The Latest Local News

Early morning fog socked in several areas of Highlands County during the pre-dawn hours. The worst of it came at the intersection of Highway 27 and Skipper Road south of Sebring when a car ran up under a semi tractor-trailer rig. The driver of the car had to be freed by first responders, then was Continue reading

Highlands County commissioners are in search of a way to clean up their recycling program. According to reports, between half and 70-percent of the recycling loads picked up by waste connections contain non-recyclable materials. That means the whole load is spoiled – meaning additional costs to having as much as 400-tons per-month dumped at a Continue reading

Highlands County commissioner this morning discussed proposals on purchasing new properties for use by the county, the tax collector’s office and even the School Board of Highlands County. Following an hour-long discussion, commissioners asked County Administrator Randy Vossburg to continue due dilligence at the old Phillips Power Plant for a fire station and training academy. Continue reading

Highlands County will be shutting down the online portal for coronavirus inoculation appointments for frontline healthcare workers and individuals 65 and older starting today. Instead, they will be refereed to the statewide per-registration system. County officials say they will continue to schedule appointments for the vaccine from the waiting list the county has compiled, until Continue reading

A wildfire that started Tuesday up at the Avon Park Bombing Range has grown to where County officials say it’s likely to be up near 3,000 acres by the time it’s contained. The Sherrif’s Department says you can expect smoke in the region for the next few days while crews work to contain the fire Continue reading

Traffic headaches continue through this week in Avon Park as the CSX people continue railroad crossing repairs. Word is West Main Tracks have detours posted and traffic disrupted through this coming Sunday. Local traffic can use North Lake Avenue to CR 17A and US 98/US 27, or West Pleasant Street to US 98/US 27, and Continue reading

NEWS 1/27/21 BF AP//SCHRADER Avon Park City Manager Mark Schrader has finally recieved his first evaluation. It was supposed to have come at the six month mark, but was put off due to the coronavirus. At their meeting Monday evening, the city council gave him an average 80-percent ranking which is considered “very good.” While Continue reading

It will be a challenge driving around Avon Park today. Officials at CSX have announced they will be shutting down all the railroad crossings but one in the City of Charm, for repairs. That means crossings at West Bell, Main, Pleasant streets and West Lake Isis Avenue will be shut down. The only one open Continue reading

Officials at the Sebring International Raceway have received some bad news. Officials of the World Endurance Challenge have announced that they are pulling the plug on the WEC 1,000 mile race slated for here as part of the March 12 Hours of Sebring – inasmuch as travel from Europe to the United States has become Continue reading

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