NewsTalk 730

A new draft plan from Highlands County School Superintendent Brenda Longshore proposes cutting 19 district-level positions for the 2026–2027 school year. The reductions focus on administrative, instructional, and support roles at the district level, including positions in academics, transportation, maintenance, and food services. School-based staff are not included in this draft. The School Board will…

Authorities in Avon Park are investigating a deadly overnight hotel fire that left two people dead. Dispatch received the call just before 2 a.m. Friday at the Econo Lodge. Deputies and fire crews arrived within minutes to find a second-story room filled with smoke. An adult man and woman were discovered inside and pronounced dead…

The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to assist with immigration enforcement in Highlands County through federal programs that allow deputies to issue detainers. Since 2025, trained deputies can identify individuals during arrests and coordinate with ICE. Data shows 61 encounters with suspected unauthorized immigrants, most involving local charges.…

A wandering alligator caused a stir this past Sunday at a construction site in Avon Park, where a deputy with the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office stepped in to handle the situation. Body camera footage shows Deputy Gage Massey wrangling the gator using a piece of PVC pipe—while wearing a rain jacket—before guiding it into the…

The Highlands County School Board is continuing discussions on proposed changes to the Code of Student Conduct, with ongoing concerns surrounding the future of the Academy program in Sebring. Board members remain divided over a proposal to move students to virtual learning at home, citing concerns about attendance, supervision, and overall student success. Officials say…

A 26-year-old woman, Jennifer Chavez, was arrested after police say she stole a vehicle from a Publix parking lot in Sebring. According to the Sebring Police Department, Chavez had been selling flan outside the North Sebring Publix before entering the vehicle and driving off when sales were unsuccessful. Officers responded Friday afternoon to the North…

A 57-year-old man, identified as Horace Butler, was arrested in Highlands County after deputies say he assaulted a woman with a large walking stick during an argument. According to reports, the victim suffered injuries to her arm and leg after being struck multiple times. Butler is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Authorities…

Schools in Lake Placid were placed on lockdown after multiple bomb threats prompted a large law enforcement response. The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office says the threats targeted local elementary, middle, and high schools. After thorough searches, authorities determined the threats were not credible and confirmed all students and staff were safe. Officials also noted similar…

Highlands County Fire Rescue responded to a fully involved structure fire Tuesday around 3:45 p.m. along U.S. 98 in Spring Lake, just west of Dollar General. Crews arrived to find the home completely engulfed and quickly worked to contain the flames, preventing the fire from spreading beyond the structure. The home was declared a total…

Governor Ron DeSantis says a bill he just signed will protect the health, security and freedom of Floridians. DeSantis was talking about the Florida Farm Bill he signed yesterday in Highlands County. It prevents local governments from banning gas and diesel-powered equipment, limits inappropriate high-density development in certain areas and requires US citizenship or ownership…