The Latest Local News

Highlands County officials say so far it appears to have been a safe & sane Independence Day celebration. There have been no reports of any fireworks-related injuries or fires here. It appears last night’s professional display at Sun ‘N Lake went off without a hitch. There was an accident shortly after midnight this morning in Continue reading

It appears the dry season is now over and the threat of wildfires has abated, but with the wet season comes mosquitoes. Although there have been no reports of Eastern Equine Encephalitis – or any other mosquito-borne illnesses yet, nobody likes to be bitten. Officials are reminding people to dump any standing water to eliminate Continue reading

Highlands County Commissioners will take another look at a proposed fire assessment for the county at their meeting tomorrow morning. The assessment will come in addition to the regular tax bill and would be used to start a professional, countywide fire service. Commissioners have asked to see how much money might be raised for the Continue reading

The report cards are in for the Highlands County Schools from the past year, and … we’re average – most schools scored a "C" in the Florida Accountability scores from the state Department of Education. All three public High Schools scored a "C" – same as last year, Hill Gustat Middle School imrpoved from a Continue reading

If you noticed a lot of activity around the two local hospitals yesterday, don’t worry – the flurry of activity was only a drill. Both Highlands Regional Medical Center, Florida Hospital and other local organizations including the School Board "practiced" for what they’d do in the case of a serious wreck involving a school bus. Continue reading

The Spring Lake residential district south of Sebring on Highway 98 finally has a backup water source. Last week, the District’s Board signed the papers to buy the water treatment plant portion of the old power and water plant on Heywood Taylor Boulevard near the racetrack west of Spring Lake. District officials say it’ll be Continue reading

The state Health Department thinks they have the virus nailed than caused last week’s outbreak of nausea, the sweats and worse at Camp Cloverleaf, but where it came from is still a question. The Norovirus is a very contagious bug – it can be communicated any number of ways … contaminated food or water is Continue reading

Summer Camp is supposed to be fun – but it turned scary for a bunch of kids last week at a 4H Camp south of Lake Placid. 33 campers from 8 to 15 years old and three adults from Camp Cloverleaf headed for the hospital after a mysterious illness gave campers and staff headaches, vomiting Continue reading

Highlands County Sheriff’s officials say the county’s Emergency Medical Services has transported 33 children and three adults from the 4H Camp Cloverleaf to area hospitals due to illness. There reportedly are 115 kids at the camp currently from all over florida including Charlotte, Desoto, Sarasota, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties. So far, none of the Continue reading

Things apparently are hopping at the Sebring Regional Airport. Officials there say it’s beginning to look like a much larger facility, with the landing of the fourth Boeing 727 there. The plane has come in for service at the Amerijet location at the airport – which now is going by their FAA designation “KSEF”. The Continue reading