Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman dropped a bomb on the Avon Park city council last night. He gave the city his 365-day notice. That means the city has a year either to negotiate a new contract or provide for their own law enforcement services.
In a half-hour power point presentation, Blackman pointed to the fact that while the municipal contract accounts for about six percent of his budget, Avon Park is responsible for 26-percent of his calls for service.
Blackman’s statistics indicate citizens in the City of Charm pay less than half as much for their law enforcement as do residents in either Sebring or Lake Placid.
Today is the day that fans will be allowed to line up outside the Sebring International Raceway for tomorrow’s opening day of Race Week. So far, track officials say there’s about 40 motor mhomes in line.
The annual Mobil One 12 Hours of Sebring presented by Advance Auto Parts was postponed from its regular March date to November due to the Coronavirus situation.
There are six races planned for the four day weekend, including the WeatherTech Championship – which will have its finale at the historic Sebring circuit.
As Tropical Storm Eta churns in the Gulf, for most local residents it has been little more than an inconvenience. Outer bands of the storm have drenched the area with some pouring rains but that’s about it.
Schools are back open today, while officials keep an eye on Eta’s track – which at this point, appears to be north.
Highlands County Sheriff’s officials say they have apprehended a person of interest in connection with Sunday night’s shooting incident at Ort’s Mobile Home Park west of Sering. At last report, the victim remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Authorities say the shooting apparently was the climax of an argument, but are trying to unravel exactly what happened. So far, no names or other details have been released.