The City of Sebring is once again seeking proposals to lease the municipal Sebring Golf Club. Interested parties have until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28th, to submit bids. City leaders reissued the request after deciding more communication was needed during the first proposal process. Officials hope to have a new operator in place before the city’s new fiscal year begins on October 1st. The 123-acre property includes an 18-hole golf course, driving range, pro shop, maintenance facilities, and other amenities.
Highlands County is moving forward with proposed changes to how the Sun ‘N Lake of Sebring Development District operates. County commissioners have directed the county attorney to draft an ordinance that would expand voting to all registered residents, move supervisor elections to November under the Supervisor of Elections, allow county audits, require a purchasing policy, and shift fire service responsibilities away from the district. The proposed ordinance will go before the county commission for a public hearing at a later date.
A former Hardee County Sheriff’s deputy is facing multiple charges after investigators say he used a stolen credit card to make more than $800 in unauthorized purchases, including transactions at the Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel and Casino near Okeechobee. Authorities arrested 38-year-old John Layport on Tuesday. He’s charged with credit card theft, theft, and four counts of fraud, and is being held in the Hardee County Jail on a $22,000 bond.
A Polk County man is behind bars after deputies say he confronted two people over a counterfeit $50 bill—only to end up exposing himself to much bigger charges. Investigators say 54-year-old Daniel McCall claimed he was collecting a debt and insisted the gun he carried was just a water pistol. A search of his home allegedly turned up a loaded 9-millimeter handgun and trafficking amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana. As Sheriff Grady Judd put it: sometimes it’s better to cut your losses.