News Update for 2/16/21

It’s day five of the Highlands County Fair. It’s Gravely Mower Day, meaning it’s half price at the gate. In the Livestock Arena tonight the Market Steer Show & Showmanship competition will take place.
All of the regular booths, displays and programs also are on including The Reithoffer rides, Scott’s World of Magic and the Grisly Experience.
The fair runs through Saturday.

Highlands County commissioners will get together this morning. They’ll consider selling off more than 100 county-owned lots. The sale reportedly will result in better than $780,000 in revenue and will put the property back on the tax rolls.
In other action, the commission will look at a request to spend some $20,000 on a new youth wrestling event. Organizers of the Sunshine State Showdown claim it will bring 350 participants and as many as 1200 spectators for each of the three days.
They say the event will bring some $36,000 into the community.

It’s that time of year again, the Cracker Trail Riders are making their annual cross state trek. The caravan of riders and waqoneers reportedly will be coming into Hardee County today.
Their goal today is to wind up at the Miller Ranch just outside of Zolfo Springs.
Tomorrow will be the traditional crossing of Highway 27 at the intersection of State Road 66 and US 98 here in Highlands County. That will be tomorrow at noon. It marks the halfway point in the ride.

One person was injured last night when a vehicle pulling a trailer was involved in a traffic accident. Polk County Sheriff’s officials say the crash took place on County Road 540-A in Lakeland
The victim reportedly suffered significant injuries and was transported to a local hospital.