The Latest Local News

While Florida officials note a record number of tourists statewide last year, VisitSebring authorities have not said how that translated locally. Although the local tourism marketing arm has been presented with some prestigious awards, it remains unclear if that has amounted to “heads in beds.” Officials of the Sebring International Raceway last year boasted the Continue reading

Highlands County Sheriff’s officials are conducting a death investigation, after a man was found dead in the parking lot of AdVent Health at Sun ‘N Lake. According to reports, the body of 55-year-old Robert E Burns was found in his Mazda CX5 in the hospital parking lot. Burns apparently relocated to Highlands County recently from Continue reading

Highlands County Fire Rescue Shift Batallion Chief Billy Kingston has been honored as one of this year’s Outstanding Young Floridians. The award was handed out by Junior Chamber International this past weekend in Cocoa Beach. Kingston, who was promoted last month from his post as assistant chief of the West Sebring Volunteer Fire Department, was Continue reading

After months of looking and weeks of waiting, Samuel Joseph Tucker is in the Highlands County Jail. Tucker is wanted in connection with a June 2017 traffic accident that claimed the life of 22-year-old Alyssia Kay Vice. Tucker allegedly was at the wheel of a Maserati that went out of control on State Road 17, Continue reading

Things are wrapping up today and tomorrow at the Highlands County Fair. No attendance numbers have yet been released but officials say, as always, weather has been a factor. The beauty queens have been named, the grand champion livestock has been picked and dozens of youngsters sold off their animals last night at the annual Continue reading

Officials of the Highlands County School System are cautioning drivers to be on the lookout for youngsters today. Classes are out today and tomorrow. No reason was given. School will resume as normal Monday morning. After a total re-write and a referendum on the subject, the Avon Park Charter once again is up for review. Continue reading

Highlands County authorities reportedly found a mother and her son early this morning after they got lost on Lake Josephine. Jacqueline and Jacob Graham reportedly had set out on a fishing trip yesterday about noon, then did not return. Apparently they had no motor on their john boat, then later lost their paddle. They were Continue reading

Officials at the Avon Park Air Force Range say there will be increased activity in the skies here – both day and night. Apparently, the range will be hosting what is described as a “large force exercise” for the next couple weeks. There were some tense moments on Highway 27 last night when a driver Continue reading

Today is Old Fashioned Dollar Day at the Highlands County Fair. It’s also Highlands Radio Group Day, with a number of radio personalities at the fairgrounds beginning at 4:00 this afternoon. It’ll be a dollar admission, there also will be a dollar menu on the midway and some dollar rides as well. The commercial Heifer Continue reading

Brian Hass of the State Attorney’s office this afternoon revealed that a Highlands County Grand Jury has returned five counts of first degree murder against Zephan Xaver. He is the man charged in connection with a shooting incident at the Lake Jackson branch of the SunTrust Bank that claimed five lives. Haas also revealed that Continue reading