The Latest Local News

News Update for 10/13/22

Avon Park city council members continue crafting their boards, authorities and commissions as they look at making the City of Charm more business and resident friendly. Former Avon Park city council woman Brenda Gray was up for an appointment to the city’s housing authority Monday evening. However, council members decided to hold off, saying they Continue reading

News Update for 10/12/22

Avon Park residents will be getting a bit of a reprieve as they recover from Hurricane Ian. Code Enforcement officers in the City of Charm will be backing off a bit while debris is piled along the roadway waiting for pickup. The officers have been busy knocking on doors reminding folks that their debris must Continue reading

News Update for 10/10/22

Things continue to return to normal today as students head back to South Florida State College. The school did sustain some window and roof damage from Hurricane Ian, but class will resume. While there still is NO FEMA office open in Highlands County, a FEMA office has opened in Hardee County. That one is in Continue reading

News update 10/6/22

Life is returning to normal in Highlands County as the recovery from Hurricane Ian continues. Most electrical service has returned, although internet remains out in some places and cell phone service continues to be spotty. Additionally, 90-percent of businesses are back up and running, including grocery stores, gas stations, most restaurants and dry goods stores. Continue reading

News Update of 10/4/22

It was back to school today for Highlands County students for the first time in nearly a week. It remains unclear how much damage may have been sustained by buildings in the system, but classes will go on as usual. South Florida State College reportedly had damage on its campus, they will be closed through Continue reading

News Update for 10/3/22

The recovery efforts for Hurricane Ian continue today in Highlands County. Points of Distribution, or PODS are open at South Florida State College in Avon Park, at the Highlands County Health Department on George Blvd South of Sebring and the Save-A-Lot Plaza in Lake Placid. Water, ice and other necessities are being distributed there. They’ll Continue reading

News Update for 9/30/22

Damage estimates are underway as the effects of Hurricane Ian now are being assessed. Trees and power lines are downed and some signs were blown out, officials now are saying there were 90-mph sustained winds measured in Sebring during the storm. However, the biggest problem is water. Many areas of the county, which already had Continue reading

News Update for 9/29

Hurricane Ian has come and gone in Highlands County, now the damage assessment begins. Reports indicate that rainfall amounts were measured at 12-to 15 inches in some areas of the county. Authorities also determined there was at least one wind gust of as much as 86 miles per hour in Sebring. However, the extent of Continue reading

OJ News Update 9/28/22

A hurricane watch as well as tornado and flood warnings have been issued for Highlands County as Hurricane Ian draws down here. Highlands County officials say there currently are about 60 people in the two shelters that have been opened – the Special Needs shelter at the Highlands Agri-Civic Center and the General Popluation Shelter Continue reading

News Update 9/27/22

Hurricane Ian is on the way. Yesterday, the Highlands County Commission, the Highlands School Board and the Avon Park city council have declared states of local emergency in preparation for the big storm. Forecasters now say Ian could come ashore near Ft. Myers – in the same manner as Hurricane Charlie. In his briefing yesterday, Continue reading