The Latest Local News

The Avon Park City Council will hold a special budget meeting today at 5 p.m., followed by its regular council meeting at 6. The proposed 2026-27 budget is based on a six-mill tax rate, the same rate adopted last year, while the city is also considering funding for new firefighters, street improvements and citywide water Continue reading

A medical implant has helped authorities identify a man whose remains were found near State Road 70 in Highlands County. The remains discovered July seventh have been identified as 49-year-old Lazaro Alonso, who was homeless and had family in Miami. Investigators say there is currently no evidence of foul play. Alonso was identified by matching Continue reading

A proposed BJ’s Wholesale Club is one step closer to becoming a reality in Sebring. City officials have received a site plan for a 106,000-square-foot warehouse club on U.S. 27, just north of Keiber Boulevard. The proposal also includes three future outparcels for additional businesses, though no tenants have been announced. The site plan is Continue reading

A Sebring man is facing multiple felony drug charges after a Highlands County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop early July 28. Deputies say 47-year-old Robert Owens was found with cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, marijuana and drug paraphernalia after allegedly attempting to hide evidence in a patrol vehicle. Owens was arrested on several drug-related charges, including Continue reading

Newly released autopsy reports have confirmed that 20-year-old Jayden McCamont and her fiancé, 29-year-old Kashief Walker, died from carbon monoxide poisoning during the April 3rd fire at the Econo Lodge in Avon Park. Investigators found both had inhaled lethal levels of carbon monoxide before the fire was extinguished. The Highlands County Fire Rescue report also Continue reading

Highlands County has released new details ahead of Tuesday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting on the proposed 10-year residential solid waste agreement. The proposal would continue weekly garbage collection, alternating-week yard waste and bulk waste pickup, and access to county recycling drop-off sites. It also includes replacing at least 8,500 residential garbage carts each year Continue reading

The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners will discuss renewing the county’s residential solid waste collection contract during its meeting Tuesday, Aug. 4. Commissioners will review potential services for the next agreement, though no final decisions will be made. Agenda materials will be posted online Thursday, and residents are encouraged to review them and attend Continue reading

Longtime Highlands County broadcaster John Meder has died. He was 90. Known to generations of listeners as "Meder in the Morning," Meder helped launch WWOJ Country in 1987 and spent nearly 35 years on the air. His voice became a familiar part of daily life across Highlands County, and his commitment to the community reached Continue reading

Highlands County voters will cast ballots in a new congressional district this election cycle. The county has been moved from Congressional District 18 to District 9 under Florida’s new redistricting map, meaning Congressman Scott Franklin will no longer represent Highlands County or appear on the Aug. 18 primary ballot. The change does not affect races Continue reading

The qualifying period for Avon Park’s upcoming city election begins today. Candidates have until 5 p.m. on Friday, August 7th, to file for the mayor’s seat and one city council seat at Avon Park City Hall. Several potential candidates have already picked up qualifying packets, including Mayor Garrett Anderson and Deputy Mayor Jim Barnard. The Continue reading