The idea of an elected, versus an appointed superintendent of schools again has surfaced. Resident Jesse Sapp brought the item before the Highlands County School Board at their meeting last night in a discussion about school grades.
He said that for the past 12 years, Highlands has had a "C" rating, and has ranked in the bottom of state numbers. According to the Accountability Report, Sapp said an overwhelming number of districts with low scores, have elected superintendents.
Avon Park city council members have voted to replace a number of water meters and fire hydrants in the City of Charm. They first moved to purchase 250 water meters from the Avon Park-based Avanti Corporation. It’s part of an ongoing effort to keep the system current.
Council also voted to purchase 14 fire hydrnts. Some of those up for replacement are more than 100 years-old. Fire Chief Andy Marcy says, due to their age, and lack of a cutoff valve, it may be a project to try and replace them.
A Sebring man reportedly has died after a pair of attacks at the Fairmount Mobile Estates. Highlands County Sheriff’s officials say 37-year-old Corey Beiber had been taken into custody by deputies and became unresponsive. He was transported to AdventHealth where he was prounouced dead.
Deputies had been called to Beiber’s Maine Avenue home where his mother was attacked, as well as a neighbor in a nearby home. The incident remains under investigation.
Units were called out yesterday to quell a brush fire north of Placid Farms. Dubbed the Quarters Road Fire, it charred some 25 acres before local firefighters, with help from the Florida Forest Service, got it extinguished.
No injuries were reported, and no structures were damaged. Cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
There was an unveiling this morning as officials at South Florida State College and AdventHealth cut the ribbon to officially open the new Sebring Center for Nursing Excellence. Authorities say they hope the new facility will help to ease the shortage of high quality and skilled nurses.
The official opening was held at 11:30 this morning, tours and other opportunities will run until 1:00 this afternoon.