The latest Coronavirus numbers released by the Florida Department of Health show that there have been 12 additional positive cases and 12 new negative results in Highlands County.
Of the 14,449 tests administered locally over the past five months – 13,322 have been negative with 1,115 positives. There have been 128 people hospitalized at some point during their illness and 25 deaths have been tied to the corona virus since numbers started being kept.
Highlands County Emergency Management officials are asking people to review their storm preparedness provisions as they watch a weather system currently heading for the eastern Caribbean.
The as-yet unnamed weather system is predicted to develop into a tropical storm today. forecasters are warning Puerto Rico and other islands to prepare for the possibility of dangerous heavy rains and strong winds.
Current models show it running up through the middle of the state by the weekend. However, they say it’s is too early to pinpoint what the system will do.
In a fifteen minute session yesterday, Highlands County commissioners accepted a termination agreement with former board attorney Joy Carmichael. The action officially ended the sometimes stormy relationship Carmichael had with the board.
As part of the pact, Carmichael will receive additional severance pay and other concessions. She, in turn gave up a public hearing on the matter and all rights to sue the board.
Highlands County Administrator Randy Vossburg told commissioners that efforts to cover her position already have been started.
It appears that teachers will be back in the classroom locally beginning next week. The School Board of Highlands County met last night and approved two revisions for the 2020-2021 school year.
Teachers will be back at the schools beginning next Wednesday, August 5th, while the first day of school for students here has been set for Monday August 17.
Officials say that the decision, based on input from the SBHC Calendar Committee and district and school administrators, will provide additional preparation time. Three options ranging from face-to-face learning to virtual school now are being offered.