According to th3e most recent statistics, a report by Self Financial shows that the Sebring-Avon Park Metro Area experienced a nearly 25-percent increase in new business applications.
The uptick comes on the heels of a downtrend where the Coronavirus outbreak and subsequent restrictions caused a lot of small businesses to close their doors permanently.
Numbers for the survey come from new business applications tracked by the US Census bureau. The biggest increases came in Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi – where increases came at 50-percent or more.
It looks like voters may have a choice in this year’s Highlands County commission election. Former Highlands County commissioner Don Elwell reportedly has filed to run for his old seat. Elwell had resigned to mount an unsuccessful campaign for the Highlands County Clerk of Courts.
President of the Highlands County Republican Executive Committee, Kathy Rapp, was elected to fill out the second two years of the District 2 term.
In the other commission race, Lake Placid resident Chantel Parris has filed to challenge incumbent County Commissioner Arlene Tuck for the District 4 seat.
Florida Highway Patrol reports indicate one person was killed and several other were injured when two vehicles collided at the intersection of US 98 and County Road 721 near Fort Bassinger – on Highlands east side. Apparently, a Lehigh Acres woman reportedly "failed to stop properly" at a stop sign.
Her van collided with a car and both vehicles ended up in a ditch. A 62-year-old passenger in the van was killed – her name has not been released.
Well, it wasn’t a fire – but it sure looked like one. Highlands County officials say dust being raised by high winds in the Lake Placid Caladium field had the appearance of smoke.
Crews from Sun ‘N Lake South were dispatched to check the area over the weekend – and confirmed there was no fires.
Apparently, strong winds lifted the dry Muck from the fields and made it look like a fire.
A Hardee County man was killed in a Polk County traffic accident. David Henderson died when his car hydroplaned and collided with a sport utility vehicle on US 17 just north of Bowling Green.
The Wauchula man was pronounced dead at the scene. Polk County Sheriff’s officials say weather was a contributing factor in the accident.
Frostproof may be a bit bigger after tonight’s regular city council meeting. Council members are being asked to annex ten acres of land into the Friendly City. Reportedly, the move is to allow the expansion of the Whidden Mobile Home Park.
In other action, the council will consider moving the annual stormwater assessment from the utility bill to the tax bill as a means of collection.