Highlands, FL

NU-HOPE Elder Care Services is inviting Highlands County seniors to a free Thanksgiving celebration Tuesday, November 17th, at the Jack Stroup Sebring Civic Center.Doors open at 10:30, with dinner served at 11:30. The traditional holiday meal will include turkey, ham and all the fixings, along with live entertainment by Rick Arnold. The event is open…

Highlands County voters have elected Kari Gurganus Pritchett to the School Board’s District One seat and Andy Tuck to District Five. In Avon Park, Brenda Gray Snell defeated incumbent Garrett Anderson for mayor, while Maria Sutherland won a city council seat. Unofficial results show voter turnout at nearly 62 percent, with more than 32-thousand ballots…

A fatal crash on U.S. 27 at Twitty Road in Sebring claimed the life of a local woman Monday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash shut down northbound lanes, with traffic diverted onto County Road 17. Shelley Glisson was a wife and mother of seven. A community fundraiser has been launched to…

HCA Florida Highlands Hospital in Sebring could have a new owner or operator next summer. HCA has announced it will not renew its lease, which expires next year. The Highlands County Hospital District is preparing proposals to either sell the property or lease it to another hospital system. Tampa General Hospital has already expressed interest…

Highlands County Fire Rescue will promote Division Chief Larry Money to deputy fire chief effective November 2nd. Money brings more than 30 years of public safety experience, including service with the Hialeah Fire Department and Ocean Reef Public Safety. He joined HCFR in 2018 and has served in several leadership roles. A formal pinning ceremony…

A 29-year-old Frostproof man faces theft and DUI charges after surveillance video allegedly linked him to a shoplifting incident at a local Family Dollar. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says Samuel Hamilton the Sixth was identified after allegedly taking cans of air-conditioning refrigerant. Deputies later found Hamilton showing signs of impairment, and investigators say he…

The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help identifying suspects in two separate theft investigations. Deputies say someone stole a black-and-red backpack during vehicle burglaries on Longview Road, Springdale Road and Grouper Drive in Sebring early Saturday. In a separate case, a woman allegedly stole a potted plant and aluminum sign from…

Sebring’s proposed downtown open container district is moving toward its next step. City council is expected to take up the issue November third, as officials weigh allowing patrons to carry alcoholic drinks outside participating businesses in designated areas. Before pursuing state legislation, council members want to hear from the public and gauge support for the…

After months of back-and-forth negotiations, the Sebring City Council has unanimously terminated its golf course lease agreement with the Blackmon family. Disagreements over the course’s deteriorating condition and pollution concerns involving Little Lake Jackson prevented the deal from moving forward. The city will now pursue a lease agreement with Fort Myers-based H&L Golf Group. The…

A revised apartment proposal is moving forward for a property on State Road 17 North in Sebring. After residents raised traffic concerns about a proposed 30-unit complex, the City Council denied the original land-use and zoning changes. Developers are now proposing a 16-unit, two-story building. The project is scheduled to go before the Planning and…