It was an eventful 68th running of the Mobil One 12 Hours of Sebring this past Saturday – although most of the action was on the track. Attendance was down, but reportedly exceeded some official expectations for the race, which was postponed from March to November due to the Coronavirus.
Many of the Green Park stalwarts including the iconic Turn 10 and F-Troop campers showed up – albeit with diminished numbers.
On track, the race was marred with accidents and yellow flags – which slowed the action. In the end – they crowned a new winner. Mazda picked up their first 12 Hour victory.
The next 12 Hours is planned for the regular date this coming March.
Some excitement this morning for Highlands County firefighters. Multiple units were called to barn fire in Venus. Authorities say the 60×40 structure was fully involved when units arrived at the Angus Road address.
Part of US Hwy. 27 was closed for a period of time while firegighters doused the flames. Cause of the blaze remains under investigation. There were no injuries. Reportedly, as part of the call firefighters had to even wrangle some goats.
Highlands County Sheriff’s officials are warning residents about a scam. Authorities say local residents are receiving calls from scammers claiming to be from “Florida Department of Health” and telling the resident that they have tested positive with COVID-19.
Callers then say the resident is REQUIRED to provide information such as name, date of birth, address, Social Security number and the like – so that they can be placed in a COVID registry.
Florida Department of Health officials say all they ask for is a date of birth for verification purposes.
Frostproof city council members will get together in regular session tonight. They’ll be asked to approve another special event for the Friendly City. Plans are to host the annual Orange Blossom Festival & Car show in Februrary.,
In other action, the council will discuss repairs to the city barn and upgrades to the city’s wastewater treatment facility. They’ll also mull over a planned unit development suggested for the city.
A Polk County Sheriff’s deputy was injured and a suspect was hospitalized after a shooting last night in Mulberry. Polk sheriff’s deputies responded to an area on Nichols Road where they met an armed man who allegedly fired at the responding deputies.
The deputies returned fire, critically injuring the suspect. He was flown to a local hospital as a trauma alert. One deputy received a minor injury to his arm.