The Latest Local News

It’s a double-header for the Highlands County commission today. This afternoon, commissioners will convene for a workshop on the county’s budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. There they’ll hear presentations from the directors of the county’s business services, community programs, development services, parks & facilities, engineering, critical infrastructure, road & bridge and public safety divisions. Continue reading

It appears the dry season may be over. The Keech-Byrum drought index has dropped to about 200 out of a maximum 800. Both Hardee and Polk Counties already have rescinded their burn bans. Highlands County commissioners may take up the issue at their meeting tomorrow. Rain is expected again today. That’s part of Tropical Storm Continue reading

It appears when it comes to new construction value, the Avon Park/Sebring metro area is above the national average. A new report by Construction Coverage, looking at the US locations investing the most in affordable housing, found that locally, the average construction value was $230,000 per unit. That’s slightly over the national average of $226,000 Continue reading

Today begins the 2023 Hurricane Season and Highlands County officials say they are ready for what that may bring. They say the county’s emergency management officials have made strides over the past year getting prepared. Better organization and clearer communication have been the focus of their efforts. Among other things, they have been holding preparedness Continue reading

Highlands and Hardee County sheriff’s deputies combined last night to recover a stolen car and arrest a suspect. Picked up in connection with the incident was Jimmy Ray Jackson. According to reports the 41-year-old Avon Park man was at the wheel of a stolen car that was spotted at the CVS drug store at Highway Continue reading

South Florida State College presidential finalist Fred Hawkins reportedly will start a two-day visit at the school today. On his schedule are a tour of the district, including the Highlands, Hardee and Desoto campuses. Hawkins also will stop by the Lake Placid Center as well as the Hotel Jacaranda. This afternoon at 4:00 Hawkins will Continue reading

Today is Memorial Day and there are observances slated across Highlands County. At 2:00 this afternoon, Memorial Day observances will be held at the Military Sea Services Museum on Roseland Avenue in Sebring. It will be a rare appearance by Congressman Scott Franklin, who will give the keynote address there. This morning an observance was Continue reading

If you use Stryker Road heading across the northern part of the County, good news – it’s open again this morning. Crews completed the culvert work yesterday and Stryker is back open. That said, there IS still sod and driveway work being done to finish the job, so care and caution is in order. And, Continue reading

Avon Park city council members will gather for a special meeting this evening. They again will take a look at the possibility of revamping Main Street. The plan, presented by Renaissance Planning already has had a couple of hearings. Among other things, it involves reverse angle parking, chicanes and the narrowing of the roadway to Continue reading

A new memorial may be coming to Avon Park. The effort apparently started after representatives of the Battle of the Bands Inc, were asked to remove a first responders’ flag from the Veterans Memorial on the mile-long mall. They were told it ran afoul of the dedicated purpose of Veteran’s Square. Council members told organization Continue reading