The Latest Local News

A Highlands County deputy is credited with stopping a violent incident after hearing a woman screaming for help from a moving SUV in Lake Placid. Deputies say 51-year-old Markyrie McCray was pulled over after allegedly assaulting the woman inside the vehicle, leaving her with serious head injuries. She was taken to the hospital after losing Continue reading

A 33-year-old Sebring man accused in a 2022 fatal beating will proceed to trial after a judge denied his request for self-defense immunity. Jeff Danley is charged in the death of Richard David MacBain III following an August incident after the two had been drinking at a local bar. Prosecutors say Ring camera video and Continue reading

Lake Placid held its Town Council and Mayoral elections yesterday. Up for grabs, the Mayor’s office and two Town Council seats. The town has a new Mayor … Colleen Charles defeated Incumbent John Holbrook for the position by a wide margin. For the two Town Council seats, Council member Nell Frewin-Hayes was re-elected to her Continue reading

Polk County deputies are investigating a disturbing case after nine cows were shot in a rural pasture near Fort Meade. The incident happened overnight on March 18th along Lake Buffum Road West, with the property owner discovering multiple animals dead and others critically injured the next morning. Authorities say several cows had to be euthanized Continue reading

A new draft plan from Highlands County School Superintendent Brenda Longshore proposes cutting 19 district-level positions for the 2026–2027 school year. The reductions focus on administrative, instructional, and support roles at the district level, including positions in academics, transportation, maintenance, and food services. School-based staff are not included in this draft. The School Board will Continue reading

Authorities in Avon Park are investigating a deadly overnight hotel fire that left two people dead. Dispatch received the call just before 2 a.m. Friday at the Econo Lodge. Deputies and fire crews arrived within minutes to find a second-story room filled with smoke. An adult man and woman were discovered inside and pronounced dead Continue reading

The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to assist with immigration enforcement in Highlands County through federal programs that allow deputies to issue detainers. Since 2025, trained deputies can identify individuals during arrests and coordinate with ICE. Data shows 61 encounters with suspected unauthorized immigrants, most involving local charges. Continue reading

A wandering alligator caused a stir this past Sunday at a construction site in Avon Park, where a deputy with the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office stepped in to handle the situation. Body camera footage shows Deputy Gage Massey wrangling the gator using a piece of PVC pipe—while wearing a rain jacket—before guiding it into the Continue reading

The Highlands County School Board is continuing discussions on proposed changes to the Code of Student Conduct, with ongoing concerns surrounding the future of the Academy program in Sebring. Board members remain divided over a proposal to move students to virtual learning at home, citing concerns about attendance, supervision, and overall student success. Officials say Continue reading

A 26-year-old woman, Jennifer Chavez, was arrested after police say she stole a vehicle from a Publix parking lot in Sebring. According to the Sebring Police Department, Chavez had been selling flan outside the North Sebring Publix before entering the vehicle and driving off when sales were unsuccessful. Officers responded Friday afternoon to the North Continue reading