Barry Foster

Highlands County Sheriff’s deputies reportedly have arrested a couple of men wanted in connection with a stabbing in the Sun ‘N Lake community. 26-year-old James Gaston Hall and 28-year-old Ka Bao Yang were seen about 7:00 last night fleeing from the scene of a stabbing on Darnell Drive reportedly – they turned themselves in the Continue reading

It appears that Avon Park City Manager June Fisher will take over where her predecessor left off. By a 3-2 margin, the Avon Park city council voted to leave her salary at $125,000 a year. Mayor Garrett Anderson lobbied for a lower figure – saying that would leave room for raises. Vice Mayor Brenda Gray, Continue reading

Highlands County Sheriff’s deputies reportedly have arrested a couple of men wanted in connection with a stabbing in the Sun ‘N Lake community. 26-year-old James Gaston Hall and 28-year-old Ka Bao Yang were seen about 7:00 last night fleeing from the scene of a stabbing on Darnell Drive reportedly – they turned themselves in the Continue reading

Avon Park city council members last night heard about a failing recreation program at the Martin Luther King Complex. City Manager June Fisher presented several requests by the organization to clean up the facility and raise money. They would like portables on the property removed – saying the buildings were heavily damaged by Hurricane Irma. Continue reading

It appears that the financial impact of new construction will continue to fall on the shoulders of Highlands County taxpayers. County commissioners have voted to suspend impact fees at least for the next two years. The motion by Commissioner Jack Richie did allow for the re-evaluation of the fees. That was put off until next Continue reading

Sebring Mayor John Shoop has called for strategic planning workshop involving both the city council and the Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency. Shoop said he has been talking with CRA Executive Director Kristi Vasquez about a number of programs involving housing, business and business retention, that could be used for incentives. Saying a lot of the Continue reading

Beginning in August, it will cost a bit more for tourists to stay in Highlands County. Commissioners this morning voted to bump the tourist tax up another two percent. The third cent would increase marketing money, with the fourth cent to be used to build a tourist-related facility. There’s no indication what that might be. Continue reading

Highlands County commissioners have taken the next step in the establishment of countywide fire protection – they’ve sent out a notice of the bill. Residents across the county are receiving letters informing them of the charges. This year’s assessment has been set at $108, with a future maximum set for $115. Businesses will be assessed Continue reading

Highlands County commissioners have taken the next step in the establishment of countywide fire protection – they’ve sent out a notice of the bill. Residents across the county are receiving letters informing them of the charges. This year’s assessment has been set at $108 per household, with a future maximum set for $115. Businesses will Continue reading

Those looking for an afternoon Latte had better get it early, the Starbucks in Sebring will be shutting down at 2:30 this afternoon – joining locations across the country in a mass “sensitivity training” session. The company took the action following an incident in its Philadelphia store, in which two black men were arrested. Starbucks Continue reading