The Latest Local News

Some residents have been complaining about a haze or smoke in Highlands County. Officials from the Florida Forest Service say drift smoke from Canadian wildfires is covering most of the state. So far, there’s no indication how long it will be here, despite good numbers from the Smoke Dispersion Index. The effects of the cloud Continue reading

When it comes to innovation, Highlands County might not be the spot. A new report from SmartDollar shows that the Sebring metro area didn’t make the top 100 in the survey. In fact, the area came it at 120 in the so-called composite innovation index. Locally we had a score of 58.8, with only 1.3-percent Continue reading

That cloud of smoke from the Canadian Wildfires that covered most of Florida yesterday has moved on. At one point, the air quality index locally had ballooned to a reading of 130, which was deemed "unhealthy for sensitive groups." Older adults, young children and those with raspatory issues were urged to stay inside. The number Continue reading

A Highlands County resident reportedly was killed yesterday in a Hardee County traffic crash. According to reports, a Sebring man failed to negotiate a curve on Parnell Road. The car ran off the highway, down an embankment and slammed into t concrete culvert. Florida Highway Patrol reports indicate he was not wearing a seatbelt and Continue reading

It may be that time of year, reports are coming in about the sightings of Love Bugs again. The insects that "fly united" come twice a year – once in the spring, then again in the fall. So far, the infestation appears to be light. Acting on the advice of consultants, Avon Park city council Continue reading

A pre-dawn fatal traffic accident in Highlands County blocked Highway 27 south of Highway 70 near Venus for quite a while this morning. Reportedly the mishap involving a semi-truck occurred near the intersection of Archbold road around 3:30. Florida Highway Patrol officials have released no other details. Avon Park residents will see a bit of Continue reading

It’ll be a big meeting for the Avon Park city council tonight when they get together for their last meeting of September. They’ll first hold public hearings and approvals for their millage rate and budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Although they voted to leave their millage rate unchanged, tax totals in the city of Continue reading

There’s action on the track at the Sebring International Raceway today as the Fanatec GT World Challenge America cars run their test & tune sessions in preparation for the upcoming race weekend. Practice laps will be held tomorrow. On the circuit will be Fanatec GT World Challenge, Pirelli GT4 America, Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Cup Continue reading

Load in starts today for the Fanatec GT World Challenge America. The series will be back at the Sebring Intenational Raceway for a three day competition which officially begins Friday. A full slate of GT cars from Mercedes and Porsche to BMW and Acura will be on track. Drivers in for the event include 12 Continue reading

It will be a split shift for the Highlands County commission today. At their regular session this morning the commission voted by a 3-2 margin to change zoning on a 38-acre parcel off Mike Kahn Road east of the Sebring Parkway. It will go from agricultural to a mobile home district. Planned is a 220 Continue reading