News Update for 8/6/20

The latest Coronavirus test numbers released by the Florida Department of Health show that there have been 17 additional positive tests returned and 88 new negatives conducted in Highlands County.
Of the 15,514 tests administered locally over the past five months – 14,173 tests have been negative with 1,328 positive cases recorded.
There have been 153 people hospitalized at some point during their illness and 34 deaths have been tied to the corona virus since numbers started being kept.

Highlands County Emergency Management Manager Latosha Reiss told county commissioners, she was excited about the number of people initially filing for money from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
First day figures on Monday showed there were 860 applications from businesses, non-profits and individuals. Highlands is in line for $4.6 million dollars in the first round. They have to give all that money away by September 30th to be eligible for the second round – that’ll be more than $13 million.
Those who want to find out if they qualify can go to www.HighandsCares.com

The election season started in earnest today as early voting got under way in Highlands County, Polling places will be open 8:30 am until 4:30 pm each day until next Saturday.
Ballots may be cast at the Kenilworth Operations Center on Kenilworth Blvd in Sebring, the Avon Park City Council Chambers at the Avon Park City Hall and at the Lake Placid Town Government Center.

There were no serious injuries when two semi-trucks collided in the south end of the county. The mishap occurred at the intersection of Highway 27 and State Road 70. No accident description has yet been released.

Yes, you may be hearing some sonic booms. Officials at the Avon Park Bombing Range say they are hosting more exercises. Aircraft will be flying from 8am until late in the evening. Officials declined to say what kinds of planes are utilizing the Air Force facility.