The Latest Local News

Skeletal remains were discovered yesterday afternoon in Avon Park at an abandoned residence on Memorial Drive. The remains were reportedly found by a group of local boys that entered the residence to play. Reportedly, the remains found still had clothes and were found next to a sleeping bag and other items indicating that the person Continue reading

The historic Kenilworth Lodge is involved in yet another lawsuit. The current lawsuit was filed by a former owner against two current owners and an alleged third owner. Former owner Mark Stewart initially filed a lawsuit on March 27th and it was refiled on June 20th. Stewart’s lengthy 75-page complaint, names the defendants as Monier Continue reading

A Polk County man accused of video voyeurism may have more victims. The sheriff’s office announced yesterday it has identified three more victims of Winter Haven’s Domingo Rivera Velez. The 43-year-old was arrested two weeks ago for video voyeurism against a 15-year-old girl, and he was re-arrested Monday for video voyeurism and possession and production Continue reading

An investigation into a domestic violence battery case by the Polk County Sheriff’s office involving deputy sheriff Anthony Martinez, has resulted in an arrest. Two female victims were identified in the investigation. One of the victims contacted PSCO on July 3rd and reported several incidents. Martinez was then interviewed and admitted to several of the Continue reading

The Federal Government releases June’s National Unemployment rate today, but the state released our region’s unemployment rate for May this week, and Highlands County made up a little ground last month. May’s unemployment rate for Highlands County came in at 4.2% – down from 4.5% in April. The overall region including Highlands, DeSoto, Hardee and Continue reading

Florida has more boats than any other state and lots of Floridians will be spending as much time as possible on the water over the holiday weekend. Major Bill Holcomb with the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) says make sure you have a life jacket for everyone on the boat. And just like Continue reading

Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a 34-year-old Polk Correctional Institute Officer late Sunday night, June 30th. Douglas Morse, of Polk County, was witnessed driving around Winter Haven, repeatedly honking his horn. He was pulled over for a routine traffic stop and after the deputy wrote him a citation for the violation, Morse became upset Continue reading

A man is in custody in connection to the deadly shooting of his estranged girlfriend in Polk County over the weekend. Haines City police say a 29-year-old woman was found shot multiple times near La Fiesta Mexicana Restaurant Sunday morning. The suspect, Rolando Zarate, was later spotted in Winter Haven. Authorities say Zarate confessed to Continue reading

An evidentiary hearing has been requested in the Professional Practices case against Chris Doty, who is a former Highlands School District Administrator. The hearing request stems from a January 22nd letter sent to Doty by the Education Practices Commission stating they had found probable cause to justify sanctions against his Florida Education Certificate in regards Continue reading

Four people from Central Florida are facing charges for their alleged roles in health care fraud schemes. The US Justice Department announced yesterday that almost 200 people were arrested nationwide. They include Orlando’s 54-year-old, Erin Kim, who allegedly fabricated patient files and prescribed over a million Adderall pills to those who should not have gotten Continue reading