AVON PARK — Police Cmdr. Michael J. Rowan, now serving as interim Avon Park police chief after the forced resignation of former chief Frank Mercurio, said Wednesday that he plans to apply for the open position. City Manager C.B. Shirey said he's already received 13 applications for the position. The new acting chief has been busy adjusting to the transition and wants to take his time to submit an application. ...more

October 5, 2007

The Coast Guard suspended the search for a missing boat captain this morning, according to a news release. The Coast Guard had been searching for Lindsay Forde, 56, of Hollywood since it received a call Friday evening from Michael Swindle, 56, of Tampa, who hired Forde to captain his 46-foot vessel, Extra Labor. ...more

October 2, 2007

AVON PARK — Jose Gonzales doesn't know who could have spray painted racial slurs on his house and set fire to his garage and car. "I can't sleep," he said Monday afternoon. "I don't know who did this." State Fire Marshal Public Information Officer Kevin Shireman said the fire was intentionally set and a cash reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information. A Folk-Nation gang sign was sprayed painted on the garage. ...more

October 2, 2007

AVON PARK — As Avon Park Police Chief Frank Mercurio steps down today, the officers under him say it will be "business as usual" as Cmdr. Michael Rowan becomes the acting chief. Seeing Mercurio leave, they said they were shocked, upset and still hurting over it. "As the week goes along, it doesn't get any better," APPD Detective Sgt. Jason Lister said Thursday. "You're not going to find a sworn member of this staff that's not going to give you the same feelings." Lister and six other APPD officers contacted by Highlands Today were almost monolithic in their sentiments, but they said that they would remain with the department despite the situation. ...more

September 28, 2007

SEBRING — Taking money out of an automated teller machine (ATM) is a convenience many people take advantage of these days, but as a 62-year-old Sebring woman learned Wednesday evening, staying alert is important. ...more

September 27, 2007

Although entering the building is a misdemeanor offense, the condemned Nan-Ces-O-Wee Hotel has become a hotbed for activity lately. ...more

September 27, 2007

SEBRING — Over the past week and a half, the city of Sebring Police Department has investigated more than a dozen burglary and theft complaints. ...more

September 26, 2007

SEBRING — Police Cmdr. Steve Carr wants to alert the driving public of a change in road signage at the end of Lakeview Drive and U.S. 27 South, next to CVS pharmacy, and across from Wendy's restaurant. ...more

September 20, 2007

AVON PARK — Outgoing Avon Park Police Chief Frank Mercurio said at a press conference late Wednesday morning that he will turn in his badge Friday, Sept. 28. As he announced his resignation, he also accused the city of "railroading" him at July's budget meeting. ...more

September 19, 2007

The spray of bullets that killed one Miami-Dade County police officer and hurt three others this week came from something increasingly common on this city's streets. ...more

September 15, 2007