It would be tough to tally up the hours Gene Hink has devoted to helping local nonprofit agencies and people in need. But Florida Blood Services has kept a careful count of the blood the Brandon man has donated over the years. To commemorate a lifetime donation total of 75 gallons - that's 600 pints - Hink was inducted into the Fenwal Blood Technologies' Donation Hall of Fame on Oct. 11 at the Kennedy Donation Center in Tampa. ...more

November 7, 2009

It would be tough to tally up the hours Gene Hink has devoted to helping local nonprofit agencies and people in need. But Florida Blood Services has kept a careful count of the blood the Brandon man has donated over the years. ...more

November 4, 2009

I can't say I was surprised a couple of weeks back when I got a more-than-normal amount of reader comments concerning an Oct. 21 column I wrote concerning Westchase and an issue involving speed humps. ...more

November 4, 2009

I can't say I was surprised a couple of weeks back when I got a more-than-normal amount of reader comments concerning an Oct. 21 column I wrote concerning Westchase and an issue involving speed humps. ...more

November 4, 2009

Former middle school teacher and convicted sex offender Debra LaFave can again have unsupervised contact with children, a judge ruled Thursday. ...more

October 30, 2009

Two co-workers who learned this summer that they are long-lost brothers and who reunited this week with their two half sisters - one of whom is from Sarasota - have a new surprise. A half brother has surfaced. ...more

September 26, 2009

The Orange County Sheriff's Office says a 21-year-old Orlando hotel employee drowned in the facility's pool. ...more

June 27, 2009

I am sending a thank you to those who helped with the Chalk Contest that was held at the Highlands Art League on May 2, to award a scholarship to the Kids Kamp. Anne Watson was the glue that held it together when I had to go out of town and Linda Schneider, my co-worker became ill. Pamela Jay Paralikis, Mary Boutellier and Jan Augenstein jumped in to help make it a success for the children. Thank you ladies for your genuine enthusiasm in promoting art for our children. I would also like to thank Tom Short, Jr. manager of Michaels for the generous donation of chalk to make our event happen; the News Sun for sending a photographer to cover the even and make it special for those participating. ...more

May 9, 2009

The City of Avon Park has hired Frank Sanderson as interim public works director. Sanderson works for Government Services Group out of Orlando. He has over 40 years of experience in public works, said City Manager Sarah Adelt. ...more

April 14, 2009

The city of Avon Park has terminated its water and wastewater foreman Freddie Renfro and has given its longtime public works coordinator Ted Long the option to retire, resign or be fired, according to city officials. ...more

April 7, 2009