Corona virus numbers just released by the Florida Department of Health show no new cases of Coronavirus but 312 new negative tests in Highlands County. Of the 2,922 tests administered so far, 2,813 have come back negative with 107 positives.
Currently, there have been 36 people listed as hospitalized at some point during their illness. Eight fatalities have been tied to the Coronavirus in Highlands County.
A drive thru testing event was held yesterday at The Camp & Conference Center in Lake Placid – where some 150 people were tested. Another will be held tomorrow at the Highlands County Health Department.
A 49-year-old Sebring man reportedly was killed last night, when his motorcycle collided with a sport utility vehicle. Florida Highway Patrol officials say the unidentified man was westbound in the outside lane of Sun ‘N Lake Boulevard, when a sport utility vehicle of some type turned left off Booker Street.
The motorcycle hit the SUV and overturned. No names or other details were released by the FHP.
Highlands County commissioners met in regular session yesterday. It was the first time back in chambers in a month. Commissioners yesterday talked with officials of Waste Connections about their contract for garbage collection and recycling. Company officials told the commission that due to the collapse of the recycling market, the current contract provisions were “not sustainable.”
They indicated if adjustments were not made, they would have to terminate the contract. Commissioners instructed staff to meet with company officials to try and find a solution. They will take the item up again at their next meeting.
Highlands County may be losing a couple chain stores. While local officials are awaiting a list of the 242 stores JC Penny plans to shutter, officials of Pier One say they are looking to close all their stores.
Officials say that after not being able to find a buyer for the chain, they intend to close all 540 of the Pier One outlets nationwide. No list for the JC Penny stores has yet been released.
A man arrested by Lake Placid Police following a firearms incident reportedly now faces additional charges. Joshua Thomas McKeithan has been charged with aggravated assault and illegally carrying a concealed firearm.
Te 20-year-old Lake Placid man originally was arrested after reports he had pointed a gun at another person while in the parking lot of the Lake Placid Publix. He was booked into the Highlands County jail.