News Update for 7/11/25
After more than a decade of “C” grades, the Highlands County School District has earned its first “B” since 2011 for the 2024-25 school year. Five elementary schools — including Lake Placid and Park Elementary — scored top “A” marks, up from just one last year. Neighboring districts Hendry and Hardee also improved to “B” grades, while DeSoto and Okeechobee held steady at “C.” School leaders credit teamwork and high expectations for the progress. Superintendent Dr. Brenda Longshore says the district will build on this success to keep pushing student achievement even higher next year.
Highlands County residents are invited to bring their children to enjoy engaging S.T.E.A.M. programs focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math at local libraries this July. Avon Park Library will host relief printmaking this Friday, July 11 at 4 p.m. Lake Placid Memorial Library will offer a moon crater activity on July 26 at 3 p.m. And Sebring Public Library features a summer special every open Friday at 3:45 p.m. with a variety of hands-on activities. For more information, call 863-402-6716 and make this summer a creative one!
Two teenagers from New England are accused in an attempted swatting incident in Polk County. The 14-year-old and 15-year-old suspects allegedly made prank calls to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in June. That resulted in deputies responding to a Poinciana home where a 12-year-old lived who the teens had reportedly been gaming with online. Deputies again received a false call to the home the next day. The teen suspects have been extradited to Polk County where they face felony charges for a false report concerning the use of firearms in a violent manner, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
A Winter Haven man is behind bars after deputies say he posed as a federal agent. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 59-year-old Timothy Conrad Tuesday after finding him on Highway 27 in a vehicle decked out with red and blue lights and K-9 decals. Conrad claimed to be a U.S. Marshal and showed a badge, but couldn’t back it up with real credentials. Investigators say he was never employed by the Marshal Service and admitted he’d never received law enforcement training. Conrad now faces charges for impersonating an officer and other crimes. Sheriff Grady Judd says pretending to be law enforcement won’t be tolerated.