News Update for 5/12/22

It appears the Mosaic Company is looking to put a phosphate mining facility in Hardee County near the Highlands County line. Hardee officials have postponed a request to designate more than 4,000 acres of property for mining south of County Line Road between Old Town Creek Road and State Road 64 east in Hardee.

That would put the facility within a few miles of the Avon Park Lakes neighborhood here in Highlands County.
Reports indicate that Hardee County citizens have been expressing concern about Mosaic and the increased amount of mining there.

Highlands County safety officials are warning people to be careful with any kind of outdoor burning. The Florida Forest Service has identified Highlands as one of a number of central Florida counties that is in "High Danger" of wildfire activity.
A Red Flog warning has not been issued, nevertheless, residents are urged to be very careful with combustibles or any outside burning.

It’s a case of adding insult to injury. After the Smoke Shack restaurant in Lake Placid burned to the ground this past March, it appears somebody stole the steel cooker – in the shape of a pig – that sat outside the popular eatery.

Lake Placid Police officials say they are actively seeking information into the theft of the Smoke Shack’s steel mascot. So far, there’s no indication exactly when it was stolen, but according to reports, it took some effort to haul it away.
It measured about four feet high and six to eight feet from snout to tail.
Anyone with information as to its whereabouts is asked to call the Lake Placid Police Department.

Highlands County officials have announced the installation of a couple of new playgrounds. One is located at the county’s sports complex near the Washington Heights community in Sebring – the other was put in at H.L. Bishop Park north of Lake Placid.
Both facilities reportedly comply with the Americans’ with Disabilities Act. The facilities have been under construction for about six months – no cost for the projects was released.

Officials from A Heart Like His Foundation and Keller Williams Realty are teaming up today for a food drive and ice cream party. They will have a drop-off station for foodstuffs to be distributed to the less fortunate.
Suggested donations include granola bars, single serve Mac & Cheese, pop tarts and juice boxes.
Those who come by the location at 1167 US 27 South in Sebring and make a drop-off, will get an ice cream from Mr. E’s Sweets n’ Treats. The event will run from 3-6pm today.