News Update for 11/21/19

Today is the wrap-up for this year’s Thanksgiving in the Highlands collection of cash and canned goods for the New Testament Church & Mission. Highlands Radio Group personalities will be in Lake Placid today for the drive, which has taken in nearly $2,000 in cash along with boxes and bags of non-perishable foodstuffs.
Last week, along with food donations, residents of Avon Park generated more than $1,000 in cash to help with the New Testament’s holiday efforts. The drive will be at the Heartland Pharmacy in the Caladium Capital from 10 – 6.

A request by the Boys & Girls Club of Highlands County to take over the Sebring Women’s Club got a mixed reaction from Sebring city council members Tuesday night. Councilmen Curt Ivy, Lenard Carlisle and Mark Stewart balked at the idea.
They noted that residents in the Lakeview Drive area were largely unaware of the plan. They also indicated that the city had purchased the property for additional parking for Veterans Beach and for water department administration.
Council members decided to set a workshop to discuss the matter – no date was set.

Avon Park city councilwoman Maria Sutherland has called on staff to do an inventory of municipal vehicles. That request came after questioning that revealed that many of the utilities and other staff members in the City of Charm are using hand-me-down vehicles that do not suit their needs.
For instance, some are driving sport utility vehicles, when what they need are pickup trucks for hauling. Interim Avon Park City Manager Kim Gay said they will now begin the inventory process.

Some great economic news for Polk County. Online retailer Amazon is announcing plans to open a new distribution center in Auburndale. That will create about 500 full-time jobs.
Employees there will pick, pack and ship large items such as patio furniture, kayaks, bicycles fishing rods and pet food at a 1 million-square-foot facility.
Pay will start at $15 an hour with benefits.
Meanwhile here in Highlands County, there has been a buzz that a Culver’s Ice Cream might be coming here. Apparently, representatives of the fast food chain had been looking at two different locations. However, both those deals reportedly fell through.