A stakeholders meeting is scheduled for Jan. 13 at the Sebring Civic Center to discuss plans to preserve Highlands County's scrub habitat. ...more

December 28, 2009

Raising redfish to release into Tampa Bay may be a worthy undertaking. But raising the fry in buildings with parking lots on taxpayer-owned environmental lands isn't a plan the property's overseers can easily support. ...more

March 11, 2009

Gus Muench contributed to the tens of thousands of propeller scars that pock the seagrass beds in Cockroach Bay. ...more

January 28, 2009

Unlike most Florida fish, sheepshead actually thrive in chilly water and can provide steady action for anyone persistent enough to seek them out. ...more

January 18, 2009

To look at Middle Lake today, you wouldn't think it was once 150 acres of water filled with large-mouth bass, blue gill and crappie. ...more

January 18, 2009

This week, the lunar influence produces an afternoon bite which will work well as it triggers fish to feed just as the water temperatures reach the daytime high somewhere in the low 60s and maybe even in the middle 60s in the shallow areas. ...more

November 30, 2008

A young manatee released into the Alafia River Aug. 13 is lucky to have survived her injuries, a Lowry Park Zoo veterinarian said. ...more

August 20, 2008

A maroon-striped marauder with venomous spikes is rapidly multiplying in the Caribbean's warm waters, swallowing native species, stinging divers and generally wreaking havoc on an ecologically delicate region. ...more

August 14, 2008

SEBRING — They threw rose petals into Lake Jackson, and the wind from an evening storm floated them back. Betty Martin said a prayer for her niece, Ruth Marie, and for "people who have brought harm toward Marie." ...more

June 20, 2008

SEBRING — A Sebring man, originally charged in the boating death of a 19-year-old woman, has been sentenced to 60 days. State's Attorney Steve Houchin declined to prosecute on the most serious charge, boating under the influence-manslaughter. Instead, William Barbour, 38, 3920 Lakeview Dr., pled guilty to reckless operation of a vessel and received 60 days in Highlands County Jail – with credit for time served – and a $500 fine. He must also pay $238 in court costs, and restitution was ordered. Florida Fish & Wildlife Lt. Dale Knapp made a fundamental mistake when, after the accident, he and other officers allowed Barbour to go inside his home alone to change clothes, Houchin said. Then they allowed Barbour's wife to drive him to the sheriff's office. ...more

June 17, 2008