The Latest Local News

Highlands County Commissioners today confirmed Nicholas Sawyer as the new Deputy County Administrator and Chief of Staff under County Administrator Laurie Hurner. Commissioner Kevin Roberts objected to the process, saying they were being asked to confirm an employee, who they had no part in selecting. In other action, commissioners approved a pair of zoning requests, Continue reading

Some heavy weather rumbled through Highlands County overnight. Despite numerous lightning strikes and some reports of hail, Highlands County Sheriff’s officials say there was no serious damage reported locally. Members of the North American Society of Grass Racers and Sod Slingers spent the better part of the weekend dismantling the Mowerplex at the Avon park Continue reading

There’s another phone scam going around town again. If you get a call saying there’s a warrant out for you because you missed jury duty, the Clerk of Courts and Sheriff’s Departments want to remind you that they do NOT call you to tell you there’s a warrant out for you. That’s called giving you Continue reading

Just to put all the rumors to rest about what caused that fire at the old K-Mart in Lakeshore Mall Monday, County officials say the blaze was started by sparks caused by workers cutting through metal landing on some flammable debris on the floor of the building and setting it on fire. There already was Continue reading

A hostage situation turned deadly during the early hours this morning. Not many details have been released about the incident, other than there wer two men found dead inside a home in Lake Wales. Reportedly the two were a local resident and his step-son. Avon Park city council members will hear about an "Enough is Continue reading

Today is Good Friday, one of the Holiest Days on the Christian Calendar. Many government and other offices will be shut down for the observance. A number of local churches will be holding Good Friday services. Bible Fellowship and Heartland Christian Church will hold their observances this evening at 6pm, Highlands Community Church will host Continue reading

A man has been arrested in connection with a drive-by shooting in Avon Park, and it didn’t take long for Highlands County Sheriff’s Deputies to locate a suspect. In fact, authorities say 39-year-old Alfred Maddox Golden was picked up within 15 minutes of an incident at a home on State Road 17 South. Nobody was Continue reading

Fire charred as much as 10 acres of land in the "bird streets" west of Sebring last night. Units from Desoto City and West Sebring were joined by Florida Forest Service crews in battling the stubborn blaze. At this point, they say it currently is 50-percent contained. Reportedly, the flames came close to a number Continue reading

Highlands County commissioners this morning enacted a burn ban for the county. It affects any kind of outdoor burning including yard waste, trash burning or fire pits. Exempted are charcoal grills or gas grills. The emergency ordinance will be in effect for the next 90-days, or until the summer rains begin. Highlands County currently ranks Continue reading

Hot on the heels of the latest fire at the Highlands County landfill, local officials are urging residents to learn how to properly dispose of lithium-ion batteries. They say these little power sources are considered "Household Hazerdous Waste," and should not be put in the regular trash. Instead, they should be disposed of separately like Continue reading