The Herald-Advocate

08/14/2026

https://www.theheraldadvocate.com/news/five-students-escape-school-bus-fire-uninjured/article_7f0fa43a-818b-4052-a206-3b6a64db4614.html

Five students and a driver escaped uninjured after a Hardee County school bus caught fire and was destroyed late Friday afternoon on Ed Wells Road in Wauchula.

07/23/2026

https://www.theheraldadvocate.com/news/camera-proposal-stalls-but-safety-questions-remain/article_45a63f23-c237-45e8-abdb-2b246821ac38.html

Wauchula's proposal to install automated red-light cameras at two of the city's busiest intersections appears to have stalled before commissioners ever cast a public vote.

07/20/2026

Survey:

The City of Wauchula received a draft report on the installation of traffic cameras at Main Street and Carlton Avenue and are scheduled to discuss the proposal to install traffic

07/16/2026

https://www.theheraldadvocate.com/news/alleged-2-45-doughnut-theft-ends-with-four-felony-charges/article_cd546998-bad7-4329-b399-b299658384f4.html

A $2.45 doughnut.

07/15/2026

https://www.theheraldadvocate.com/news/former-aloha-medical-ceo-arrested-in-child-sex-case/article_f76c0f41-fc76-4680-9a5c-322d995ca8ae.html

The former chief executive officer of Aloha Medical Services Inc., a medical transport company based at the Hardee County Commerce Park near Wauchula, remains behind bars without bond this week

07/13/2026

Training Exercise Tuesday, Thursday
At North Wauchula Elementary

STAFF REPORT
The Wauchula Police Department will be leading a multi-agency exercise Tuesday and Thursday, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., at North Wauchula Elementary School, as officers conduct their annual Armed Assailant Response Training.
The large public safety presence at North Wauchula Elementary will include law enforcement patrol vehicles, fire trucks, and ambulances. The training will involve representatives from WPD, the Hardee County Sheriff’s Office, Hardee County Fire Rescue, and the Hardee County School District.
“Realistic, multi-agency training is critical to ensuring that law enforcement, fire rescue personnel, and school officials are prepared to work together effectively should a critical incident ever occur,” said Chief Ron Curtis. “While we hope these skills are never needed, we are committed to being as prepared as possible to protect our students, staff, and community.”

07/01/2026

https://www.theheraldadvocate.com/news/investigators-believe-former-deputy-used-stolen-credit-card-at-casino/article_d2ffbaf5-fcdc-44e4-ad04-785321dfb115.html

A former Hardee County deputy is behind bars today, July 1, on fraud allegations after he reportedly stole a woman’s debit card and used it withdrawal cash at a local

06/24/2026

https://www.theheraldadvocate.com/news/county-manager-search-down-to-three/article_f9557641-d586-4a30-996d-cf323d9d0b3f.html

Hardee County Commissioners have narrowed their focus and selected three of the five initial finalists to move forward for in-person interviews Monday morning in front of the full board.

06/19/2026

https://www.theheraldadvocate.com/news/five-finalists-chosen-for-county-manager/article_c223e627-2950-49d9-afa3-7decf1a79325.html

Hardee County Commissioners selected their five finalists Thursday afternoon who will now begin the formal interview process after receiving 25 applications for the county manager position.

06/11/2026

https://www.theheraldadvocate.com/news/jefferson-county-offers-baber-top-job/article_eadc8043-93d9-4622-82b1-696c629ec8f5.html

Hardee Assistant County Manager Douglas Baber may be soon moving to the Florida Panhandle.