It continues to be quite warm outside with the National Weather Service issuing another Excessive Heat Warning for Highlands County and across the Sunshine State.
Again, Heat index values of over 100-degrees are expected here.
Officials advise residents to take precautions if they plan to be outside, and know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
So far, health officials have not registered any cases of heat-related illnesses here.
It was back to school for Highlands County youngsters yesterday. The count shows some 11,213 students showed up for classes across the system.
Sebring High school showed the highest overall attendance with 1,783 youngsters in class. Memorial elementary was the lowest with 459. School officials say there were no incidents of note to report on the first day back for the 2023-24 academic year.
Motorists are reminded that the youngsters will be out again waiting for the dozens of busses that will be crisscrossing the county, and to slow down in school zones.
A Polk County trucker has been killed in a Lee County traffic crash. Florida Highway Patrol reports indicate the 62-year-old Fort Meade driver was eastbound on County Road 78 north of Cape Coral when the big rig went off the road and slammed into a pair of wooden poles.
He was critically injured and transported to the hospital where he expired.
Lake Wales City Manager James Slaton has announced plans for the City to assume operations of the Family Recreation Center after the West Central Florida YMCA departs in October.
Slanton says the goal is to create what he calls "a fresh, modern space for families to engage in health and wellness activities,”
He said the facility is a landmark in the community, and plans are to make it better by staffing it with people skilled in recreation programming and business management.
The City recently invested more than $200,000 enhancing the pool. Annual swim lessons are free for city residents.
Teachers in Polk County are upset over what they call atrocious working and learning conditions. The Polk Education Association have filed a grievance over broken air conditioners in 15 schools.
Union President Stephanie Yocum says the situation is unacceptable, and the district must provide a comfortable and healthy environment for teachers, staff, and students.
A district spokesperson says students in classrooms without working AC will be relocated until fixes are made, and the installation of new AC units is taking place as soon as possible.