News Headlines 5-17-18

The owners of what’s left of the old Heartland Bowling Lanes north of Sun N Lake on Highway 27 might be looking at some fines after a deadline passed May 12 for demolition of the burned-out building. The structure caught fire during Hurricane Irma back in September – the cart racing track on the property re-opened shortly thereafter, but the bowling lanes remained up. On March 28, the Avon Park Special Magistrate ordered immediate fencing to limit access to the place and demolition inside 45 days. Some work has been done, but the property’s due back up on the Magistrate’s hearing agenda next week.

One of Avon Park’s problematic downtown buildings may be razed soon, if the City Council has its way – and since the city owns the building, the smart money may be on 101 W. Main Street’s demise. County building inspectors last week recommended demolition of the building, the city’s been summoned to appear in front of the Code Enforcement Special Magistrate to answer for maintenance issues. It’s been vacant for a while, and the City Council this week voted 3-1 to get quotes on demolition. Dora Smith was the sole “nay” vote, wanting to check the cost of rehabilitation first, but the Brickell Building’s presence on the city rolls weighed against another project, and the Council voted for steps to knock the place down.

The Highlands County Sherriff’s office will forward a complaint that the Sebring High Student responsible for last Friday’s brief lockdown be charged with a misdemeanor charge of disruption of a school function. The 18 year old has not been formally charged, nor has he been arrested in connection with the event, specifics of which haven’t been publicly released but indications are that it was an attempted senior prank that fell far short of amusing to school officials who deemed the event a “credible threat” out of an abundance of caution.

There’s a new Habitat For Humanity Home in Avon Park as of last Thursday, finished and dedicated just six weeks after a neighboring Habitat Home got its new homeowners. Taniz and Trene Williams took possession of their new home on East Winthrop Street after completing requirements including sweat equity participation in Habitat construction and activities. This most recent Habitat project was sponsored by the Alan Jay Automotive Group and built on property donated by Chase Bank.