The Latest Local News

The state has rested its case against Johntravious "Tray" Perry after two days of grueling witness testimony. Perry is on trial for the murder of his cousin , 16-year-old Dre’Sean Charlie Williams at an Avon Park car wash on December 1st, 2020. According to reports, a friendly raw egg fight between Perry and the victim Continue reading

Convicted Mass murderer Zephen Xaver was back in court Tuesday afternoon for a disposition status conference before Judge Angela Cowden administers his final punishment. The death penalty was recommended for Xaver by a jury on June 26th for the murders of 5 women at a Sebring Sun Trust Bank in 2019. Before his final sentence Continue reading

The Superintendent race is down one candidate as of Sunday evening. Donald Ridgeway announced that he is withdrawing from the race leaving two candidates- incumbent Brenda Longshore and former District School administrator, Chris Doty. Ridgeway’s announcement stressed that his supporters should vote for change and that his initial goal for joining the race was because Continue reading

On Friday, two Avon Park men were charged with a host of drug related charges. Len Schlotter, 62, and Timothy Scott, 60, were each charged with the sale of methamphetamine, felony possession of drug paraphernalia, knowingly rent structure to sell drugs, and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. The charges stem Continue reading

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