NewsTalk 730

Recall petitions involving three members of the Avon Park City Council have reached the first required step. The Highlands County Supervisor of Elections verified enough signatures to meet the 10 percent threshold needed to begin the process against Mayor Garrett Anderson, Deputy Mayor Jim Barnard, and Councilmember Brittany McGuire. The officials now have an opportunity…

Half of the former Wachovia building parking lot on North Ridgewood Drive in Sebring will temporarily open to the public. Mayor John Shoop says the Blackmon family will provide 25 to 30 spaces while the building is converted into a business office center. The city is finalizing a lease and liability coverage before the lot…

Nu-Hope Elder Care Services is accepting applications for a new executive director after longtime leader Debbie Slade resigned Feb. 12th following 45 years with the organization. Finance Director Brad Stoll and Program Director Roberta Creech are serving as interim directors while a search committee works to fill the position within 90 days. Applications are being…

Tensions rose in Sebring after businessman Jeff Carlson questioned City Council candidate Terry Mendel over six campaign signs placed on City-owned property leased to the Sebring Historical Society. Carlson claims the signs may violate city rules and IRS guidelines tied to the nonprofit’s tax-exempt status. Mendel said it was a mistake and removed the signs…

A 25-year-old man from Lake Placid died late Saturday night in a head-on collision in Port Charlotte. Florida Highway Patrol says the man was fleeing a previous crash when he sped west on Harborview Road, crossed the centerline, and struck a Chevrolet Malibu driven by a 44-year-old man. Tragically, the crash also claimed the life…

Two people are dead and another was airlifted to a trauma center after a fast-moving house fire late Wednesday night on Jeri Kay Lane. Sebring Fire Department crews arrived within minutes of the 11:22 p.m. call and found the manufactured home heavily engulfed in flames. Firefighters quickly began suppression efforts, but two occupants were pronounced…

A 76-year-old Sebring man was killed Tuesday morning after being struck by a semi-truck on U.S. Route 27 near Lake Josephine Drive. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the man entered the southbound lane and was hit around 11:17 a.m. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later died. The crash remains under…

The annual Cracker Trail Ride is making its way through Highlands County, traveling through Highlands Hammock State Park and camping overnight along County Road 635. This morning, riders are continuing east on State Road 66 and are expected to cross U.S. 27 and onto U.S. 98 around midday before camping near Lorida tonight. Drivers should…

Emergency crews responded to a brush fire Sunday on Arbuckle Creek Road that grew to 47 acres after a vehicle fire spread into nearby dry grass. Highlands County Fire Rescue, Emergency Management, and the Florida Forest Service worked together to contain the fast-moving flames, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions. Multiple engines, brush trucks,…

Highlands County residents serviced by Florida Waste Solutions are reminded that bulk waste pickup runs February 16th through the 20th. Bulk items include large household goods like couches, chairs, mattresses—wrapped in plastic—bed frames, rolled carpet, toilets, and similar items that won’t fit in your cart. Construction debris and extra garbage bags are not accepted, and…