The body was found among the short trees and prickly underbrush that border a desolate stretch of dirt road. ...more

June 12, 2008

AVON PARK — Rocky Khara has played the River Greens Golf Course countless times in his youth. The 16-year-old Sebring resident took advantage of his vast knowledge of the tight and demanding 6,100-yard layout by shooting a sizzling 6-under 66 on Saturday to seize the first round lead of the 39th annual Bagwell Junior Invitational. The prestigious junior golf tournament, which is for ages 12-18, has attracted a talented field of 58 boys and five girls from across the state. Khara's fine 66 gave him a two-stroke lead over 13-year-old Connor Lynch, who carded a 4-under 68. Mike Gillooley is in third place after a 71, Katsu Yuki Sakuri is at 72 and Greg Gentry of Avon Park, Drew Guffey and defending champion Cory Meade are at 73. ...more

June 8, 2008

SEBRING — Playing three baseball games in the span of eight hours during the hottest part of the day didn't seem to faze the Sebring American All-Stars (ages 6-8) on Saturday. Competing in the Dixie Youth Pitching Machine District 8 All-Star Tournament at Max Long Recreational Complex, the American's stayed unbeaten in the double-elimination event by beating Sebring National 12-2 Saturday morning, then topping Okeechobee American 7-2, and finally, the boys in blue wrapped up the day by blanking Okeechobee National 5-0. "I'm so proud of these kids because they stayed focused, executed properly and played well under some really hot conditions," said American coach Eric Lewis. "In fact, they played their best defensive game of the tournament in the last game of the day. "We've still got one more game to win to clinch the district championship, and that's been our goal from day one." ...more

June 8, 2008

AVON PARK — A suspect in the 2001 stabbing murder of a Lake Placid man remained in Highlands County Jail without bond Monday after he was extradited from Madison County. Juan Tirso Perez, now 26, also known as Juan Tirso Marin and Juan Tirso Marin-Perez, was booked in at 9 p.m. Friday on a charge of second-degree murder as a suspect in the stabbing death of Sergio Jose Morales, according to sheriff's central records. According to the arrest narrative, it was about 12:30 a.m. Feb. 19, 2001, when Morales was stabbed to death in his trailer home at 303 Highlands Blvd., in Lake Placid. ...more

June 2, 2008

AVON PARK — Spotting your opponent five runs is never a wise decision, but Travis Crosson Tree Service likes to live dangerously. The Avon Park team rallied from a deep hole to beat Wells Roofing, Inc. 13-5 during the opening day of the Avon Park Dixie Boys (ages 13-14) Invitational Tournament on Saturday at Durrah Martin Sports Recreational Complex. ...more

June 1, 2008

SEBRING — After losing a one-run game to Pool Paradise to fall into the loser's bracket during the Dixie Majors (ages 10-12) city tournament on Thursday night, Rotary bounced back in a big way as Brandon Ferretti had two hits and two RBI in a 10-0 four-inning victory over Elks on Friday night at Max Long Complex. "The kids answered in a big way after losing a tough game against Pool Paradise," said Rotary coach Bobby Cannon. "Our pitching was outstanding and we swung the bats real well." ...more

May 31, 2008

SEBRING — After watching Lions maul Highlands Today by 12 runs an elimination game on Friday night, Pool Paradise used a potent offense and stellar pitching to knock out the Lions 11-1 in the Dixie Majors city tournament at Max Long Complex. The win put undefeated Pool Paradise, the No. 1 seed, into Saturday night's championship game against once-beaten Rotary, the No. 3 seed. ...more

May 31, 2008

SEBRING — The game was on the line, and a season's worth of wins were in the balance, but Pool Paradise coach Dean Frazier wasn't worried with the game tied and the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth. ...more

May 30, 2008

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested a man May 16, who they say is responsible for 15 burglaries dating to April. ...more

May 24, 2008

SEBRING — A Lake Placid motorcyclist was killed late Sunday afternoon after he reportedly rode into the path of a southbound Ford Aerostar van, according to a Florida Highway Patrol news release. ...more

May 19, 2008