Pinellas County man drove to Highlands County to smoke weed, have sex with 14-year-old, deputies say
A St. Pete man headed east to Highlands County to smoke marijuana and have sex with a 14-year-old, officials said. Instead, he ended up meeting with detectives.
Community devastated after third teen dies following crash in Lake Placid
A tragedy is rocking the small community of Lake Placid after three close friends were killed in a crash early Saturday morning. Among the victims were an avid fisherman, a young bull rider, and a 17-year-old aspiring veterinarian.
Lake Placid community gathers to remember victims of crash that killed two, left teen critically injured
Two people are dead and a 17-year-old girl is fighting for her life in the hospital after a deadly crash in Highlands County.
2 dead, 1 critically injured in Highlands County multi-vehicle crash
An 18-year-old man and a 21-year-old man were killed early Saturday morning on Highway 70 in Highlands County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Sebring woman faces kidnapping charges after allegedly stealing car with two children inside
A Sebring woman was arrested after she needed to "get away" from her fiancé after an argument and knowingly stole another woman's car with her two small children inside, deputies say.
Park Elementary School employee charged with abusing 2 pre-kindergarten students in ESE class
Highlands County deputies arrested Cynthia Lee Heiss, 38, a paraprofessional at Park Elementary School in Avon Park, after they say she abused two children at the school.
Sebring woman dies in house fire put out by good Samaritan
A 22-year-old woman from Sebring was killed early Saturday morning in a house fire, according to Highlands County Fire Rescue.
Missing Sebring 16-year-old girl found safe
Deputies in Sebring are say a missing 16-year-old girl has now been found safe.
Highlands County COVID-19 vaccine distribution
After several different phases of COVID-19 vaccine rollout, all adults in Highlands County are now eligible for the vaccine.
18-year-old woman killed in Avon Park shooting
Detectives in Highlands County are trying to find the person who killed an 18-year-old Tuesday night.
Purebred cat owner pleads with Highlands County Humane Society to return beloved pet
A cat owner is fighting to stop someone else from taking her pet after the Humane Society put her cat up for adoption. But the organization says they followed their policy after the 5-year-old purebred Cornish Rex cat named Donna went unclaimed for days.
State builds death-penalty case against accused Sebring SunTrust killer
More than two years have passed since a man walked into the Sebring SunTrust bank and opened fire, killing five women inside. It's a crime that rocked the Highlands County community to its core.
Two dead in Highlands County crash that involved 15-year-old driver, troopers say
Two people have died following a crash in Sebring, and troopers said a 15-year-old was behind the wheel of one of the two vehicles involved.
Kidnapped teen's secret message, father's communication with Florida relative produce new leads
Daphne Westbrook didn't come home from a weekend trip to visit her father back in October 2019. Ever since, law enforcement has been searching for the pair, under the belief Daphne has been drugged or otherwise subdued.
Teen girl arrested for threat to 'kill anyone we see' at Lake Placid Middle School
A teenage girl was arrested Tuesday after a social media threat led hundreds of parents to keep their students home from Lake Placid Middle School.
Tennessee teen, kidnapped in 2019, may be being held in Tampa area
A Tennessee teenager, who was kidnapped by her father in 2019, could be in the Tampa Bay area, authorities say. They fear she is "routinely being drugged and/or kept drunk to incapacitate her."
Highlands deputies locate missing infant and toddler
Highlands County deputies are asking for the public's help to find missing 1-month-old Kinyin and 15-month-old John, who they believe may be in danger.
Sebring High School teacher, husband arrested after she allegedly had sex with student, deputies say
Ariel Madden Reed, 30, a critical thinking teacher at Sebring High School has been arrested and charged with 10 counts of sexual battery for allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old student, according to the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office.
Avon Park Air Force Range brush fire could grow to 3,000 acres
The Highlands County Sheriff's Office is warning about smoke in the area due to a wildfire at the Avon Park Air Force Range.
Sebring boy who got off bus at wrong stop found safe, deputies say
Deputies in Sebring say they have found a missing boy who apparently got off at the wrong school bus stop this afternoon.