The Latest Local News

A Sebring icon has passed away. Chamber of Commerce officials have announced the death of Thelma Pyle. For nearly half a century Pyle was synonomous with the chamber as an employee and volunteer. She also served for nearly a decade on the Sebring city council. A social media post has indicated that Highlands County Animal Continue reading

A new community bank is in the works for Highlands County. Reportedly John Shoop has left Center State Bank with an eye toward creating a new local financial institution. Shoop said a number of his management team has come with him to put together the “First Southern Bank.” The institution currently is under review by Continue reading

Polk County Sheriff’s officials say a Sebring woman apparently was struck and killed near Lakeland. Authorities say 22-year-old Kara Fay Hanvey was found in a grass median along US Hwy 92 East early yesterday morning. Preliminary investigations point to a hit and run accident, however, an autopsy is slated for later today to determine the Continue reading

The academic year has come to a close and Highlands County school officials are trying to do some evaluations. However, it appear a lot of teachers are hesitant to fill out internet survey sheets on their administrators. Feedback to school board members indicate they do not believe that the online questionnaires are entirely anonymous – Continue reading

Highlands County school board members spent the bulk of their meeting last night going over nearly 50 policy changes. Board attorney John McClure explained each one briefly – noting that they come in response to state mandate. One regards religious expression in public schools – with mandates that students not be prohibited from prayer. Another Continue reading

After finding that grant money will cover less than half the project, Highlands County officials now say they will help the city of Avon Park find additional funding for a proposed water line extension. The project will end just short of the county line and would serve the planned Nucor Steel manufacturing facility and the Continue reading

It looks to be another spirited meeting at the Avon Park city council tonight. Council will look at appointing a representative to the Tourist Development Council. Vice Mayor Jim Barnard abruptly resigned after a tiff with the TDC’s consultant. Council also will look at what citizens pay for protection by the Highlands County Sheriff’s office Continue reading

Officials at the Sebring International Raceway had said they believed that this year’s “Super Sebring” was a record crowd. It appears they were right. Officials of the Highlands County Tourist Development Council have released records saying March was a record month for tourism. One reason revenues might be up, is that Highlands County Commissioners voted Continue reading

It appears a plan to have the Avon Park Chamber of Commerce take over some of the executive functions of the city’s community redevelopment agency will not come to pass. After hearing the proposal, board members in the City of Charm decided that the numbers and duties did not mesh well with the mission of Continue reading

Highlands County commissioners this morning gave final approval to three so-called “postcard murals.” One each are slated to go in at Avon Park, Sebring and Lake Placid. Designed to lure people into the downtown areas of the communities as a “photo opportunity,” the paintings received cool receptions in at least two cities. In fact, controversy Continue reading