The Christmas season got underway officially in Highlands County last night as the Avon Park Christmas parade made its way down Main Street. The processional featured beauty queens, floats, marching bands, specialty units, dancers and antique cars.
The City of Charm traditionally hosts the first processional of the season. Next up will be the Sebring Christmas parade. That’s slated for Friday night in the City on the Circle. The Carousel of Lights downtown already has been illuminated.
Highlands County commissioners are meeting today in a split shift. This morning they held a workshop to discuss a road improvement program for the county. Commissioners discussed imposing a municipal services tax on various local communities for unpaved and unimproved roads.
Highlands County Road & Bridge Director Kyle Green is slated to take their recommendations and distill them into a policy. Commissioners will discuss that sometime after the first of the year.
At 5:30 this evening, the commission will convene for a regular session. There they will look at proposed changes to the Fire Rescue pay structure and review commissioner’s top priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.
A lot of people have taken the tram tours at Highlands Hammock State Park, now officials at Florida’s oldest state park have announced a new way to see the flora and fauna there. This Saturday they will begin VIP Kubota tours of the facility. Up to three people will be able to ride the off road trails, which will go into many areas of the park – including some generally restricted areas.
Tickets must be purchased at least one day in advance.