The Latest Local News

A Sebring man and his mother are now facing charges for allegedly helping cover up a rideshare robbery in the Florida Keys. 21-year-old Jacob James True, was arrested in Sebring Thursday, while his mother, 46-year-old, Mary Elizabeth Houston, of Islamorada, turned herself in. Deputies say the pair helped True’s brother, Payton Riley Roth, get rid Continue reading

63-year-old Bobbi Lynn Smith, of Sebring, has been arrested and charged with DUI manslaughter more than five years after a 2020 crash that killed 62-year-old Joseph Michael Delsignore. Florida Highway Patrol says Smith was speeding on Duane Palmer Boulevard when she lost control, causing the van to overturn and strike a palm tree. Delsignore died Continue reading

Plans to rezone 38 acres along Scenic Highway in Sebring for commercial development have been paused following public outcry. Nearby residents voiced strong concerns over transforming the residential corridor into a business zone, citing past promises to limit commercial creep beyond the Bernie Little facility. Speakers urged the city to preserve the area’s residential character, Continue reading

Dollar General has officially opened a brand-new store at 1346 Sebring Parkway in Highlands County, bringing convenient and affordable essentials closer to local residents. To celebrate, a grand opening event kicks off at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 28. The first 50 adult shoppers will snag a free $10 gift card, and the first 100 Continue reading

A tragic crash in Lake Placid early Saturday morning claimed the life of a 19-year-old ATV driver and critically injured his two passengers. Florida Highway Patrol says the Kabota Gator ATV collided with a pickup truck at the intersection of Washington Boulevard Northeast and Placid View Drive around 12:45 a.m. The ATV turned into the Continue reading

A former citrus grove west of Scenic Highway is one step closer to redevelopment following the Sebring City Council’s recent approval of rezoning and a future land use change for the 66-acre Gapway Groves parcel. The proposed community, Scenic at Sunset, will include 234 residential units with a maximum building height of two stories. The Continue reading

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