It was a short meeting for the Highlands County School Board last night. After sitting through an afternoon workshop on insurance, they breezed through their regular session in less than an hour.
Board members learned that new state mandates have ordered that they must have a policy on the administration of medical marijuana on campus. The rules have to be on the books by the end of the year.
Board attorney John McClure says he will put together a draft ordinance for review.
It is back to the drawing board for applicants, who wanted to put in a migrant housing project on property near Lake Placid. Residents of the nearby Tropical Harbor Mobile Home Park turned out yesterday to oppose the move.
The Highlands County Planning & Zoning board turned down the proposed special exemption on a unanimous 5-0 vote. The businessmen from Okeechobee had wanted to put the project in on 34-acres of land off Lake Apthorp Drive, saying the laborers would be working that property.
It’s not over yet. Developers have promised to refine their application with some more specifics in order and re-apply again in the future.
Police in Lake Wales are trying to unravel details surrounding a shooting incident in the Crown Jewel of the Ridge. Apparently it revolves around a domestic disturbance. Reports say a woman had gone to her former residence to retrieve some of her belongings.
The man who was escorting her and the homeowner reportedly became involve in a fist fight. When one put the other in a choke-hold, he pulled a revolver and opened fire.
The victim was struck in the leg and the chest. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition. No names or other details have yet been released.