The Latest Local News

Fire struck here again yesterday. This time it was in the far northern portion of Highlands County. At last report, the 3-acre blaze had claimed a trailer house, a barn and at least nine vehicles. Highlands Lakes volunteers as well as units from West Sebring, the Avon Park Bombing Range and the Florida Forest Service Continue reading

Officials of the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms are sifting through the rubble of the Kosan/Crisplan propane gas tank warehouse in an effort to determine what sparked a massive fire there and how it spread. Units from all over Highlands County and other agencies worked for hours yesterday Continue reading

It’s not bad yet, but we are receiving information that the harbingers of the spring love-bug season are beginning to appear. The so-called “honeymoon flies” make their appearance in spring and fall, and don’t seem to be of much use, save to provide business to area car washes. You’ll see them on highways as they Continue reading

Residents will see a bit of increased air traffic this weekend, especially around the Sebring Regional Airport as planes from the International Aerobatic Club begin to arrive. Their semi-annual competition doesn’t begin until next week, but many of the pilots will take the next few days to practice and hone their skills in the skies Continue reading

Sebring police are looking for witnesses or those with information on a Tuesday night shooting that claimed the life of an Arcadia man. The body of 29-year-old Calvin Lamont Brown was found on the sidewalk along Martin Luther King jr Blvd around 11PM Tuesday. Brown had been shot multiple times. It remains unclear as to Continue reading

Another shooting in Highlands County reportedly has claimed a life. This one happened shortly before 11:00 last night near the intersection of Highlands Avenue and Martin Luther King Blvd. in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Sebring. Detectives still are working the case, but at last report, no suspect in the incident had been apprehended. Avon Continue reading

Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman appeared at the Avon Park city council meeting last night in response to reports of citizen concerns about law enforcement in the City of Charm. Although no residents stepped forward to speak, the Sheriff had a lot to say. He told the council that although Avon Park makes up about Continue reading

It will be a busy night for the Avon Park city council. They first will gather at 5:30 to sit as the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency. There, they will hear a marketing proposal from the Avon Park Chamber of Commerce. At their regular meeting, the council will get a status update on proposed revisions to Continue reading

Two Avon Park Middle School students have been arrested on Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping counts. A teacher reportdly found a folder containing what appeared to be plans to kill as many as nine identified individuals. Some apparently were to be transported – resulting in the kidnapping counts. Arrest reports indicate Continue reading

A three-vehicle accident this morning south of Lake Placid reportedly has sent four people to the hospital. According to reports, the two vehicles collided at the crossover in front of the Winn Dixie shopping plaza. Multiple ambulances and helicopters were dispatched to the scene with some victims having to be extricated from their car. Florida Continue reading