News Updat for 4/28/20

As things slow down from the Corona Virus infestation, officials from the Florida Department of Health have announced that they now will have only one update per day. The morning update indicates Highlands County increased an additional case of the Corona. There now have been 81 cases of the virus here since numbers started to be tallied.
The total of those who have been hospitalized here at some point during their illness remains unchanged at 28. Seven local fatalities have been attached to the disease. Anyone who dies with the virus now is listed as a victim of the virus.
Recovery rates currently are not being tracked by the Florida Department of Health.

Highlands County commissioners yesterday called off a special meeting they had slated for this morning. Apparently, they are awaiting information as to what Governor Ron DeSantis has decided before making determinations for citizens of Highlands County.
They had planned to hear from local officials of the Florida Department of Health, as well as the county’s Emergency Management, Parks & Recreation and Community Programs directors.
No new date has yet been determined.

The Avon Park city council met in regular session last night. Among other things, they discussed providing a stimulus to businesses in the City of Charm. Councilwoman Maria Sutherland says the city has the funds for a payment to the 276 businesses that are within the city limits, to help with the business downturn due to local and state mandates.
Other council members have pushed for a reduction of water & sewer bills or some other in-kind service to help out – rather than a direct pay-out. City staff members continue to work on the logistics of such a plan.

Firefighters were busy in Highlands County yesterday. Units from the Sebring Fire Department were called out to extinguish a blaze at a mobile home on Pomegranate Avenue. Reportedly no humans were injured, but a number of pets may have perished.
Desoto city firefighters were called to put out a 2-acre brush fire near Lake Josephine Drive yesterday. There were no injuries or property damage reported there.
Highlands Lakes firefighters went over into Hardee County yesterday to help battle a wildfire there as well.
Authorities say despite the rains, it’s still dry and a burn ban remains in effect.

Six Highlands County residents reportedly are among 13 people arrested at a cock fight in Frostproof. Polk County Sheriff’s officials say a tip led deputies to the home on West Frostproof Road.
They reported finding injured animals, a fighting ring, acrylic spurs and scales.
Detectives from the sheriff’s agriculture crimes unit obtained a search warrant for the property, which led to the discovery of sparring gloves with spurs, vitamins, antibiotics, performance-enhancing drugs and blood-clotting ointments.
The man and woman who live at the property face multiple felony charges