Voting began today in the Avon Park municipal election. The early balloting will be today and tomorrow in the city council chambers on Pine Street in the City of Charm.
Up are the mayor’s seat currently held by Garrett Anderson. He is being challenged by Aljoe Hinson. The council seat held by Deputy Mayor Jim Barnard also is up for grabs. Former councilman Terry Heston is running for that seat as well.
There’s also a trio of proposed changes to the city charter on the ballot.
Next Tuesday, November 5th will be the regular election day in Avon Park. Both Precincts 1 & 2 will be at that time.
It’s been through a lot of changes over the past three decades. Now, officials of the Sebring Historical Society say they have some plans of their own for the Santa Rosa Hotel.
The membership and the Board of Directors have voted to make an offer on the purchase of the now-vacant, historic hotel. Officials say they currently are in the process of having a contract for offer prepared.
They say the mission of the historical society is to preserve and protect the history of Sebring and Highlands County. Hopefully, they say, they can save and protect the Santa Rosa.
It was a busy afternoon for first responders in Highlands County yesterday. Within a few minutes, units were dispatched to multiple calls in the south end of the county.
There was a vehicle wreck on SR 70 at 721, with another at Hwy 27 at Tamoka Blvd. One person was transported from that one.
There also was a structure fire called in on Meadowlake Circle along Lake Huntley. Firefighters arrived to find the smoke coming from a nearby barbecue grill.
Later, other units assisted with the trick or treat events in Lake Placid.
Authorities in Polk County say an Amtrak train carrying 102 passengers struck a 35-foot flatbed trailer, but there were no injuries.
The collision happened yesterday afternoon in Lakeland. The warning arms were down and the flashing red lights were on at the time of the crash.
Amtrak spokeswoman Kimberly Woods says the train originated from New York and remained upright after the collision.
She says an investigation is ongoing.
Also in our neighbor to the north, authorities in Haines City say two teens have been charged with bringing BB guns to school there.
The 17-year-old boys were arrested at Ridge Community High School. They now face charges of weapon possession on school grounds, disrupting a school function and violation of probation.
Officials say the school was placed on heightened security during the investigation. Police responded after other students saw the guns and reported them.