NewsTalk 730

The School Board of Highlands County is bracing for a projected $3.5 million shortfall over the next two years, driven by declining enrollment, rising health insurance costs, and diverted tax dollars for school choice scholarships. Today, the board will hold an initial budget workshop, and will outline steps to restore financial stability, including hiring freezes,…

Highlands County Sheriff’s Office is participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents can safely dispose of unused or expired medications at two locations: 400 S. Eucalyptus St. in Sebring and 304 W. Pleasant St. in Avon Park. Proper disposal helps prevent drug misuse,…

Well, you don’t see this every day — a suspect offering cocktails mid-chase. Highlands County Deputies had quite the bizarre pursuit Saturday afternoon, after 39-year-old Richard Christopher Smith allegedly stole alcohol from the Spring Lake Market and took off in a black minivan. During the chase, Smith reportedly offered deputies a vodka spritz out the…

Sebring High School is honoring one of its most distinguished alumni, Major Thomas B. McGuire Jr., with the dedication of its media center in his name. The public is invited to the ceremony this Tuesday, April 22nd, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. McGuire, a World War II hero and Medal of Honor recipient, was the…

A 58-year-old Sebring man, Mahadeo Balkeran, is behind bars after a major drug bust on Ellington Avenue. Highlands County deputies seized nearly 10.23 ounces of cocaine and 18 oxycodone pills during a search warrant executed on Wednesday, April 16th. After a lengthy investigation, a total of over 1.9 pounds of cocaine was reportedly recovered between…

32-year-old Fernando Jesus Sotolongo is facing a first-degree murder charge after allegedly stabbing 30-year-old Zachary Mackey to death at a Sebring home late Monday night. Police say the attack followed an argument between the roommates. A witness told investigators that Sotolongo, who was reportedly acting erratically, threatened Mackey before stabbing him in the chest. Mackey…

The Florida Highway Patrol says a tow truck driver was killed Monday afternoon after being struck by a vehicle on Highway 27 south of Lake Placid. The tow truck driver, a 53-year-old Labelle man, was reportedly stopped on the northbound shoulder of the highway just north of Ragan Avenue. He was standing between the outside…

There was a little more activity than early church-goers on Thunderbird Road in Sebring are used to yesterday morning. The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office needed to serve a warrant on a domestic incident suspect at 2900 Thunderbird Road. The suspect surrendered without incident, but to maintain control, the Department used its SWAT team. While securing…

The City of Avon Park is currently seeking volunteers to fill four vacancies on local boards and committees. One seat is available on the Avon Park Housing Authority, while alternate positions are open on the Planning & Zoning Board, Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board, and the Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee. Alternates play a vital…

A Sebring man accused of illegal dumping is now in custody. Highlands County deputies arrested 44-year-old Howard L. Shackleford after he abandoned his ATV in an orange grove and fled from law enforcement. Deputy Kyler Hodge attempted to pull Shackleford over on County Road 17 South, but the suspect sped off into the grove, clipped…