Highlands, FL

U.S. Congressman Byron Donalds made a campaign stop in Sebring Thursday, speaking to a packed crowd at Dee’s Place. Donalds highlighted growth, jobs, workforce training and lowering insurance costs, while urging voters to support his campaign for governor. The Sebring stop was one of several appearances during a busy statewide campaign swing that took Donalds…

Drivers in Sebring will need to find an alternate route around Ben Eastman Road. The northern section between Sebring Parkway and Panther Parkway is now closed for construction. Highlands County Engineering and Hickey Excavation are building a new paved roadway and sidewalk, with the project expected to continue through mid-December. Drivers should follow posted detours…

The West Sebring Volunteer Fire Department will hold its annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony, honoring the 2,974 people who lost their lives in the attacks, including hundreds of first responders. The community is invited to gather and remember the sacrifices made and the lasting impact on first responders and their families. The ceremony is Saturday, September…

The City of Sebring is pursuing another commercial property through a lien foreclosure lawsuit. The latest case involves a convenience store and gas station on Frontage Road, where the owner faces thousands of dollars in fines tied to unresolved code violations. The city has filed about 23 foreclosure lawsuits, including cases involving the Sunset Beach…

The Sebring chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association is asking for community support after its former treasurer, Thomas Justin Smith, allegedly stole more than 65-thousand dollars from the organization. Smith was arrested August first and faces three felony charges. The chapter says the loss effectively left it starting over financially, but volunteers and local partners…

Sun ’n Lake residents will be watching Tuesday’s Highlands County Commission meeting, where commissioners will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the improvement district’s elections and oversight. The ordinance would allow all registered voters—not just property owners—to vote for the five-member board. It would also increase county oversight of elections, audits, purchasing and…

Avon Park City Council will appoint someone to fill the vacant seat left by Michelle Mercure’s resignation. City Attorney Gerald Buhr says the position cannot be placed on the November ballot because the resignation came after the qualifying period. Council will accept applications from interested residents and plans to make the appointment at its September…

Highlands County officials now have a plan to address some of the county’s most flood-prone areas. A new vulnerability assessment identifies Sebring Parkway, downtown Sebring and the area around Little Lake Jackson as top priorities. Proposed improvements could cost millions, but the report will help the county seek state and federal funding for drainage and…

Sebring Police are investigating a shooting that happened Monday night near Sebring Parkway and North Ridgewood Drive. Police say one person suffered a gunshot wound. Both directions of Sebring Parkway were temporarily closed between North Ridgewood and Grapefruit Avenue while first responders worked the scene. Police later announced the scene was clear. The Highlands County…

A 24-year-old Miami man is facing multiple felony charges after Highlands County detectives say he traveled to Lake Placid to meet a 15-year-old girl for sex. Investigators say Franklin Leonel Uriarte communicated with the girl through a dating app after she told him she was underage. Deputies stopped him near the girl’s home on August…