New numbers released by the Florida Department of Health this morning indicate three new cases of the Corona virus here. There were, however, 52 more negative tests reported. So far, 2,191 tests have been conducted locally. There have been 2,087 negatives and now 103 positive cases.
In all, 33 people have been hospitalized at some point during their illness and there have been eight fatalities tied to the Corona virus locally.
A voluntary drive-thru test for the disease was held at the Florida Department of Health location today. Another will be held next Tuesday.
The town of Lake Placid reportedly is getting a deal on some trash cans from the City of Avon Park. Since the City of Charm has suspended their recycling program, they have agreed to send their former recycling bins down to the Caladium Capital at no charge.
Council members say Lake Placid officials only have to show up and get them.
There currently are 400 on hand, and city officials still are trying to round up approximately 2,000 more that are in the hands of residents.
The city originally spent nearly $190,000 on more than 4600 of the bins. About half already were stripped and sold for scrap.
Highlands County Sheriff’s officials say they have made an arrest in connection with the May 9th shooting death of 29-year-old Alexander Antonio Nowell. Nowell was one of three persons shot in an incident early last Saturday Morning on South Delaney Avenue in Avon Park.
Arrested was Jimmy Lamar Ford jr. He has been charged with second degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and several firearms charges. He was booked into the Highlands County jail.
It’s the dry season, Highlands County is under a burn ban and local firefighters were out again working a brush fire. This time they worked with Florida Forest Service crews in snuffing out a 3-acre blaze in the Harrell Road area of Venus.
No injuries or property damage has been reported. The cause was not released.