NewsTalk 730

Plans to rezone 38 acres along Scenic Highway in Sebring for commercial development have been paused following public outcry. Nearby residents voiced strong concerns over transforming the residential corridor into a business zone, citing past promises to limit commercial creep beyond the Bernie Little facility. Speakers urged the city to preserve the area’s residential character,…

Dollar General has officially opened a brand-new store at 1346 Sebring Parkway in Highlands County, bringing convenient and affordable essentials closer to local residents. To celebrate, a grand opening event kicks off at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 28. The first 50 adult shoppers will snag a free $10 gift card, and the first 100…

A tragic crash in Lake Placid early Saturday morning claimed the life of a 19-year-old ATV driver and critically injured his two passengers. Florida Highway Patrol says the Kabota Gator ATV collided with a pickup truck at the intersection of Washington Boulevard Northeast and Placid View Drive around 12:45 a.m. The ATV turned into the…

A former citrus grove west of Scenic Highway is one step closer to redevelopment following the Sebring City Council’s recent approval of rezoning and a future land use change for the 66-acre Gapway Groves parcel. The proposed community, Scenic at Sunset, will include 234 residential units with a maximum building height of two stories. The…

A Highlands County woman facing the death penalty for allegedly killing her 13-year-old adopted daughter has now been sentenced to 180 days in jail for violating a protective order. Investigators say Diane Natasha Mack tried to send pizzas to her surviving children at their school from jail, despite a no-contact order. Mack pleaded no contest…

Highlands County residents will soon have a chance to learn about affordable housing programs in our area. The Affordable Housing Informational Fair will offer details on the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program and other local housing options. You can meet with representatives from trusted housing organizations and get your questions answered. Make sure to mark…

By a 2-1 vote Monday night, the Avon Park City Council approved spending $64,000 to hire The Gilchrist Law Firm to investigate possible fraud in the sale of the Brickell Building. Councilwomen Berniece Taylor and Michelle “Shelly” Mercure voted yes; Deputy Mayor Jim Barnard opposed, and two members abstained. Council also voted 3-0 to guarantee…

A Highlands County man will remain behind bars until the year 2175 after being sentenced Tuesday to 150 years in prison for child pornography crimes. 23-year-old Jonathan Hernandez pleaded guilty to 100 counts of possessing and trading graphic images and videos involving children. Prosecutors said he had over 1,100 disturbing files and engaged in explicit…

The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office is celebrating a major achievement: Lt. Kyle Albritton has graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia — a distinction earned by less than 1% of law enforcement officers nationwide. Lt. Albritton was part of Class 294, which included 239 elite officers from across the U.S. and 14…

If you use Memorial Drive to go back and forth between Avon Park and Sebring, a traffic note – don’t. Road work begins today on the Avon Park leg of Memorial Drive. The road will be closed for three or four days, weather permitting. Heading north, you’ll be routed down College Drive over to 27.…