After finding that grant money will cover less than half the project, Highlands County officials now say they will help the city of Avon Park find additional funding for a proposed water line extension.
The project will end just short of the county line and would serve the planned Nucor Steel manufacturing facility and the proposed Sun Pure international plastics recycling plant.
Highlands County Development Director Benjamin Dunn told the council his experience has been, if you build it they will come. He then offered his help in finding additional money for the project.
At the end, council members agreed that progress would not stop on the program.
It looks like Avon Park will have a representative on the Tourist Development Council after all. Councilwoman Brenda Gray turned down an invitation for the post but Councilwoman Maria Sutherland agreed to take the seat.
The post was vacated when Vice Mayor Jim Barnard removed himself following a tiff with the TDC’s consultant. The council had asked that local activist Gaylin Thomas take the slot, however, TDC officials said bylaws required an elected official.
The beach at Donaldson Park was closed briefly last week, after the body of a homeless man was found in Lake Verona. David Carson Crosby was last seen after a party trying to swim across the lake.
Avon Park City Manager David Flowers said he re-opened the beach yesterday. He added that the lake recently was tested for bacteria by state officials and water samples came back as safe for swimming.
Lake Placid police now have released the names of those involved in a fatal traffic crash this past weekend in the Caladium Capital. Bernard Hogan was killed when the car he was riding in pulled into the path of an oncoming van.
The car was hit broadside.
His wife, Donna Hogan – who was driving the car, has been taken to Lakeland Regional. Her condition has not been released. The driver of the van and three passengers also were taken to AdventHealth Lake Placid for treatment.
Charges in the incident are pending.