The Latest Local News

When it comes to charitable giving, a new report says that the Sebring/Avon Park area is below the national average. The study by "Upgraded Points" indicates that among small US Metro areas, Highlands is 155th on the list. The local numbers show that some 28-percent of taxpayers report charitable contributions, while the national average is Continue reading

It was a sad ending to a standoff in Venus yesterday when Sonny Ray Holland Sr. was shot and killed. It happend after he exchanged gunfire with a sheriff’s SWAT Team. Highlands and Polk County sheriff’s deputies apparently had tried to talk the 43-year-old Venus man out of the mobile home but they were unsuccessful. Continue reading

Many people look outside to see the rocket launches from Cape Canaveral. Locally, lots of folks keep their eyes to the skies to see military aircraft practicing at the Avon Park Bombing Range. Air Force officials say they’ll be holding exercises all this week at the facility. Sorties will run from early morning until late Continue reading

The bridge by Jaxon’s on Lake June was damaged over the weekend, when the structure was hit by a vehicle. According to reports, the driver may have been on the phone when her auto hit the span. It appears there may have been structural damage to the bridge, but the woman driving the car apparently Continue reading

It’s Veterans Day today – or rather, the government is observing it today by closing most offices. State and local units are – for the most part – shut down today in observance of the day itself, which oficially is tomorrow. There are Veterans Day observances planned for today, though … South Florida State College Continue reading

Highlands County could be home to a new water repository. Officials from the South Florida Water Management District reportedly are planning a 12,000 acre above-ground reservoir. The facility, that would hold up to 200,000 acre-feet of water would be located just southeast of Lake Istokpoga. The man-made lake would be surrounded by a retaining wall Continue reading

Highlands County commissioners yesterday turned back a proposed development on Sparta Road, but it took them better than five hours to do it. The contentious zoning hearing had experts for the land developers presenting their case for 80 units on 20 acres near the intersection of Sparta and Highway 27. Neighbors opposed the project in Continue reading

State Road 66 south of Sebring was closed for a time last night following a grinding two vehicle crash at the intersection of ’66 and County Road 635. Early reports indicate a car and a pickup collided there about 6:30. At least three people are said to have been flown to trauma centers with injuries Continue reading

Firefighters in Highlands County were busy over the weekend. Units from Sun ‘N Lakes South, Placid Lakes, and Highlands Park worked with Florida Forest Service Crews to contain a brush fire off Claverton Drive and Brevard Avenue in Lake Placid. The The fire threatened no structures and has been allowed to burn itself out within Continue reading

Fire crews from Highlands County were out knocking down another brush fire last night – this one was around 5 acres’ worth on Queen Avenue, south of Sebring. Crews from Highlands County and the Forest service were on the scene between 5 and 6pm, and say the fire’s contained, but may still be smoking. This Continue reading