Marion County Fire Rescue officials say a 9-month-old boy suffered smoke inhalation and second-degree burns on his arms and face when three other children playing with fireworks accidentally destroyed their North Florida home. ...more

July 7, 2008

SEBRING — Think of it like this. Inflation is jacking up the price of gasoline and milk. So impact fees should be adjusted for inflation too. At least, that was the thinking of the Highlands County commissioners, who decided Tuesday to index – their word – impact fees. ...more

July 1, 2008

AVON PARK – The owner of the Central Food Market, at 1302 S. Memorial Drive, was in guarded condition Friday after he was shot Thursday night as he was leaving his business. ...more

June 27, 2008

There's a chilly future in store for Florida's emergency medical services. ...more

June 19, 2008

LAKE PLACID — The investigation into the Saturday morning shooting and homicide at 242 Phoenix Ave., Lake Placid, continued Tuesday, as Highlands County Sheriff's detectives gathered information. According to a sheriff's news release, an altercation at the Hideaway Lounge, located on U.S. 27, on the night of June 6, may have sparked the fatal shooting. "That's been confirmed in part," Sheriff's Investigator Lt. Tim Lethbridge said Tuesday. "We're involved; still investigating. We're still interviewing people who were there when it occurred." Andrew John Kalinowski, 21, of Lake Placid, was booked on charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder - premeditated. At 12:23 a.m. Saturday, Lake Placid Police officers were the first on scene at 242 Phoenix Ave., after responding to a 911 call. ...more

June 10, 2008

The battle continues. The seemingly small issue over who provides emergency medical services at Raymond James Stadium has turned into a seemingly endless war between city and county officials, complete with dueling ordinances and threats of going to court. ...more

May 21, 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

Items of interest from the April 28 Plant City Commission meeting include: •Fire Rescue Chief George Shiley introduced five new department members and two longtime employees promoted to captain. They were administered the oath of office. ...more

May 7, 2008

Suggestion Has Merit Regarding "Jim Norman's Disappointing Focus" (Our Opinion, Feb. 20): ...more

February 26, 2008

SEBRING — A call to the Highlands County Sheriff's Office regarding a missing 3-year-old boy ended in tragedy Saturday, when the boy was found dead in a family pool. ...more

February 25, 2008