Today is OJ Day, and Highlands County commissioners approved a resolution to that effect when they met in regular session this morning. When it comes to citrus production – despite recent problems with greening – Highlands remains a big dog.
Highlands county is second in the state when it comes to citrus production, putting out as much as 13-15 percent of the oranges harvested in Florida.
Officials of the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association treated commissioners with some free OJ this morning as part of the observance.
A 36-year-old Sebring woman has been charged, following a carjacking incident yesterday. Shauna Marie McGraw faces counts of kidnapping and grand theft auto after a car with two children inside was taken from the Shell gas station at Sun’N Lake.
Highlands County Sheriff’s reports say the mother apparently left the car running while she went inside the convenience store. A woman then apparently hopped behind the wheel and drove away.
Deputies found the car a short distance away. In fact, they were so quick, they beat the distribution of an Amber Alert – which already was in progress.
The youngsters were unharmed, it remains unclear whether their mother will be charged in the incident.
Two people reportedly were injured yesterday when the All Terrain Vehicle they were riding flipped. The driver, a female, apparently lost control of the ATV near the intersection of Windsor Street and Buckingham Road in Avon Park Lakes about 4:00 yesterday afternoon.
A young child who was on the vehicle also was thrown off. He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. The driver was airlifted out to a trauma center.
Florida Highway Patrol officials have released no names or other details in the mishap.
A Lakeland man has been killed in a traffic accident hear the Gator Creek Preserve. The incident happened early yesterday morning on the north end of Polk County.
According to reports, 64-year-old Joseph Moody went left of center on US 98 and slammed into an oncoming semi tractor-trailer rig. He was killed, the driver of the rig was not injured.
The mishap remains under investigation.