Health officials are urging residents to thoroughly wash fresh fruits and vegetables after at least one case of Cyclospora was reported in Highlands County. The intestinal illness, caused by a parasite, is part of a multi-state outbreak being monitored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms can include serious gastrointestinal symptoms that may last for weeks or even months. Residents are encouraged to practice good food safety by washing fresh produce before eating.
Highlands County is looking for businesses and organizations to help launch its first-ever Garden Week, planned for September 8th through the 13th. The countywide tourism event will feature garden, agriculture, nature and wellness-themed activities hosted throughout Sebring, Avon Park and Lake Placid. The Tourist Development Council is accepting participation requests through July 17, with marketing support planned to help attract overnight visitors during the slower tourism season.
The School Board of Highlands County is working to balance its 2026-27 budget as declining student enrollment and rising health insurance costs strain district finances. Officials say the district’s health insurance program is projected to lose about $3.6 million this year, raising concerns that reserve funds could fall below the state’s recommended minimum. The tentative budget will be reviewed during a School Board workshop on July 22nd.
Drivers in Sebring should expect delays as Highlands County Road & Bridge and Traffic Operations, along with Excavation Point Inc., resurface Kenilworth Boulevard between Thurston Avenue and Industrial Way. Work is scheduled for July 20th through the 24th and will include temporary lane closures and periodic side street closures. Motorists are encouraged to allow extra travel time, follow posted detours, and use caution in the work zone.