The Latest Local News

Highlands County commissioners will convene this evening for a rare “night” session. It’s set for 5:30 in the government center. Reportedly, they will discuss issues surrounding the upcoming budget – and ways to trim it to fit within the current 8.55 millage rate. Otherwise – commissioners could vote to raise taxes. In other action, commissioners Continue reading

A Saturday morning incident at the Lakeshore Mall had Highlands County Sheriff’s working with US Marshalls in trying to apprehend a fugitive. In the end, 34-year-old Brian Roosevelt Wilson of Windemere committed suicide, rather than be taken into custody. Sheriff’s officials had received word from the US Marshal’s service that Wilson might be in the Continue reading

Reimbursement money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is a step closer to actually being in Highlands County. FEMA has approved $4.3 million for the State of Florida to help Highlands County defray the costs of debris removal for Hurricane Irma under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program. The FEMA funds will reimburse the county for the Continue reading

An accident last night near the Sebring Regional Airport sent at least one person to the hospital. Reports are that the victim was airlifted out after a vehicle hit a tree just off Heywood Taylor Blvd about 6pm. So far, no names or other details have been released. Nearly 100 people showed up last night Continue reading

The second of two public budget presentations will be made this evening so citizens can get a look at spending plans by the Highlands County commission. This one will be at South Florida State College and will be part of the semi-annual town hall meetings staged by Commissioner Don Elwell. A number of county department Continue reading

Highlands County Sheriff’s detectives are at work this morning trying to unravel the circumstances surrounding a home invasion incident last night. According to authorities, two armed black men forced their way into a home on Devon Court shortly after 10pm. A tussle ensued, and the resident of the home was able to drive off the Continue reading

It’ll take an autopsy to be sure, but it looks like a pack of dogs is to blame for the death of Melvin Olds, Junior in Highway Park south of Lake Placid yesterday. Sheriff’s dispatch got a call just before noon from the woman who found the 45 year old’s body. Medical examiners were called Continue reading

It’s Independence Day, and to get us all on the same page, government offices are all closed today excepting emergency services. Local government offices will reopen on schedule tomorrow. Trash pickup – this is one of the few holidays when the County contractor doesn’t pick up. Ditto for the City of Sebring. Scheduled Thursday pickups Continue reading

Northbound traffic on Highway 27 was tied up for hours yesterday afternoon after three semi trucks and a minivan got into a chain reaction accident that cost one driver his life at the corner of Highway 27 and 98 south of Sebring yesterday afternoon. Mark Tomlinson of Lakeland was killed in the wreck when his Continue reading

The Florida Standards Assessment scores are out for County school systems in our neck of the woods, and Highlands County students’ performance in the annual standardized tests were flat year over year comparing this last academic year to 2017-2018, with 48% of our kids performing at or above Level 3 in English language skills and Continue reading