The latest Coronavirus test numbers released by the Florida Department of Health show that there have been 26 additional positive tests and 73 negatives added to Highlands County’s ongoing count.
Of the 17,466 tests administered locally – 15,759 tests have been negative with 1,697 positive cases recorded.
There have been 188 people hospitalized at some point during their illness and 53 deaths have been tied to the corona virus since numbers started being kept.
A20-year-old Lake Placid man reportedly was killed in a single vehicle accident early this morning near Placid Lakes. Reportedly the driver missed the stop sign at the intersection of Grape Road and Waterway Avenue NW shortly after 1:AM. The car reportedly slammed into a tree then overturned. Florida Highway Patrol officials have not released the driver’s name or other details on the incident.
A semi tractor-trailer rig hit a horse outside of Avon Park Lakes around 4:40 this morning. That incident happened on Highway 64 east – near the Avon Park airport. Officials say the horse was killed in that incident.
Avon Park city council members say they are ready to start cleaning up the City of Charm. Apparently, the starting point will be a new method of code enforcement measures. Council members instructed city attorney Gerald Buhr to construct a policies and procedures method to go after scofflaws.
City Manager Mark Schrader told the council there were several people who have repeatedly been cited and have not taken care of the issue. Buhr said he would develop a penalty matrix that could help take care of the problem.
A live air-to-air missile found at a Polk County airport now has been taken to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. The unarmed French S-530 missile will be secured at the base until it’s properly destroyed.
The rocket was found at Lakeland Linder International Airport. MacDill spokesman Lt. Brandon Hanner says they’re just waiting to decide when and where to dispose of the missile.
Typically these kinds of weapons are taken to the explosives range where they are detonated. Apparently this one is too large.
Today’s the day for those wanting to get their share of CARES cash. It’s the last chance to apply for some of the $4.6 million dollars in the first round of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act money. The payments will go to small businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals.
Highlands county officials have to expend all that money by September 30 to be eligible for a second round of payouts – That’s slated to be more than $13 million dollars.
More information may be obtained at HighlandsCares.com