It was a loud but generally uneventful ringing in of the new year here. Highlands County Sheriff’s officials say there were lots of complaints about fireworks over the New Year’s weekend – but no reports of any injuries.
The first day of January brought firefighters to Everlast Terrace wherer they extinguished a brush fire. West Sebring units were joined by DeSoto City, along with Florida Forest Service, and Duke Energy crews.
No injuries were reported, and there was no structure damage. Cause of the fire has not been released.
Authorities are urging citizens to be cautious with buring and combustibles as we head into the dry season.
One person was killed and another was injured in a two-vehicle accident on State Raod 60 east of Lake Walesw yesterday. Polk County sheriff’s officials say a car driven by 34-year-old Amanda Shyock of Eustis was leaving the North Walk-In-Water Creek Park, and pulled into the path of a car driven by 63-year-old Terrance Reeves.
He tried to take evasive action, but hit Shyrock’sw Toyota broadside. She was pronounced de3ad at the scene. He was treated & released from an area hospital.
Highway 60 was closed for nearly three hours while the investigation was conducted.
It may be the first Tuesday of 2022, but Highlands County commissioners won’t be meeting for their first session of the new year. At their last meeting, commissioners by a 3-2 margin voted to take the day off.
Commissioners Arlene Tuck and Scott Kirouac voted against the move. Apparently, many of the county staff members were taking vacation time and it was difficult to get the agenda and other preparations in place.
The commission’s first session of the new year now will be January 18th.