Local News

Two businesses honored Thursday by the Highlands County Economic Development Commission are testaments to the fact that businesses can survive in tough economic times and overcome challenges, the commission's executive director said.

In 2005 - the last of the good old days - less than 400 foreclosures were filed with Bob Germaine's office. Then the housing bubble burst, and the numbers snaked up to 1,508 by 2009.

A nationwide college readiness program is set to be introduced in all Highlands County middle and high schools next school year, even though an unexpected glitch has cut state funding for the Sebring secondary schools.

SEBRING - An annual hurricane seminar that advises Highlands County residents on preparing for the storm season, which runs June 1 to Nov. 30, and what people can expect this year, is set from 6 p.m. June 3 at the Bert J. Harris Jr. Agricultural Center.

Authorities have arrested another suspect in relation to a series of business and restaurant robberies last year, according to an arrest report released Thursday.

SEBRING - The city of Sebring's finances are in good shape, Sebring City Council members were told Tuesday evening.

New direction

Two local providers of services to the developmentally disabled said they don't know yet if $36 million in new state funding will help Highlands County residents who are on the Agency for Persons with Disabilities' waiver waiting list for services.

The big bust in real estate that followed the big boom in 2003 to 2005 is beginning to subside, real estate agents say.
And the decline in property values also is slowing, the Highlands County Property Appraiser's Office.

AVON PARK - An Avon Park man apparently prepared Tuesday the wrong way for the hot summer, according to an arrest report released Wednesday.