The Latest Local News

Highlands County Teacher of the Year Kayla Jackson was up for statewide honors at the Florida Department of Education convention in Orlando last night, but lost out to Addriana Sweringen of Bay County for the top honors. In all, there were five finalists in the statewide competition. Jackson was the first educator from Highlands to Continue reading

The search for Domonique Rakeem Graham is over. He was reportedly apprehended in Orange County yesterday by agents of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The 30-year-old Graham was being sought in connection with a shooting incident on Sturgeon Avenue west of Sebring Monday night. One youngster inside the vehicle was hit by a bullet Continue reading

Highlands County commissioners today approved a raise in the garbage collection fees for county residents. It will jump from $216 to $222 annually. The increase will bring in more than a quarter million dollars. About half the increase will go to the hauler, with the rest to go to the county. Commissioner Scott Kirouac called Continue reading

A Highlands County commissioner has received a prestigious award. District 4 Commissioner Arlene Tuck was presented with the Florida Association of Counties’ "Presidential Advocacy Award" at the FAC Annual conference. During the conference, Tuck was re-appointed to a number of committees, including; the Finance & Audit Committee, the Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, the Community Continue reading

Pretty good thunderstorm we had last night around 7pm. Quite a few of us lost power – a family on Oxford Road in Sebring lost a bit more. Highlands Fire-Rescue crews were called to put a blaze out at a manufactured home on Oxford where flames and smoke were visible upon arrival. No injuries – Continue reading

There was some discussion at the Highlands County School board meeting last night about school resource officers and how much the board pays for them. Resident Jesse Sapp said his reading of the contract shows that there are 17 Highlands County Sheriff’s deputies filling those slots at $60,000 apiece. However, there are three officers from Continue reading

Training continues at the Avon Park Air Force Range today. Officials there say they will be hosting various sorties until very late tonight. The noise levels will continue to be high. No word as to who is doing the testing of the facility, which continues to increase in use. Tonight at 6:00, District 2 County Continue reading

According to reports, Sebring is suffering a problem with the homeless. Apparently, tourists have said they have been accosted in the pier beach area near the Highlands Lakeside Theater – and will never return. One merchant in the downtown area recounted a story of a homeless man deficating on the street near his shop on Continue reading

The National Weather Service has issued another excessive heat advisory for the area today. Highlands County is under the advisory until 7:00 tonight. The combination of hot afternoon temperatures and increasing humidity will result in heat index values well over 100 degrees. Afternoon temperatures will remain above normal, with humidity remaining high through the balance Continue reading

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat advisory for the area through the remainder of the week. Highlands County will remain under the advisory until 7:00 tonight. The combination of hot afternoon temperatures and increasing humidity will result in heat index values of as much as 108 degrees. Afternoon temperatures will remain above Continue reading