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It’s Veterans Day today – or rather, the government is observing it today by closing most offices. State and local units are – for the most part – shut down today in observance of the day itself, which oficially is tomorrow. There are Veterans Day observances planned for today, though … South Florida State College Continue reading

Highlands County could be home to a new water repository. Officials from the South Florida Water Management District reportedly are planning a 12,000 acre above-ground reservoir. The facility, that would hold up to 200,000 acre-feet of water would be located just southeast of Lake Istokpoga. The man-made lake would be surrounded by a retaining wall Continue reading

Highlands County commissioners yesterday turned back a proposed development on Sparta Road, but it took them better than five hours to do it. The contentious zoning hearing had experts for the land developers presenting their case for 80 units on 20 acres near the intersection of Sparta and Highway 27. Neighbors opposed the project in Continue reading

State Road 66 south of Sebring was closed for a time last night following a grinding two vehicle crash at the intersection of ’66 and County Road 635. Early reports indicate a car and a pickup collided there about 6:30. At least three people are said to have been flown to trauma centers with injuries Continue reading

Firefighters in Highlands County were busy over the weekend. Units from Sun ‘N Lakes South, Placid Lakes, and Highlands Park worked with Florida Forest Service Crews to contain a brush fire off Claverton Drive and Brevard Avenue in Lake Placid. The The fire threatened no structures and has been allowed to burn itself out within Continue reading

Fire crews from Highlands County were out knocking down another brush fire last night – this one was around 5 acres’ worth on Queen Avenue, south of Sebring. Crews from Highlands County and the Forest service were on the scene between 5 and 6pm, and say the fire’s contained, but may still be smoking. This Continue reading

The Avon Park Fire Department has hit the century mark. They will be celebrating their 100th birthday tomorrow from 4-6pm. The Avon Park Fire Deparment’s Centennial Celebration will include activities for citizens of all agees including games, goodies, food, and an historical display. There even will be some retired firefighters in attendance. Current firefighters also Continue reading

Lake Placid High, Lake Placid Middle, and Lake Placid Elementary were locked down for a time this morning. Highlands County School officials say it was "a precautionary measure," as the result of a student reporting that another student had made a threat. All three schools were locked down due to the proximity of the campuses. Continue reading

It appears to have been a safe and sane Haloween weekend, there were many trunk-or-treat events, a couple of scary Halloween Mazes and the traditional Beggars night. All apparently went off without incident. Law enforcement had no traffic accidents, structure fires, significant disputes or other such incidents to report. But Halloween’s not over yet. The Continue reading

Got some old meds around the house? They may look like small potatoes but it’s NOT good for the environment to just flush or wash ‘em down the drain. Local police and sheriff’s departments are participating in National Drug Take Back Day tomorrow. Old prescription meds can be dropped off at the Lake Placid Police Continue reading