Last Sunday, Father's Day, we were involved in a three-vehicle accident at the intersection of U.S. 19 and Ranch Road in Port Richey. ...more

June 26, 2009

Arson was not suspected, although a pair of separate Saturday afternoon fires burned two homes on the same street, within hours of each other. ...more

December 1, 2008

Many Good Reasons To Vote 'No' On Independence I have lived in Spring Hill for 27 years, and I have kept abreast of the pros and cons of our Spring Hill Fire Rescue District. Through the years, we have had good and not-so-good fire commissioners and officers. But one thing stands out in my mind: We have a highly efficient and dedicated group of firefighters, EMTs and paramedics. This will never change. ...more

October 17, 2008

I was a communications officer for the U.S. Department of State. ...more

October 9, 2008

SEBRING — Having emergency medical services available 24/7 is something some residents may ponder briefly, as an ambulance whizzes by, hopeful it isn't someone they know. Or possibly they don't think about at all until it's their moment to dial for help. Highlands County has had Emergency Medical Services available since 1975, but many of the long-timers, the pioneers, are retired, retiring or thinking seriously about retirement. "It's probably unheard of to have this many people in it for so many years," said paramedic Eddie Ezell, 54, of Avon Park, himself a 33-year veteran of the Emergency Medical Services. The national average reportedly is about three to five years. ...more

May 18, 2008

SEBRING — Like every paramedic who's served 30-plus years, Mickey Byrd has dealt with critical life-and-death situations and has more than a few gripping stories. One of his in particular, about a terminal teenage patient whom he says "surely must be an angel," puts a lump in the throat of anybody with a functional heart. ...more

May 5, 2008

This is a response to the story about the gentleman responding to the article of the woman who was airlifted to Tampa following a stabbing in Avon Park. I believe that this gentleman is misinformed on some of his facts and I would like to set the record straight. First I will say that I am a nurse at Florida Hospital and am proud to work and serve my community. Our hospitals (in Sebring, Lake Placid and Wauchula) all are capable of handling most emergencies we face in Highlands County. We are able to handle most emergencies, but apparently not this woman's. She had sustained knife wounds, which could not be handled in Highlands County and the decision was made to get her somewhere quickly where she could get her wounds taken care of. ...more

January 11, 2008

There are few county services more instrumental in saving lives than its EMS force ––and just like a fire department –– every second counts. Understanding how crucial it is to dispatch an ambulance as quickly as possible, and considering how our population balloons in the winter, our EMS officials have made some needed changes to make sure that everyone gets served on time. ...more

December 31, 2007

Daniel Azzariti's passion for cars will be able to run free when he retires as New Port Richey's director of fire and emergency services in about a year. He has set Sept. 30, 2008, the end of the city's 2008 budget year, as his tentative retirement date. ...more

November 21, 2007

The father of a newborn baby boy surrendered by his mother to the Lake Wales Fire Department wants the child back, according to published reports. The father told authorities that he had not known the mother was turning over the child in accordance with Florida's safe haven for newborns law, The Ledger newspaper reported. ...more

November 17, 2007