AVON PARK Police Sgt. Marc Wilbur fell unconscious and later died about 9 a.m. Thursday, according to Avon Park Police Cmdr. Mike Rowan. Wilbur, 43, began his shift at about 6 a.m. and was on duty in the Winn-Dixie shopping plaza, accompanied by a police officer trainee, said Rowan on Friday. Wilbur slipped into unconsciousness and the trainee called emergency dispatch. He was transported by Highlands County Emergency Medical Services to Florida Hospital Heartland Division, where he was pronounced dead. ...more

December 27, 2008

While most Highlands County residents are busy this Christmas morning opening presents or getting ready to go to grandmother's house, some are heading to work - if they're not already there. ...more

December 25, 2008

A Sebring man was killed Sunday following a two-vehicle accident in Lake County. Thomas E. McNally Jr., 29, of Sebring, was southbound in a 2003 GMC Truck on U.S. 27 in the inside lane when his vehicle was struck by a 1999 Mercury, driven by Arturo Hernandez Pina, 27, of Winter Haven, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. ...more

December 22, 2008

An Ohio man died from injuries sustained in a two-vehicle accident Wednesday night at State Road 17 and Lake Letta Drive. ...more

December 18, 2008

William Carro and Willie Hall were wearing matching buttons while sitting in a Highlands County courtroom Wednesday afternoon. ...more

December 11, 2008

Snowbird Janet Morris got an offer she couldn't refuse. Until a few weeks ago, the 20-year veteran nurse lived year round in Wabash, Ind. While her husband enjoyed several winters here as a seasonal visitor, Morris occasionally visited by plane, but continued to work year-round in the Hoosier State. ...more

December 10, 2008

A pilot flying from Leesburg to Fort Myers crashed in a Hardee County orange grove while trying to make an emergency landing this morning. ...more

December 7, 2008

Gasoline prices, inflation and a stock market plunge led more Highlands County residents than usual to reach out and seek help. ...more

December 7, 2008

It looked like a horrific scene Wednesday afternoon, as firefighters, paramedics, law enforcement and wrecking crews worked a six-vehicle accident on U.S. 27 in front of the entrance of Lakeshore Mall. Debris littered the roadway, and a few of the cars suffered massive damage as a result of the crash. ...more

December 4, 2008

It was beginning to look - and feel - a lot like Christmas Tuesday night at Florida Hospital's annual holiday tree lighting event. ...more

December 4, 2008