Summer vacation officially is over, and it was back to school today for thousands of youngsters in Highlands County. School officials say there were no incidents to report from this morning’s start of classes.
Motorists are urged to use extreme caution in and around school zones and to watch for students walking or riding their bicycles home from thier first day of school.
Extra patrols also are out, enforcing speed restrictions.
While this is the first day for students, teachers already have been in the classrooms for a while, getting things ready for the start of the new academic year.
The airport, garbage collection and Christmas decor are just some of the items slated to be discussed tonight, when the Avon Park city council gets together in regular session. They first will consider a five year pact with consultants Kimley-Horn to provide work at the Avon Park Executive Airport. Avon Park City Manager David Flowers is slated to provide an overview of Christmas holiday decorations slated for four different areas of the mile-long mall and Vice Mayor Jim Barnard wants to talk about days and times of garbage collection in the City of Charm. That’s something which has been at issue during recent meetings.
If things work out, the Santa Rosa Hotel could have a new owner. Officials at the Sebring Historical Society say they have their eye on the landmark as a new home. They say they are outgrowing their current location underneath the Sebring branch of the Highlands County Library System.
Currently, there’s no money for such a move, but they say, they are both looking for grants and starting fundraising efforts. Naming rights might also be available.
An elderly Avon Park man escaped serious injury Friday when his truck was hit broadside. The accident occurred on Highway 27 at the intersection of College Drive. 90-year-old Ken Fipula reportedly pulled from College Drive across Highway 27 and into the path of an oncoming Nissan Maxima.
The car hit the truck broaside. Fipula was taken to the hospital where he was treated and released. Traffic was snarled for some time as workers cleared the scene. Charges in the incident are pending.