News Update for 4/13/21

One person was injured this morning when a car hit a building. The mishap occurred just off Sun ‘N Lake Blvd shortly after 9AM.
The driver reportedly was taken to the hospital. No details have been released as to the extent of their injuries.
An accident in Hardee County closed part of State Road 64 this morning. It occurred between Hutchinson and Mel Smith roads. Heavy fog is being named as a contributing factor in the mishap.

Avon Park could soon become the City of Artisans. Council members last night took the first steps in establishing a new “M” zoning classification. The “M” stands for “Manufacturing.”
Jeff Schmucker of the Central Florida Regional Planning Council explained it would be on-site manufacture and sales. That would include such things as furniture, jewelry and instruments ss well as craft foods and beverages,
Council told Schmucker to go ahead with the process and take it to the Planning & Zoning Commission. It’s expected to come back to the council in June.

A couple more Highlands County students are in line for scholarships – this time they come from Nucor. Avon Park High School Senior Chance Larsen and Denny Wright of Sebring Senior High will be getting the stipends.
The Nucor Technical Academy Scholarship includes tuition & fees, housing, travel allowances and pay for in-class time. Graduates become part of the Nucor team.

Highlands County commissioners are renewing their call for residents to take part in a survey about the Sebring Library. A plan has been introduced that would relocate the Sebring branch, then knock down the building as part of a wholesale renovation of the Alan Altvader Cultural Complex into a beach access point.
Some now are calling for that beach project to be moved to the Sebring Elks’ Club property.
Surveys on the subject may be obtained at the Sebring, Avon Park and Lake Placid libraries, or may be taken online. Deadline for the survey is a week from today.

Officials from Polk County are joining others in warning that despite recent rains, conditions remain very dry in central Florida. Total rainfall amounts remain below normal, despite the storms that rumbled through the area this past weekend.
They are asking residents to be careful with any kind of burn piles or other open fires. Residents also should be careful in disposing of cigarettes, hot charcoal or any other combustibles.
So far, no local burn bans have been issued.