C M Y K www.newssun.com Holiday hoops Devils roll EWS UN through N -S opening Highlands County’s Hometown Newspaper Since 1927 rounds of Sunday, December 29, 2013 Volume 94/Number 155 | 75 cents Taveniere SPORTS, A bit of bubbly Still a mystery B1 A festive guide to sparkling Newtown shooter remains wines for New Yearʼs enigma despite investigation LIVING, B12 INSIDE ON A6 Talk about BEND sheriff’s building Enterprise YOUR delayed zones to Benton asks expand for more time By BARRY FOSTER Two stretches of BRAIN News-Sun correspondent U.S. 27 to get SEBRING — It has been Bank of Brain Benders, revamped ‘store’ a long and winding road for designation Highlands County commis- sioners over the past eight By BARRY FOSTER help Children’s Museum usher in new year years as they have attempted News-Sun correspondent to deal with the space needs SEBRING – Officials of of the Highlands County the Highland County sheriff’s office. Industrial Development Following an unsuccessful Authority/Economic suggestion by commissioner Development Commission Ron Handley earlier this are working to enlarge the month that the commission county’s enterprise zone in simply refurbish the county- an effort to aid a pair of owned Kenilworth Plaza, business locations on U.S. commissioners set a Jan. 14 27. workshop to “The state of Florida has talk it over told us we could extend our again with enterprise zone another three Highlands square miles,” said IDA- County EDC Executive Director Sheriff Stephen Weeks. “So we are Susan moving in that direction.” Benton. Benton The first location is in However, Sebring just north of the following a meeting with Fairmount Cinema Square county staff members, shopping complex. It would Benton now has asked that include a string of commer- conversation be moved back cial lots including Love to the last Tuesday of next Buggs, past the Musselman’s month. Katara Simmons/News-Sun industrial park to the The Bank of Brain Benders (top photo) is a new Children’s Museum of the Highlands exhibit featuring a variety “If we are actually going Christine’s Golf Cart loca- of puzzles to challenge youngsters and adults alike. The minature Publix store, a longtime favorite, has also to do a presentation and be tion. been upgraded, and Nicholas Henley, 5, was browsing for groceries Saturday morning. prepared with all the neces- The second site will be at sary elements we needed the Lykes Brothers’ location By SAMANTHA GHOLAR experience so far. The kids get adequate time to prepare it,” on U.S. 27 just north of [email protected] They’re very hard ... We there and they can’t answer the she said. Lake Placid. SEBRING – The newest exhibit get asked for the teasers so they get frustrated and Benton said the idea Among other things, busi- at the Children’s Museum of the run off and play someplace else. would be to approach the nesses in enterprise zones Highlands offers a brain-stumping answers quite a bit. The parents get there and they get issue in a methodical man- are eligible for the jobs tax set of puzzles. And it’s not just the stumped and stay and try to figure ner. credit programs, business kids who are scratching their it out. “We want to be ready to equipment sales tax refunds, heads. Linda Crowder “They’re very hard ... we have discuss the history of the property tax credits, the The Bank of Brain Benders Childrenʼs Museum of the the answers, but they aren’t on dis- project, then look at current community contribution tax exhibit was announced last week at Highlands director play so we get asked for the site solutions and recom- the museum by Director Linda answers quite a bit.” mendations,” she said. See EDC, A7 Crowder. The exhibit, which puzzles, tricks or problems that will Since its debut last week, Bank The sheriff pointed to the opened Dec. 18, is the museum’s challenge visitors of all ages. of Brain Benders has been popular, fact that since the idea first newest exhibit and the first to open “It is several different brain even though the final version of the was introduced in 2005, since last December’s Cracker teasers. You move from station to product is still on its way. Crowder quite a bit of research has Crops and Cows was unveiled. station and answer each teaser,” Bank of Brain Benders offers Crowder said. “It’s been a different See BRAIN, A7 See SHERIFF, A8 Strong T-storms High 80 Low 62 Owners expand, upgrade Details, A12 Index Olympic Restaurant Classifieds A8 Crossword Puzzle B11 By PHIL ATTINGER 18-person private dining Maria Tsakalos said it’s a [email protected] room and an adjacent patio way she can say thanks to Dear Abby B11 AVON PARK — Jimmy with waterfall, greenery and customers who have kept Editorial & Opinion A4 and Maria Tsakalos have 51-inch flat-screen television them in business for the last Horoscope B11 updated the decor and menu on the east end of the build- 16 years. of the Olympic Restaurant a ing. “I have customers who Obituaries A6 little bit at a time ever since In another two weeks, come here every day. I want Places to Worship B8 they bought it in 1998. they hope to add a full-serv- to thank them all,” Maria Sports on TV B2 Now they’re doing it ice bar where their dessert Tsakalos said. again, and expanding. Work cooler and office are now, She said the patio would Sudoku Puzzle B11 crews with Orangewood and give the entire dining add 10 tables in a romantic Builders Inc. have spent the room a facelift. setting — “like a garden” — Phil Attinger/News-Sun Construction crews with Orangewood Builders Inc. last two weeks upgrading the “It’s the most major job and provide patrons a place frame and line the eaves of a patio and meeting room restaurant’s restrooms. They we’ve ever done,” Jimmy 0990994 01007 expansion at Olympic Restaurant in Avon Park. are in the midst of adding an Tsakalos said. See OLYMPIC, A5 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 0 7 5 C M Y K www.newssun.com Holiday hoops Devils roll EWS UN through N -S opening Highlands County’s Hometown Newspaper Since 1927 rounds of Sunday, December 29, 2013 Volume 94/Number 155 | 75 cents Taveniere SPORTS, A bit of bubbly Still a mystery B1 A festive guide to sparkling Newtown shooter remains wines for New Yearʼs enigma despite investigation LIVING, B12 INSIDE ON A6 Talk about BEND sheriff’s building Enterprise YOUR delayed zones to Benton asks expand for more time By BARRY FOSTER Two stretches of BRAIN News-Sun correspondent U.S. 27 to get SEBRING — It has been Bank of Brain Benders, revamped ‘store’ a long and winding road for designation Highlands County commis- sioners over the past eight By BARRY FOSTER help Children’s Museum usher in new year years as they have attempted News-Sun correspondent to deal with the space needs SEBRING – Officials of of the Highlands County the Highland County sheriff’s office. Industrial Development Following an unsuccessful Authority/Economic suggestion by commissioner Development Commission Ron Handley earlier this are working to enlarge the month that the commission county’s enterprise zone in simply refurbish the county- an effort to aid a pair of owned Kenilworth Plaza, business locations on U.S. commissioners set a Jan. 14 27. workshop to “The state of Florida has talk it over told us we could extend our again with enterprise zone another three Highlands square miles,” said IDA- County EDC Executive Director Sheriff Stephen Weeks. “So we are Susan moving in that direction.” Benton. Benton The first location is in However, Sebring just north of the following a meeting with Fairmount Cinema Square county staff members, shopping complex. It would Benton now has asked that include a string of commer- conversation be moved back cial lots including Love to the last Tuesday of next Buggs, past the Musselman’s month. Katara Simmons/News-Sun industrial park to the The Bank of Brain Benders (top photo) is a new Children’s Museum of the Highlands exhibit featuring a variety “If we are actually going Christine’s Golf Cart loca- of puzzles to challenge youngsters and adults alike. The minature Publix store, a longtime favorite, has also to do a presentation and be tion. been upgraded, and Nicholas Henley, 5, was browsing for groceries Saturday morning. prepared with all the neces- The second site will be at sary elements we needed the Lykes Brothers’ location By SAMANTHA GHOLAR experience so far. The kids get adequate time to prepare it,” on U.S. 27 just north of [email protected] They’re very hard ... We there and they can’t answer the she said. Lake Placid. SEBRING – The newest exhibit get asked for the teasers so they get frustrated and Benton said the idea Among other things, busi- at the Children’s Museum of the run off and play someplace else. would be to approach the nesses in enterprise zones Highlands offers a brain-stumping answers quite a bit. The parents get there and they get issue in a methodical man- are eligible for the jobs tax set of puzzles. And it’s not just the stumped and stay and try to figure ner. credit programs, business kids who are scratching their it out.