John Guerra

4 days ago | midfloridanewspapers.com | John Guerra

The Florida Highway Patrol said a 19-year-old Placid Lakes teen driving an all-terrain vehicle lost his life during an accident shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday, June 21. Two other young people aboard the ATV were airlifted to trauma centers with serious injuries. Though there is no indication that the ATV was on the road illegally, the tragic accident revived debate about ATVs, 4x4s, side-by-sides, golf carts and other off-road vehicles that run the trails and streets of Placid Lakes.

5 days ago | midfloridanewspapers.com | John Guerra

The view from the top of John Smoak Road is probably the most beautiful in the county. Lake June spreads out far below, its 3,726-acre surface twinkling in the early morning sun. Beyond the lake, the land stretches to Arcadia and the hazy ranchlands to the west. Each of the homes along the lake’s shoreline have dock lifts that hold boats ready for action.

5 days ago | midfloridanewspapers.com | John Guerra

Placid Lakes property owners will see the final $10 hike in their annual special property assessment. The commission on June 17, approved the last of three, annual $10 increases to the assessment, which will bring it up to $50 a year starting Oct. 1. According to county figures, the new rate will bring the Placid Lakes Special Benefit District about $81,538. The community uses the money to pay for sidewalk repair, maintaining August F. Tobler Memorial Park, and other costs.

6 days ago | midfloridanewspapers.com | John Guerra

There were no reports of injuries Monday after Iran launched a missile attack on a U.S. military base in Qatar in retaliation for the American surprise bombing last weekend of its nuclear sites. Iran said its Monday night missile attack on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar matched the number of bombs dropped by the United States on its nuclear sites this weekend, signaling its likely desire to deescalate. Iran said it targeted the base because it was outside of populated areas.

1 week ago | midfloridanewspapers.com | John Guerra

The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office arrested Anthony Walker Jr. on June 16 and charged him with lewd and lascivious molestation of a minor. According to sheriff’s deputies, the investigation into Walker, 22, began in April 2024, when a detective responded to a Department of Children and Families complaint involving sexual allegations. The victim told the detective that Walker had been texting her, asking her to send him nude photos of her.