SEBRING — The due-diligence period on Harder Hall ends Monday, and city officials haven't heard anything to indicate the deal won't move forward. If all goes according to plan, Steve Israel, an investor from New York, will move into the next phase of the purchase. The city has a contract with Israel, who will purchase the hotel for $5.6 million. Assistant City Administrator Scott Noethlich said he has not heard anything that would suggest the buyer would not follow through with the contract. The previous purchaser, Sebring Hospitality Group, backed out of its contract Oct.4, the day before its due diligence was to end. Because the city had a back-up contract with Israel, he became the new buyer of the hotel. Nils Richter, a general contractor representing Israel, did not return phone calls seeking comment before press time. ...more

November 4, 2007

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Thursday everything is on track regarding the sale of the Lightning, although he believes the members of Absolute Hockey Enterprises have yet to file all of the necessary paperwork to complete the first step in the process. ...more

October 19, 2007

Opening night was made for optimism, so perhaps it was natural that the potential future owners and the potential former chief executive officer of the Lightning sounded similar upbeat notes Thursday regarding the impending sale of the franchise. ...more

October 5, 2007

SEBRING — Harder Hall is changing hands once again, after Sebring Hospitality Group withdrew its contract just hours before the due-diligence period ended Thursday. The city will now move forward with its contract with Steve Israel, an investor from New York, who has offered to purchase the hotel for $5.6 million. City council approved a back-up contract with Israel at a Sept. 19 meeting, in case the contract with Sebring Hospitality Group fell through. Sebring Hospitality Group requested a 30-day extension to its due-diligence period, which the city council denied at a special meeting Thursday. ...more

October 5, 2007

A lot of people have been anxious to hear if Sebring's deal to sell Harder Hall would happen after the 30-day due diligence period. It didn't, unfortunately, but the good news is that another investor is in line to buy the historic property on Little Lake Jackson. Sebring Hospitality Group, a group of investors from the northeast made up of doctors, wanted a 30-day extension on their due diligence period. Sebring City Council members said no, that there was a better deal waiting from the next investor. We believe the council made a wise decision to move on. Perhaps 30 days isn't enough time, but that's the offer the first group made. Besides, the new investor, Steve Israel, is offering more money for the property. Of course, he wants due diligence as well. In the meantime, the city continues to talk to other potential buyers. ...more

October 5, 2007

SEBRING — Harder Hall is changing hands once again, after Sebring Hospitality Group withdrew its contract just hours before the due-diligence period ended Thursday. ...more

October 4, 2007

SEBRING — Sebring Hospitality Group has withdrawn its contract for the purchase of Harder Hall after the city council denied granting an extension for Sebring Hospitality Group, LLC to complete its due diligence. ...more

October 4, 2007

SEBRING — City council has denied granting an extension for Sebring Hospitality Group, LLC to complete its due diligence. ...more

October 4, 2007

Doing their due diligence to solve cases is customary among those who have chosen police detective work as a profession. ...more

September 26, 2007

Since Absolute Hockey Enterprises announced on Aug. 7 its intention to purchase the Lightning from Palace Sports and Entertainment owner Bill Davidson, very little information about the sale process has been made public. ...more

September 17, 2007