The Latest Local News

Highlands County firefighters are back out at the Highlands County landfill battling another blaze there. At last report, it was estimated at 5-acres. Units from Desoto City and West Sebring are back out again trying to contain the stinky blaze. There’s been no progress update, but units say they plan to be out there "all Continue reading

When it comes to affordable housing – a new survey shows that the Avon Park/Sebring metro area is in line with national averages. The new report by Construction Coverage – looking at the US locations investing the most in affordable housing, shows Highlands County construction comes in at an average of $230,000 per home. That’s Continue reading

There was quite a discussion at the Avon Park city council meeting about the installation of a couple of lights on Fred Connor Street. The action comes at the request of neighbors, who said there have been seven shootings at the basketball courts there – four of them have been fatal. There was a dust-up Continue reading

NEWS 3/2/23 BF LOCAL CONSTRUCTION When it comes to affordable housing – a new survey shows that the Avon Park/Sebring area is in line with national averages. The new report by Construction Coverage – looking at the US Locations investing the most in affordable housing, shows Highlands County construction comes in at an average of Continue reading

It appears Avon Park City Manager Mark Schrader will stay on for at least another three years. After a very public, and sometimes tense negotiation session at last night’s Avon Park city council meeting, the two sides hammered out the details of the city manager’s contract. It will bring Schrader to an average $130,000 a Continue reading

Cars were on track last weekend for the Sports Car Vintage Racing Association’s SpeedTour, but already fans are lining up for this year’s Mobil One 12 Hours of Sebring. Officials at the Sebring International Raceway say that vans and motorhomes already have started to line up in the parking area across from Gate 4 in Continue reading

Action picks up in earnest at the Sebring International Raceway today as practice and qualifying sessions begin for the Sports Car Vintage Racing Association’s SpeedTour event. All groups, including the International GT and Trans-Am series will be setting the grids for this weekends’ races. The event runs through Sunday. Highlands County parent Jesse Sapp is Continue reading

After a nearly hour long discussion, Highlands County Commissioners took no action on a request related to environmental clearance requirements in the Carter Creek area. A number of environmental concerns came forward in support of the action – however, landowners in the area pleaded with commissioners, saying that it was destroying their property rights and Continue reading

Saturday they saddled up, Wednesday they’ll be here. The 2023 Cracker Trail Ride is underway. The 120 mile treck is in its 35th year, with about 120 riders and wagonners making their way from Bradenton across central Florida to Fort Pierce. It’s the annual tribute to Florida cowmen – who used to drive cattle along Continue reading

Avon Park city council members have agreed to work on a lease with the Avon Park Historical Society for a building they use on Museum Avenue. But it won’t be for quite as long as had been requested. Council members instructed city attorney Gerald Buhr to work on 21-year agreement – less than half the Continue reading