The Latest Local News

Avon Park Councilwoman Michelle “Shellie” Mercure has resigned effective immediately, moving up her previously announced September 18th departure. Mercure said the change will allow the city to move forward with filling her vacant seat. She is leaving to relocate to another state. Council is expected to discuss the vacancy at its August 24th meeting. The Continue reading

The Highlands County S.A.L.T. Council has moved its August 18th meeting to the Orangewood Acres clubhouse in Avon Park. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. and will feature Dr. Donald Dawkins of HCA Florida Highlands Hospital as guest speaker. The clubhouse is located at 2552 North Orangewood Street, with free coffee and donuts available. South Continue reading

Polk County deputies arrested an Indiana man Saturday after responding to a suspicious person call at a Frostproof residence on Princeton Avenue. Deputies identified Scott Byrd, who was wanted in St. Joseph County, Indiana, for failing to return to a lawful detention facility. Byrd was taken to the Polk County Jail and is awaiting extradition Continue reading

The Highlands County Planning and Zoning Commission and Local Planning Agency meet today at 3 p.m. at the Government Center in Sebring. Commissioners will hold a public hearing on a proposed amendment involving Lake Placid Groves, which would update development conditions and remove expired phasing requirements. The property would retain its Mixed-Use designation. There is Continue reading

The Avon Park City Council will hold a special budget meeting today at 5 p.m., followed by its regular council meeting at 6. The proposed 2026-27 budget is based on a six-mill tax rate, the same rate adopted last year, while the city is also considering funding for new firefighters, street improvements and citywide water Continue reading

A medical implant has helped authorities identify a man whose remains were found near State Road 70 in Highlands County. The remains discovered July seventh have been identified as 49-year-old Lazaro Alonso, who was homeless and had family in Miami. Investigators say there is currently no evidence of foul play. Alonso was identified by matching Continue reading

A proposed BJ’s Wholesale Club is one step closer to becoming a reality in Sebring. City officials have received a site plan for a 106,000-square-foot warehouse club on U.S. 27, just north of Keiber Boulevard. The proposal also includes three future outparcels for additional businesses, though no tenants have been announced. The site plan is Continue reading

A Sebring man is facing multiple felony drug charges after a Highlands County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop early July 28. Deputies say 47-year-old Robert Owens was found with cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, marijuana and drug paraphernalia after allegedly attempting to hide evidence in a patrol vehicle. Owens was arrested on several drug-related charges, including Continue reading

Newly released autopsy reports have confirmed that 20-year-old Jayden McCamont and her fiancé, 29-year-old Kashief Walker, died from carbon monoxide poisoning during the April 3rd fire at the Econo Lodge in Avon Park. Investigators found both had inhaled lethal levels of carbon monoxide before the fire was extinguished. The Highlands County Fire Rescue report also Continue reading

Highlands County has released new details ahead of Tuesday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting on the proposed 10-year residential solid waste agreement. The proposal would continue weekly garbage collection, alternating-week yard waste and bulk waste pickup, and access to county recycling drop-off sites. It also includes replacing at least 8,500 residential garbage carts each year Continue reading