The Latest Local News

The Florida Cracker Trail Ride is making its way across the state once again, marking its 38th year of honoring Florida’s cattle-driving heritage. Riders began their journey on Saturday, February 8, at 9 a.m. in Bradenton’s Manatee Village Historical Park. This Wednesday morning, they are expected to reach State Road 66 and make their traditional Continue reading

Highlands County came together in a powerful show of support for two grieving families at Thursday night’s Jr. Livestock Show & Sale. Emily Tharp, who lost her cousin Kaedince Ruelas and friend Bo Ward in a tragic car accident this month, auctioned off her 278-pound swine to raise money for their families. The community responded Continue reading

A Bartow man was shot Wednesday at a Fort Meyers diner after authorities tried to apprehend him on 6 active warrants. 35-year-old Myles Strickland was wanted on two warrants for grand theft, one warrant for burglary, one warrant for armed burglary, one warrant for petty theft and one warrant for possession of a firearm by Continue reading

On Tuesday, Highlands County officials broke ground on the new Emergency Operations Center expansion on George Boulevard. The EOC is used to coordinate efforts amongst first responders, the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, emergency personnel, and various other county departments during natural disasters. The new building will be built next to the existing structure and will Continue reading

An elderly man is in custody following a deadly shooting in Lake Placid on Monday night. The sheriff’s office says 70-year-old Rosalio Astorga Sanchez admitted to shooting and killing a 40-year-old housemate at their home on Sarasota Street. When deputies arrived on scene they found the victim dead in the front yard. According to police, Continue reading

Word is that prepping Recreation Facilities in Sebring could help better execute Visit Sebring’s sports marketing program. Recently, Jared Lee, the Sebring Budget and Grants Coordinator, submitted a sports facility improvement grant application to the Tourist Development Council. The application listed 6 local facilities that require improvements ranging from better drainage, parking capacity, additional access Continue reading

The Lake Placid Community is mourning the loss of two Lake Placid High School seniors after a tragic Friday night accident on US-27 and Lake Josephine Drive. 18-year-old Bo Ward and his girlfriend 17-year-old Kaidence Ruelas were critically injured when a sedan carrying a group of teenagers attempted to change lanes and collided with Bo Continue reading

Charges have been filed in the deadly January 21st crash on US 27 that killed a 13-year-old boy. 18-year-old Deanthony Torres, is now facing multiple charges ranging from manslaughter and attempted murder. According the Florida Highway Patrol, Torres was observed speeding around 9:30PM that night on Hwy 27 near Lake Henry Drive. When a traffic Continue reading

Upcoming roadwork will be closing a portion of Sebring Parkway. Highlands County Engineering, Road & Bridge and Traffic Ops are scheduled to work on demo and repair to two manholes starting February 25th and lasting through February 26th. The affected areas will be the eastbound lanes only of the parkway between Evergreen Street and Eastview Continue reading

The discovery of several malnourished dogs on Monday has led to the arrest of a 42-year-old Lake Placid man. The dogs were found at James Ididson Barfield’s home on Flamingo Street. According to reports, The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Unit was dispatched Monday afternoon after a call regarding an emaciated dog in the Continue reading