While Highlands County school officials are warning of a homebuilding boom here, a new study by the Inspection Support Network shows that only 2.7-percent of homebuyers in the Avon Park-Sebring Metro Area are under the age of 25. That’s well below the national average of 4.6 percent.
The most favorable area seems to be Iowa – where the rate is better than ten percent. One of the problems appears to be that older residents are deciding to age in place – and not parting with their homes.
A Saturday incident at the Sebring Taco Bell resulted in a partial closure for the restaurant and jail for a Polk County man. 32-year-old Carlton Edler of Fort Meade was arrested after the fast food joint received a number of calls threatening to shoot up the place.
Apparently, Carlton told arresting officers he was angry with an employee there. The restaurant was closed for a time while Highlands County Sheriff’s officials investigated.
They traced the calls to Carlton. He currently is in the Polk County jail, awaiting extradition to Highlands.
Highlands County Sheriff’s deputies arrested an Avon Park man after he passed out in the drive-thru of the MacDonald’s in the City of Charm. Authorities say Luis Salinas was yelled at "a lot" before deputies opened the door.
Apparently, that got his attention. He was arrested after a blood alcohol test showed him at twice the legal limit. Salinas was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, driving on a suspended license and DUI.
He also was wanted on other counts and booked into the Highlands County jail.
The city of Frostproof soon will be growing. Council members tonight will vote on the annexation of another 15 acres into the Friendly City. Owners say they plan some future development there. The council also will vote on the dispensation of some $760,000 in American Rescue Plan funds.
Incidentally, there will be no election this year in Frostproof. The only candidate to submit his qualifying papers was incumbent councilman Michael Hutto.