News Update 8/31/20

The latest Coronavirus test numbers released this mornign by the Florida Department of Health show that there have been two additional positives, and 45 negatives added to Highlands County’s ongoing count.
Of the 18,493 tests administered locally – 16,660 have been negative with 1823 positive cases recorded.
There have been 196 people hospitalized at some point during their illness and 67 deaths have been tied to the corona virus since numbers started being kept.

Avon Park city council members will round out the month of August tonight with a special meeting. They will hear the first reading of an ordinance, setting policies and procedures for semi-public parking lots.
The idea is to allow for outdoor dining for some of the restaurants in the city of charm to enlarge their capacity.
In other action, the council will look at regulations for dealing with leins assessed for code enforcement violation. The meeting will be both in the council chambers and as an internet session.

Highlands County Sheriff’s officials are alerting residents of another scam. This one comes through the mail in the form of a letter. A group calling itself the United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association apparently claims they want to provide free equipment to local law enforcement agencies.
But officials say, their chief beneficiary is themselves. They say some 95-percent of the money raised goes to “administrative costs.” Doing the math – that’s only five percent to other organizations.
Authorities caution, there may be better ways to donate to your local law enforcement agencies.

It appears the Humane Society of Highlands County is getting into the veternary business. Officials of the organization say they plan to open a full-service clinic tomorrow and now are accepting appointments.