As Sheriff of Hillsborough County, I want to assure Mr. Brian Sterner, as well as the citizens of Hillsborough County, that this incident will be investigated to the fullest. ...more

February 13, 2008

Landscaping costs in the three Highlands County incorporated areas: (budgeted costs vary wildly, and shouldn't be directly compared, since most employees perform several tasks not connected with landscaping, while grant funding varies and pays for many improvements.) • Highlands County-$2.5 million yearly budget for landscaping of 40 county owned properties which includes the cost of a four-person, full-time department. • Avon Park-$52,000 of Avon Park city funding goes to contractor Cutting Edge, which maintains the U.S. 27 corridor, the Main Street mall and other city properties. Inmates perform much of the landscaping at no cost to the city, as is the custom in many areas of the county. Five recreation department employees oversee upkeep of the city ball fields with a $16,000 yearly budget. ...more

February 10, 2008

Ken Pruitt, the leader of the Florida Senate, says compensation for the wrongfully convicted is one of his top priorities this year. ...more

February 2, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - Even a tornado can't keep a good jail down. Just 45 days after an EF-1 tornado tore through the central jail complex off Land O' Lakes Boulevard, the final touches were being made Thursday on the newly erected structure, replacing the one destroyed in the early morning hours of Dec. 16. ...more

February 2, 2008

With nearly 280 inmates sleeping in temporary bedding at Pasco jails, Sheriff Bob White was perturbed today by the latest delay in building a permanent jail addition. ...more

February 1, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - Even a tornado can't keep a good jail down. Less than two months after an EF-1 tornado tore through the central jail complex, off Land O' Lakes Boulevard, the final touches were being made Thursday on the newly erected structure, replacing the one destroyed in the early morning hours of Dec. 16. ...more

January 31, 2008

BUSHNELL - The U.S. Attorney's Office in Ocala today announced the arrest of 11 people in connection with a long-running investigation into contraband smuggling at the Coleman Federal Correctional Institution in Bushnell. ...more

January 25, 2008

We don't blame Sebring City Council members for being upset that they are having no say in plans for jail expansion. Considering that the county jail is located in Sebring, and any growth directly impacts the city and its residents, it's a legitimate issue. That said, there isn't a good answer on how best to proceed. ...more

January 23, 2008

SEBRING — Although funding will not be available for expansion of the Highlands County Jail in the next 10 years, a block of downtown Sebring could eventually by usurped by a detention facility. City Council members had their first look at the jail's plans for expansion at the Jan. 15 meeting during a discussion about the Sebring Parkway, but they had a hard time focusing on that topic and instead discussed the jail. The Board of County Commissioners has been handling the jail expansion process because administration of the sheriff's office is part of the county's responsibilities. City Council members said because the jail is in the heart of the downtown, they want to be involved in the process as well. "I think the city needs to be part of these discussions about the location and the expansion of the jail," said City Council member Jeff Carlson, who added that the jail is in the middle of the community redevelopment zone. ...more

January 22, 2008