NewsTalk 730

An Avon Park High School student was arrested yesterday after a scuffle with staff and school resource deputies led to the discovery of a disassembled handgun in his backpack. Deputies were tipped off about the 16-year-old acting suspiciously off campus before he entered the school. When pulled from class for questioning, he resisted, forcing deputies…

Highlands County Fire Rescue welcomed three new ambulances with a traditional wash-down ceremony at Fire Station 19 in Sebring on Friday. Built by Horton Emergency Vehicles, these $390,000 units replace aging models, some with over 300,000 miles due to manufacturing delays. The new ambulances will be stationed at Fire Stations 19, 10, and 41, joining…

A Lake Placid man was arrested Saturday after deputies found him asleep in his car at AdventHealth Sebring—with drugs and a firearm inside. Deputies woke 36-year-old Christopher Myron Clarkson and discovered multiple plastic baggies containing what tested positive as meth and fentanyl. More drugs, paraphernalia, and a handgun wrapped in a T-shirt were also found…

A Sebring woman is facing felony charges for allegedly lying to investigators about her daughter’s involvement in a burglary and battery case. Jamie Renee Lagrow, 47, is accused of giving false information to deputies about the whereabouts of her daughter, Taylor Renee Tillman, who broke into a home and attacked a woman on June 6th,…

Highlands County has issued a burn ban effective immediately due to ongoing dry conditions and a rising drought index. The ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including yard waste, bonfires, campfires, and open cooking fires. Cooking with gas or charcoal grills is still allowed. The burn ban applies countywide, including Avon Park, Lake Placid, Sebring, and…

The Florida Cracker Trail Ride is making its way across the state once again, marking its 38th year of honoring Florida’s cattle-driving heritage. Riders began their journey on Saturday, February 8, at 9 a.m. in Bradenton’s Manatee Village Historical Park. This Wednesday morning, they are expected to reach State Road 66 and make their traditional…

Highlands County came together in a powerful show of support for two grieving families at Thursday night’s Jr. Livestock Show & Sale. Emily Tharp, who lost her cousin Kaedince Ruelas and friend Bo Ward in a tragic car accident this month, auctioned off her 278-pound swine to raise money for their families. The community responded…

A Bartow man was shot Wednesday at a Fort Meyers diner after authorities tried to apprehend him on 6 active warrants. 35-year-old Myles Strickland was wanted on two warrants for grand theft, one warrant for burglary, one warrant for armed burglary, one warrant for petty theft and one warrant for possession of a firearm by…

On Tuesday, Highlands County officials broke ground on the new Emergency Operations Center expansion on George Boulevard. The EOC is used to coordinate efforts amongst first responders, the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, emergency personnel, and various other county departments during natural disasters. The new building will be built next to the existing structure and will…

An elderly man is in custody following a deadly shooting in Lake Placid on Monday night. The sheriff’s office says 70-year-old Rosalio Astorga Sanchez admitted to shooting and killing a 40-year-old housemate at their home on Sarasota Street. When deputies arrived on scene they found the victim dead in the front yard. According to police,…