News Update for 12/15/25

Highlands County Sheriff’s Office Explorers Post 2247 made history a few weeks ago. The cadets captured their first-ever team title at the quarterly Delegates competition in Clay County, dominating the shooting events. The win follows months of intensive training with HCSO instructors, and nine cadets earned top-three individual finishes. The team recently presented their trophy to the Sheriff’s Office, where it will be proudly displayed.

The Highlands County School District says it’s making strong progress in recruiting and keeping teachers. District leaders report a sharp drop in vacancies and long-term substitutes, with openings cut in half compared to last year. Human Resources Director Carla Ball says recruitment strategies, internships, and cultural exchange programs are helping move the district closer to its long-term staffing goals, while teacher retention rates continue to improve.

Sebring is celebrating 75 years of racing history with a New Year’s Eve event honoring the city’s legendary motorsports roots. Downtown will host a parade of modern and historic race cars, live music, family activities, and fireworks over Lake Jackson. Organizers say the celebration honors Sebring’s past while kicking off the countdown to the 75th running of the Twelve Hours of Sebring in 2027.

An anonymous tip to Heartland Crime Stoppers led Polk County deputies to arrest a Winter Haven man wanted in a July attempted murder case. Officers located 24-year-old Austin Daniel Richardson early Saturday morning, and he surrendered without incident. Richardson now faces multiple felony charges, including attempted second-degree murder and aggravated assault.