SEBRING — With the Career Academy opening in August at South Florida Community College, the School Board of Highlands County is working to fill its position of coordinator of career and technical education. After serving as the district's career/tech coordinator for about two years, John Rousch has decided to return to his former position in the classroom at Lake Placid High as a drafting/construction technology teacher. The possibility of freezing or not filling the position was discussed, but with the school board's focus on getting the Career Academy started this year it was decided that the position needs to be filled, district Human Resources Director Vivianne Waldron said. The closing date for applications is Monday, June 16. ...more

June 14, 2008

There was a bit of confusion when some locals glanced at the seal on the Central High School diploma and medallion that seniors received for graduation. ...more

June 14, 2008

There was a bit of confusion when some locals glanced at the seal on the Central High School diploma and medallion that seniors received for graduation. ...more

June 13, 2008

A woman who defied medical odds and spent nearly 60 years in an iron lung after being diagnosed with polio as a child died Wednesday after a power failure shut down the machine that kept her breathing, her family said. ...more

May 29, 2008

SEBRING — The School Board of Highlands County decided Tuesday to go ahead with the Career Academy, a technical trade/academic program for students, that will work out of South Florida Community College. Superintendent Wally Cox and other school officials had recommended delaying the program until the 2009-10 school year due to budget concerns and a low number of applicants. In the end, the school board decided that waiting another year was pointless. "The program won't be stronger by delaying it a year," said school board member Wally Randall. "It won't be easier to start next year. With momentum, it will be a success." ...more

May 20, 2008

AVON PARK — Alaina Hobbs collected two degrees at South Florida Community College on Monday night –– her high school diploma and her associate of arts degree. ...more

May 7, 2008

SEBRING — Highlands County School Board members said Monday they want to move forward with the Career Academy in some form, even if the first year has a low enrollment. Through the joint venture with South Florida Community College, the Career Academy would allow students to earn a high school diploma and a certificate or associate's degree in a technical discipline such as computer networking, automotive service technology, medical secretary, cosmetology, computer engineering, culinary arts or electronics. ...more

May 5, 2008

Country music singer Gretchen Wilson has a mantel full of awards in her Lebanon, Tenn., home. Her first single, "Redneck Woman," earned her a Grammy. ...more

May 5, 2008

There has been quite a bit of news lately about how, as the credit crisis continues, it may be more difficult for some families to get student loans. ...more

May 4, 2008

About 4,900 students will graduate from the University of South Florida this weekend, and most will enter a job market where the economic outlook is grim. ...more

May 3, 2008