The principal of Sikes Elementary School in Lakeland has been accused of raping and molesting an 11-year-old girl. The charges against Corey Lynn Swindler, 38, do not involve a student at the school. Swindler is not related to the girl but has had access to her for about 10 years through a domestic relationship, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said. ...more

December 17, 2009

Diminished funds to Avon Park's Housing Authority's Section 8 program has led them to transfer it to Lakeland's Housing Authority beginning Jan. 1. ...more

December 12, 2009

City employees have not received pay raises for two years, but they all will get a nice little stocking stuffer in their next paychecks. ...more

December 10, 2009

Markida Hawthorne paced along the 3-point line, drawing in deep breaths, tugging nervously at her jersey, hoping to lessen the burden. ...more

December 3, 2009

It's been a long, drawn-out process, but work finally began recently on a complete makeover to the façade of the Towne Square Shopping Center at the intersection of Kenilworth Boulevard and Lakeview Drive. ...more

November 24, 2009

The following people were booked Wednesday, Nov. 18 into the Highlands County Jail: ...more

November 22, 2009

Council unanimously approved the lowest bidder, Excavation Point, to construct water lines looping its Sparta Road and Lakewood Road water lines, as a first phase of the city's plans for that general area. ...more

November 21, 2009

The high school football playoffs start tonight, and, alas, the three Highlands County teams are making other plans. In the end, Sebring couldn't win The Big Game(s), Lake Placid coalesced too late and Avon Park, playing out an athletic director's ultimate nightmare, faced four top-10 teams in five weeks. ...more

November 20, 2009

Careless down the stretch, the Sebring boys basketball team squandered a 10-point fourth-quarter lead during a 58-55 loss to Clewiston in the Bill Jarrett Tip-Off opener on Tuesday night. ...more

November 19, 2009

With a few new wrinkles and the same ol' Bubba, the Sebring Blue Streaks reasserted their regional supremacy Friday night in one of the state's richest rivalries. ...more

November 15, 2009