New3s Update for 11/20/18

The Highlands County School Board held an unusual morning session today. They swore in Isaac Durrence as the newest school board member. They also tapped Bill Brantley as the new chair of the board with Donna Howerton to serve as vice chair.
In other action, the board accepted the resignation of four teachers and reviewed the contract of board attorney John McClure. He got high marks for his work representing the board.

There was a changing of the guard this morning at the Highlands County Commission meeting as well. Arlene Tuck took her oath of office and her seat this morning as the newest county commissioner.
Tuck won election to the post earlier this year.
The commission also voted to make Jim Brooks the new chair of the Highlands County commission. He’ll serve in that capacity for a year.

Avon Park city council members took care of some business at their special meeting last night. They first voted to re-hire former city attorney Gerald Buhr as their interim legal council.
The board last week dismissed their in-house attorney, opting to move toward a contract person for that post.
They also set parameters for the hiring of an interim city manager. The council offered to start the job at $90,000 a year with a six month probationary period. They’ll begin accepting applications for the job today with a cutoff on December 12.
They are expected to make the decision at a special meeting December 20th.

One person was injured last night in a motorcycle accident in Sebring. Police say the man apparently was pulling from Golfview Drive onto Highway 27 about 7:30, when he hit a curb and lost control of the bike.
The rider reportedly was not wearing a helmet – and was flown to Lakeland Regional Hospital.

As gas prices drop, Highlands County Sheriff’s officials say they have a warning for motorists – watch out for skimmers at area gas stations. Several of the scam devices reportedly have been discovered locally.
Officials say before you start, make certain that the security seal is intact and try to use the pumps closest to the store. Before inserting your card, wiggle the reader to make certain that nothing has been placed over top of it – and notify staff of any irregularities.

For those planning on how to get rid of their Thanksgiving leftovers. The Highlands County landfill will be closed Thursday due to the holiday, but will be open in time for Black Friday.
Therefore, Thursday pickup will be on Friday and Friday pickup will be on Saturday in the county.
In Avon Park and Lake Placid, Thursday pickup will be tomorrow with the regular schedule to resume Friday.