C M Y K www.newssun.com Champs Lady Dragons take district title in NEWS-SUN thriller Highlands County’s Hometown Newspaper Since 1927 SPORTS,B1 Sunday, January 19, 2014 Volume 95/Number 9 | 75 cents Wood wizards Woodcarvers to be featured at Art and Fine Craft Show HonoringHonoring MLKMLK INSIDE ON B7 Parades, programs and Winter wonderland Ninth annual parties planned Monday Winter Fest to By PHIL ATTINGER bring snow to [email protected] ighlands County residents will have Sebring next ample opportunities to remember Dr. Saturday Martin Luther King Jr. and his lega- Hcy Monday at commemorative meals, INSIDE ON A3 parades and programs, followed by festivities lasting into the afternoon and evening. Events include a commemoration breakfast in Avon Park, a church program in Lake Placid, an afternoon of poetry and singing in John Shoop Sebring and parades/marches in all three cities. The Sebring event will have some novel changes, including having a motorcycle rider will be next safety lesson for young people who ride, as well as other talks about being safe. Ada McGowan, who has taken over organ- izing the Sebring events from Robert Sebring mayor Saffold, said groups are trying to “close the gap” between youth in Avon Park, Lake 7 running for 3 council seats Placid and Sebring. “We need to let the young kids see that there is no reason for the violence. You can By SAMANTHA GHOLAR qualifier for the next Sebring have a good time without a gun,” McGowan [email protected] mayor is all but wrapped up said. SEBRING – The in a nice, big bow. qualifying period for Candidate for The first event on Monday is the annual the Sebring city elec- mayor, John Shoop, Prayer Breakfast from 7-9 a.m. at the Brogan tions closed Friday current President of Center of Our Lady of Grace Catholic evening at city hall Highlands Church, 595 E. Main St. in Avon with nine individuals Independent Bank, Park — across from Avon Park who threw their hats qualified earlier this High School, said Aljoe Hinson, in the running for city Shoop month and will run president of the Highlands positions. Seven unopposed during his County NAACP. potential council members campaign. No other individ- qualified, one qualified for MCT City Clerk and the single See CITY, page A7 See MLK, A6 Deadline Elder Fair to delayed focus on safety for utility Re-vamped Harris Jr. Agricultural Center, 4509 George Country Club event returns Blvd. Utilities now has This time, instead of Tuesday health vendors or medical until Feb. 17 to testing, Highlands County get in compliance By BARRY FOSTER Sheriff’s Office Public News-Sun correspondent Information Officer Nell SEBRING — At one Hayes said the re-tooled By BARRY FOSTER time, The Elder Fair fea- Elder Fair will feature News-Sun correspondent tured mostly health-ori- displays and information SEBRING — Southwest ented vendors and presen- on residential security, Florida Water Management tations for local seniors. personal safety, powers of District officials have grant- Now, members of the attorney, wills, trusts and ed a compliance extension to Courtesy photo Highlands County Seniors other legal issues. the Country Club Utilities Highlands County Light Technical Rescue Team works to extract flood victims “in this and Law Enforcement Hayes said the new system that serves the “home” during a training exercise in West Palm Beach. Together will revive the theme was taken as an Country Club of Sebring, event, but with a greater opportunity to give sen- giving the system an addi- focus on safety and law iors more of a choice, as tional 30 days and setting a enforcement. It will be well as an extension of new deadline for Feb. 17. Local rescue team heats up held Tuesday from 8:30- SWFWMD officials said 11 a.m. at the Bert J. See ELDER, A6 “penalties and costs will continue to accrue in this competiton in West Palm matter until such time as you come into compliance with By SAMANTHA GHOLAR Rescue Team 638 members included Index your water use permit.” [email protected] Scott Canady, Luke Andrews, Jim Harris, In advance of a Jan. 9 SEBRING – Highlands County Swen Swenson, Richard Gavagni, Kerry Arts & Entertainment B6 deadline, Country Club Technical Rescue Team made a big Harris, Kelly Hinkle, Mike Jolin, Adam Business B10 Utilities officials had con- impression amongst statewide Special Hess, John Poyner, Carl Beckman and Classifieds A8 tacted the water management Task Forces and other Technical Rescue Todd Kreulen. Mostly sunny Crossword Puzzle B11 district complaining about a Teams during their training exercises in The team is categorized as a Light High 70 short turnaround time for a West Palm Beach last week. Technical Rescue Team, meaning it meets Dear Abby B11 Low 47 follow-up report, contesting Fire Service Training Supervisor the state criteria for a minimum of six Editorial & Opinion A4 some of the formulas and Charles Andrews took a team of men to members and a team leader on the road Horoscope B11 Details, A12 methods applied by the dis- the training session to explore new possi- and ready for response within 30 minutes trict and contending that bilities and get better acquainted with the of a deployment request during an emer- Obituaries A7 newest ways to provide quality service to gency. Sports on TV B2 Highlands County residents. See COUNTRY, A6 See TEAM, page 7A Sudoku Puzzle B11 0990994 01007 Phone ... 385-6155 Fax ... 385-2453 Online: www.newssun.com HEARTLAND NATIONAL BANK***; 11.25"; 1.5"; Black plus three; process, front strip; 0 0 0 3 4 8 7 3 C M Y K Page A2 News-Sun ࡗ Sunday, January 19, 2014 www.newssun.com Community Briefs Avon Park reviewing Spittin’ Image income tax regulations at 10 playing at a.m. Tuesday at the Lake Reflections Placid Memorial Library. McQueen has been a CPA facade grant process AVON PARK — Spittin’ for 20 years, the last five in Image will bring their show Lake Placid. By PHIL ATTINGER the CRA were to fund the a deadline, then are ranked to Reflections on Silver The library discussion will Question: Should [email protected] remaining requests — by points to see which will Lake, 1850 U.S. 27 South, center on the tax cuts that AVON PARK — Three “more than at any other get first consideration for on Monday at 6:30 p.m. have been made permanent, there be process for more city residents will get time.” the money available, she Identical twin brothers, the changes in tax rates, and residents to get speed help from the Southside Giles suggested using a said. Spittin’ Image are two versa- other changes effecting a control devices like CRA District to fix their point system to rate applica- She plans to provide a tile, fun-loving, and enthusi- 2013 tax return. speed bumps placed in homes this month, but oth- tions. Sutherland said if the point system similar to that astic performers who love to ers are still waiting. city CRA were to use a to advisory board members sing and play their instru- Museum plans their neighborhoods? The Avon Park’s point system similar to that when they review the ments as much as they love Mystery Dinner Community Redevelopment used by the Florida remaining applications at to entertain an audience. show Yes Agency Board approved Department of Economic their regular meeting on With outstanding musical three more façade grants for Opportunity to award neigh- Feb. 12. skills and a terrific variety of SEBRING – The 65.3% the Southside District this borhood revitalization Councilman Parke comedy routines, Spittin’ Children’s Museum of the past week for a total of Community Redevelopment Sutherland, Maria’s hus- Image will keep you enter- Highlands is making final $6,650. They were selected Block Grants, the city band, said state grants allow tained with all kinds of plans for its 19th annual No from a list of applicants would need to revamp its people to apply once in a music mixed with comedy. Museum Mystery Dinner to who needed repairs to their whole application process. lifetime, but Avon Park Tickets for this lively, be held at the Chateau Élan homes, but had been wait- Giles wants the system to allows people to apply each high-energy show are $8 and on Feb. 8. Participants will 34.7% ing since last year for the be more equitable and less month. Mayor Sharon the show is open to the pub- feast on a sumptuous meal Southside CRA District to subject to emotions, espe- Schuler said the city should lic. For more information, while enjoying a hilarious Total votes: 222 have the money to help. cially when it comes to eld- give more than a monthly call 452-5037. mystery show put on by Factors that influenced erly applicants who can’t deadline, since contractors Sleuths of Orlando. Next question: the choices included whose perform or afford repairs. often take longer to provide Road closed for A variety of amazing Should Avon Park pick application was in on time, Southside resident a quote. storm inlet silent auction items will be complete with two contrac- Alphonso Williams said Parke Sutherland was a street that is not reconstruction available including Disney tor bids and photos of the decisions should be made worried some of the quotes tickets, signed memorabilia already named after damage to be fixed. Others on how sick a house is, not might be a year old and no AVON PARK – The right and more. “This is a wonder- somebody when it on the list have until Jan.