The Latest Local News

News Update for 3/27/24

It’s going to be a while longer for developer Emilio Garabladi. He’s pushing Avon Park city council members to put in a "parkette" where the Wilde Building once stood. Council agreed to let the current request for proposal – which calls for the construction of a new building at the Main Street site – to Continue reading

News Update for 3/26/24

It was announced last night at the Avon Park city council meeting that a conflict of interest complaint has been filed against Mayor Garrett Anderson with the Florida Ethics Commission. Anderson said he had been notified that Steven Madre, of "Fitness 4 You" had filed the action, in connection with a complex purchase of the Continue reading

News Update for 3/25/24

It will be double duty for the Avon Park city council tonight. At 5:00 they will sit as the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency Board. Among other things, they will learn about the progress of municipal pickleball courts, the development of a splash pad at Donaldson Park, and the leasing of an office for CRA Cordinator Continue reading

Local News Headlines 3-22-24

The weekend after Race Week in Highlands County is often rather quiet. Not so this Saturday in Avon Park – the second annual “Springapalooza” Festival runs from 8am till 5pm along the Mile Long Mall, raising funds for Heartland Helping Hands … the organization this year is earmarking funds to supporting Viet Nam Veteran Curt Continue reading

Local News Headlines 3-21-24

The Highlands County Commission wants to know what it can do help bolster the County’s retail business – and what it can do to recruit new businesses. The Commission voted this week to accept a $40,000 grant from Competitive Florida to study the topic. In other actions, the Board also approved a waiver for tipping Continue reading

Local News 3-20-24

To nobody’s great surprise, former President Donald Trump won Florida’s Presidential Preference Primary yesterday. Trump collected 81.2% of the Republican votes cast statewide … here in Highlands County, he won 88.1% of the ballots, to Nikki Haley’s 8.1%. Turnout was light – only 15.7% of the County’s 33,640 eligible Republican voters cast ballots. There was Continue reading

Local News 3-20-24

There IS an election today, but early voting numbers indicate that it’s not getting a ton of attention. Your voting precinct location is open for the Florida Presidential Preference Primary today, if you’re a registered Republican and want your voice to be heard. Former President Trump IS the presumptive nominee, but there are a half Continue reading

News Update for 3/15/24

A tragic incident in AdventHealth Sebring yesterday resulted in two deaths and caused the hospital to be locked down with emergency cases deffered to other medical facilities. Highlands County Sheriff’s officials say it happened shortly before 11:30 yesterday morning when 66-year-old Joe Landon brought his special needs son in to the hospital for treatment. After Continue reading

News Update for 3/14/24

This is Thursday of Race Week and the action picks up significantly today at the Sebring International Raceway with qualifying, racing, and the first on-track appearance of drivers in this year’s Mobil One 12 Hours of Sebring presented by Cadillac. They will have both morning and afternoon sessions – and one of the big draws Continue reading

News Update for 3/13/24

It’s officially Race Week in Sebring. Gates were opened yesterday at the Sebring International Raceway and fans began pouring in for the next four days of music, activities and racing action in this year’s Mobil One 12 Hours of Sebring presented by Cadillac. Practice sessions begin this morning for cars in the four support series Continue reading