The Latest Local News

News Update for 8/1/22

A committee to select a new sex education curriculum in the Highlands County Schools will convene again this evening. The two dozen committee members will now look at parameters on what they seek to have taught in the classroom, and what is not presented to sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. The action comes in Continue reading

News Update for 7/29/22

It’s the end of July and the start of the Caladium Festival in Lake Placid. This is the 31st anniversary for the celebration in the Caladium Capital. It all got underway this morning with the opening ceremonies at the gazebo, which now will host music, dancing and other entertainment for the next three days. Thousands Continue reading

News Update for 6/22/22

Highlands County Commissioners have named Assistant County Administrator Laurie Hurner as Interim County Administrator. She’ll fill the void left with the pending departure of current Highlands County Administrator Randy Vossburg. His last day will be next Friday. It won’t be a big stretch for Hurner – a longtime employee of the county. She has taken Continue reading

News Update for 7/28/22

Preparations are underway in Lake Placid for the start of the 2022 edition of the Caladium Festival. It all begins tomorrow morning at 10:00 with opening ceremonies at the Stuart Park Gazebo. That will kick off three days of entertainment, arts and crafts booths, exhibits and displays – plus tours of the colorful caladium fields Continue reading

News Update for 7/27/22

Code Enforcement officers are cleaning up the city of Avon Park and it appears they are ahead of schedule. Code Enforcement Chief Randy Labelle told city council members his staff has issued 905 notices so far this year – with 130 of those coming this month alone. They’re up 30-percent in productivity in their efforts Continue reading

News Update for 7/25/22

It appears that the city of Avon Park may be getting some help from Florida Airport Management in their bid to take over operation of the Avon Park Airport. Representatives from the group will be at tonight’s regular council meeting to discuss helping to pay for outside council, as the city negotiates its way through Continue reading

News Update for 7/22/22

For those who need to register or change their party registration for the upcoming primary elections, time’s wasting. Highlands County Supervisor of Elections Karen Healy is reminding residents that the books will close Monday. Florida has a closed primary system, meaning democrats can only vote for democrats and republicans can only vote in their race Continue reading

News Update for 7/21/22

A simple traffic stop has led to the arrest of a 37-year-old Sebring man. Once the car was stopped on Highway 27 in front of the Sun ‘N Lake community, deputies were alerted by a Sheriff’s K-9 to possible narcotics. They then searched the vehicle of Fredrick Taber Reed. There they found a cache of Continue reading

News Update for 7/20/22

Highlands County commissioners yesterday took the first step in setting property tax millage. They cut the proposed rate by five-one hundredths of a mill – setting the tentative rate at 8.5 mils – or $8.50 for each $1,000 of property valuation. In the past couple years, property values are said to have jumped by as Continue reading

News Update for 7/19/22

Following a long public hearing, Highlands County commissioners voted to re-zone some 93-acres of property off Highway 70 from Agricultural zoning to Medium Density Residential. The action reportedly could clear the way for an affordable housing project. Tne property is surrounded by conservation lands. In passing the recommendation, commissioners called it a tough decision – Continue reading