A 300-acre brush fire near Turkey Track Road and County Road 731 in the Venus area was fully contained Tuesday night after crews from Highlands County Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service battled the wind-driven blaze for several hours. No homes or buildings were threatened. While smoke and flames remained visible within the containment area overnight, officials say the fire was contained and crews stayed on scene to monitor hot spots.
The Highlands County Commission has approved a preliminary increase to the annual residential solid waste assessment. If finalized, the yearly fee would rise from $236.36 to $280.56, an increase of about $3.68 per month. The proposal passed 4-1, with Chairman Don Elwell voting no, saying he wants more details on the new trash collection contract before approving the increase. A final public hearing and vote is scheduled for August 18th.
The School Board of Highlands County is launching Highlands PLUS for the 2026-27 school year. The new program allows students using eligible Florida scholarship funds to enroll in one or more district classes without attending school full-time. Students can also participate in athletics, clubs, and other activities. More information is available on the Highlands County School District website.
Got a stunning sunset photo from Highlands County? The Florida Association of Counties is looking for entries for its 2027 Annual Calendar, themed "Florida’s Spectacular Sunsets." Local photographers are encouraged to submit original, high-resolution photos by August 21st for a chance to be featured statewide and receive photo credit. For contest rules and to submit your photo, visit fl-counties.com.