Highlands County News

"Further cut operating and capital budgets or increase taxes," was part of the final sentence in a letter from Highlands County Administrator Michael Wright to the Commission dated June 30.

With all the commotion in the news about Florida clamping down on "pill mills" responsible for dispensing massive quantities of pain killers like oxycodone to the public, the District 10 Medical Examiner's Office offered up some statistics Wednesday.

Not enough money is flowing in and too much is flowing out. It sounds like most of our personal budgets.

Two day care workers, Sara Vasquez and Linda Payne, have also been indicted for failing to report child abuse.

Authorities on Friday released a composite sketch of a man who attempted to abduct a woman selling fruit from a truck in Frostproof.

James H. Parker III, former Avon Park Police Officer, was indicted late Wednesday afternoon, charged with first degree murder stemming from the death of 22-month-old Kaedyn Short.

A Highlands County grand jury returned an indictment late this afternoon charging former Avon Park police officer James Parker with the murder of 22-month-old Kaedyn Short.

A bond was set Monday for an Avon Park man accused of shooting another in the chest at an Avon Park street corner back in December.

Years after a family reconciliation that resulted in him being hired at the family business, John Vickers has drawn the interest of the Highlands County Sheriff's Office.

A Sebring man reported himself to law enforcement after allegedly getting drunk and assaulting his 69-year-old girlfriend.

A Highlands County jury returned a not guilty verdict June 9 for a Lake Placid man charged with felony fleeing/eluding a law enforcement officer.

State officials urging residents to be aware of lightning danger: This week is Lightning Safety Week, and Florida emergency-management officials are urging residents to be aware of dangers lightning can pose.

With Sebring High School slipping from a C to a D grade, the district's three high schools, all with D grades, continue to be the low point in accountability for the Highlands County School District.

A group of Polk County women saw more of Highlands County than they were hoping Thursday after being arrested following an alleged shoplifting spree and a chase through The Bluffs condominiums complex.

By the end of August, Highlands County will have something it's never had before - billboard-size "Welcome to Highlands County" signs posted at the two main entrances to the county.

NWS slowly canceling the Severe Thunderstorm Watch from north to south. 4:23 p.m. - Severe T-Storm moving southward through Hillsborough County.

A two-vehicle chase in Lake Placid, where a 74-year-old man on a golf cart was reportedly trying to evade his 72-year-old girlfriend who was behind the wheel of a van, ended with damages to a yard and an arrest for assault and battery charges.

A 6-year-old Sebring boy was listed in good condition Monday after being airlifted from Veterans Beach, where emergency personnel say he was pulled from the waters of Lake Jackson by a jet skier Sunday afternoon.

About 50 Progress Energy customers lost power Thursday night when a driver struck a power pole on State Road 64 near Avon Park High School, after he reportedly tried to avoid hitting a dog and lost control.

A 26-year-old man was jailed Friday for attempted murder after he fired two shots at a man after a dispute over rent money.