By JOE SEELIG

DESOTO CITY — A DeSoto City man who died Friday afternoon after a shootout with the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team killed himself with his own 45-caliber handgun, sheriff’s Maj. David Paeplow said Monday.
Charles E. Schmidt, 46, of 5226 Barnum St., died at Highlands Regional Medical Center was being hunted down by authorities after he reportedly shot his wife, Christine, during a domestic dispute, and escaped.
A sheriff’s manhunt for him through an orange grove ended with shots being fired.
The District 10 Medical Examiner’s Office concluded Sunday that a self-inflicted bullet to the head is what killed Schmidt.
“He was hit six or seven times by our gunfire,” Paeplow said. “But all were non-lethal. He sustained several shots in the arm and two or three in the torso.”
Schmidt’s wife was doing well enough to be interviewed Sunday by sheriff’s detectives, Paeplow said. However, he did not know what caused the argument during which she was reportedly shot in the stomach by her husband.
Nine special response team members were in the grove with a sheriff’s K-9 unit, but only five fired their weapons, Paeplow said Friday. Those five team members are on temporary administrative leave with full pay until a shooting review is conducted by the sheriff’s office. The K-9 officer did not fire his weapon.
Some of the response team members thought Schmidt may have raised his gun toward his head, but in the heat of the exchange none were sure that he shot himself.
Investigators did not know initially if the gunshot to the head was from the special response team members or from Schmidt himself.
Schmidt’s gun was recovered and none of the sheriff’s deputies were injured in the incident.
Schmidt was ultimately tracked to a point nearly a mile and a half away from the Schmidt home, Paeplow said.
Highlands County Sheriff’s Office Central Records confirmed that Schmidt had been arrested on Aug. 28, in connection with an Aug. 27 incident involving allegations he shot his neighbor in the buttock with a 22-caliber rifle during an argument over money. That case was not prosecuted, a sheriff’s spokeswoman said.
According to neighbors, the couple was often overheard engaged in an argument.

---

Charles E. Schmidt

By JOE SEELIG

See More Photos By Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

DESOTO CITY — A DeSoto City man died Friday afternoon at Highlands Regional Medical Center from at least one gunshot wound after a sheriff’s manhunt stemming from the shooting of his wife in the morning, ended in an orange grove.

Charles E. Schmidt, 46, of 5226 Barnum St., DeSoto City, was tracked by members of the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team and a K-9 deputy to an orange grove near Airport Road and County Road 17, according to sheriff’s Maj. David Paeplow.

“Deputies saw Mr. Schmidt and observed him pointing a handgun at them,” Paeplow said. “They shouted, ‘Drop the gun.’ He did not comply and received at least one gunshot wound. He was transported to Highlands Regional.

“We recovered a handgun consistent to the description of the one he used on her. None of our officers were injured in the incident.”

It is unclear if Schmidt fired at the deputies, Paeplow said.

The name of the wife is being withheld by the sheriff’s office as she is a victim of domestic violence, but she is expected to recover, a sheriff’s spokesman said.

She was listed in stable condition Friday afternoon, according to a Highlands Regional Medical Center spokeswoman.

Not long after the shooting was reported, a sheriff’s K-9 team followed a track headed southeast from the original crime scene located at Schmidt’s home and into a nearby orange grove. At some point a new K-9 team was brought in and the track continued.

Schmidt was ultimately tracked to a point nearly a mile and a half away, Paeplow said.

Neighbors in the quiet neighborhood of trailer homes were notified of the danger when a “reverse 911” call went out to residents living in the area of the search. A reverse 911 is a computer-generated call warning residents in affected areas of potential danger.

The sheriff’s Special Response Team arrived on scene about 10:30 a.m. and after a search warrant was signed, the team entered the residence. No one was found inside.

The SRT made a second entry into a trailer home across the street, suspecting Schmidt could be inside, but no one was there.

Curious neighbors stood in the street as sheriff’s deputies placed crime scene tape across Barnum Street to create a safety-zone.

“This is scary,” said Courtney Bruno, 16, a neighbor. “It’s not the first time he’s pulled a gun. He shot Al in the butt. They got into an argument.”

Highlands County Sheriff’s Office Central Records confirmed that Schmidt had been arrested on Aug. 28, in connection with an Aug. 27 incident involving allegations he shot his neighbor with a 22-caliber rifle during an argument over money.

That case was not prosecuted.

---

DESOTO CITY – Highlands County Sheriff’s deputies are searching for a man involved in a shooting Friday morning.

Apparently a woman was shot and injured by a man, Charles Schmidt, no age given, described as a tall, lean, white male with long hair. Law enforcement says he’s considered armed and dangerous and believe he has a gun with him.

Deputies believe he is heading southeast from the scene and the Special Response Team is now on the scene as well as EMS personnel.

A “reverse 911” call went out to residents living in the area of the search. A reverse 911 is a computer-generated call warning residents in affected areas of potential danger.

The address of the shooting is 5226 Barnum Street. Law enforcement is on the scene as is EMS personnel.

More updates to come.

---

Recalled Peanut Butter Sold In Highlands County
By MANDY SHEETS

SEBRING — Wal-Mart pulled much of its peanut butter off the shelves Wednesday after ConAgra Foods Inc. recalled certain jars of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter that was linked to a salmonella outbreak.

Lids of jars with a product code beginning “2111” can be returned to ConAgra for a refund, the company said.

Craig Vought, a spokesman for the Sebring Wal-Mart, said the product was pulled from the shelves, and customers who purchased the merchandise at Wal-Mart can return it to the store for a full refund.

Teri Welsh, of Sebring, heard about the recall on the radio and was surprised to find two jars of it in her pantry. Many of her family members in the area also have found it on their shelves.

“We’ve been calling and warning each other about it,” Welsh said.

The salmonella outbreak, which federal health officials said Wednesday has sickened 288 people in 39 states since August, was linked to tainted peanut butter produced by ConAgra at a plant in Sylvester, Ga. No cases of salmonella infection have been reported in Florida.

How salmonella got into peanut butter is still under investigation, said Mike Lynch, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Salmonella infection is known each year to sicken about 40,000 people in the United States, according to the CDC. Salmonellosis, as the infection is known, kills about 600 people annually.

Symptoms can include diarrhea, fever, dehydration, abdominal pain and vomiting.

CDC officials believe the salmonella outbreak to be the nation’s first stemming from peanut butter. The most cases were reported in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee and Missouri.

About 20 percent of all the ill were hospitalized, and there were no deaths, Lynch said. About 85 percent of the infected people said they ate peanut butter, CDC officials said.

ConAgra officials haven’t said how much peanut butter is covered in the recall. The Peter Pan brand is sold in 10 varieties, according to ConAgra’s Web site. The Great Value brand, which is also made by other companies, is a Wal-Mart brand.

The recall does not affect Great Value peanut butter made by other manufacturers, the FDA said.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

---

By JOE SEELIG

SEBRING — Concepcion Roamon Rockmore, 32, of Sebring, was listed by police as a suspect in the attempted murder of a man who was shot Sunday on Lemon Street.

Anyone with information on Rockmore’s whereabouts is asked to call Det. Sgt. Curtis Hart at 863-471-5108.

Two shots were fired at about 2:20 p.m. Sunday during an argument. One individual was hit in the torso, said Sebring Police Cmdr. Steve Carr.
A second victim was hit in the foot by a piece of shrapnel, (a piece of the bullet that missed the other victim), Carr said.

A warrant on a charge of second-degree attempted murder has been issued for Rockmore, who is considered to be armed and dangerous.

“He was in the immediate vicinity of the subject that was shot in the torso, said Carr on Monday. “It appears it was the result of an argument that started right there on Lemon.”

There was some gambling going on just prior to the shooting, Carr said, but police are not sure that was part of the cause.

Police believe the shooter acted alone.

---

Kohl Crowned Jr. Miss Highlands County
By BILL RETTEW JR.

SEBRING — At just an inch over 5 feet in height, Morgan Kohl walked tall as the 2007 Jr. Miss Highlands County.

The Lake Placid resident was crowned Tuesday night at the Highlands County Fairgrounds, edging out 27 other girls in the 12-15 age group.

“It’s amazing,” the 13-year-old said. “I can’t believe this.”

And much of the rowdy crowd agreed.

Well-wishers, especially those in the far back of the Expo Pavilion, chanted the names of their favorites, hooted and hollered. Dozens waved homemade signs in the crowd of more than 700 spectators.

Air horns serenaded the girls for a portion of the festivities until the audience was asked to stop blowing the ear-piercing devices, since nearby fair livestock were being frightened.

The crowd worked itself into a frenzy when all 28 contestants stood waiting to hear whether their name would be called as one of five finalists.

A minor score-keeping snafu made the moment seem to last forever.

At first, contestants in evening dresses smiled broadly and seemed to enjoy the love of the crowd. As seconds turned into
minutes, some jaws clenched and several girls shifted from foot to foot. But the smiles remained as the top five were announced.

Then much of the crowd left when it was evident that a favored contestant had become an also-ran. Leeza Freeland, Jr. Miss Highlands County 2006, had advice for her replacement prior to Kohl’s selection.

“Good luck in the world,” said Freeland. “You’ve only got one year and it’s going to fly by.”

When asked which charity she supported, Kohl told the audience about her relationship with Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

The daughter of Walter and Renee Kohl said her most treasured possession is her family. She believes that Highlands County needs a new updated mall for better shopping and a safe place for kids to hang out.

The other winners were the following: Chelsea Qualls was first runner-up, Shawnee Lester was second-runner-up, Kacie Bovard was third runner-up and Taylor Concklin was fourth runner-up.

The “Miss Photogenic “ award went to Jaye Whitehead. “Miss Congeniality,” as voted on by her peers, was Simone Sample.

Kohl won a sash, tiara and silver tray, along with a color portrait and modeling session. She also won a tote bag, custom-designed jacket and flowers at the Alan Jay Automotive Network sponsored event.

Erin McFarland sang the national anthem, and the Sebring High School ROTC presented the colors.

The night’s opening number, “Grease,” was choreographed by Stephanie Murphy and Freeland.

Heartland Idol Jr. contestants performed for an appreciative audience, while the singers filled in natural gaps in program when tabulators worked the adding machines.

John Snyder was emcee.

---

Trustee Being Named In Bankruptcy
By MANDY SHEETS

MIAMI — A trustee will resume responsibility for the Harder Hall case, likely opening the project to bidders, after a hearing Wednesday.

Steven Schneiderman, attorney for Office of the U.S. Trustee, said he hopes to have a decision soon about appointment of an uninvolved third party to take over management from Joran Realty, which planned to renovate the hotel but declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy Oct. 20, 2006.

Judge Laurel Myerson Isicoff said, at the Southern District of Florida U.S. Bankruptcy Court hearing, her ruling is based on Joran Realty failing to meet deadlines for submitting a disclosure statement and the appearance that Joran Realty is no longer managing the case.

Joran Realty submitted a reorganization plan in January but did not submit a disclosure agreement. The plan stated unsecured creditors would be paid 50 percent of their claims.

At Wednesday’s hearing, Brian Gant, an attorney representing Kenwhite, a New York-based investment company, presented another reorganization plan. Gant said Kenwhite would fund the new plan, which would have paid creditors 100 percent of their claims by May.

Schneiderman said he saw the offer of this plan a way to further delay the case and give Kenwhite an unfair advantage.

“This plan is a way to retain exclusivity for an investor group so as not to expose this property to the open market and see there are other parties interested in joining in,” Schneiderman said.

Isicoff said she was reluctant to give Joran Realty any more time to negotiate the plan.

“You say you will live or die by these new deadlines,” Isicoff said. “But the court already set deadlines which were disregarded.”

Isicoff also said although she does not question the mental or physical capability of Marc Shenker, president of Joran Realty, it’s clear to her
Kenwhite is running the case, not Shenker. Having a trustee will give all parties equal opportunity to become involved with the project.

“If we continue this, it’s the same situation as before,” Isicoff said. “It just creates a longer period of time that the creditor’s interest is not being represented by an independent person.”

She suggested Kenwhite negotiate with a Chapter 11 trustee, once that person is appointed.

Gant said after the ruling he had no comment about whether Kenwhite would pursue the project. He did say the company would stop payment of electricity, security and insurance bills.

---

Commissioners Seem Cool To Lockett Estate

By GARY PINNELL

SEBRING –– Highlands County commissioners spent four hours Tuesday discussing accepting the Edna Pearce Lockett Estate and selling two utility systems to Lake Placid, but made no decisions.

Despite the urging of Catherine Cornelius, they appeared reluctant to accept the Lockett Estate.

Commissioner Edgar Stokes said when the county ran the estate about 15 years ago, crowds showed up at historic festivals.

“When the festival was over, nobody came,” Stokes told the other four commissioners.
“We were convinced they were interested in the festivals, but not the estate,” he said.

Although many in the audience wanted the county to take over the estate, Stokes said many people were against it too, because they don’t want taxpayer money spent on the project.

“It seems to me that the South Florida Water Management District is ideal to have this property,” Commissioner Barbara Stewart said. Highlands County doesn’t have the tourism or historic expertise to take over. “Why would SFWMD not continue with this?”

Florida Atlantic University would also be a better proprietor, Stewart said. SFWMD (not FAU, as stated in Friday’s story) is offering Highlands County $500,000 to take the estate.

“Are they about to get rid of it? Are they going to sell it, or turn it back to the family?” Stewart asked. “If we don’t take it over, what happens?”

Fred Davis, who represented SFWMD at the meeting, said the board of directors discussed keeping it eight months ago, and decided against it. The FAU regents also don’t want the estate, said its representative.

Cornelius, who headed the Highlands County Historic Preservation Commission, said the estate was too important to pass it. It was formerly owned by Lockett, Florida’s third female state representative.

Stewart asked the preservation commission to come back next month with more precise revenue and expense budgets.

The commissioners also seemed skeptical of the town of Lake Placid’s request to take over two county water and sewer facilities.

The county operates Placid Utilities, a water and sewer district that serves Tomoka Heights, and another water district which serves Highway Park.

Town Attorney Bert Harris sent a letter in November to Ramon Gavarrete, asking for expense and revenue reports of the two districts. The county engineer complied, and briefed the commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting.

However, he noted, even the town councilors were “a little queasy” about taking over the two utilities districts.

Chuck Oakes, a developer in Sun ‘n Lakes of Lake Placid, said he would break ground in 10 days, and would work with the county or the town.
But a crowd was on hand to oppose Lake Placid’s request.

“We’re going to lose representation,” resident Ken Hall warned, because the homeowners are represented by the Placid Utility Advisory Committee.

Sheila Byatt, a builder in Tomoka Heights, said the county needs to retain ownership of the utilities. Two other residents agreed.

The commissioners should consider letting Lake Placid run the utilities for four years, he suggested.
“No,” more than a dozen people from the audience roared their advice.

“The greater issue is growth policy in south Highlands County,” Harris told the commissioners.

The town must grow, said town Councilor Debra Worley.

Stewart agreed, saying a municipality that doesn’t own its utilities doesn’t control its fate.

“I think Lake Placid is finding this out,” she said. Lake Placid Mayor Tom Katsanis last month wanted to close the police department to save money. The council disagreed, hoping instead to expand the tax base.

Even if the county doesn’t sell the two utilities districts, she told the other commissioners, they need to work out a service agreement with Lake Placid so the utilities won’t compete.

In other business, Sheriff Susan Benton asked the commissioners to again consider a $670,000 request to upgrade the aging radio system.
“It’s now urgent,” Benton said.

---

SEBRING — “It’s always interesting to see the final voting,” hostess Jesslin Rego told a boisterous crowd of 700-plus people Monday watching the Miss Highlands County 2007 pageant from the bleachers of the Expo Pavilion at the Highlands County Fairgrounds.

In the end, the judges selected Avon Park High School student Samantha Wilson, 16, who was sponsored by Sunridge Harvesting Company of Lake Placid.

Samantha is the daughter of Samuel Wilson and Laura Moore.

Twenty-four contestants vied for the coveted crown, strutting their stuff in an evening gown procession. The final five answered questions posed by the five judges.

When asked how being a contestant for the last five weeks improved her self-esteem and why, Wilson told the judges it was all the wonderful girls who lifted her up.

“There’s not another feeling like that,” she said.

The young ladies began their journey in December, meeting with the coordinators, holding practices, interviews and having professional photographs taken.

Outgoing Miss Highlands County 2006, Katlyn Hammortree, shared with the audience what the young ladies were probably feeling – nervous and eager – as the judges tallied their score cards.

She told the crowd her year has been awesome, attending about 40 events, mixers and ribbon cuttings out of the 12 she was required to make.
She held a blood drive and raised $3,600 to help a baby who needed an organ transplant.

“Just be yourself and let the judges see you,” Hammortree advised.

First runner-up was Sarah Cleveland, 17, sponsored by Ed’s Cheer Center. She is a senior at Sebring High School.

Cleveland would take over the duties of Miss Highlands County in case Wilson could not complete her term.

Fellow Sebring High School senior Ashley Boyce, 17, was second runner-up. Newsom Eye and Laser Center was her sponsor.

The third runner-up was Sarah Heston, 18, sponsored by Ace Hardware. She is also a Sebring High School senior.

And finally, the fourth runner-up was Chelsea Seignious, 17, sponsored by Central Contractors. She is a Lake Placid High School junior.

The pageant was coordinated by Christie Spiegel for eight years in a row with help from Dawn Zahller for the last three pageants.

Miss Photogenic was Brittany Townsend, 16, and Miss Congeniality was Jenny Bond, 16. Townsend is an Avon Park High School sophomore and Bond has been homeschooled and is performing at a 10th-grade level.

Spiegel said her goal is to help instill confidence and help the girls overcome their fears of appearing before and speaking to an audience and fear of the microphone.

“I hope everybody enjoyed the show and will come back and watch it in the future,” she said. “Miss Highlands County is wearing her crown and sash representing the Highlands County Fair Association.”

Spiegel had a few words of advice for Wilson.

“It’s up to her what she wants to make of it,” she said. “Wear it with pride and make the most of it.”

Among other gifts, Wilson won a $1,000 college scholarship, which she may also use if she chooses to compete for a state title, as well as a tiara, sash and silver tray, from the Highlands County Fair Association.

The first, second, third and fourth runners-up also win a tiara and silver tray from the Highlands County Fair Association, plus other gifts.

---

Police Seek Attempted Murder Suspect
By JOE SEELIG

SEBRING — Police were looking for a suspect in the attempted murder of a man who was shot on Lemon Street on Sunday, Sebring Police Cmdr. Steve Carr said.

Two shots were fired at about 2:20 p.m. Sunday after an argument turned violent. A second man was hit by a piece of one bullet.

Carr said Monday a warrant on a charge of second-degree attempted murder has been issued for the male suspect, but was not ready to release his name.

“One victim, a male 23, was approached by the suspect who shot at him twice,” Carr said. “He was struck once in the torso. The second individual was hit in the foot by a piece of shrapnel, (a piece of the bullet that missed the other victim).

“He was in the immediate vicinity of the subject that was shot in the torso. It appears it was the result of an argument that started right there on Lemon.”

There was some gambling going on just prior to the shooting but police are not sure that was part of the cause, Carr added.

He did not have a condition report on either victim and said police believe the shooter acted alone.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Curtis Hart.

---

Idol Contestants Move To Semifinals
By CHRIS BUTLER

SEBRING — Erika Meyers was dressed to match her song even though she almost tripped because of them.

Resplendent in red high heels, Meyers sang a song titled “Red High Heels.”

The venue was the Heartland Idol competition Saturday night at the Highlands County Fair.

The high heels were so distinct they nearly caused her to trip up the stairs while walking onstage.

Fortunately for her, luck was on her side as she later won herself a place in the semi-finalist competition for Saturday’s Idol.
Meyers was among four other teen semifinalist winners.

Five other junior semifinalists under 13 were also chosen.

The teen semifinalist winners included the following:
u Morgan Williams, 15. The Sebring High School student sang Christina Aguilera’s “Reflection.”

u Lindsey Varis. The Grace Academy student sang “God’s Will.”

u Erin Meyers, 14. The Sebring Middle student sang “Bring Me Down.”

u Jessica Varis, age unknown

Idol judges Theresa Handley, Diana Walker and Megan Montgomery judged finalists on not only their singing abilities, but their poise and ability to connect with audiences.

The same standards were held for the junior semi-finalists, including the following:

u Ivanna Santos, the Sebring Middle School student’s performance was twice interrupted by technical difficulty with background music. Santos was able to perform without the benefit of background music, however.

u Christopher Hawthorne, 11, a Hill-Gustat Middle School student.

u Sidney Hilt, 11. The Sebring Middle School student sang a Sara Evans song.

u Sara Liles, 12. The Sebring Middle School student sang Gretchen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman.”

u Jacklyn Migliori, 10. The Lake County Elementary student sang an updated version of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz.”

The five finalists will meet at Saturday’s competition at the Highlands County Fair Pavilion at 7 p.m.

---

By GARY PINNELL

SEBRING — A month ago, Commissioner Guy Maxcy was calling the library audit a bloodbath.

But after four meetings with Clerk of Courts Luke E. Brooker, his chief auditor Bob Jamison, County Administrator Carl Cool and mediator Jeff Carlson, Maxcy said both sides are now cordial.

“We understand each other better now,” Maxcy said.

“We still have just a little bit further to go yet, so it would be premature to precisely predict the outcome,” Jamison said. “From my experience in the three meetings the atmosphere has been productive, congenial and cooperative. Everyone attending has had a chance to be perfectly open and candid, that’s the proper atmospheres for better understanding.”

Brooker ordered an audit of the Highlands County and Heartlands regional library systems, which took 18 months to complete. In the results, compiled in a binder larger than a ream of paper, the librarians said they felt harassed by auditors Heather Woods and Mary Wilson.

The audit detailed 61 findings, or alleged violations of county policy. Those findings included possible criminal offenses, like missing money and equipment, and gambling and viewing pornography on library computers. A sheriff’s investigation revealed no crimes occurred.

Cool and Maxcy – who is on the library advisory board – sided with the librarians, and didn’t answer two-thirds of the findings. That led the auditors to say they felt their work wasn’t being taken seriously.

After a day-long meeting – a defense of the audit by Cool and library Director Mary Myers – the commissioners sensed the hostility between Cool and Brooker’s office, and ordered the county administrator to sit down with Brooker.

Cool submitted, but Brooker resisted. “It’ll have to be a request, because you can’t order me to do it,” Brooker loudly told the commissioners as the meeting ended. Cool is employed by the commissioners; Brooker is elected and answers directly to the voters.

In November, Jamison complained that only three of the five commissioners came to his office and looked at the reams of backup evidence the auditors prepared from their audit.

Maxcy said Thursday he didn’t believe it was his responsibility to view the evidence; that was Cool and his staff’s job, and report to the commissioners.

Cool and Maxcy now have learned more about that evidence, Jamison said. “I believe they have enjoyed finding out more about the audit.”
“It takes a lot of effort and time on their part,” Jamison said.

They have scheduled a fifth meeting for next week. Maxcy will update the commissioners with an oral report on Tuesday. A final written report, signed by Maxcy and Brooker, will be issued after that meeting, said Jamison.

“[Brooker] is going to keep doing the internal audits,” Maxcy said. At one point, he proposed looking at the possibility of going around Brooker and hiring outside auditors, because there would be less animosity.

“The real test will be born out in the next audit, and the follow-up on the library audit,” Jamison said.

As part of the checks and balances system of government, the clerk of courts office is constitutionally empowered to audit the commissioners.
Jamison said the target of the next internal audit will be determined by an internal audit risk analysis. Brooker will decide which of the commissioner’s 25 or 30 departments pose the greatest risk.

That choice will be made this month, Jamison said.

---

Hot Line To Receive New Campaign
By MANDY SHEETS

SEBRING — Despite the dwindling number of callers seeking help from the We Care hot line, community leaders say they prefer to resurrect it than disband it.

Only 77 youths dialed 1-800-486-2358 in 2006, but members of the Children’s Services Council say if the line helps even one person, it’s worth keeping.

Kevin Roberts, executive director of the council, spearheaded the hot line’s creation in 1993, collaborating with a national hot line, and localized the initiative two years later.

“This is a subject that is very near and dear to me, but I can let it go if I need to,” Roberts said.

Officials who work with youth said getting rid of it would be a huge mistake.

“From what I see every day, I can tell you in the future you are going to need everything you can get to help kids,” said Bonnie Brown, dean of students at Woodlawn Elementary School. “We have lots of little ones with issues, and it’s only going to get worse as they get older.”

An anonymous local organization that’s open 24 hours answers calls to the hot line.

“We don’t have trained psychologists answering these calls,” Roberts said. “It’s always been billed as a connection to someone who cares. We have people who receive training about how to handle issues involving community mental health.”

Because callers remain anonymous, tracking the hot line’s success isn’t possible.

“There’s no way to know how much good has been done,” said Marcia Clements, counselor at Sebring Middle School. “A lot of
kids just need to talk out their problems and have someone listen. I’m confident in believing the hot line has helped prevent a handful of potential tragedies.”

Officials suggested the problem with lack of use could be in promotion of the hot line.

Since the 1995 launch of the local hot line, the same picture has appeared on business cards and posters advertising the hot line. Although Roberts’ daughter designed the logo of a phone with a rainbow in the background, he conceded it probably needs revamping.

The annual budget for the hot line is $5,000, the majority of which covers printing business cards and posters. Roberts said he is willing to throw more money into the program to better promote it.

The We Care hot line committee may host a logo-design contest and plaster the new logo on stickers and T-shirts.

Promotion in the schools will be the key to the hot line’s success, Roberts said.

“We need a sparkplug at each school to get behind this and be committed to keeping it,” Roberts said. “I think if we can get kids thinking about this hot line again, they will use it.”

---

By CHRIS BUTLER

SEBRING — Sebring resident Malena Pack stood in disbelief Friday as she held her infant daughter Jenna and surveyed what was left of her scorched mobile home.

The house burned to a smoldering crisp early Thursday morning at the Valencia Family Mobile Home Park.

She and her family believe a malfunctioning furnace caused the fire, although a state fire inspector hadn’t yet confirmed those suspicions as of Friday afternoon.

The fire spread and eventually damaged the front of her car, making it now unusable.

It was a cruel twist of fate for someone celebrating her 22nd birthday today.

Her spirits remain high, despite both a strong stench in the air and the fact that Pack had no homeowner’s insurance.

“I was scared. I had a really hard time getting out through my hallway. But I was just happy to get my kids out,” Pack said of her children Jenna and Sage. Her voice is still coarse from the smoke she inhaled Thursday morning.

She credits a smoke detector installed by her father two months ago with saving the lives of all three.

Pack said she got herself and her two children out of her home after being awakened by her smoke detector around 2 a.m.
“I’m a pretty deep sleeper. It’s hard to wake me up, but once the alarm went off I began to to notice the smoke. I grabbed my kids and
we had to duck through a lot of the flames just to get out the front door.”

“I had to grab my jacket on the way out because I didn’t have any clothes on,” she said, adding she had to borrow a pair of pants from her neighbor after first calling 911.

Neighbors said it wasn’t long before they were also awakened by the heavy flames.

Many in the neighborhood of 50-60 residents went outside to watch as DeSoto City volunteer firefighters spent 30 to 45 minutes putting out the blaze.

Pack now faces the loss of everything she’s ever owned, including her purse, credit cards and ID cards. Her daughters no longer have clothes, toys or birth certificates.

But Pack’s spirits were raised a little after finding her two daughters’ baby pictures had survived. 
She now has a message for anyone without a smoke detector.

“Make sure to have your smoke detector on at all times. My kids and I wouldn’t be here right now if ours hadn’t gone off. I know they’re annoying, but you never know what might happen,” Pack said.

Pack and her daughters returned to Sebring two and a half months ago after living for a time in Minneapolis.

Pack’s parents live in Sebring and said her daughter had lived in the mobile home for one specific reason.

“We chose this place because there’s simply no affordable housing in this county,” said her father, Jim Pack.
Pack’s mother Cindee said it’s a shame.

“This is what happens when there’s a lack of affordable housing. People have to live in places they shouldn’t be living in and they’re stuck in these dangerous kinds of situations,” Cindee Peck said.

The Sebring chapter of the American Red Cross has already provided Malena with a playpen for her two daughters. She said the Red Cross has all of her information in case anyone wishes to help.

Malena is now looking for not only another affordable place to live, but assistance cleaning up what remains of her mobile home. 
“We’ll have to hire someone to clean it all up but we don’t have the foggiest idea who to call,” Jim Pack said. 
Malena’s mother is just grateful her daughter is still alive.

“I can’t even stress enough the importance of having a smoke detector. Three people would have been dead in a matter of minutes if it weren’t for them,” Cindee Pack said.

---

County Might Take Over Lockett Estate

By GARY PINNELL

SEBRING — The Highlands County Historic Preservation Commission intends to ask the county commission to accept the Edna Pearce Lockett homestead.

Currently, Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Environmental Studies is offering the county $500,000 to take possession of the 14-acre homestead, which used to belong to Lockett, one of the state’s first female legislators. The Pearce family were pioneers.

The county commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Highlands County Government Center in Sebring.

Commission Chairman Guy Maxcy, who attended Thursday afternoon’s preservation committee meeting, said he’ll have to hear the entire presentation, but currently he leans toward accepting the preservation commission’s proposal, if it costs the county no money. The preservation committee has said it will seek grants to keep the project in black ink.

Commissioners Barbara Stewart and Edgar Stokes have attended previous preservation commission meetings, and have spoken cautiously about taking over the estate. Stokes said a crowd of people was easy to attract during a preservation day at the estate, but few tourists showed during the rest of the year.

Louisa Kerwin, an FAU professor, asked the preservation members to guide Saturday’s tour of the Pearce homestead, to be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The homestead is located near the intersection of U.S. 98 and the Kissimmee River, east of Lorida. The day includes self-guided walking tours, two free boat trips, and an introduction to Florida animals.

For more information, call 462-0025.

---

Advertisement

Write a letter to the editor | Subscribe and get two weeks free | Place an Ad Online