Today begins the 2023 Hurricane Season and Highlands County officials say they are ready for what that may bring. They say the county’s emergency management officials have made strides over the past year getting prepared.
Better organization and clearer communication have been the focus of their efforts. Among other things, they have been holding preparedness seminars throughout the community during the past few weeks.
Officials of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration have predicted a "normal" hurricane season – with 12-17 named storms, 5-9 possibly becoming hurricanes.
County authorities also urge residents to develop a hurricane plan.
Another high-spee chase overnight, and another arrest. Highlands County sheriff’s deputies reportedly spotted a Ford F-150 that had been reported stolen out of Lake Placid. Reportedly, it was chased from Avon Park to Sebring, then down Schumacher Road where it crashed into a tree at Blueberry Road.
The occupants fled, but were tracked by K-9 Waylon. They ran through a pasture and a swamp. When arrested they found three teenagers – two from Lake Placid and one from Avon Park.
The three were charged with vehicle theft and firearms charges.
Hardee County’s board of county commissioners will meet this morning. Among other things, they will consider whether or not to lift that county’s burn ban.
In other action, commissioners will consider the first reading of a measure to change 132 acres of property from Agriculture to Farm Residential. That property is located on the south side of US 17 South north of Allman Street. They’ll also consider similar action for 92-acres off Platt Road.