All Florida Department of Health offices in Highlands County will be closed Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with normal hours resuming Tuesday. In addition, drivers should expect several road closures in downtown Sebring for the annual MLK Day Parade, which begins at noon. Staging and parade routes will temporarily limit access around Circle Park and surrounding streets, with most roads reopening by early afternoon and remaining closures cleared by early evening. Residents are urged to plan ahead, celebrate safely, and call 911 in the event of a medical emergency.
The Sun ‘N Lake Improvement District in Sebring is moving forward with construction on a new recreation area starting Monday (1/19). The $650,000 project includes a modern 75-foot swimming pool, a wading pool, a fitness complex with a gym and yoga room, and six luxury cabins. District leaders say the project will bring a more resort-style experience to the community, with construction expected to wrap up by May, though some areas will be temporarily closed for safety.
South Florida State College is once again exploring options to bring student housing to its Avon Park campus. College leaders and the SFSC Foundation are now considering renovating and expanding the University Center to serve as a student dormitory. Officials say the idea is in the early discussion phase, with master planning underway to determine space needs, relocations, and future funding requests. If approved, the plan could revive long-standing efforts to provide on-campus housing and better support students attending SFSC.
The Avon Park City Council has voted to hire Fort Lauderdale-based Shutts & Bowen to represent the city in civil litigation tied to findings from a 2025 investigation into the Brickell Building project. The decision passed on a 2–1 vote, with two council members abstaining and one opposing over concerns about potential costs. City officials say legal expenses are still unknown as the case moves forward, while some residents questioned the financial impact and oversight of the process.