Local News 11-6-2020

The first episode of Thanksgiving in The Heartland was a good one yesterday … WWOJ and Lite FM spent eight hours asking you to give food, money, warm blankets and jackets to the New Testament Mission, and when the day ended the bank bag had an even $1,000 in cash and a truck full of groceries and warm wraps for the Mission. Next Thursday, the drive continues in Avon Park with all donations going to feed and warm the less-fortunate at the New Testament Mission.

The Nan-Ces-O-Wee Hotel in downtown Sebring moved one step closer to extinction this week as the city-imposed deadline passed for the building’s owner to knock it down and the city agreed to accept a bid to demolish old hotel on North Ridgewood, just off the Circle. Work could start as early as next week.

Sebring Police want you to know about a telephone scam making the rounds – presumed police officers are calling residents saying they’re involved in an active investigation, asking you to provide your banking information. They want you to know if they ever DO need personal stuff like that, it’s NOT going to happen that way. Personal contact or another manner allowing you to get positive identification from the person asking. If you get one of those calls, call the police and do NOT give that information out.

Your education on the Greek alphabet continues with Tropical Depression Eta’s return to the Caribbean overnight. Eta’s path will probably change now that she – he – it is out over water, but the best guesses have the storm going over Cuba, grazing the Keys and then meandering off the west coast of Florida by Tuesday morning. No reason to panic here – but a weather eye is always wise.

Next week may feel like springtime in Highlands County – no, not the weather. But the Mobil One Twelve Hours of Sebring takes it rescheduled ‘round the clock run at Sebring International Raceway. Gates open Wednesday morning for the slightly toned down four-day party and a half-dozen races, but if you’re having second thoughts and want to swap your tickets for the March of 2021 regular edition, today is your last day take the track up on their offer. After today, your tickets take on a use-it-or-lose it character.

Up Frostproof way, they’re cleaning up the town tomorrow. If you’re in the city, push, pull or drag the excess junk out of the house and have it on the curb by 6am tomorrow morning and they’ll get rid of it for you. They won’t take construction debris, hazardous waste, old tires and food waste. The pickup targets general junk … furniture, appliances, mattresses and the like. After the cleanup, the city’s annual Fall Street Dance happens from 6 pm – 11 pm on East Wall Street in downtown Frostproof.