It was an eventful weekend but local officials say there was not much of newsworthy note. Early voting is underway and Highlands County Supervisor of Elections Penny Ogg says that also is going smoothly. Over the weekend there were 4,770 residents that went to the polls. 2,851 were Republicans, 1,321 were Democrats and 598 were minor or no party affiliation.
Early voting will continue in Avon Park, Sebring and Lake Placid thru November 3rd, with Election Day to be held Tuesday, November 6th.
The annual Trick-or-Treat night was held in Avon Park and Sebring Saturday, but officials say it came and went without much fanfare. No serious injuries or destructive pranks had been reported as of this morning.
Lake Placid will hold their Halloween observance this Wednesday evening downtown in the Caladium Capital.
This weekend spawned some local champions. Highlands Lakes and City of Sebring firefighters represented Highlands County at the annual Firematics state championship at the Great Florida Fire School in Ft. Myers. They competed against several other teams from around the State of Florida.
The Sebring Fire Department took 1st place and are the new state firematics champions. Highlands Lakes Fire Department placed third.
Avon Park city officials still are working to send their water service up into Polk County, City Administrator June Fisher says they are in search of grant money that would send the lines to NUCOR, which is planning to build a $240 million dollar rebar mill on a 400-acre site south of Frostproof.
City officials say they hope the bulk of the money will come from the wastewater service. Fisher said the grant could come by the end of the year. Polk officials say NUCOR is the largest such facility there in 40 years.