The latest Coronavirus test numbers released by the Florida Department of Health show that there have been 9 additional positive tests and 80 negatives added to Highlands County’s ongoing count.
Of the 17,987 tests administered locally – 16,221 tests have been negative with 1,756 positive cases recorded.
There have been 190 people hospitalized at some point during their illness and 57 deaths have been tied to the corona virus since numbers started being kept.
As Avon Park city council members struggle with their budget for the upcoming fiscal year, the care and maintenence of municipally-owned buildings has become a challenge,
The Classic Caladiums building reportdly is in need of hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs and there also are other structures that are in line for maintenence and refurbishing. Councilwoman Maria Sutherland has asked for a list of city-owned properties to try and get a handle on looming costs for the upcoming fiscal year.
Highlands County Sheriff’s officials are warning residents about more scams. At issue this time are Facebook posts offering money to the first 50 or 100 people that reply to a post.
Those posting claim they are doing something good in response to COVID. What they are really doing is scamming people out of money.
They will message those who comment and tell them that in order to get the cash, they first have to pay some money. Authorities say THAT IS 100 PERCENT ALWAYS A SCAM
Highlands County Supervisor of Elections Penny Ogg has answered a question about mail-in vs voting in person. Ogg says once a person has voted either by mail, early or Election Day, that vote is cast and any additional ballots would not be counted.
For instance – if a person sent a vote by mail ballot in and then went to a early voting or Election Day polling location they would be able to vote there IF the vote by mail had not been received, and if they vote at that location then the vote by mail would not be counted once received by the Elections Office.
She says Highlands County has electronic poll books which are constantly being updated. Citizens may track your vote by mail ballot on their website or by calling the elections office.
Better than 300 Duke Energy customers were without power this morning. The lights went out shortly before 5:00 near the Sun ‘N Lake community. Company officials have not said what caused the problem.