Barry Foster

It looks like the Avon Park Executive Airport soon may have a fixed base operator. At their meeting tonight, the Avon Park city council will take a look at a pending agreement with a firm that could run the facility, In other action, the council will discuss the process to hire a full-time attorney for Continue reading

Another brush fire in Highlands County – this time in the south end. Units from Sun ‘N Lakes, Placid Lakes and Venus turned out to assist Florida Forestry crews in snuffing what was termed “a stubborn fire.” Authorities say the property was difficult to access, as it was sparked on a secluded area off of Continue reading

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that would allow classroom teachers to carry guns in school – in systems that permit it. Highlands County Superintendent of Schools Brenda Longshore has reiterated her opposition to the expansion of the “Guardian Program” here. Instead, local schools are looking at installing the Active Shooter Awareness Program. Continue reading

It was just a year ago that Highlands County Sheriff’s Deputy William Gentry was gunned down during a routine call. Today, he will be honored in Washington D.C. during the National Peace Officer’s Memorial Service. Family members and several Highlands County Sheriff’s Office representatives will be there. A local observance was held here in Sebring Continue reading

On a 3-2 margin, Highlands County School Board members last night voted to plough ahead with plans to hire a safety and security director for the system. Members Donna Howerton and Jill Compton-Twist lobbied to hold off the action until budget time when finances became more clear and Sheriff Paul Blackman could indicate what his Continue reading

The Highlands County School Board will discuss the possibility of hiring a full time Director of Safety and Security when they get together in regular session this evening. At a previous meeting, board member Donna Howerton called for the board to hold off on any action until funding from state tax dollars was finalized in Continue reading

Only one person was injured in that fire earlier this week at a propane storage facility south of Sebring. Now, members of his family have started a GoFundMe page to help defray costs for Wayne McCall. The 43-year-old McCall reportedly suffered second and third degree burns over 25% of his body. Family members say he Continue reading

This is the first Thursday of May, meaning it is the National Day of Prayer. Hundreds are expected to gather on the front lawn of the Highlands County courthouse this morning at 11:00 to mark the observance. The program, started 26 years ago by former Highlands County Clerk of Courts – the late Lukey Brooker, Continue reading

Fire struck here again yesterday. This time it was in the far northern portion of Highlands County. At last report, the 3-acre blaze had claimed a trailer house, a barn and at least nine vehicles. Highlands Lakes volunteers as well as units from West Sebring, the Avon Park Bombing Range and the Florida Forest Service Continue reading

Officials of the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms are sifting through the rubble of the Kosan/Crisplan propane gas tank warehouse in an effort to determine what sparked a massive fire there and how it spread. Units from all over Highlands County and other agencies worked for hours yesterday Continue reading