Today is primary election day. All 25 precincts opened this morning and Supervisor of Elections Penny Ogg says things have moving along smoothly. Earlier this morning, numbers showed that some 2,405 residents had turned out to cast their ballots, with another 425 votes delivered by mail.
Early voting wrapped up Saturday with approximately 20-percent of the electorate casting their ballots either in person or by mail. The polls will be open until 7:00 tonight.
The latest Coronavirus test numbers released by the Florida Department of Health show that there have been 6 additional positive tests and 46 negatives added to Highlands County’s ongoing count.
Of the 17,141 tests administered locally over the past five months – 15,491 tests have been negative with 1,639 positive cases recorded.
There have been 179 people hospitalized at some point during their illness and 42 deaths have been tied to the corona virus since numbers started being kept.
An Avon Park man is dead following a confrontation with Highlands County Sheriff’s deputies. According to reports, 34-year-old Keith Allen Filgar was shot and killed last night after pointing a firearm at officers.
Lawmen reportedly had chased Filgar through the Avon Park Lakes area following a domestic dispute call. Filgar allegedly had attacked his brother with a machete, but fled the scene.
The deputies have been placed on administrative leave. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has been called in to investigate the incident.
One person was killed, two others were injured and State Road 70 was blocked for several hours following a three-vehicle accident yesterday morning. The driver of a sedan, identified only as a 39-year-old West Palm Beach man was killed when a semi-tractor trailer rig went left of center and slammed into the car.
Florida Highway Patrol officials have not released the names of the drivers or any other details. The driver of a thrid vehicle was seriously injured when his SUV was gathered up into the mishap.
Highlands County schools openened yesterday. Officials say as of yet there are no first-day attendance numbers available. They do say it appears that classes resumed without incident – save for a few traffic jams around several schools.
It appears there were at least a few issues – The student helpdesk experienced what was termed “a very high call volume.” With operators having to get back to those who left messages.
Officials caution motorists that schools are on again today. Please slow down in school zones and watch out for children walking or riding bicycles.
Highlands County commissioners will meet this morning in regular session. Among other things, they’ll look at a half-million dollar budget for the Tourist Development Commission and prepare to hire an assistant county attorney.
Commissioner also are expected to move forward with the sale of 31 surplus properties to get them back on the tax rolls. Apparently they’ll be getting more than $34,000 from the sales of that land.