C M Y K Diamond days www.newssun.com Streaks, SFSC fall, but AP gets needed win SPORTS, B1 EWS UN NHighlands County’s Hometown-S Newspaper Since 1927 Easter party to go on Fact or fiction? Organizers hoping for safe, quiet Get the scoop on 10 event in Highway Park common health beliefs PAGE A2 LIVING, B14 Friday-Saturday, March 29-30, 2013 www.newssun.com Volume 94/Number 38 | 50 cents Forecast Swamp Hammock plan still alive By BARRY FOSTER testimony from lawyers and Mostly sunny and News-Sun correspondent But still some confusion about what’s next citizens representing both warming back up SEBRING — As expected, proponents and opponents of it was another marathon night passed in regard to the sioners moved to deny a Commissioner Ron Handley High Low the recreational facility off meeting for Highlands Swamp Hammock Outdoor requested zoning change and also mentioned a temporary Margurite Road, commis- County commissioners Recreation Club. instead allow the Swamp use permit. sioners took a break to work 77 49 Tuesday evening but at the “I am going to have to Hammock group to apply for “There is a huge difference on a 38th condition for end of better than four hours review it again,” said Jeff a special event permit, some- between a special events and Complete Forecast approval — insurance of discussion, there still Kennedy of Swamp thing which does not exist in a temporary use permit,” PAGE B14 indemnification for the seems to be confusion as to Hammock. Highlands County. However, Kennedy said. Online exactly what motion was It appeared that commis- in making the motion, Following three hours of See SWAMP, A5 Window Question: Should gay marriage be legal in all of the United States? suspects Yes identified 37.6% News-Sun staff Investigators have identified the three people they say shot out windows at more than 70 locations around the county over the weekend. No Arrests were imminent Thursday afternoon, but had not been made by 62.4% press time. Check www.newssun.com for updates. “As a result of excellent teamwork Total votes: 173 between the Lake Placid and Sebring Police Departments and the Highlands Next question: County Sheriff’s Office, three persons have been identified in connection with Do you think the County Commission Courtesy photo See WINDOW, A5 has handled the Captain Kristine Ratliff departs with other medical and military staff for the Air Base MASH unit in Balad, Iraq, Jan. 13, 2007. Swamp Hammock issue correctly? Make your voice heard at Deleon goes www.newssun.com A new face of war on offensive Obituaries ࡗ Editor’s note: This is the first in best hospitalization for the wound- Floyd Dierdorff a series of articles by Carol Kline Wounded ed service men and women. Highly Says Anderson lied Age 81, of Sebring about her daughter, retired Air skilled doctors, nurses, and sur- Force Major Kristine Ratliff, who women soldiers geons, as well as neurological, By CHRISTOPHER TUFFLEY Elizabeth Norman was seriously injured in a car acci- physiological and psychological [email protected] Age 88, of Sebring dent after serving her second tour don’t always specialists make up the outstanding AVON PARK — City Manager Obituaries, Page A5 in Afghanistan. care teams in this country’s VA Julian Deleon claimed at a press con- get treatment system. ference Thursday morning that City Index The Poly Trauma Center, which Councilman Garrett Anderson “reck- By CAROL KLINE Classifieds A11 opened in February 2012, is a new lessly and maliciously” attacked him in News-Sun correspondent they deserve Community Briefs A2 and extremely high tech facility an ethics complaint filed by Anderson. There is definitely a new face of ly, with dedication and courage and attached to the present Audie “I have indisputable evidence he lied Dear Abby B11 war as women become more they are serving voluntarily. Murphy Veterans Hospital in San (about intimidating the inspectors in an Editorial & Opinion A4 involved in combat. While women However, when they return home, Antonio. The PTC is a shining effort to close Anderson’s business). I Healthy Living B7 have served non-militarily as nurs- they’re doing so with severe example of VA upgrading and want my name cleared,” Deleon said, Lottery Numbers A2 es and in other supportive roles for injuries, such as missing limbs, determination to provide hospital adding he is particulary upset that the Movie Review/Times B11 hundreds of years, young mothers head trauma, and disfigurement in care for our younger generation of city was drawn into what began as pri- are now going into harm’s way Religion B8 many forms, just like many of their veterans today. vate business dispute. along with their male counterparts. male counterparts. Beyond that initial hospital stay, Deleon provided copies of emails Sports On TV B2 More than 40,000 women have The Veterans Administration has however, there is an ever increas- and witness accounts of the events Sudoku Puzzle B11 served in the Gulf Wars alone. long been a highly recognized These women are serving proud- source of care, providing the very See WOMEN, A5 See Deleon, A5 Follow the News-Sun on LP prepares to paint the town purple www.twitter.com/thenewssun and Special to the News-Sun displaying their purple. Florida LAKE PLACID – Get ready to Relay for Life Hospital in Lake Placid has an see purple, think purple, and actual tree in the lobby sporting wear purple. The American event April 6 purple ribbons and remembrance www.facebook.com/newssun Cancer Society’s Relay For Life medallions, and folks are encour- event will take place this year in merchants and individuals are aged to “hang one on” in honor Lake Placid on April 6 at the encouraged to display this color or memory of a loved one. Lake Placid High School football in any way possible for the entire Glades Electric has decorated its field beginning at noon. Many week preceding the event. Purple lobby with medallions, posters, enthusiastic local teams will set bows, purple clothing, purple crepe paper and other purple up campsites to prepare for the banners and other creative ideas items to remind customers about Courtesy photo Chelsea Levine, team captain for Glades Electric 18 hours of fun. will remind everyone of the pur- the Relay for Life event. The Co.’s Relay for Life team in Lake Placid, shows Since the signature color for pose for Relay For Life. the thermometer flyer indicating the event’s goal. Relay For Life is purple, local Many businesses are already See RELAY, A7 0790994 01001 Phone ... 385-6155 Fax ... 385-2453 Online: www.newssun.com WAUCHULA STATE BANK/Cheryl Hen; 11.25"; 1.5"; Black plus three; process, goal front strip; 0 0 0 2 7 9 4 3 C M Y K Page A2 News-Sun ࡗ Friday, March 29, 2013 www.newssun.com Easter party Design begins planners hope on Verona runoff system for safe, quiet By CHRISTOPHER TUFFLEY [email protected] AVON PARK — City staff are at work weekend event on a grant-funded project to protect Lake Verona from run-off storm water. Eighty percent of the funding comes from the By SAMANTHA GHOLAR “We still plan on going Southwest Florida Water Management [email protected] out, this is rooted in tradi- District. The city matches with 20 per- HIGHWAY PARK – The tion and we’d hate to see it cent. upcoming Easter holiday go away, but we are warn- According to Maria Sutherland, direc- has traditionally brought ing everyone that they need tor of administrative services, the sur- together a large group of to comply with the rounding basin area empties all of its residents and visitors in the rules...We sat down with water into Lake Verona. The basin Highway Park community, Chief Deputy (Schrader) extends from North Lake Avenue east to however this year’s event and two people from the Highlands Avenue; and from East may or may not be a walk County, but since then there Pleasant Street north to Winthrop Street, a in the park. has been no dialog. That total of 73 acres. Lake Verona covers 41 Organizers and con- was about a month ago,” acres, and is an estimated 80 feet deep at cerned citizens sat down Clark stated. its deepest. with Highlands County The annual event poses “Several inlets collect untreated run-off Sheriff’s Office Chief difficulties in a number of News-Sun file photo ans discharge through various outfalls Deputy Mark Schrader and safety areas according to Arlene Tuck’s last day as town clerk in Lake Placid was Thursday. directly into the lake,” Sutherland said. County Code Enforcement last year’s statements by This puts the lake’s health at risk. approximately three weeks Sheriff Susan Benton. The project, through swales, flumes ago to discuss the event and Loud, obscene music, traf- and re-signed curbing, redirects the raw procedures. fic flow, and safety issues Tuck bids farewell run-off to areas where it can be filtered Schrader revealed that are the biggest concern for through the ground instead of directly discussion was held the HCSO; Clark feels By SAMANTHA GHOLAR tomorrow.’” into the lake. between the par- those same [email protected] Besides waking up in her own Preliminary design was begun Feb. 1 ties but did not ‘We want it issues are of LAKE PLACID — Thursday was good time, Tuck has decided to take a and should be complete May 1. give much most importance Town Clerk Arlene Tuck’s last day in to be a family week to herself before going on a Construction is schedueled to begin Dec.