C M Y K A guide to squeezing in all EWS UN your holiday merry-making NHighlands County’s Hometown-S Newspaper Since 1927 PAGE 14B Run hard ... then eat Being together 19th Turkey Trot draws Salvation Army hosts hundreds to Hammock Thanksgiving dinner SPORTS, 1B PHOTOS, 6A Sunday, November 27, 2011 www.newssun.com Volume 92/Number 140 | 75 cents Forecast County ‘throwing money’ Partly sunny, then at ‘shell of a building’ breezy in the PM High Low By ED BALDRIDGE Barbara Stewart took excep- total allocated funds for the [email protected] tion to an additional $100,000 project – including the pur- SEBRING — County com- of unbudgeted requests from chases, expenses and an addi- 82 63 missioners showed concern County Engineer Ramon tional $632,464 in encum- Complete Forecast over the costs of a recently Gavarrete to weatherize the bered but unspent funds – PAGE 14A purchased building on building purchased at 4500 N. added up to just more than Tuesday, pointing out that Kenilworth Blvd. $2.1 million for the property Online News-Sun photo by ED BALDRIDGE staff was not diligent on pro- The building was bought to and repairs in addition to the On the outside, the Kenilworth Business Center looks new and professional, but county engineer Ramon tecting taxpayer money. house the Supervisor of latest $100,000 request. Gavarrete told commissioners the $2.1 million taxpayer Just more than five hours Elections offices. Stewart insisted that she investment was “just a shell” with holes in the ceiling into the seven-hour board County budget staff and needed proper permitting. meeting, Commissioner informed the board that the See BUILDING, page 3A Question: Are you planning to spend more this holiday shopping season LP rec than you did last Black Friday: ‘It year? board Yes 6.9% was wall to wall’ losing patience No By CHRISTOPHER TUFFLEY % [email protected] 93.1 LAKE PLACID — Members of the Lake Placid Recreation Commission Total votes: 116 all serve as volun- teers. While ‘It’s big Next question: reviewing a pro- posed pay-to-play six to eight Will you attend one of ordinance at their months the three county meeting Tuesday Christmas parades? night, they made and we’ve one thing clear — already Make your voice heard at the town council www.newssun.com has to do more in passed (an resolving the ordinance) Obituaries problem of fund- ing public parks. to the Carolyn Howerton “It’s been six to council. Age 67, of Sebring eight months, and They Engelina Kistler we’ve already Age 84, of Sebring passed (an ordi- amended News-Sun photo by SAMANTHA GHOLAR nance) to the Robert Kurtz Electronics got a lot of attention during Black Friday sales as televisions and video games were deeply dis- council,’” com- it and Age 94, of Sebring counted. mission member amended Andy Russell said. Josef Reis Shoppers jam aisles in search of deals “They amended it, it again. Age 89, of Sebring and amended it We’re not again. We’re not Obituaries, Page 5A By SAMANTHA GHOLAR Employees ranging in work Seasonal associate John achieving any- achieving [email protected] experience from only the fourth Wotasek was overwhelmed with Index thing. We keep on SEBRING — Sebring’s Walmart day on the job to years in retail as the number of customers in the anything.’ Arts & Entertainment 6B rehashing this.” went from “dead” to jam-packed said that Friday’s sale brought out store late Thursday and into the Jon Million, Books 9B in a couple short hours according people from every corner of the wee hours of Friday morning. ANDY chair of the com- Business 8A to nearly a dozen employees run- area. “I’ve only been working here RUSSELL mission, agreed. Chalk Talk 11B ning the morning shift Friday. One sporting goods Walmart four days,” said Wotasek. “People commission “All this has been Cars were parked everywhere associate snapped a quick photo started lining up way back here member Classifieds 11A brought up at one possible, overflowing the large with her iPhone just after midnight (the layaway and restroom area in Community Briefs 2A time or other,” he said. parking lot. Some people even Friday; as far as the eye could see the back of the store) a little after Community Calendar 5B Mike Waldron, the newly appointed parked across U.S. 27 and made were shopping carts customers 7 (p.m.). I kept telling them that town council member replacing Crossword Puzzle 13B the mad dash across six lanes of waiting to get their hands dis- Dear Abby 13B traffic. counted big ticket items. See BLACK, page 3A See RECREATION, page 5A Editorial & Opinion 4A Horoscope 13A Lottery Numbers 2A Movie Times 13B Pause & Consider 13B Hundreds turn out to see Sports On TV 2B surging Gingrich in Naples Follow the News-Sun on By TAMARA LUSH Republican hard line on the to the hotel to accommodate Associated Press topic. more people, was so crowded NAPLES — Speaking to a “I do not believe you can that some people left when standing room-only crowd in pass comprehensive legisla- they found out that they www.twitter.com/thenewssun Naples on Friday, presiden- tion,” Gingrich said to nearly would have to listen to him tial candidate Newt Gingrich 1,000 people gathered at the from an adjacent room. detailed his views on immi- Naples Hilton. Recent polls have shown MCT gration, just days after break- The event, which was Newt Gingrich has surged toward the top of the Republican polls lately after lagging behind the previous months. 0990994 01007 ing with what has become a moved from another location See GINGRICH, page 5A 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 1 3 6 3 8 C M Y K Page 2A News-Sun ࡗ Sunday, November 27, 2011 www.newssun.com COMMUNITY BRIEFS Downtown Cold and flu holiday music on 106.7 Wacaster Family in concert shopping workshop Tuesday FM. Donations can be at 10 a.m. today. deposited in the box in the This family will be shar- helps local SEBRING – Dr. L. John driveway through New ing its fresh country gospel Pepper will offer an inter- Year’s Day. All donations music. They are listed as active workshop, benefit Highlands County one of America’s favorite economy “Superhero Strategies for Habitat for Humanity. gospel groups. Darren, Cold and Flu Seasons,” at Last year, the musical Hope and Matthew have Special to the News-Sun 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at The Christmas light display wonderful music and testi- SEBRING — With the Caddyshack. raised more than $430. holidays here and gift mony to share. In this workshop, partici- Driving directions are as shopping on everyone’s The concert is free to all. pants will learn: follows: Travel Southwest mind, it is just as impor- Invite your friends and - Pitfalls that can crash on Golfview Road. Make tant to remember how neighbors. your immune system. first left onto Lake Drive your money is spent in - Specific natural and Blvd. Make first right onto addition to what you buy. Orchid Society effective strategies to help Sportsman Ave., 423 How much money do you Photo courtesy ‘Hold My Hand: A Hometown Hero Tribute’ meets Monday Former Senate majority leader and wounded combat veter- reduce the chances of get- Sportsman is on the left. plan to spend at a local, an Bob Dole meets U.S. Army Sgt. Rusty Dunagan, who lost ting the flu or a cold. For additional information, independent business for SEBRING — The Orchid his legs and left arm in Afghanistan last year. - The shocking truth call 402-2913. the holidays? Society of Highlands about some of the foods our The Sebring County will hold its month- children eat. Caladium Co-op has Community Redevelop- ly meeting at 7 p.m. - How to truly help your ment Agency’s Buy longer hours Monday. The meetings are child lead a healthy, well- Downtown Sebring pro- Inside the held at the Bert J. Harris Jr. ness lifestyle and build LAKE PLACID – The gram offers consumers Agricultural Center, 4509 healthy habits from a young Caladium Arts and Crafts financial savings, as well George Blvd. age. Cooperative, 132 E. as a way to support local- This month a representa- Pepper, a noted speaker Interlake Blvd., will remain ly-owned businesses and tive from Hicks Orchid and wellness doctor, will open until 9 p.m. Fridays local jobs that helps keep envelope Supplies in Orlando will be teach the ins and outs of for the convenience of their more money within the discussing the different raising children as healthy customers through Dec. 23. community. Here are a Ten days after losing his type of potting medians as possible. This workshop Shop for unique gifts and few facts: left arm and both legs in available. They will have is packed full of useful enjoy free gift wrapping. — Local businesses Afghanistan’s treacherous orchid supplies for sale. information and will be an reinvest in the local econ- Arghandab River valley, Sgt. Guests are always wel- experience to remember. Meals on Wheels omy 60 percent more than Rusty Dunagan lay in a come and participants do Cost of the presentation chains. Washington, D.C., hospital needs drivers not have to be knowledge- is $15, which includes din- — Small businesses bed. After being too choked able of orchids to attend. ner. Seating is limited. Call SEBRING – Sebring account for 75 percent of up to say much to his wife The society is also spon- 386-4325 for a reservation.