The latest Coronavirus numbers released by the Florida Department of Health show that there have been 29 additional positive cases and 144 new negative results in Highlands County.
Of the 14,211 tests administered locally over the past five months – 13,135 have been negative with 1,068 positives. There have been 125 people hospitalized at some point during their illness and 22 deaths have been tied to the corona virus since numbers started being kept.
A single vehicle accident in the south end of the county yesterday sent at least one person to the hospital. According to reports, the car went out of control on County Road 29 near West Palm Circle. The auto first rolled, then caught fire.
Authorities say bystanders were able to pull the motorist from the car and put out the fire before units arrived at the scene. Reportedly, one victim was flown out by the Aeromed Air Ambulance.
Units from the Lorida and Desoto City Volunteer Fire Departments paired up with the Florida Forest Service yesterday to contain a brush fire. That one flared up off Tawny Drive on the northeast side of Lake Istokpoga.
The flames charred about an acre of ground. There were no injuries and no structures were damaged. Cause remains under investigation.
Ben-Hill Griffin III reportedly has died. He apparently passed away at his home in Frostproof this past Saturday. Griffin was 78.
Son of citrus giant Ben-Hill Griffin jr., he served as President and Chairman of the board of Alico as well as Orange-Co Inc. Griffin also served as president of Seald Sweet and Florida Citrus Packers among other things.
No announcements have been made about his final arrangements.
Hundreds of Highlands County high school seniors became alumni over the weekend as graduation ceremonies were held in Avon Park, Lake Placid and for the Highland Virtual School. All the ceremonies came off with a hitch.
They had been pushed back two months due to the Coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Highlands County schools are preparing to open up for the 2020-2021 School Year next month. Students will have the option of face-to-face traditional learning, remote online learning or the Highlands Virtual School.