County to Build New Facility for HCSO
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C M Y K www.newssun.com EWS UN NHighlands County’s Hometown-S Newspaper Since 1927 Still soaring Armed robbery Walker Academy girls Man charged with stay unbeaten, win title robbing pharmacy PAGE SPORTS, 1B SPORTS, 1B 12B Wednesday-Thursday, February 8-9, 2012 www.newssun.com Volume 93/Number 17 | 50 cents Inside Commission debates firing Helms Stewart’s motion to part with administrator withdrawn after discussion By ED BALDRIDGE that she did not have the “We can’t ignore this. We motion is to serve as the on his nine-month evalua- [email protected] majority of the commission- really have no other choice seven-day notice required in tion. SEBRING — ers behind her. but to address it. I move that Mr. Helms’ contract. Further, Commissioner Ron Commissioner Barbara Citing a lack of confidence at our next board meeting, that we place Mr. Helms on Handley seconded the Not running Stewart first made a motion in Helm’s evaluations, Tuesday Feb. 14, we take paid administrative leave motion. Handley scored to terminate County Stewart made a motion to action regarding the termina- until we make a decision on Helms at 41.7 out of 100 Campbell says Administrator Ricky Helms move forward with Helms’ tion of Ricky Helms,” Tuesday,” Stewart said. points. he won’t seek Tuesday, but later withdrew termination at the end of the Stewart said. Stewart scored Helms at 29 her motion after determining board meeting. “Further, this current out of a possible 100 points re-election as See MOTION, page 6A Supervisor of Elections PAGE 3A Forecast for Friday: Fair Forecast County to A passing afternoon shower build new High Low 79 60 Complete Forecast PAGE 12A facility Online for HCSO By ED BALDRIDGE Benson said at first. Question: [email protected] But Sheriff Susan Will you watch the News-Sun photo by KATARA SIMMONS SEBRING — County Benton did not like the Super Bowl? William Flynn (from left) and DJ Lambert work to assemble the childrens dragon roller commissioners voted 5-0 idea of more waiting, and coaster Tuesday morning at Firemen’s Field in Sebring. The fair begins Friday, gates open at 5 p.m. on Tuesday to move for- insisted on a solid direc- ward on constructing a tion Tuesday. Yes new building for the “We want a decision Setup under Highlands County today from you whether or 63.2% Sheriff’s Office. not we are considering the Initially, commissioners church, Bank of America way for 75th were told by or new construction,” Administrative Project Benton stressed to the Manager Chris commission. No county fair Benson that staff “There is no needed until Feb. sense in wasting By SAMANTHA GHOLAR 28 to bring back more staff time. 36.8% [email protected] more information We have looked at SEBRING — Wrenches and hammers about a building this before. We are were in full use Tuesday morning as choice or new con- spinning our Total votes: 106 employees of Reithoffer Shows Inc. struction. Benton wheels here,” began the strenuous set-up of this year’s Benson had pre- Benton said. Next question: fair. sented a sketchy spread- “Tell us how you want The 75th annual Highlands County sheet in the agenda pack- us to proceed. Here’s the Should the Monday Fair will kick off Friday after a full age that just outlined the other thing I want you to after the Super Bowl week of hard work from fair employees. purchase prices for the do today. A lot of this be made a holiday? Dozens of workers spread out around Bank of America building depends on funding. Go the fair grounds hammering, bolting and in downtown Sebring and out to the bond market and Make your voice heard at climbing through various rides Tuesday the Restoration Center get real numbers,” Benton www.newssun.com morning in preparation for Friday’s Church at Sparta Road and said. opening day. State Road 66. “We need you to budget Legs on the Ferris wheel were set up “What would you like this $5 million. It has Obituaries and employees strapped themselves in News-Sun photo by KATARA SIMMONS us to do today?” asked never been budgeted; it is Marianne Moore as they hung high above the ground Workers perform one of the most dangerous Commissioner Barbara just sitting there on your of Lake Placid preparing to install each of the wheel’s jobs at the Highlands County Fair, assembling Stewart. spreadsheet. We need to the the large Dutch wheel ride Tuesday morn- “Staff is not requesting Obituaries, Page 5A ing at the fairgrounds in Sebring. See FAIR, page 3A any action at this time,” See HCSO, page 3A Index Celebrations 7B Classifieds 8A Clubs & Organizations 8B Lost and found: Father, son to reunite Courtesy photo Community Briefs 2A A picture of By CHRISTOPHER TUFFLEY Michael Meekins’ parents went climb everywhere. He even loved Crossword Puzzle 11B Mike [email protected] through a difficult, acrimonious to smell the tires, the rubber still Meekins in Dear Abby 11B SEBRING — Divorce is divorce when he, an only child, friction hot and aromatic. the days Editorial & Opinion 4A painful. Unfortunately, all too was about 7 years old. Occasionally taking Meekins on before his parents Friends & Neighbors 9B many people today know that, His father, Ray Watychowicz weekend trips, the father and son divorced, it is Lottery Numbers 2A none more than the children (pronounced Wad-o-witch), was a bonded over their mutual love of one of the Movie Times 11B involved, some of whom lose one long haul truck driver in New big rigs. few pictures parent or the other forever. Jersey, only home on weekends. Then came a Saturday when his dad has NASCAR This Week 3B This is the story of a father and But every weekend Meekins Meekins sat in front of the win- kept with son, separated because of divorce eagerly waited for his dad, watch- dow all day long waiting. His him in the 41 years they for 41 years, but who will reunite ing out the window for the first father never arrived. His mother have been the weekend of Feb. 17 thanks to sight of his truck, knowing he separated. 0790994 01001 two loving wives and the Internet. would be allowed to explore and See FATHER, page 6A Phone ... 385-6155 Fax ... 385-2453 Online: www.newssun.com WAUCHULA STATE BANK; 11.25"; 1.5"; Black plus three; process, #3 front strip; 0 0 0 1 6 6 9 3 C M Y K Page 2A News-Sun ࡗ Wednesday, February 8, 2012 www.newssun.com Family First football winner COMMUNITY BRIEFS Sebring man Treasure sale age new construction. For benefits Relay more information, visit www.DowntownSebring.or AVON PARK – About g charged with 20 teams scheduled to walk in Avon Park’s Relay for Seniors needed for Life will gather Saturday robbing pharmacy for a Treasure sale, with music class all proceeds going to the SEBRING — Fifteen By ED BALDRIDGE Jeffs, who had jumped the Relay event. The sale will senior citizens are needed [email protected] counter, and activated the be from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for an experimental music SEBRING — A Sebring store alarm as she left via a at the old Century 21 build- class. No previous experi- man was apprehended rear door. ing across from Hess. ence is required. Classes while trying to rob a Jeffs began stuffing pre- will be held for four weeks, Walgreens Pharmacy early scription drugs into his Sebring CRA to host taught by a degreed Saturday morning, the pants and coat pockets, February Mixer instructor. Sebring Police Department including 500 pills of Participants must be able said. lorzepam, two bottles with SEBRING — The to attend all classes, tuition Ryan Dale Jeffs, 26, was 70 pills of Adderall, two Sebring Community and materials will be paid arrested by the Sebring bottles of alprazolam with Redevelopment Agency for by the Lowrey Music Police Department as he 499 pills and 500 pills, two will host the February Making and Wellness exited the 24-hour bottles of morphine sulfate Mixer for the Greater Centers. Walgreens at 3027 US 27 with 112 pills total and Sebring Chamber of Students will be asked to South at 3:51 a.m. with his other various bottles, Commerce from 5-7 p.m. fill out a short survey upon pockets full of drugs, an including Thursday at Circle completion of the course arrest report said. some with Professional Office Suites and certificates of achieve- Jeffs was charged with methadone (entrance at 102 S. ment will be awarded. possession of synthetic nar- hydrochlo- Ridgewood Drive; stairs For more information cotics with intent to sell, ride and and elevator available). and to register, call 385- manufacture or deliver, Valium, the This little-known, indoor 3288. possession of ampheta- report said. and outdoor location will mines with intent to sell, Jeffs Jeffs provide an intimate and Washington County manufacture or deliver, rob- dropped special venue for the cham- bery with a weapon and the pistol he used before ber’s monthly social event. reunion is felony damage to property. leaving the store. It was Courtesy photo The mixer will not only Thursday The Highlands County Tax Collector's office recently partici- According to the night later discovered that it was provide a unique network- pated in a fundraising campaign for Family First, a non- SEBRING — The annual pharmacist, Jeffs a silver Marksman .177 cal- ing opportunity, it will profit organization dedicated to strengthening families.