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The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office reports 36 arrests following Operation No Treats Two, a countywide sweep targeting registered sexual and career offenders accused of violating registration requirements. The October 28th operation also led to additional arrests, including Jacob Tyler Adkins, who faces more than 850 charges involving child pornography and other offenses. His bond was Continue reading

Highlands County Fire Rescue will promote Division Chief Larry Money to deputy fire chief effective November 2nd. Money brings more than 30 years of public safety experience, including service with the Hialeah Fire Department and Ocean Reef Public Safety. He joined HCFR in 2018 and has served in several leadership roles. A formal pinning ceremony Continue reading

A 29-year-old Frostproof man faces theft and DUI charges after surveillance video allegedly linked him to a shoplifting incident at a local Family Dollar. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says Samuel Hamilton the Sixth was identified after allegedly taking cans of air-conditioning refrigerant. Deputies later found Hamilton showing signs of impairment, and investigators say he Continue reading

The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help identifying suspects in two separate theft investigations. Deputies say someone stole a black-and-red backpack during vehicle burglaries on Longview Road, Springdale Road and Grouper Drive in Sebring early Saturday. In a separate case, a woman allegedly stole a potted plant and aluminum sign from Continue reading

Sebring’s proposed downtown open container district is moving toward its next step. City council is expected to take up the issue November third, as officials weigh allowing patrons to carry alcoholic drinks outside participating businesses in designated areas. Before pursuing state legislation, council members want to hear from the public and gauge support for the Continue reading

After months of back-and-forth negotiations, the Sebring City Council has unanimously terminated its golf course lease agreement with the Blackmon family. Disagreements over the course’s deteriorating condition and pollution concerns involving Little Lake Jackson prevented the deal from moving forward. The city will now pursue a lease agreement with Fort Myers-based H&L Golf Group. The Continue reading

A revised apartment proposal is moving forward for a property on State Road 17 North in Sebring. After residents raised traffic concerns about a proposed 30-unit complex, the City Council denied the original land-use and zoning changes. Developers are now proposing a 16-unit, two-story building. The project is scheduled to go before the Planning and Continue reading

Early voting for the November 3rd general election in Highlands County begins Thursday, October 22nd, and runs through October 31st, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Voters can cast ballots at the Avon Park City Council Chambers, the Penny Ogg Operations Center in Sebring, or the Lake Placid Town Government Center. Voters should bring a Continue reading

A Sebring man faces life in prison without parole after being convicted of killing his neighbor, D’Etta Maura, in August 2023. A Highlands County jury found 39-year-old Tamario Sanders guilty of first-degree murder and related charges. Evidence included the victim’s DNA under his fingernails, blood on his shoes, and a knife linked to the killing. Continue reading

A 32-year-old pregnant woman from Avon Park and her unborn baby were killed in a five-vehicle crash Saturday evening in Frostproof. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says a semi-truck struck a stopped SUV at U.S. 27 and U.S. 98, triggering a chain-reaction collision. Several others were injured, and the investigation is ongoing. Highlands County Ag-Venture Continue reading