The Latest Local News

A Highlands County woman facing the death penalty for allegedly killing her 13-year-old adopted daughter has now been sentenced to 180 days in jail for violating a protective order. Investigators say Diane Natasha Mack tried to send pizzas to her surviving children at their school from jail, despite a no-contact order. Mack pleaded no contest Continue reading

Highlands County residents will soon have a chance to learn about affordable housing programs in our area. The Affordable Housing Informational Fair will offer details on the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program and other local housing options. You can meet with representatives from trusted housing organizations and get your questions answered. Make sure to mark Continue reading

By a 2-1 vote Monday night, the Avon Park City Council approved spending $64,000 to hire The Gilchrist Law Firm to investigate possible fraud in the sale of the Brickell Building. Councilwomen Berniece Taylor and Michelle “Shelly” Mercure voted yes; Deputy Mayor Jim Barnard opposed, and two members abstained. Council also voted 3-0 to guarantee Continue reading

A Highlands County man will remain behind bars until the year 2175 after being sentenced Tuesday to 150 years in prison for child pornography crimes. 23-year-old Jonathan Hernandez pleaded guilty to 100 counts of possessing and trading graphic images and videos involving children. Prosecutors said he had over 1,100 disturbing files and engaged in explicit Continue reading

The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office is celebrating a major achievement: Lt. Kyle Albritton has graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia — a distinction earned by less than 1% of law enforcement officers nationwide. Lt. Albritton was part of Class 294, which included 239 elite officers from across the U.S. and 14 Continue reading

If you use Memorial Drive to go back and forth between Avon Park and Sebring, a traffic note – don’t. Road work begins today on the Avon Park leg of Memorial Drive. The road will be closed for three or four days, weather permitting. Heading north, you’ll be routed down College Drive over to 27. Continue reading

The Highlands County Master Gardener Volunteers, in partnership with UF/IFAS, will host an educational class titled “Making Tea From Your Garden” on Saturday, June 21st, at the Jack Stroup Civic Center in Sebring. The program will provide participants with practical guidance on preparing herbal teas using homegrown ingredients. Attendees can also expect demonstrations, seasonal infusion Continue reading

A Lake Placid man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly attacking a 79-year-old neighbor and then resisting arrest. Deputies say 35-year-old William Kip Newby assaulted the elderly victim during a dispute over a dog, punching him and kicking him after he fell. When officers attempted to arrest him, Newby, appearing intoxicated, fought back—grabbing a Continue reading

Highlands County Schools could see 63.5 positions cut in next year’s budget, including 33 from school-level staff, under the superintendent’s second draft plan for 2025-26. Superintendent Brenda Longshore says the district aims to reduce spending by $6 million, despite uncertainty over state funding. Sebring High would lose five teachers, while Woodlawn Elementary gains four due Continue reading

Sebring’s municipal golf course lease may be back on the City Council agenda June 17 or in July, as talks continue with the Harder Hall redevelopment team. A revised agreement could include a five-year lease and tie progress to securing a certificate of occupancy for the historic hotel. City officials stress that golf course staff Continue reading