COUNTY SHERIFF’S DETECTIVES CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE AN APPARENT HOMICIDE SUNDAY IN AVON PARK. THE NAME OF THE VICTIM WAS ORIGINALLY REVERSED IN THE REPORT – 29-YEAR-OLD VAN’DERKEL CLAYTON OF AVON PARK DIED OF AN APPARENT HOMICIDE SUNDAY – ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL 863-402-7200 OR EMAIL DETECTIVES@HIGHLANDSSHERIFF.ORG.
THE STATE FIRE MARSHALL IS LOOKING INTO THE CAUSE OF AN EARLY MORNING VEHICLE FIRE YESTERDAY AT THE BOAT RAMP ON LAKE SEBRING. FIREFIGHTERS PUT THE BLAZE OUT WITH NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE TO NEAR BY FENCES OR BUILDINGS. NO PUNS NEEDED ABOUT THERE BEING A HOT FISHING SPOT OUT THERE.
THERE’S A 72-HOUR BOIL WATER NOTICE OUT FOR THE ENTIRE SUN N LAKE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AS OF NOON HOUR YESTERDAY. THAT INCLUDES THE TANGLEWOOD COMMUNITY. SUN ‘N LAKE OFFICIALS SAY THERE WAS A POWER SUPPLY ISSUE AT THE WATER PLANT. IT HAS BEEN RESOLVED AND WATER RESTORED, BUT AS A PRECAUTION THE AREA IS UNDER A BOIL WATER NOTICE IN EFFECT UNTIL TESTING CONFIRMS NO ILL EFFECTS OF THE MOMENTARY LOSS OF PRESSURE.
HAPPY NEW YEAR – A BUNCH A NEW LAWS TAKE EFFECT AS OF TOMORROW, AND TOGHTENING OF OLD ONES. THERE’S ONE REQUIRING HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS TO GENERATE AND TRANSMIT ALL PRESCRIPTIONS ELECTRONICALLY TO PHARMACIES, EXCEPT WHEN ELECTRONIC PRESCRIBING IS UNAVAILABLE, PART OF THAT CAUSED BY DOCTORS’ FAMOUSLY ILLEGIBLE HANDWRITING. AND THE STATE’S CELLPHONE-WHILE-DRIVING LAW TIGHTENS UP – YOU CAN NOW GET TICKETED WITH POINTS AND FINES AS OF JANUARY 1. THAT INCLUDES ¬ANY PHONE USAGE IN SCHOOL ZONES. THE MINIMUM WAGE IN FLORIDA GOES UP A FEW CENTS AN HOUR WITH A COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE.
ONE OTHER THING THAT’S GOING UP TONIGHT IS GOING TO BE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT. HAVING A DESIGNATED DRIVER IS ALWAYS THE RIGHT DECISION WHEN ENJOYNG ADULT BEVERAGES – TONIGHT, THE RISKS ARE MORE PALPABLE. STATE, COUNTY AND CITY LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL BE KEEPING AN EYE OUT FOR DRIVER SHOWING SIGNS OF IMPAIRMENT ON THE ROADS TONIGHT.
COUNTY TRASH PICKUP IS FOLLOWING HOLIDAY SCHEDULING AFTER TODAY – WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE WILL MOVE TO THURSDAY, THURSDAY TPO FRIDAY AND FRIDAY PICKUPS MOVE TO SATURDAY. IT’S BULK WASTE PICKUP WEEK THIS WEEK, BY THE WAY, SO THOSE BIG CRATES AND OLD APPLIANCES YOU REPLACED FOR CHRISTMAS ARE ON THE DOCKET THIS WEEK.