After a year’s worth of planning, permitting and work, the new 2-lane driveover bridge into Green Park was opened yesterday at the Sebring International Raceway. Dozens of fans and others were on hand to get a chance to be some of the first to try the span, which features a pedestrian walkway and a handicapped lift for those who find it difficult to navigate the grade.
It replaces a “temporary” one-lane bridge that was in place for better than a half-century.
First across was Martin Mackey – one of the founders of the McGruff’s campground at the track. His Jeep was driven across by Sebring race champion Dorsey Shroeder.
What appeared to be a routine traffic stop turned into multiple charges and a trip to jail for an Avon Park woman. Highlands County Sheriff’s deputies reportedly pulled Jillian Elizabeth Tubbs for running a stop sign in Sebring.
A subsequent search of her vehicle revealed a meth pipe and nearly 260 grams of methamphetamine in plastic bags of various weights.
There’s a new support group for local fire and EMS units. Dubbed The Highlands Fire and EMS Fondation, the organization reportedly is designed to benefit fire and rescue personnel here.
The formal announcement of the organization, its structure and purpose is set for Wednesday at an official board meeting in Sebring. As part of that gathering, the group is set to present a check to the Highlands Breas & Imaging Center from their “Pink Shirt Campaign” held last October.
They’ll also present EMS Manager, Deputy Chief Dustin Fitch with a “Lifesaver” challenge award. That’s given to providers and/or citizens who perform life saving skills in Highlands County.
Florida Highway Patrol officials still have not determined who was at the wheel of a semi-tractor trailer rig that flipped in Hardee County. The big rig – which was carrying a load of pineapples – reportedly was eastbound on State Road 66 when it went off the road, hit a ditch and overturned.
Troopers say the driver fled the scene of the incident. No injuries were reported.