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Avon Park’s Community Redevelopment Agency is losing its top leader. CRA Executive Director Jessica Carlson has resigned after eight months, accepting a new role with AdventHealth Heartland. Her final day is January 5, when she’ll present a full transition report to the CRA Joint Board. Carlson says she brought structure to the CRA—expanding business grants Continue reading

A Marine Corps veteran previously caught faking his military record has been arrested again for illegally obtaining a Florida Purple Heart license plate. Detective Glenn Burnsed says Zacharias Reeves renewed the honor plate for his truck using false documents, even though he has never received a Purple Heart. Video from the Highlands County Tax Collector’s Continue reading

Three arrests have now been made in the fight that broke out during the Avon Park Christmas Parade on December 1st. Deputies say 19-year-olds Damajae Fraser and Jamere Nelson, along with a 16-year-old, were taken into custody Tuesday. Investigators determined Fraser started the brawl by throwing the first punch, with the other two joining in. Continue reading

A big-box boost may be on the horizon for Sebring, with BJ’s Wholesale Club now pursuing a new site in town. City officials say the company is working through permits for a location just north of Keiber Boulevard near the Holiday Inn Express, with room for three additional outparcels. There’s also rising interest in nearby Continue reading

The Avon Park City Council has voted to end its contract with Florida Airport Management and take back control of the Executive Airport. Despite the company’s pushback, council members unanimously moved forward. To avoid disruptions during a busy period, Humberto Moreno of Flight Academy will temporarily run airport operations while the city plans its next Continue reading

Highlands County is moving forward with plans to expand the Multi-Sports Complex on Sheriffs Tower Road. County commissioners approved buying 43 acres of land for about $724,000, funded through the Tourism Development Council’s bed-tax trust fund. The property, which borders the current facility, will allow for more sports fields, lighting, new parking, and a playground, Continue reading

Authorities are investigating a shooting in Avon Park after a 16-year-old boy was found lying in the street Monday night. Deputies say multiple shots were fired, and the teen was airlifted to a trauma center where he remains in critical but stable condition. Meanwhile, deputies also responded to an unrelated fight outside the Pour House Continue reading

Avon Park teachers are reeling after a school custodian was arrested for allegedly stealing their credit card information and going on a spending spree. Deputies say 42-year-old Elizabeth Ortiz Suarez used staff cards to pay her water bill, shop online, and even try to fund her son’s jail commissary account. A search of her phone Continue reading

A woman at the center of an explosive case targeting local law enforcement is now getting a mental health evaluation. 27-year-old Emily Michele Staten is accused of unleashing hundreds of vile Facebook messages and videos, threatening to rape, shoot, and run over Sebring Police officers and Highlands County deputies — even driving past their headquarters Continue reading

Starting next month, visitors to downtown Sebring will see a dedicated daytime law enforcement presence, funded by the Community Redevelopment Agency. Beginning December 9th, Sebring Police officers and Highlands County deputies will patrol the downtown area Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Officials say the officers will serve as both a visible Continue reading