Highlands County and Town of Lake Placid officials recently toured Amazon’s local delivery facility, getting an inside look at operations, workforce development programs, and the company’s impact on the local economy. During the visit, Amazon highlighted its Career Choice education program, which helps employees pursue degrees and job training. The company also presented a $10,000 donation to United Way of Central Florida to support disaster preparedness efforts in Highlands County.
Highlands County commissioners are expected to tackle two major growth-related issues during their meeting today at 9 a.m. in Sebring. The board will review public feedback on the proposed Ridge to River land conservation program, which could eventually go before voters as a property tax referendum. Commissioners will also continue discussions on bringing back impact fees on new development to help fund roads, schools, utilities, and emergency services needed to support future growth.
Fred Wild Elementary School will be searching for new leadership after Principal Megan Moesching announced her resignation. District officials say Moesching has accepted an instructional leadership position with Florida Virtual School. She has served as principal of Fred Wild Elementary since 2019 and previously held leadership and teaching roles in several Florida school districts. The School District has already posted the vacancy and is accepting applications through June 10th.
A Clermont man is facing fraud and grand theft charges after investigators say he helped scam an elderly DeSoto County couple out of more than $21,000. Detectives say 42-year-old Feng Lin acted as a "money mule," collecting cash from victims on behalf of a larger fraud operation. Authorities say the couple was tricked by scammers posing as bank representatives who convinced them to withdraw money and hand it over for "safekeeping." Lin was arrested May 25 and remains in the DeSoto County Jail on a $75,000 bond.
Property taxes may not completely go away in Florida. State lawmakers yesterday proposed requiring homeowners to pay property taxes that are used to fund schools. Funds that support some local offices will also be exempt from the ban. Panama City Republican Senator Jay Trumbull says it was a question of how much stress could the system take at one time if all property taxes were eliminated. A vote could come today.