretary of Florida's Department of Juvenile Justice, State Rep. Frank Peterman today is expected to endorse local lawyer Darryl Rouson as his successor. ...more

February 15, 2008

Two Hillsborough County commissioners say they want to talk with the city about merging the two parks and recreation departments to save money and soften the effects of coming property tax cuts. ...more

February 3, 2008

City voters showed Tuesday that they like the direction Clearwater is headed, soundly re-electing Mayor Frank Hibbard to a second term over former Mayor Rita Garvey. ...more

January 30, 2008

SEBRING — Although funding will not be available for expansion of the Highlands County Jail in the next 10 years, a block of downtown Sebring could eventually by usurped by a detention facility. City Council members had their first look at the jail's plans for expansion at the Jan. 15 meeting during a discussion about the Sebring Parkway, but they had a hard time focusing on that topic and instead discussed the jail. The Board of County Commissioners has been handling the jail expansion process because administration of the sheriff's office is part of the county's responsibilities. City Council members said because the jail is in the heart of the downtown, they want to be involved in the process as well. "I think the city needs to be part of these discussions about the location and the expansion of the jail," said City Council member Jeff Carlson, who added that the jail is in the middle of the community redevelopment zone. ...more

January 22, 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

AVON PARK — Two weeks after Sarah Adelt, who continues as the city clerk, took over as the interim city manager, it doesn't seem all that different in Avon Park City Hall despite the change in city managers. The double doors still open to Sarah Adelt's desk, and she's juggling the phone speaking to a city council member while plugging numbers into her computer's planner. Despite shuffling some tasks around "the transition's going very well," she emphasized. ...more

January 15, 2008

Shoddy materials, illegal construction and a culture of corruption were blamed Saturday for the deaths of more than three dozen people buried when a 12-story apartment building crumbled to the ground. ...more

December 30, 2007

Alan Wright, known locally as "Mr. River" because of his decades-long advocacy for the Hillsborough River, died Friday morning after a long battle with cancer. ...more

December 21, 2007

Alan Wright, known locally as "Mr. River" because of his decadeslong advocacy for the Hillsborough River, died this morning after a long battle with cancer. ...more

December 21, 2007