The Latest Local News

It’s Christmas Parade season in Highlands County, and the second of the big downtown parades is tonight in Sebring. Lineup will be along the Sebring Parkway just north of Ridgewood beginning at 5:30pm – organizers say it’s a y’all come format for registered units in the lineup – first in line leaves first. The parade Continue reading

Competition gets underway today at the Sebring International Raceway as all classes in the Alan Jay Pistons & Props event take to the historic circuit for qualifying and racing. Historic Sports Car Racing is sanctioning the last big race of the year at S-I-R. Qualifing will be held through the afternoon with the BRM V/GTC Continue reading

Highlands county officials have released a year-end "State of the County" video. The 15-minute presentation represents a review of many of the activities by the county. The offerings range fron the creation of a new department, the hiring of new employees and promotions, to various grants that were obtained for county projects. Also included were Continue reading

The Highlands County commission has a new chairman. First term commissioner Kevin Roberts was selected to chair the board for the upcoming year. In other action, the commission gave their blessing to the proposed Aquaculture Work Program for Lake Istokpoga. The South Florida Water Management District program actually has nothing to do with commissioners, but Continue reading

The first of Highlands County’s Christmas parades will step off tonight in Avon Park. More than 80 units including floats, bands, marching groups and others will make their way down Main Street starting a 7:00. Beginning at 2:00 this afternoon there will be free photos available with Santa & Mrs. Claus at the Jacaranda hotel. Continue reading

Black Friday is officially in progress. After public pressure a couple years ago prompted most major chains to close on Thanksgiving Day, the rush began early this morning. Wal Mart stores posted their opening times at 5am this morning, Home Depot and Lowe’s stores opened at 6am. Down at Lakeshore Mall, Beall’s website posted a Continue reading

Happy Thanksgiving! That may be a reminder to folks with trash cans out waiting for County pickup … this one of those relatively rare holidays when the County’s contractor does NOT do routes. Thursday schedules this week move to Friday, and Friday moves to Saturday. Your local firefighters remind you to stay safe around hot Continue reading

Just a reminder, if you’d forgotten – today’s your last chance this week to transact any business with the County or local governments. All offices will – of course – be closed tomorrow on Thanksgiving, but most will take Friday off as well to let employees spend time with family – and on Friday, maybe, Continue reading

You may think the rent is too darn high here – but according to a new report from Construction Coverage, rental costs in the Avon Park/Sebring metro area are below the national average. The numbers show the median average rent here is $1,261 dollars – with an average of $1,198 for a two bedroom unit Continue reading

It’s very foggy in parts of Highlands and surrounding counties this morning. Officials caution drivers to leave a bit early for their destiations, slow down and use their low-beam headlights for better visibility until the fog lifts. Usually, the Highlands County commission meets the first and third Tuesday of each month – but not this Continue reading