The Latest Local News

Members of a citizen’s committee charged with checking credentials of candidates for the Avon Park city manager’s job reportedly are livid. They are unhappy at the way three members of the council bypassed their work – voting simply to offer the job to former Highlands County Undersheriff Mark Schader. Committee members said they worked long Continue reading

It appears that the city of Avon Park may be in search of a police officer. Councilman Jim Barnard warned that the State of Florida currently is looking at police pension plans, and without at least one officer – they might move to close the Avon Park plan. That could cost the City of Charm Continue reading

Avon Park city council members last night decided to ditch the process of finding a city manager and voted just to offer the job to former Highlands County Undersheriff Mark Schrader. It wasn’t unanimous, it came by a 3-2 vote. Councilman Jim Barnard and Mayor Garrett Anderson lobbied to go through the process of reviewing Continue reading

Firefighters were busy in Avon Park last night. There was a structure fire in a mobile home on England Avenue in the City of Charm shortly after 7PM. Apparently it started in a back bedroom and has been attributed to the air conditioning unit. A mobile home next door also sustained minor head damage as Continue reading

The Reflection Park was dedicated yesterday in honor of five women killed at the SunTrust Midtown branch in Sebring. It marked the one year anniversary when Debra Cook, Marisol Lopez, Jessica Monitgue, Ana Pinon-Williams and Cynthia Lee Watson were slain by a lone gunman. Family members and friends were joined by community leaders, law enforcement, Continue reading

The Reflection Park was dedicated this morning in honor of five women killed at the SunTrust Midton branch in Sebring. Today marks the one year anniversary when Debra Cook, Marisol Lopez, Jessica Monitgue, Ana Pinon-Williams and Cynthia Lee Watson were slain by a lone gunman. Family members and friends were joined by community leaders, law Continue reading

It got down into the 30as overnight. Reportedly, at least a couple of people took advantage of the cold shelter opened by Highlands County officials. The Bert Harris Agricultural Civic Center was opened at 7:PM last night for those who needed heat. Officials say there were two people in the shelter overnight. Authorities say they Continue reading

The first blast of arctic air is set for the new decade this evening. So Highlands County officials have opened a cold weather shelter for those who need to stay warm. The Bert J. Harris Agricultural Civic Center will be open this evening beginning at 7:00, and will stay open until tomorrow morning at 7am. Continue reading

Two Highlands County Sheriff’s deputies and a trainee reportedly are on administrative leave and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has been called in to investigate following a weekend shooting incident. A man identified as 43-year-old Dustin Alexander Nealis was shot and killed in the incident at a residence on Bridle Path, south of Sebring. Continue reading

Avon Park set a record yesterday. Officials of the Old Farts Flying Club said they had their best meet-up ever. More than 80 planes came in at the Avon Park Executive Airport. Planes ranged from home-built aircraft to twin engine planes. Even a helicopter showed up for the event – hosted by the city of Continue reading