The fire district's two highest-ranking officers are getting raises during a salary freeze. ...more

October 24, 2008

I may have come up with the perfect solution to the question "Should the Spring Hill Fire Rescue district become independent or merge with the county?" This is so simple; I am amazed that no one has ever thought of this before. ...more

October 16, 2008

There are only a few coaching positions left unfilled at Durant High as the school year approaches. Volleyball was not supposed to be one of them. ...more

July 30, 2008

SEBRING — The public is welcome to attend Thursday's inaugural meeting of the Highlands County commissioners' latest citizens advisory board, which will help select the county's next administrator. Sixteen people have been appointed to what county officials are calling the "Search Committee," created to help commissioners pick long-time county Administrator Carl Cool's replacement. Cool will retire on July 1 after nearly 17 years as the county's top administrator. At the Search Committee's first meeting, set for 6 p.m. Jan. 10 in Conference Room 2 at the Highlands County Agri-Civic Center, the 16 members will select their chairman and set the ground rules for how they will work with the county's consultant. ...more

January 6, 2008

SEBRING — Teachers overwhelmingly approved their employment contract Friday, which represents about a 9 to 11 percent increase in salary and benefits over an 18-month period starting Dec. 1. Also, the number of pay steps have been reduced for the second consecutive year, which helps teachers move up the pay ladder faster, said chief negotiator and union president Steve Picklesimer. Two years ago there were 19 steps. Last year two steps were eliminated. This year's agreement cut out four more steps resulting in a total of 13 steps. The 18-month contract roughly represents a 3 - 4 percent increase in salary and benefits this year and a 6 - 7 percent increase in salary and benefits next year, Picklesimer said Monday. ...more

November 6, 2007