Local law enforcement is stepping up its cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Lake Placid Police Department has signed an agreement allowing officers to question and arrest individuals suspected of being in the country illegally. Chief Mark Schneider confirmed that designated officers will receive ICE training and may be called upon to assist federal agents. However, he emphasized that no immigration raids have taken place yet. Meanwhile, Sebring Police are still reviewing the agreement. Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman said his office has been cooperating with ICE since 2018 and will continue holding individuals flagged for deportation. Additionally, The Highlands County School District has pledged to comply with lawful ICE investigations while maintaining student privacy protections.
Sebring residents voted against a proposed City Charter amendment that would have changed the city clerk position from elected to appointed. With just 146 voters casting ballots—only 2.45% of eligible voters—the measure failed, receiving 64 votes (43.84%) in favor and 82 votes (56.16%) against. The City Council had unanimously approved placing the amendment on the ballot, intending for the change to take effect after current City Clerk Kathy Haley retires in 2026. However, voters rejected the proposal, marking the second time such a measure has failed. Haley, who opposed the change, said she was relieved by the outcome, believing the amendment would have significantly altered the role of city clerk.
A Florida grandmother convicted of child neglect is now accusing two fellow inmates of extortion while awaiting sentencing. Tracey Nix, a former teacher from Wauchula, was found guilty in January of leaving her 7-month-old granddaughter in a hot car, months after her grandson drowned in her care. While in jail, Nix claims Sandra Cardoza and Rosanna Sanchez extorted her for thousands, threatening to expose personal details. Investigators confirmed money was exchanged. Both suspects now face extortion charges, while Nix awaits sentencing on April 3rd.
A Central Florida man is facing decades in prison after a judge ruled he’s not immune from prosecution under Florida’s so called "Stand Your Ground" law. Curtis Fulcher is accused of shooting and killing a teen robbery suspect in 2019. The 47-year-old’s attorney tried to get the case dropped, arguing it was self-defense. However, the judge denied the request, saying Fulcher engaged in "vigilante justice." Fulcher originally pleaded not guilty to manslaughter. He’s reportedly scheduled to change his plea during a court hearing next week.
The Highlands County Citrus Growers Association held its annual banquet on March 6 in Sebring, bringing together industry leaders to discuss new disease-fighting treatments. One highlight was research by high school sophomore Tanishka Aglave, who tested a natural alternative to oxytetracycline (OTC) using curry leaf extract. Her trials showed promising results for fighting citrus greening. Cornell researcher Michelle Heck also shared updates on the Grove-First project, which is screening hundreds of compounds for effectiveness. One promising molecule has advanced to large-scale field trials, and further testing will take place in a new 20-acre grove in Vero Beach.
A legal battle over educator Chris Doty’s certificate is coming to a head. Attorney Ron Weaver, representing Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., has recommended the revocation of Doty’s teaching certificate following allegations of misconduct. A final hearing took place in December 2025, where two out of three counts against Doty were upheld. The charges include violations of professional conduct and creating a hostile work environment. The Education Practices Commission will decide the length of the revocation. The final recommended order from Administrative Law Judge Brandice Dickson is expected by March 24.
SpaceX is about to launch a rescue mission for two stranded astronauts. U.S. astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have spent over nine months on the International Space Station since arriving there in June last year. NASA had originally planned for their time at the ISS to only last about a week, but their Boeing Starliner spacecraft was deemed unsafe for them to return to Earth. A NASA SpaceX mission is scheduled to launch from the Kennedy Space Center tonight, where a four-person crew will replace the two astronauts, who are expected to return on March 16th for a splashdown off the coast of Florida.
Central Floridians have a chance to see a total lunar eclipse this week. Experts say a full moon, called a Blood Moon, will appear reddish-orange as the eclipse nears totality early Friday morning. The total eclipse begins shortly before 2:30 a.m. and ends around 3:30 a.m. Those hoping to see the Blood Moon won’t need special glasses to view it, as it’s safe to look at with the naked eye. Although experts warn light pollution and weather conditions can impact the view, and binoculars could help.