News Update for 1/9/24

Officials in Highlands County and across the Sunshine State are warning residents to be prepared for some heavy weather. Strong storms could hit Central Florida by this afternoon. The National Weather Service is warning about strong to severe thunderstorms that could even produce a few tornadoes. A Wind Advisory has been put into effect for…

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News Update for 1/8/24

It looks to be a fairly quiet meeting for the Avon Park city council tonight. Among other things, they will transfer responsibliities for renting the community center to the Heartland Cultural Alliance, will look at changing zoning for a couple acres on Green Street, and a planned unit development on Central Avenue. The Council also…

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News Update 1/5/24

The Ninth Annual Veterans Expo will begin its two-day run today at American Legion Post 69 in Avon Park. It will begin with the escort and placing of the Global War on Terrorism Wall. That will happen about noon. The Expo will run today and tomorrow with veterans resources ranging from counselling and therapy to…

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News Update for 1/4/24

Highlands County commissioners finally will be getting together for their first meeting of the new year today. Due to Monday’s celebration of the New Year, their regular Tuesday meeting was pushed back to Thursday morning. Even so, there’s not much on the agenda, commissioners will look at extending certificates of operation for a couple local…

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News for 1/3/24

The new year begins with some good news for business in the area. A new report from Upgraded Points shows that the Sebring/Avon Park area is just one of nine metro areas in the country to see an increase in brick and mortar retail outlets. There is one retail store for every 3.2 residents here.…

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News for 1/2/24

It appears that Highlands County registered the first traffic fatality of the new year yesterday. The accident happened on Northbound Highway 27 at Vision Street in front of the Highway Park community south of Lake Placid. Florida Highway Patrol reports now indicate a car driven by a 29-year-old Lake Placid man made a left turn…

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News Update for 1/1/2024

So far, Highlands County’s population has not grown in 2024. Officials at AdventHospital Sebring report no New Year’s babies as of Midnight. There was one tax deduction for last year with a baby girl born Saturday morning. Baby, mother – and dad – all are doing fine. Despite the plethora of fireworks, officials say there…

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Local News 12-29-23

The long New Years’ weekend begins tonight and your local cops want you to remember that you may be off work, but they aren’t. Drive sober this weekend, have a designated driver and enjoy yourself – responsibly. If you’re driving, be forewarned – gas is up. The Florida AA says that gas prices in the…

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Local News 12-28-23

The Highlands County Sports complex on Sebring’s south side won’t be the only fresh-dressed sports facility in the County soon. The City of Avion Park has been awarded grants for some serious renovations at the City’s MLK Junior Sports Complex on East State Street. New pavilions, fencing, visitors bleachers and football and basketball playing surfaces…

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Local News 12-27-23

If you take advantage of the extended three-hour VPK “enrichment” program at the Highlands County Schools’ Pre-K Center next year, be prepared to pay a bit for it. The School Board last week agreed to institute a $50 weekly fee for the extended hours at the center for the 2024-2025 school year. The three-hour morning…

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