Barry Foster

It’s going to be a busy weekend in Sebring. After a one-year absence, the Sebring FireFest returns. There will be firefighter olympics – known as firematics, also planned are safety exhibits, demonstrations & displays, music and a food truck rally will be featured. That will commence in downtown Sebring tomorrow morning at 9am. The Sebring Continue reading

It’s that time of year again, when the winter drag racing season begins. Officials at the Sebring International Raceway say this time it will start with a bang, as sessions will be held tonight on the historic front stretch of the track, then again on Saturday with a gala celebration. The so-called “Battle of the Continue reading

Avon Park city council members have instructed their city attorney to draw up an ordinance that would allow the use of golf carts on roads in certain areas of town. Members of the Crystal Lake community have been doing it, claiming to be a golfing community. City attorney Glinda Pruitt says the practice is illegal Continue reading

Local elections have been thrown for a loop as one of the candidates has died. Democrat April Freeman, who was slated to challenge Republican Greg Steube for the District 17 Congressional seat, reportedly passed away Sunday night. The cause of death is not known. Highlands County Supervisor of Elections Penny Ogg says, chairmen of Democrat Continue reading

It’s an old scam, but this time it involves the Highlands County Sheriffs office. Officials there say someone is calling local residents claiming to represent the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office. They claim the citizen has missed jury duty – then of course, they want money. Sheriff’s officials say if you get such a call – Continue reading

Sebring city council members are slated to take a field trip to their municipal golf course. Bob Funk, who lives off the 13th fairway, is complaining that his home has been peppered with golf balls – especially since Hurricane Irma took out some protective trees last year. Funk says he has buckets of balls from Continue reading

A couple of Highlands County residents have been caught up in out-of county traffic accidents. Florida Highway Patrol troopers say 39-year-old Dallas Gross of Lake Placid was eastbound on State Road 64 in Manatee County, when a Honda Accord turned in front of him. His Dodge Ram pickup hit the car broadside. His passenger, 12-year-old Continue reading

Highlands County Sheriff’s detectives are seeking information about shots being fired in Avon Park early yesterday morning. They say that sometime between 3 and 3:30, several shots were fired outside a residence on W. Hal McRae Blvd. Seven of those shots struck the house, and four of them entered the structure. Luckily, none of the Continue reading

Florida apparently keeps setting records on the number of tourists headed to the Sunshine State – what remains in question is – how many of them show up in Highlands County? Governor Rick Scott yesterday announced that an estimated 65.5 million tourists came to Florida during the first six month of the year – nearly Continue reading

Is the city of Avon Park transparent enough when it comes to public records? After city attorney Glinda Pruitt told council they met minimum state standards, council members Terry Heston, Dora Smith and Vice Mayor Brenda Gray voted not to have the city develop their own rules for how public records should be kept. Council Continue reading