Avon Park city council members took the first steps in changing – and limiting – their terms of office. By a 4-1 vote last night, the council instructed city attorney Gerald Buhr to draw up a ballot iniative that would change council’s terms of office to four years and limit them to just two terms on the board.
The lone dissent came from councilwoman Bernice Taylor, who said she might not have run, had such provisions been in place.
Council hopes to bring the proposed charter change before voters in the City of Charm in the upcoming November election.
Highlands County Superintendent of Schools Brenda Longshore says she has named the two dozen people who will serve on a committee to choose a new program for sex education in the local school system.
There were 89 applicants for a spot on the committee, which will number 24 parents, citizens and educators. Highlands County School Board Chairman Isaac Durrance will be the 25th member.
Other committee members names have not been released.
A Sebring man reportedly escaped serious injury when a lightning bolt struck within yards of him. Rod Murpy was outside his home on Grenada Avenue in the Sun "N Lake community, turning off the sprinkler system in advance of an oncoming thunderstorm when the incident occrred.
Security camera footage shows the bolt striking near a house across the street. Murphy said he was shaken but not hurt. No word on if there was any damage to the home where the bolt hit.
It’s that time of year again, beginning this week, Highlands County department heads are set to review their budgets with county administration officials.
In the past, there were public hearings held with a budget committee. Now, county officials have turned to social media to share information in a series posts. They refer to it as "a beginner’s look at how the budget process unfolds."
Among other things, county tax dollars pay for law enforcement, safety services, road maintenance, parks and public health programs.