EAST LAKELAND — Sebring was looking for that late-game magic once again, but all they received was a sobering wake-up call in the opening round of the Dixie Youth Majors (ages 11-12) "O" Zone state tournament in East Lakeland on Saturday. The West Seminole National squad scored six unanswered runs to rally from a two-run deficit and Sebring's own come-from--behind bid fell short in the 9-7 loss. "We can't always go into the sixth inning trying to win the game," said Sebring head coach Charlie White to his team after the game. "What we did in Lake Placid, we might never do that again." Just three weeks ago, Sebring defeated Lake Placid on Ty Little's walk-off grand slam to win the District 8 title, but those heroics are few and far between in tournament play and White tried to get that point across. ...more

July 6, 2008

Even though the University of Tampa trailed by five and four runs throughout Sunday's NCAA Division II South Regional baseball final, there seemed to be a feeling that the Spartans were going to win in the end. ...more

May 19, 2008

Well, the writers strike is over, the Oscars will go on and, by golly, we conservatives just can't wait to watch Hollywood pat itself on the back for another year of anti-American, anti-military, anti-traditionalist filmmaking. ...more

February 24, 2008

Even when everything goes right on Karlo Felix's job, the day is still hairy. If the GPS coordinates are correct, and his 200-mph flight to the scene is safe, and he finds the right spot to land his Black Hawk, and he touches down evenly and without stirring a brownout of dust, and the medics find the wounded soldiers and carry them back, and he lifts off in time to save the fighters' lives - it has gone as well as it can go. ...more

February 22, 2008

Ridgewood's 2008 boy's basketball campaign came to a heartbreaking end Tuesday night, falling at home 61-57 to Brandon High in a battle of two 20-win teams riding double-digit winning streaks. ...more

February 20, 2008

Editor's note: This is an excerpt from former Sebring resident Charles A. Martin's book "The Last Great Ace." The book is about Highlands County's most decorated soldier. Maj. Thomas B. McGuire, Jr. earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroics as a pilot fighting in the South Pacific. Here is the final of three parts from chapter 28 of the book. This chapter tells of some of his heroic feats that earned him numerous honors, and nearly killed him. If you're interested in purchasing the book and reading the entire history, visit: http://www.lastgreatace.com/ Part 3 The Zekes (Japanese fighter planes) had broken off, but his troubles were not over yet. McGuire pulled the yoke back to bring the P-38 out of a dive, but his controls were useless and he realized that the bullets passing through the cockpit had severed the control cables. He'd have to get out of the plane while it was still in a steep dive. He chopped both throttles and pulled the emergency hatch release. The canopy ripped away in the slipstream. He released his seat belt and shoulder harness, climbed into the seat and jumped. The thought of that great knife-like elevator at the back of the plane flashed through his mind as he went into the blasting air of the slip stream. ...more

February 8, 2008

Editor's note: This is an excerpt from former Sebring resident Charles A. Martin's book "The Last Great Ace." The book is about Highlands County's most decorated soldier. Maj. Thomas B. McGuire, Jr. earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroics as a pilot fighting in the South Pacific. Here is the second of three parts from chapter 28 of the book. This chapter tells of some of his heroic feats that earned him numerous honors, and nearly killed him. If you're interested in purchasing the book and reading the entire history, visit: http://www.lastgreatace.com/ ...more

February 7, 2008

Editor's note: This is an excerpt from former Sebring resident Charles A. Martin's book "The Last Great Ace." The book is about Highlands County's most decorated soldier. Major Thomas B. McGuire, Jr. earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroics as a pilot fighting in the South Pacific. Here is the first of three parts from chapter 28 of the book. This chapter tells of some of his heoric feats that earned him numerous honors, and nearly killed him. If you're interested in purchasing the book and reading the entire history, visit: http://www.lastgreatace.com/ ...more

February 6, 2008

It's heartwarming to know that a memorial marker was placed on the crash site in the Philippines in honor of Highlands County's most decorated war hero. That hallowed spot is worth remembering, considering the incredible acts of bravery Maj. Thomas McGuire demonstrated during World War II. McGuire, who earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroics is honored here in Highlands County, were he was born and raised. Medal of Honor Park reminds all of us that a native son did his hometown and nation proud. Charles Martin is the man responsible for the marker at McGuire's plane crash site. He also is a Sebring native who wrote a book on McGuire titled "The Last Great Ace." Parts of the wreckage were still there, according to Martin who was there for the dedication. Martin now lives in Jacksonville. ...more

January 18, 2008

Appalachian State kicked off this crazy football season with the stunning upset of Michigan. Now the Mountaineers have the perfect bookend: History as Division I-AA's first three-peat national champions. ...more

December 15, 2007