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The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit and the State Attorney’s Office say two sex offenders have recently been sentenced to prison in separate cases. Jamarkis Lamon Allen received 15 years for unlawful sexual activity with a minor and aggravated battery stemming from a 2024 case, and was designated a sexual offender. Timmy Allen Continue reading

A verdict is in in the TJ Wiggins murder trial. A Polk County jury has found Tony Lee “TJ” Wiggins Jr. guilty on all three counts of first-degree murder in the 2020 deaths of Damion Tillman, Brandon Rollins and Keven Springfield. The three men were killed while meeting for a night of fishing near Frostproof. Continue reading

A dramatic outburst interrupted closing arguments Monday in the trial of Tony Wiggins, who is accused of killing three men during a 2020 fishing trip in Frostproof. The father of victim Brandon Rollins interrupted the defense attorney, saying his son had told him Wiggins was the killer, before storming out of the courtroom. Prosecutors told Continue reading

Sebring City Councilman David Leidel says he plans to resign from the council as he and his wife, Michelle, prepare to relocate to the Huntsville, Alabama area. Leidel was elected to the council in March. His wife recently accepted a dean position at Calhoun Community College. Leidel has not yet announced his resignation’s effective date. Continue reading

The Highlands County School Board has now approved a $9 million short-term loan to help cover payroll and other expenses until property tax revenue comes in. The district had been considering the loan in recent weeks. The Tax Anticipation Note carries a 3.9% interest rate and is due February 1st, with about $124,000 in interest Continue reading

The Highlands County Hospital District Board meets today to discuss the future of the property leased to HCA Florida Highlands Hospital. The board is considering whether to pursue a new long-term lease or potentially sell the hospital property and assets when HCA’s current lease expires in July 2027. Members will review a 93-page consultant’s report Continue reading

The Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency is moving forward with plans for new gateway signs at the entrances to downtown. The CRA voted unanimously to seek proposals for updated signs on North and South Ridgewood Drive, based on its existing wayfinding plan. The project comes after board members discussed the lack of clear “Welcome to Downtown Continue reading

A water main break in Lake Placid’s Tomoka Heights area has prompted a boil water notice. The town says water service may be interrupted or temporarily discolored while repairs are underway. Residents should boil tap water for at least one minute before drinking, cooking, brushing teeth or making ice. Officials say updates will be provided Continue reading

A Sebring man is facing multiple felony drug charges after a traffic stop in Winter Haven. Police say they stopped a car after it repeatedly drifted out of its lane, then found more than 77 grams of cannabis, a digital scale and pills that tested positive for MDMA. Twenty-two-year-old Quan Shuler of Sebring allegedly claimed Continue reading

A 35-year-old Avon Park man is facing multiple charges after deputies say he fled from a traffic stop Wednesday and hid inside an area home. The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office says James Qwantarious Terrell was arrested September 16th after deputies found him hanging through the ceiling of a bathroom. Investigators say a search of the Continue reading