The organizers behind Springtime on the Mall, Avon Park's Christmas parade, the 4th of July festivities and other public events will have to dig much deeper into their pockets to keep the events running. ...more

August 25, 2008

Party-goers heavily damaged the men's restroom at the Avon Park Community Center Saturday evening, multiple city officials alleged. ...more

August 2, 2008

First the city laid off all of its dispatchers. Saturday, the council decided to also jettison its sole planner. ...more

July 22, 2008

The city spent more money to water the Durrah Martin Complex than many people would spend on a new car, and it could end up spending even more next year just to keep the grass green. ...more

July 21, 2008

AVON PARK - The Avon Park Chamber of Commerce decided it will move into the Avon Park Community Center after the city council voted unanimously to approve the decision. The vote does not give a time line for the chamber to move in, but Executive Director David Greenslade said he hoped to start the relocation within the next 30 days. City Manager Sarah Adelt and council member George Hall had pushed the idea earlier this year as a way to both promote the community center and to make the chamber more visible. The center has had little activity during the week and the council hoped the chamber could help change that by their presence. ...more

June 23, 2008

AVON PARK - If you've been putting off your water bill, you'll literally pay for the delay after the city council voted 3-2 to start charging late fees. Water customers who do not pay by 2 p.m. on the bill's due date will have to pay five percent of the overdue amount, or $1, whichever is greater. ...more

June 9, 2008

AVON PARK — If you have any concern or question about the new Avon Park Police Chief or the department, Matthew Doughney and his family will be at the police station Saturday to "just extend a hand of friendship," he said. The meet-and-greet with the City of Charm's top police officer will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the station, located at 304 W. Pleasant St. City Manager Sarah Adelt added that anybody can show up and ask him or his family anything they want, and there will be coffee and doughnuts for those that show up. ...more

May 22, 2008

AVON PARK — A dozen Avon Park police officers crowded the council chambers, ready to protest a possible decision to stop them from taking their police cruisers home. They didn't need to do anything but wear their white Southwest Florida Police Benevolent Association shirts Monday evening, as the council postponed a vote on the policy for another month. ...more

May 13, 2008

AVON PARK — Former Daytona Beach Police Capt. Matthew Doughney's new beat as Avon Park's top police officer begins today after he is sworn in as the new police chief. The ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. inside Avon Park's City Council Chambers. City Manager Sarah Adelt said that Doughney will earn $68,000 a year to take over the department. Adelt, his boss, earns $69,775 annually. ...more

May 11, 2008

AVON PARK — The Avon Park Community Center cost the city and its taxpayers an average of well over $10,000 every year since it opened at its current location, city records indicate. For all but one year since record-keeping began on the community center, expenses were considerably higher than revenues. This is without considering the damages the building received during the 2004 hurricane season. Last week, the community center's losses led at least one councilman to compare it to the city's airport, accusing both of losing money each year. "We need to either get rid of it or do it right," Councilman George Hall said Monday. Hall blamed the center's losses partially on the lack of advertising for it. He added that there was not even an information box placed there. ...more

February 19, 2008