Overdose awareness more important than ever as families struggle during pandemic

Ida Wyland knew Monday would be difficult, but she couldn’t be more driven to power through. The day marks International Overdose Awareness Day, and just five months ago she lost her son Jarred. 

First day of school arrives for Highlands County students

Summer is officially over for students in Highlands County. On Monday, the first day of school began for students. 

HCFR: 7 children, 4 adults escape house fire caused by burning candle

Seven children and four adults escaped an early morning house fire in Lake Placid Sunday morning, according to Highlands County Fire Rescue.

Highlands sheriff finds missing 5-year-old in Lake Lelia;  'uncooperative' mom faces charges

Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman was the one who found 5-year-old Chance Peterkin’s body at Lake Lelia. After the boy and his mother were reported missing, Blackman took his own boat out on the lake to help with the search.

Crash in Highlands County kills motorcyclist

A 34- year-old man died on Saturday following a vehicle crash in Highlands County.

Mama bear, 2 cubs spotted in Sebring neighborhood

A mama bear and two cubs were seen playing in the front yard of a Sebring neighborhood on Wednesday. Stacy Ann Shoop captured video of the trio from her son’s bedroom window around 10 a.m. in the Harder Hall subdivision.

Highlands County deputies find missing teen

Deputies in Highlands County safely located a teen who was reported missing Saturday afternoon.

'A good guy:' College classmate, coach remember George Floyd

George Floyd, the Minneapolis man who died in police custody Monday, went to college at South Florida State College in Avon Park. According to the school, he was a student there from 1993 through 1995, and played on the basketball team, the Panthers.

Man arrested for Avon Park murder

Highlands County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested in connection with the Thursday night shooting death of 20-year-old Christopher Reese in Avon Park.

Who to call if you feel sick

If you feel sick, there are in-home, local, and national resources for you to get advice and medical help. Below is a list of hotlines, phone numbers, websites, and emails where you can get help in the Tampa Bay Area.

Lake Placid man arrested after allegedly communicating obscenely with teen online

Stephen Matthew Weismore, 23, is behind bars after allegedly having sexually explicit online chats with a 14-year-old girl, according to the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy makes traffic stop, stops scammer from defrauding driver

It started as a routine traffic stop for speeding, but Deputy Garrison with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office quickly learned the woman he pulled over was in the process of being scammed by someone on the phone.

Highlands County deputies find missing child

The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office found Kendrick Faison, 12, who was reported missing earlier today.