Highlands County’s Corona Virus numbers remained steady overinight. The total number of local cases registered over the past couple months is set at 71, with seven fatalities attached to the disease.
Anyone who dies with the virus now is listed as a victim of the virus. Apparently there have been 26 people who have been hospitalized with the virus in Highlands at some point during their illness. Recovery rates currently are not being tracked by the Florida Department of Health. Of the 639 tests administered locally, 553 have come back negative.
Highlands County Commissioners are preparing to deal with Governor Ron DeSantis’ Task Force and plans to begin re-opening Florida. The commissioners have called a special session for next Tuesday to see how the new rules and regulations may or may not affect Highlands County.
Among the issues they may address is the re-opening of small businesses, parks and church services. The governor has said he wants recommendations for the first phase of that plan by the end of the week.
Got some time on your hands? The Highlands County Historic Preservation Commission has a logo contest going on. Their goal is to find an image that depicts all things historical here.
Officials say that the winning image will be used as an emblem that will be placed on all structures that are over a half-century old.
Highlands County Sheriff’s officials say they have been having ongoing problems with car burglaries. Last night they arrested a pair of teens allegedly involved in what’s “car fishing” incident.
Deputies say they found a group of several individuals in a Sebring neighborhood they believed were involved in the activity. Most took off on foot. Lawmen did, however, apprehend Robert Wayne Smith of Okeechobee and William Nathan Ward IV of Sebring, who are both 18, and a 17-year-old from Avon Park.
Smith and Ward were booked into the county jail on two counts of vehicle burglary and one count of resisting arrest without violence.