Sebring News

By ED BALDRIDGE ed.baldridge@newssun.com AVON PARK - Firefighters from all over Central Florida gathered in Avon Park to continue their training on Thursday.

A search warrant served on a Skipper Road home Tuesday led to four arrests of Sebring teenagers on felony drug charges and the seizure of a large amount of drugs.

A barrage of new laws go into effect today in Florida, including one that loosens schools' zero-tolerance policies a bit and one that tightens those seat belts.

We can't think of anything more disturbing than stories of abuse inflicted upon the fragile among us.

Two day care workers, Sara Vasquez and Linda Payne, have also been indicted for failing to report child abuse.

James H. Parker III, former Avon Park Police Officer, was indicted late Wednesday afternoon, charged with first degree murder stemming from the death of 22-month-old Kaedyn Short.

Years after a family reconciliation that resulted in him being hired at the family business, John Vickers has drawn the interest of the Highlands County Sheriff's Office.

Robin Court residents came out of their houses en masse this afternoon to take pictures and watch from under shade trees as a fire consumed a nearby mobile home and truck.

Shortly after a downpour at about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, the home of James and Jean Heilman at 1927 Robing Court was destroyed in a fire.

Sebring Police Chief Tom Dettman has proposed plans to hire a new evidence technician and has suggested to Scott Noethlich, the city administrator, that the Community Redevelopment Agency fund part of the position.

This is in response to the Sebring High School Band. I cannot believe that our tradition or history of the band has gone out the window.

A former supervisor at the now-closed Circuit City in Sebring was arrested last week for allegedly trying to use stolen credit card information he obtained through his job.

This spring, the city of Sebring advertised the renovation of its golf course. The scope of work and a budget of $475,000 were listed.

By ED BALDRIDGE ed.baldridge@newssun.com AVON PARK -- In March 2008 drinking water at Sebring Ridge Utilities, owned and operated by the city of Avon Park, tested positive for coliform bacteria, and a slow response to the incident gave cause for the Department of Environmental Protection to levy a fine.

When Sebring Chamber of Commerce President Sarah Pallone announced she was leaving the chamber to take a job at the local Habitat for Humanity, the idea was to fill her job quickly.

A modest increase in the Sebring's fire assessment rate may be in the cards for city residents and nursing home facilities, accompanied by a downward shift in the city's tax rate.

By the time the Sebring High School class of 2010 graduates, Dave Travers hopes the Highlands County Fairgrounds arena will be ready.

Those wishing to experience multi-cultural family fun will get their chance on June 20, when the Florida Sportsmen Association and the New Washington heights Concerned Citizens, Inc.

A 6-year-old Sebring boy was listed in good condition Monday after being airlifted from Veterans Beach, where emergency personnel say he was pulled from the waters of Lake Jackson by a jet skier Sunday afternoon.

So there was David Annett, two years ago, in San Jose, Calif. He loved it there.