It’s Independence Day, and to get us all on the same page, government offices are all closed today excepting emergency services. Local government offices will reopen on schedule tomorrow. Trash pickup – this is one of the few holidays when the County contractor doesn’t pick up. Ditto for the City of Sebring. Scheduled Thursday pickups out in the County will happen tomorrow, and Friday pickups will happen Saturday. Fireworks are scheduled in all three cities for tonight … Avon Park, Sebring and Lake Placid – all just past 9pm tonight. Last night’s Sun N Lake display DID end up going off on time, but there was some doubt until the rain finally let up about 7:40 and organizers waived admission to the paid viewing areas.
Highlands County Dispatch reports a quiet start to the Fourth of July long Holiday weekend. No major incidents so far – there was a brushfire call out near the county landfill last night around 9pm to keep a couple-three trucks occupied. Might have been lightning, given the time. No injuries, no incidents.
It’s going to be another hot one. Just in case you couldn’t tell that for yourself, the Weather Services has another official heat advisory out. That means heat indexes up to and above 110 and advice to the elderly and those with health issues to watch how much time you spend in the heat.
Highlands Little Theatre is bringing back its annual Patriotic Revue today – it’s a free 30 minute show filled with patriotic songs repeated every hour, from 11 AM to 3 PM at the Little Theatre off Lakeview Drive. There’s a Hot Dog and Bratwurst meal concession there to benefit the Scholarship fund, so come hungry.
Ever wondered what it’s like to conduct a traffic stop, investigate a crime scene, or slap the cuffs on a bad guy? The Highlands County Sherrif’s Department is running a Citizen’s Academy, which will be held weekly from Aug. 8 through Sept. 21. The department describes the Academy as a hands-on, interactive, behind-the-scenes, educational series of classes. It’s free and taught by experienced sheriff’s officials. Classes will be held from 5:30-8 p.m. each Thursday nights. Call 402-7258 if you have any questions.