Stephany Johnson Is Miss Highlands County. Ricki Albritton and Erin Hemler are runners up ...more

January 25, 2009

Life dealt Lake Placid resident Bill O'Brien a tough hand when he contracted polio as a 3-month-old baby, but throughout his struggles with the disease he's made the most of it. ...more

January 25, 2009

Patients at Florida Hospital in Zephyrhills got a scare this morning when heavy smoke filled the Grand View Medical Center and the fire alarm started ringing. ...more

January 23, 2009

After 10 years at 2920 Alt. U.S. 27 South, local car dealers Debbie Graves and Scott Albritton are consolidating AllStar Car & Truck Sales into the dealership's second location at 2671 U.S. 27 S., just north of Wendy's. ...more

January 18, 2009

Florida Hospital Lake Placid has a new administrator and the previous administrator there has a new title. ...more

January 11, 2009

The shooting death of Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Nicholas Sottile on Jan. 12, 2007, "still doesn't seem real" to his brother, Jimmy. ...more

January 11, 2009

An area man was transported Friday by Highlands County Emergency Medical Services to Florida Hospital Heartland after he was struck by an SUV while riding his power scooter on southbound U.S. 27 in front of Lakeshore Mall. ...more

January 10, 2009

An area man was transported Friday by Highlands County Emergency Medical Services to Florida Hospital Heartland after he was struck by an SUV while riding his power scooter on southbound U.S. 27 in front of Lakeshore Mall. ...more

January 9, 2009

The soldiers of the 3/116 FA (MLRS) Bravo Battery Florida Army National Guard unit in Avon Park along with their Family Readiness Group and the Touched By Angels group would like to say thank you to all who contributed to our Christmas party this year. Rotary Club of Highlands, Alan Jay, Ladies Auxiliary of Avon Park, Post 9853, Bob Evans, Beef O'Brady's, Panera Bread, Florida Hospital Heartland, Winn-Dixie, Chili's, Roadhouse Grill, Sonny's BBQ, Village Inn, American Legion Post 69, Sons of the American Legion Squadron Post 69, Ruby Tuesdays, Ridge Florist, SweetBay Supermarkets, Sebring Surgical Center, Red Hat Ladies Club, Thomas J. Simmons and the many community members who donated gifts for the children and the monetary gifts that helped make this year's party possible. ...more

January 8, 2009

A raucous New Year's Eve party at Skydive City has ignited a feud between the city's fire marshal and millionaire businessman Marcus Price. ...more

January 7, 2009