The Latest Local News

News Update for 6/1/21

After overseeing the consolidation of volunteer fire departments into a county unit, and the institute of a fire assessment for taxpayers, Highlands County Public Safety Director Marc Bashoor has announced he’s leaving. Bashoor said he has had his home on the market for several months and has no immediate new job opportunity on the horizon Continue reading

News Update for 5/31/21

This is Memorial Day, and there will be observances today throughout the county. At 1:00 this afternoon, American Legion Post 69 hold their ceremonies at the post home on West Bell Street in Avon Park. At 9:00 this morning a ceremony and cookout was held at the sprawling Lakeview Memorial Gardens. The observances are designed Continue reading

News Update for 5/28/21

A 59-year-old Avon Park man reportedly was injured in a motorcycle accident early this morning. Sebring police say the rider lost control of his bike near the intersection of Kenilworth and the Sebring Parkway just after midnight and hit a tree. He was transported to a local hospital then airlifted to the trauma center at Continue reading

News Update 5/27/21

Food trucks are being welcomed in the City of Charm with open arms. Without comment, Avon Park city council members gassed a measure on second reading, regulation the when, where and how the chow wagons will be allowed to set up shop. Reportedly, they will be banned from residential areas and from setting up on Continue reading

News Update for 5/25/21

It appears that the Avon Park Historical Society is having problems with vagrants. Nancy Fisk came before the council last night in the City of Charm, to ask for additional trash cans. She noted that people are sleeping on the benches there and leaving piles of trash behind. In fact, some of the homeless apparently Continue reading

News Update for 5/24/21

Avon Park city council members will open the municipal doors to food trucks at their meeting tonight. On the agenda is the second reading of an ordinance showing where and when the chow wagons will bw allowed to park in the City of Charm. In other action, the council will look at a rough draft Continue reading

News Update for 5/21/21

Don’t be doing any outdoor burning today. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for the tri-county area – meaning that conditions are ripe for wildfires in Highlands, Hardee and Polk counties. Residents are urged to be cautious with any kinds of combustibles. Those range from snuffed cigarettes to hot exhaust systems on cars and Continue reading

News Update for 5/20/21

Highlands County commissioners have given their blessing to a plan that could spend more than a quarter of a million dollars in tourist tax money to bring a Spartan Race and Tough Mudder Event to Highlands County. Tourist Development Council representatives told the commission the county would get a million dollars worth of advertising and Continue reading

News Update for 5/19/21

Highlands County commissioners yesterday voted to give Waste Connections their day in court. Highlands County Administrator Randy Vossburg has charged that the firm is a “habitual violator” and in a condition of “irredeemable default. That’s something the company denies. Commissioners say they want to hear both sides before taking any action. Residents of Venus also Continue reading

News Update for 5/18/21

NEWS 5/18/21 BF BoCC II Highlands County commissioners this morning voted to give Waste Connections their day in court. Highlands County Administrator Randy Vossburg has charged that the firm is a “habitual violator” and in a condition of “irredeemable default.” That’s something the company denies. Commissioners say they want to hear both sides before taking Continue reading