If you had been planning on an open house at your child’s school here in Highlands County today – think again. Due to the coronavirus situation – face-to-face open houses have been cancelled unless you have a student who never has been in a Highlands County school, a student who is moving to a new school or students in Pre-K, Kindergarten, sixth or ninth grades.
Everything else is being done virtually.
A single vehicle crash near Frostproof has resulted in the death of a Sebring woman. Polk County sheriff’s officials say 45-year-old Mary Ruiz was killed when the Jeep Grand Cherokee she was riding in went out of control and crashed.
According to reports, the 17-year-old driver of the vehicle, swerved to avoid a large bird on Highway 98 West near Old Stokes Road.
The Jeep went off the roadway, hit a culvert, went airborne then flipped several times.
Deputies say the driver was buckled up, but a the Sebring woman was not. She was pronounced dead at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio reportedly is sending members of his staff to Highlands County to hear concerns of the people here. They will be set up at the Avon Park branch of the countywide library system on North Museum Avenue from 10:30 this morning until 12:30 this afternoon.
Staff members will be there to take input from residents and to offer any assistance the senator’s office might provide. Senator Rubio himself, will not be in attendance.