The Latest Local News

News Update for 8/20/21

Officials in Highlands and Polk counties are calling on residents to take it easy on dialing 9-1-1. Apparently, there has been an increase in numbers of those calling the emergency line to report coronavirus cases. While those may be severe, authorities say the 9-1-1 number should be used only for immediate situations such as fires, Continue reading

News Update for 8/19/21

During a discussion of coronavius protocols at this week’s Highlands County School Board meeting, a number of parents came forward. They asked that board members listen to other voices on the disease, and that parents be allowed to bring forward medical experts with information the board might not have heard. They pointed to pending policies Continue reading

News Update for 8/18/21

T According to Highlands County commissioners, the county is in good shape – financially. In receiving their budget report yesterday, officials from the county’s Office of Budget and Management told commissioners that through work with the county’s constitutional officers, they were able to trim a little over one percent from the budget, to get it Continue reading

Local News 8-17-21

The City of Sebring will be adding land tonight at its regularly scheduled council meeting – the owners of the old Harder Hall Golf Course land have requested annexation of the 49 acres of property behind the old hotel. Assuming Council approves, the acreage will be part of the city when developed into housing units. Continue reading

Local News Headlines 8-16-21

US Marshals have arrested a man wanted here in Highlands County in connection with a June shooting in Avon Park. 18-year-old Elijah James Worsley was picked up last week in New Jersey on a warrant connected with a June 20 shooting that wounded a 16-year-old boy and a 21-year-old man. Worsley will be returned to Continue reading

News Update for 8/13/21

An Avon Park teen reportedly has been arrested in New Jersey. Highlands County Sheriff’s officials say 18-year-old Elijah James Worsley was picked up yesterday by a United States Marshal Service Task Force Worsely is wanted in connection with a shooting incident at Hal MacRae Blvd and Delaney Avenue in Avon Park that injured a 21-year-old Continue reading

News Update for 8/10/21

Officials of the Highlands County school system say it was a busy but uneventful start to the 2021-22 school year. They say there were lots of students showing up at the facilities across the county to resume classes – but there were no major incidents to report. Motorists are urged to be on the lookout Continue reading

News Update for 8/9/21

One person was killed, two people were seriously injured and the southbound lanes of Highway 27 were closed for a time yesterday afternoon when two cars collided in the area of Lake Damon Road. Reportedly a compact sedan was attempting to cross Highway 27 and was hit broadside by a Sport Utility vehicle. The driver Continue reading

News Update for 8/5/21

If you had been planning on an open house at your child’s school here in Highlands County today – think again. Due to the coronavirus situation – face-to-face open houses have been cancelled unless you have a student who never has been in a Highlands County school, a student who is moving to a new Continue reading

News Update for 8/3/21

Highlands County commissioners this morning voted by a 4-1 margin voted to hike the fire assessment on residential, commercial and institutional properties seven present, with provisions to raise them as much as seven percent for each of the next five years. The lone dissenting voted came from Arlene Tuck, who wanted to leave things the Continue reading