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Newly released autopsy reports have confirmed that 20-year-old Jayden McCamont and her fiancé, 29-year-old Kashief Walker, died from carbon monoxide poisoning during the April 3rd fire at the Econo Lodge in Avon Park. Investigators found both had inhaled lethal levels of carbon monoxide before the fire was extinguished. The Highlands County Fire Rescue report also Continue reading

Highlands County has released new details ahead of Tuesday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting on the proposed 10-year residential solid waste agreement. The proposal would continue weekly garbage collection, alternating-week yard waste and bulk waste pickup, and access to county recycling drop-off sites. It also includes replacing at least 8,500 residential garbage carts each year Continue reading

The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners will discuss renewing the county’s residential solid waste collection contract during its meeting Tuesday, Aug. 4. Commissioners will review potential services for the next agreement, though no final decisions will be made. Agenda materials will be posted online Thursday, and residents are encouraged to review them and attend Continue reading

Longtime Highlands County broadcaster John Meder has died. He was 90. Known to generations of listeners as "Meder in the Morning," Meder helped launch WWOJ Country in 1987 and spent nearly 35 years on the air. His voice became a familiar part of daily life across Highlands County, and his commitment to the community reached Continue reading

Highlands County voters will cast ballots in a new congressional district this election cycle. The county has been moved from Congressional District 18 to District 9 under Florida’s new redistricting map, meaning Congressman Scott Franklin will no longer represent Highlands County or appear on the Aug. 18 primary ballot. The change does not affect races Continue reading

The qualifying period for Avon Park’s upcoming city election begins today. Candidates have until 5 p.m. on Friday, August 7th, to file for the mayor’s seat and one city council seat at Avon Park City Hall. Several potential candidates have already picked up qualifying packets, including Mayor Garrett Anderson and Deputy Mayor Jim Barnard. The Continue reading

If you’re driving through the SpringLake community, be sure to slow down. The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office says all roads in the district, including the entrance roads and Duane Palmer Boulevard, are now posted at 25 miles per hour. Officials say the change is designed to improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and golf cart drivers. Continue reading

A Highlands County judge has halted the August 4th recall election for Avon Park Mayor Garrett Anderson, Deputy Mayor Jim Barnard, and Councilwoman Brittany McGuire. Circuit Judge Peter Estrada ruled the recall petition was legally insufficient, saying it failed to identify any specific laws or city charter provisions the officials allegedly violated. As a result, Continue reading

A 300-acre brush fire near Turkey Track Road and County Road 731 in the Venus area was fully contained Tuesday night after crews from Highlands County Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service battled the wind-driven blaze for several hours. No homes or buildings were threatened. While smoke and flames remained visible within the containment Continue reading

Highlands County Fire Rescue is expected to ask commissioners today to approve the purchase of two new tanker trucks. The 2026 E-One vehicles, costing more than $2 million, would provide additional water capacity for emergency responses in areas without nearby hydrants and help strengthen fire protection efforts throughout the county. Despite concerns from teachers, the Continue reading