Renaissance Academy, a private school for the arts, plans to add a preschool program in August. ...more

May 10, 2008

SEBRING — His official title is still assistant city administrator, but for all practical purposes Scott Noethlich has taken over operations of the City of Sebring. In preparation for Bob Hoffman's retirement at end of June after almost 18 years as city administrator, Noethlich has been transitioning slowly into the job. ...more

May 9, 2008

Four years ago, Danielle Collins of St. Petersburg was the top under-12 tennis player in Florida. Having achieved all she could at the under-12 level, she stepped up. Except instead of moving up to the next age level, under-14, she went all the way up, competing in under-18 tournaments. ...more

February 23, 2008

The "Digital Age" is coming to our TV sets. Beginning in February 2009, full-power broadcast stations will transmit digital-only signals, meaning that people who get their television programming over an antenna will be out of luck. That's going to mean acquiring new technology to make the switchover, whether that requires a government-issued converter box or a new television set, purchased on your own dime. Unfortunately, Hispanics are nearly twice as likely as whites to be left without television service after the nationwide transition to digital broadcasting next year, according to a new survey. Broken down by race, 8.8 percent of whites would not be ready; 11.7 percent of Asians, 12.4 percent of blacks and 17.3 percent of Hispanics. ...more

February 15, 2008

and likely well beyond that. If he's healthy to open the season, he should provide a significant boost to the Rays, offensively and defensively. That is, once the team feels comfortable enough to play him in the outfield more often. The worst part about Baldelli's situation is something could go wrong at any moment, just as it did on the routine grounder last May 15 that cost him the rest of the season. Even if he's healthy from the outset, everyone still will be watching anxiously. ...more

February 11, 2008

There are restaurants, theaters, night life and the waterfront. Plus the bonus of a glimmering skyline at night. ...more

February 9, 2008

Highlands County commissioners have the right idea in asking whether the county really needs another level of administration. The costs are high to implement such a plan, and the payoff is difficult to deduce. Tommy Todd is serving as facilitator for the county on this project, which would make new positions as division directors. Department heads would report to them, while they report to the county administrator. The plan is to make the administrator less of a day-to-day manager and more of a public figure who keeps the commission informed of what's going on in the county. We understand what Todd is saying, but wonder if it's necessary for Highlands County. Granted, our county government has a lot of employees and departments, but it doesn't seem like that's been an issue until now. Can't department heads serve as that level of manager to report to the administrator, or assistant administrator. It's also true that a county manager should not be bogged down in work that keeps him or her away from the most important facets of the job. It's difficult to be an effective leader if you're buried in minutiae that could be better handled by someone else. ...more

February 5, 2008

I know that analog television is going off the air next February and that I can keep using my old analog set with a digital converter box, but I can't find any at a reasonable price. So what good is a $40 coupon from the government for the purchase of a converter? ...more

January 28, 2008

Chanele Patton, a 5-foot-9 senior forward at Blake, endured a long, drawn-out coaching search and watched teammates transfer to other schools before the start of the season. But through it all, she remained loyal to Blake and has helped the Yellow Jackets to a 13-5 record while averaging 19 points and eight rebounds per game. ...more

January 17, 2008

Bloomingdale 6-foot-6 junior forward Callum Townsend holds the highest scoring average in Hillsborough County with 26.2 points per game. Townsend is also shooting 59 percent from the field and 47 percent from 3-point range (41 of 87) while averaging 7.8 rebounds. The lone returning starter and leading scorer from a district runner-up team in 2007, Townsend has emerged as one of the area's top players. ...more

January 11, 2008