News Update for 19 April 22

NEWS 4/19/22 BF FATAL MOTORCYCLE

An early morning accident on the Panther Parkway has claimed a life. According to reports, a motorcyclist was southbound near the Lake Denton curve, when they ran off the road and flipped.
The rider was thrown off the bike and was declared dead at the scene. Florida Highway Patrol officials have released no other information at this time.

NEWS 4/19/22 BR
SUNKEN CAR

Highlands County Sheriff’s crews pulled a car from Lake Olivia north of Avon Park yesterday. Citizens walking around the lake spotted part of the vehicle still sticking out of the water.
Detectives believe the reported stolen red Chevy Malibu may have been part of an alleged robbery attempt.
No injuries have been reported in connection with the incident. It remains under investigation.

NEWS 4/19/22 bf
UBER DRY

The National Weather Service has issued a "Red Flag Warning" for Highlands County. Highlands has been designated as one of ten counties where critical relative humidity, elevated northerly winds, and high ERC have teamed up to make for the elevated fire danger.
The Fire Weather Watch area stretches fron Pinellas to Lee county, with humidity levels set at 25-35 percent and northerly winds forecast at 15-to-20 mph.
Burning is discouraged and residents are cautioned to be careful with combustibles.

NEWS 4/19/22 BF
BOMB THREATS

Highlands County Sheriff’s officials are in search of the person or persons who made bomb threats at the Sebring and Lake Placid High Schools yesterday. The incident caused both facilities to go on a "Controlled Campus" status for a time.
A search turned up nothing and the threats were deemed as "not credible."

NEWS 4/19/22 BF
BoCC

Highlands County commissioners will meet this morning in regular session. Among other things, they’re expected to close an agreement with the city of Avon Park, to put a recycling collection facility in the City of Charm.
When established, citrizens will be able to drop off their recyclables at the staffed facility.
Commissioners also will consider repealing restrictions set for the Las Palmas at Kenilworth to allow for moderate income housing in the development.