C M Y K INSPIRING Instead of loading up on candy, fill your kids’ baskets EASTER with gifts that inspire creativity and learning B1 Devils knock off county EWS UN s rivals back to back A9 NHighlands County’s Hometown Newspaper-S Since 1927 75¢ Cammie Lester to headline benefit Plan for spray field for Champion for Children A5 at AP airport raises a bit of a stink A3 www.newssun.com Sunday, March 16, 2014 Health A PERFECT DAY Dept. in LP to FOR A RACE be open To offer services every other Friday starting March 28 BY PHIL ATTINGER Staff Writer SEBRING — After meet- ing with school and coun- ty elected officials Thurs- day, Florida Department of Health staff said the Lake Placid office at 106 N, Main Ave. will be reopen- ing, but with a reduced schedule. Tom Moran, depart- ment spokesman, said in a Katara Simmons/News-Sun press release that the Flor- The Mobil 1 62nd Annual 12 Hours of Sebring gets off to a flawless start Saturday morning at Sebring International Raceway. ida Department of Health in Highlands County is continuing services at the Lake Placid office ev- 12 Hours opens under blue ery other Friday starting March 28. “The Department con- skies and yellow flags tinues to work closely with local partners to ensure BY BARRY FOSTER Final results online at Gurney Bend area of the health services are avail- News-Sun Correspondent www.newssun.com 3.74-mile course. Emergen- able to the people of High- cy workers had a tough time lands County. For addi- SEBRING — It was an extinguishing the fuel fire tional information please eventful but tame Race reported that by the early and the field was under a visit www.healthyhigh- Week leading up to this laps the air temperature was 59-minute caution period. lands.com or call (863) year’s 62nd running of the 73 degrees. That gave rise to a flur- 382-7272,” Moran wrote. Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring However, the Race was ry of yellow flags before County Commissioner Fueled by Fresh From Flor- slowed by a series of yellow the three-hour mark of the Jack Richie and Highlands ida. flags early on. Grand Prix of Endurance. County School Board A cool early morning had The first came just 18 A second came out a short member William “Bill” turned to warm tempera- minutes into the Race, time later when a BAR1 Brantley II, both of whom tures by the time the green when the No. 33 Viper Ex- Motorsports Prototype Katara Simmons/News-Sun represent Lake Placid, had flag dropped at 10:15 a.m. change car driven by Ben Hayden Halloran, 3, of Sebring, keeps his ears protected Saturday. Raceway officials Keating caught fire in the SEE RACE | A7 after the start of the race Saturday morning in Sebring. SEE HEALTH | A5 Benton inducted into Women’s Hall of Fame BY BARRY FOSTER the official ceremonies. to serving the families of our tect the elderly and the chil- News-Sun Correspondent Benton was one of three in- state.” dren from victimization, pro- ductees chosen from a short Although other women have grams to mentor and educate Highlands County Sheriff list of 10 candidates selected served in the post of sheriff in youth, as well as her efforts to Susan Benton was formally in- by the Florida Commission on the past in Florida, Benton, provide substance abuse and ducted into the Florida Wom- the Status of Women. who now is in her third term, mental health treatment with- en’s Hall of Fame on Wednes- “These women provide an is the first female sheriff put in in the jail. day. example of service, sacrifice, office via general election in Benton also served as the Governor Rick Scott joined and dedication for all of us, the history of the state. 2013 President of the Florida Lieutenant Governor Carlos and it was an honor to recog- Benton is a fifth-genera- Sheriff’s Association, which Lopez-Cantera, Attorney Gen- nize the contributions of these tion Floridian who has served is the first time a woman has eral Pam Bondi, Chief Finan- three outstanding Floridians,” in law enforcement for more served in this capacity in the Courtesy photo cial Officer Jeff Atwater, and said Scott. “The Florida Wom- than 35 years. In making the Association’s 115-year histo- Flanked by Attorney General Pam Bondi (left) and Commissioner of Agriculture en’s Hall of Fame is one more presentation, she was cited ry, and currently serves on the Gov. Rick Scott, Highlands County Sheriff Susan Adam Putnam Wednesday at way Florida honors women for local programs such as the National Sheriffs Association Benton holds the award honoring her induction into the Florida State Capitol for who have dedicated their lives Special Victims Unit to pro- Board of Directors. the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame on Wednesday. facebook.com/ Sunshine will give way Arts/Entertainment . B3 Horoscope .............. B2 Outdoors ................ B8 VOL. 95 newssun to clouds High 84 Low 67 Business .................. B9 Obituaries .............. A8 Sports on TV ........... A9 NO.30 twitter.com/ thenewssun Details on A14 Dear Abby ................ B2 Lottery Numbers ...... A2 Sudoku Puzzle......... B2 C M Y K A2 | NEWS-SUN | Sunday, March 16, 2014 www.newssun.com A LESSON IN TIRE CARE APHS grad asks to NEWS-SUN inspire students Highlands County’s Hometown Newspaper Since 1927 Future doctor Bobby Palmer wants school board http//:www.newssun.com The News-Sun (USPS – ISSN to sponsor field trip to uCF College of Medicine 0163-3988) is published every Sunday, Wednesday & Friday. Peri- BY PHIL ATTINGER said Superintendent of Schools odical postage paid at Sebring, FL Staff Writer and additional entry office(s). All Wally Cox. material contained herein is the Cox said Ruth Heckman, direc- property of the News-Sun, which SEBRING — A former local tor of secondary programs, would is an affiliate of Halifax Media high-school student has nearly be willing to help select students. Group. Reproduction in whole or in finished with his medical studies, Palmer said he would be in town part is forbidden without the writ- and he wants to lead other local and could help select students, as ten permission of the publisher. All material submitted for publica- students to follow that path. well. tion becomes the property of the The Highlands County School Palmer said Highlands County newspaper and may be edited for Board has agreed to help him has been designated as a “med- clarity and space, as well as re- with that efford. ically-underserved area” by the printed, published and used in all Robert “Bobby” Palmer, class of U.S. Department of Health and media. Postmaster: Send address change to: News-Sun, 2227 U.S. 2003 at Avon Park High School, Human Services since 2000, 27 S., Sebring, FL 33870. has nearly completed a four-year needing more medical practic- medical degree at the University es in general medicine, dentist- COMMITMENT TO ACCURACY of Central Florida in Orlando. ry and mental health for low-in- The News-Sun promptly cor- He was at Tuesday’s school come and migrant families in the rects errors of fact appearing in board meeting to ask if Highlands area. its news stories. If you believe we have made an error, call the news- County would send 40 of next Meanwhile, he said, the UCF room at (863) 385-6155, ext. year’s ninth-grade STEM students College of Medicine is look- 516. If you have a question or (Science, Technology, Engineer- ing to recruit students from un- comment about coverage, write to ing and Math) to tour UCF Col- derserved communities, which Scott Dressel, editor, 2227 U.S. lege of Medicine in what he’s call- would include both inner-city 27 South, Sebring, FL 33870; email [email protected].; or ing “Young Knights Symposium,” and rural communities. call (863) 385-6155. a three-hour program of tours Palmer said the school already and panel discussions to provide hosted a successful symposium OFFICE early exposure and prompt some for students from Orange Coun- Location: 2227 U.S. 27 South, students to consider a medical ty, and he wanted to make sure Sebring, FL 33870 career. Highlands County students got a Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon- “I’m very excited about this op- chance. day-Friday portunity,” Palmer said. “This is another great reason Phone: (863) 385-6155 Main Fax: (863) 385-1954 Courtesy photo The school board voted in favor students should come to go to Newsroom Fax: (863) 385- Ridge Area Arc consumer Ricky Marino learns how to check the air pressure in a of making the field trip on May school in Highlands County,” said 2453 tire while Matt Laye, manager of Layes Tire Service in Avon Park, shows him how 12, which is just four days before Ronnie Jackson, board chairman. Palmer hopes to graduate and go When asked by board member SUBSCRIPTION RATES to do it. Consumer Alex Lopez his turn. In addition to checking the tires, Laye dem- onstrated to the group of nine consumers how to check the fluids in a vehicle as into orthopedic surgery. Donna Howerton if he wants to Home well as how to change a tire. These consumers are all participating in a driver’s “With our emphasis in STEM come back to Highlands County, 12 mos. Tax Total $72.22 $5.06 $77.28 education course at Ridge Area Arc. This is the first time Arc has provided this and (having) four middle-schools, Palmer gave an enthusiastic yes.