Barry Foster

It took them a while, but it appears Highlands County Commissioners yesterday were able to adjust next year’s budget so that the millage rate will remain unchanged. The commission used $3.6 million dollars from their reserve contingency fund to balance the books. Although the millage rate will stay at 8.55 – or $8.55 for each Continue reading

Better than 600 residents turned out for early voting in the August Primary elections over the weekend here in Highlands County. Locations are open at the Avon Park city council chambers, the Supervisor of Elections Operations Center on Kenilworth Blvd. in Sebring and the Lake Placid Town Hall. Highlands County Supervisor of Elections Penny Ogg Continue reading

Volunteers from the Lake Placid, Desoto City, Placid Lakes and Sun N Lake fire departments – as well as the Highlands County EMS and Fire Services turned out yesterday to extinguish a blaze at the Tower Plaza in Lake Placid. Despite a heat index of better than 105-degrees there were no injuries reported. Authorities say Continue reading

Director of Transportation for the Highlands County Schools, David Solomon, has respoded to reports of an incident where a trio of school children were left off better than two miles from their appointed bus stop. Calling it “confusion on everyone’s part,” Solomon said the bus driver will recieve a letter of warning and will have Continue reading

Sebring police are on the lookout for a full sized Florida black bear. It first was spotted near the Sebring Baptist Church on Pine Street around 1:00 this morning. Officers chased it through a nearby residential area, lost track, then found it again at the Sebring Middle School. They now believe it went over the Continue reading

It appears Florida Hospital soon will be going by a new name – Adventest Health System. Officials say it is a change that will be reflected across their 1,000 care facilities. The local hospital reportedly will be known as AdventHealth Heartland. The change reportedly not the result of a merger or change of ownership – Continue reading

It was back to school today for thousands of youngsters across Highlands County and – so far – no major incidents have been reported. Highlands County school officials are cautioning motorists to drive carefully and to observe posted limits in school zones. Drivers also are warned to watch for youngsters walking or bicycling on their Continue reading

After appearing several times before the Sebring city council and sending a letter to the Highlands County Fairgrounds, officials of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have announced that the Loomis Brothers Circus has cancelled their appearances in Highlands County. At issue were the elephant and tiger acts, which PETA officials alleged were Continue reading

A West Sebring firefighter is being hailed as a hero, after rescuing a baby from a potentially life-threatening situation. According to reports, Francisco Olivero Jr was headed with his family to Sun N’ Lake Elementary School for a student orientation session, when he noticed what appeared to be a small child in the back seat Continue reading

Three people were seriously injured yesterday morning when two vehicles collided north of Avon Park. Florida Highway Patrol reports indicate a car driven by 64-year-old Mirella Theilves Graveran ran a stop sign at the intersection of North Oleander Drive and Taunton Road, and hit an SUV driven by Maribel Toscano. The force of impact caused Continue reading