The Latest Local News

Highlands County School Board members last night agreed to spend nearly $90,000 for an electronic student tracking system. The program will begin with students riding busses, to determine who is on the bus and whether or not they actually had been assigned to that route. Board member Donna Howerton balked at the price tag, but Continue reading

Highlands County Commissioners this morning approved unanimously a change the hours of alcohol sales on Sundays. It now will begin at 7:00 am. In the past, those in the unincorporated areas of the county had to wait until 1:00 to purchase booze. Officials of the Tourist Development Council had pushed for the measure, saying it Continue reading

Highlands County Commissioners are expected to take care of at least one hot-button issue at their first meeting of the year tomorrow morning. They are slated to consider a proposed ordinance that would amend the time of sales of alcoholic beverages on Sunday morning. Currently, those in the unincorporated areas of the county have to Continue reading

There were some tense moments at the fire/rescue station in downtown Sebring yesterday when a resident arrived with what has been described as “a suspicious package.” The Highlands County Hazardous Materials Team was dispatched to do an evaluation. After testing, the package was cleared of having any harmful substance in it. Authorities remind citizens that Continue reading

If you think there are more oranges on the trees – you’re right. Executive Director of the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association Ray Royce confirms that the piece count is up this year – at least on the early varieties. He said the weather has cooperated and is not as much fruit drop as there Continue reading

Early morning fog claimed some victims north of Avon Park today. An accident in the Northbound lane of Highway 27 near Lake Glenada, and another near the entrance to River Greens were reported. It’s unclear as to the extent of injuries. Motorists are urged to slow down, use their low beams and exercise caution until Continue reading

It’s a New Year – but no New Year’s babies in Highlands County. At Highlands Regional Medical Center, their birthing facility officially closed its doors as of midnight last night. They say there were no last minute Highlands countians to report. Florida Hospital also had no new year’s arrivals – and no candidates to report. Continue reading

One of the two unidentified victims in that fiery crash north of Brighton last Sunday has been identified, and the final name is being held pending notification of kin. The head-on wreck killed four people, and one of the two vehicles was so badly wrecked and burned that the only thing Troopers could tell at Continue reading

Another fatal traffic accident in the County. This one happened yesterday just after 11am on Lake June Road at Piney Point Drive west of Highway 27. A 2003 Ford driven by 76 year old Joanne Hill of Lake Placid was negotiating one of the turns on Lake June Road and drove onto the shoulder. At Continue reading

Another shooting last night in Avon Park. Deputies were called to the area of Hal MacRoae Boulevard and Delaney before midnight last night, where they located a male gunshot wound victim who required flight-for-life transportation out of town, in stable condition. Detectives are investigating; as always, if you know something, detectives would appreciate a call. Continue reading