Wauchula, FL

While speaking at a news conference in Bowling Green, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis received her final chemotherapy treatment for her breast cancer diagnosis. “You know it’s not the most fun thing to see someone to go through, but you know in the end of the...

DeSantis also announced a spending boost for nurse training. Gov. Ron DeSantis talked truck driving Thursday in Bowling Green, with the double Ivy League graduate endorsing the freedom of the open road. “This is not the first time we’ve addressed this issue,” DeSantis said, announcing the award of $2.3 million...

BARTOW — A judge on Wednesday granted a request for a continuance related to the defense of William "Robert" Wiggins for his alleged role in a July 2020 triple homicide in Frostproof. Wiggins, 23, is charged with three counts of accessory after the fact in a capital felony and...

LAKE WALES — It has been one year since Lake Wales Charter Schools Superintendent Jesse Jackson announced his resignation and the state’s only city charter school system began a nationwide search for a new leader. The system is now within weeks of hiring a new superintendent. A field...

FORT MEADE – As Bartow High School senior Katie Stokes approached the backyard pens with the two animals she will be showing at the 75th annual Polk County Youth Fair, her sheep Miranda Lambert put her two front hooves on the railing and bleated for treats. “Every time you...

BOWLING GREEN, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that the state is awarding $2.3 million to six different institutions in support of commercial driver's license training and nursing programs. The State College of Florida will receive $930,000, Manatee Technical College is set to receive $550,000, South Florida...

Mugshot of landlords son in Florida State shootingFlorida Sheriff. A Florida man was shot and killed in his backyard, the suspect then turned the gun on himself a short time later, causing critical injury.

BOWLING GREEN, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday awarded a total of $2.3 million to six institutions for Commercial Driver’s License and nursing-related training programs. A check for $415,000 was handed to South Florida State College as the governor spoke at its Hardee County campus in...

BOWLING GREEN, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded $2.3 million in funding to support rapid credentialing workforce and education programs, including Commercial Driver’s License and Logistics training. These programs will help Floridians earn high-wage jobs and support the supply chain that is currently in great need of workers. Governor DeSantis made the announcement at the Hardee Campus of South Florida State College, an award recipient and strong performer in the Florida Department of Education’s (FDOE) rapid credentialing program.

Patsy Lue Harris, age 100, of Bartow, FL, died Monday, January 17, 2022, at home. She is survived by four daughters: Sally Childs, Lakeland, FL, Betty Harris, Bartow, FL, Josephine Battle, Bartow, FL, Claretha (John) McGill, Bartow, FL; two sons: Walter (Robbie) Harris, Suisun City, CA, John (Zelma) Harris, Bartow, FL; 18 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, 41 great great grandchildren, and 5 great great great grandchildren.

Southern Sunshine BBQ & Music Festival Kicked Off Inaugural Year. Travis Schraperly and Todd Bender watched plenty of YouTube videos to help prepare their barbecue. Normally, they would place fifth place at competitions. So, their team, Sloppy Hogs, winning first place in the backyard division at the inaugural Southern Sunshine BBQ & Music Festival was quite the pleasant surprise.

IMG Academy (13-2) Previous Rank: 1. This Week: Defeated Montverde Academy 57-53, vs Imhotep Charter (PA) (Fri.), vs Grand River Academy (OH) (Sat.) The Ascenders are ranked No. 1 in this week’s SBLive Florida boys’ basketball rankings for the 3rd straight week. Montverde Academy (13-4) Previous Rank: 2.

The first IndyCar test of the new year for Kyle Kirkwood had a familiar result, with the reigning Indy Lights champion sitting atop the unofficial times at Sebring International Raceway’s short circuit. The Floridian was one of three drivers to sample the popular testing loop that avoid most of...

SEBRING — The Rotary Club of Highlands County has been approved to hold their annual Crazy Pepper Chili Cook Off on Saturday, Jan. 22 from 9 a.m. until approximately 3 p.m. As a result of the event, there will be state and local road closures as well as parking restrictions associated with this event.

SEBRING — Five have filed thus far for the county-wide elections this year that includes two seats on the county commission, three School Board seats and the position of supervisor of elections. Highlands Supervisor of Elections Karen Healy has filed for the 2022 election to retain her position. Healy...

SEBRING – The Inaugural Highlands Ace Invitational Tournament Tennis Championship was held recently at the Thakker Tennis Courts. The first people to hoist the Highlands Ace Invitational Champions Trophy was Rishik Yellu for the boys and Reagan Lenihan for the girls. Yellu won the boys championship in a three...

The man who's leading the charge to scatter five new business incubators across Polk County wasted no time finding another solution. Even before the Polk County Commission on Tuesday unanimously rejected his $2.5 million budget request to help fund the project — a decision that "disappointed" some city leaders — Marshall Goodman was already busy making phone calls, scheduling meetings. ...

SEBRING — If you normally use Heron Street in Sebring, you’ll now need another route. County crews will soon start ripping out the pavement for a complete road rebuild. County Engineer Clinton Howerton Jr. said Heron, from Thrush Avenue south to Hammock Road, is in “bad shape,” with two to three inches of road base under the pavement, “which is next to nothing.” Roads, by modern standards, should have 10 inches, he said.

SEBRING — Resident Keith Addis has told stories to the delight of children for more than 25 years. Last year Addis published an illustrated book with some of his favorite stories. Titled “Jamie Tales,” the book is dedicated to the memory of his son James Kent Addis, who died...