News Update 3/16/20

There still are no cases of the Coronavirus to report here in Highlands County or Polk County. Statewide, there have been a reported 130 cases across the Sunshine State.
Meanwhile, under the directive of Governor DeSantis and Florida Department of Education, Highlands County school students will be on Spring Break two weeks, starting today.
Students will not return to school until March 30th. In addition, all extra-curricular activities, including daycare, will be suspended for the next two weeks.

Tomorrow is primary election day. Here in Highlands County, Supervisor of Elections Penny Ogg says her workers have been planning and making preparations.
Among other things, there will be hand sanitizers and cleaning items at each precinct in an effort to ward off the spread of any germs.
Workers will be wiping down surfaces and equipment on a regular basis. Voters also are welcome to use their own pens to mark their ballots – instead of sharing the one in the voting booth.

Units from the Desoto City and West Sebring fire departments were called out overnight. A house on Muriel Street in Sebring’s Washington Heights neighborhood apparently caught fire.
Firefighters were able to keep the flames contained to the front porch, living room and attic of the home. No injuries were reported. The state fire marshal’s office has been called in to determine the cause. Damage set at $25,000 in the incident.

Saturday, a brush fire consumed about 10 acres in Placid Lakes. Numerous Highlands County units turned out to assist the Florida Forest Service in extinguishing the blaze. No injuries were reported and no structures were endangered.
Cause of the fire was not released.

A Wauchula man was killed Saturday in a Hardee County traffic crash. Florida Highway Patrol officials say 21-year-old Jesse Santoyo was southbound on North Hollandtown Road. He apparently lost control of his car, which went off ht e road, slammed into a fence and utility pole, necame airborne then overturned.
The car then struck another fence and a tree. Troopers say Santoyo was not buckled up and was thrown out of the car as it rolled.