The Latest Local News

Highlands County Sheriff’s detectives are investigating a shooting incident. It happened last night on E.O. Douglas Street in the Washington Heights neighborhood east of Sebring. They are releasing few details, save that the victim had to be airlifted to a trauma center. No names have been released and it is unclear what prompted the incident. […]Continue reading

Local fire officials now say that early morning blaze at a home on Brynwood Lane out in the Kissimmee River Estates has a fatality involved. The call came in shortly after 2:00 this morning. Units from Sun ‘N Lakes South, Highlands Park, Lorida and Lake Placid worked the blaze. The fire was in a remote […]Continue reading

Today is the government observance of the birthday of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King jr. That means banks, governmental offices and some businesses will be closed. There also are no classes in the Highlands County schools. Observances are planned for today in Sebring and in Lake Placid. In Sebring, a parade is […]Continue reading

Highlands County school board members have been briefed about an effort to honor one of their longtime employees. Representatives of the Highlands County Education Support Personnel Association have revealed plans to name one of their facilities after Israel “Izzy” Santiago. Santiago passed away last year, after driving a bus for the district for three decades. […]Continue reading

A couple of accidents overnight have kept local first responders busy. Highway 27 was tied up in front of the Advent Hospital Sebring around 7:PM, when a car and an ambulance collided at Highway 27 & Valerie Blvd. Highlands County Sheriff’s officials say they have no details on the mishap – but apparently nobody was […]Continue reading

Highlands County Superintendent of Schools Brenda Longshore says local youngsters are beginning to filter back into the classroom, following the suspension of the “Innovative Learning Environment.” That program provided the opportunity for youngsters to take classes via computer. However, it was discontinued after reports that a third of students were failing at least one class […]Continue reading

Florida Highway Patrol officials finally have released some information on an accident in the Avon Park Lakes neighborhood last night that claimed the life of a cyclist. According to the report, a 39-year-old Sebring man was riding east on West Stryker Road around 6:20 last night. He was struck from behind by a car, driven […]Continue reading

Highlands County Sheriff’s officials are warning residents about a Coronavirus scam. Residents reportedly are getting calls with an offer for in-home testing. Apparently, those making the calls have a lot of information about the recipients which makes them sound legitimate. Authorities say there are no approved agencies in Highlands County to make such a solicitation. […]Continue reading

Highlands County commissioners met for their first session of the new year yesterday. They received an update on the Coronavirus vaccination program from Health Department representative Penny Pringle. Reportedly, appointments for the number of vaccines allocated to the county were filled up in a matter of minutes. In fact, there were 35,000 views to the […]Continue reading

Highlands County commissioners got an update on the Coronavirus vaccination program this morning. They learned that appointments for the number of vaccines allocated to the county were filled up in a matter of minutes. In fact, there were 35,000 views to the website in just a couple hours. Highlands County Health Department representative Penny Pringle […]Continue reading