The latest Coronavirus test numbers released by the Florida Department of Health show that there were 65 additional positive tests returned over the weekend and 405 new negatives conducted in Highlands County.
Of the 16,988 tests administered locally over the past five months – 15,369 tests have been negative with 1,608 positive cases recorded.
There have been 176 people hospitalized at some point during their illness and 41 deaths have been tied to the corona virus since numbers started being kept.
The Avon Park city council will meet tonight in yet another virtual session. After tough talk about not backing off on code enforcement fines – the council will be asked about three lein reductions by local property owners.
In other action, the council will consider a request for proposal for the purchase of the old Brickell Building. The structure has caused the city problems for decades. They’ll also look at adopting historic building regulations and will look at setting a preliminary fire assessment for the city.
State Road 70 near County Road 721 has been closed due to a fatal car crash. Reportedly, two vehicles collided head on near the intersection of 70 and Greenbriar Lane about 8:00 this morning.
One person has died and several others were injured. The Florida Highway Patrol has released no other information on the incident.
Highlands County schools openened today. Officials say as of yet there are no first-day attendance numbers yet available. They do say it appears that classes resumed without incident – save for a few traffic jams around several schools.
They caution motorists that schools will be letting out this afternoon. Watch out for children walking or riding bicycles home from classes.
One of two men struck by lightning last week in Avon Park now has died. Reportedly, the pair were walking around Lake Olivia in Avon Park Lakes and were headed home to seek shelter when the bolt hit along Nautilus Drive.
One of the men reportedly was treated at an area hospital then released. The other was taken to a Tampa-area trauma center where he remained in critical condition – but since has expired. No names have yet been released.
Highlands County Supervisor of Elections Penny Ogg is getting ready for tomorrow’s primary. Early voting had just over 21-percent of the electorate turn out and most of them were by mail.
Of the 13,381 votes cast, 9,413 came in by mail. Still, 3,972 residents came in to one of the three polling places set up in Avon Park, Sebring and Lake Placid to cast their ballots.
Election day voting for the primaries will begin tomorrow morning at 7am.