The Latest Local News

Highlands County commissioners took another step today in building the government-run fire service here. They approved taking out a $5.5 million dollar note. That money is slated to be used for building fire stations, purchasing vehicles and equipment. In other action, the commission will look at a $147,000 contract with Casey Hartt to run the Continue reading

It was a contentious Avon Park city council meeting last night with allegations, name-calling and finger-pointing. The purpose of the special meeting was to work on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Among other things, the council voted to re-instate the fire assessment with a 40-percent increase. That will allow them to hire two Continue reading

Monday night Avon Park city council members gave tentative approval to a budget and a millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year, but it’s far from over. After more than two hours of wrangling, the council decided to hold a special meeting to work on it some more. That will be tonight at 6:00. Among Continue reading

Marijuana dispensaries soon may be coming to Avon Park. City council members there have given the go-ahead to provisions that will allow pot dispensaries in the City of Charm. They will be treated much the same as pharmacies, however, there will be setback requirements from schools and some restrictions on the hours of operations. Avon Continue reading

Avon Park city council members spent more than half of their four hour meeting last night struggling with minutiae in their proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Following the two and a half hours of wrangling, they voted to have a special meeting on Thursday evening to go at it again. Council members hammered Continue reading

Highlands County sheriff’s officials reportedly have found a 32-year-old Sebring woman who had been reported as missing. Angela Christine Robinson had last been seen yesterday walking along Twitty Road carrying her Bible. She reportedly then disappeared, but returned home today. No explanation as to her whereabouts has been given. Sheriff’s officials say only now that Continue reading

Highlands County Sheriff’s deputies were busy overninght. Reportedly, there was a home invasion incident in Avon Park during the early morning hours. Authorities say it occurred at a home on Willie Avenue on the Southside of the City of Charm. According to reports, four suspects forced their way into a home shortly before 1:AM. They Continue reading

It was back to school today for thousands of Highlands County students. Classes resumed after three days off. The regular Labor Day holiday was extended due to the threat of Hurricane Dorian. Motorists are reminded to exercise additional caution around school zones – and to watch for children riding bicycles or walking home from schools. Continue reading

After a long wait, it appears things in Highlands County finally are returning to normal. The Tropical Storm Watch for Highlands County was lifted last night as Hurricane Dorian lumbered northward. Although Highlands County and municipal offices will resume operations today, there still are some closings. Highlands County schools and South Florida State College have Continue reading

It appears Hurricane Dorian is finally on the move. Officials from the Highlands County Emergency Operations Center say the big storm is moving North/Northwest at about a mile an hour. A turn toward the north is expected tomorrow. Shelters were opened yesterday with a final census of 170 across the four facilities. They may remain Continue reading