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.

After two hours, crews rescue entangled worker from underground sewer grinder

According to Highlands County Fire Rescue, the worker had become “partially entangled” in the device along Edgewater Drive near the Sun ‘N Lake Golf Club.

Silver Alert issued for missing Sebring woman

A Silver Alert was issued for Gloria Maria Rosa, 77, who was last seen leaving 4709 Tarrega Street in Sebring around 7:30 p.m. Thursday. 

Man shot by deputies after threatening to shoot Sebring store

So far, deputies haven't been able to find a gun. They think the man might have been holding his cell phone as if it were a weapon.

Highlands, Sarasota, Hardee Counties cancel school as Eta approaches Florida

Highlands, Sarasota and Hardee County schools will be closed on Monday, November 9 as Tropical Storm Eta makes its way across South Florida and into the Gulf of Mexico. The school districts decided to cancel class Sunday evening due to the potential for significant rain and winds gusts in the area.

88-year-old man critically injured after being attacked in Avon Park home

Deputies said the 88-year-old man suffered critical injuries and had to be airlifted to a trauma center following an attack in his Avon Park home.

'Staggering:' Highlands deputies seize enough fentanyl to kill 40,000 people

Deputies say they took a dangerous amount of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine off the streets of Highlands County in what they called “one of the largest drug seizures in recent memory.”

Sheriff: Highlands deputy's ballistic vest stops bullet shot by suspect; deputies returned fire, killing him

Officials in Highlands County  say deputies were forced to return fire, killing a suspect after a fired a gun at a deputy, striking the law enforcement officer's ballistic vest. 

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.