The latest Coronavirus test numbers released by the Florida Department of Health show that there have been 27 additional positive tests returned and 81 new negatives conducted in Highlands County.
Of the 15,623 tests administered locally over the past five months – 14,254 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 Supervisor of Elections Penny Ogg says everything went smoothly yesterday on the first day of early voting.
Ogg said nearly 12% of the voters came in to mark their ballots with 7,600 of Highlands’ 63,654 voters making their marks.
Polls will be open again today from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm and then again 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.
It’s getting to be back to school time. Teachers went back to the classroom this past Monday and students will be headed back on Monday the 17th. Now, those stocking up on school supplies will get a bit of a break as the tax-free days begin today.
All taxes, including the county’s extra penny and the school board’s half cent, have been suspended through Sunday on a myriad of items. Items include selected clothing and footwear, books, computers and accessories among other things.
Most merchants will have details posted for shoppers.
Florida Lottery officials say a 37-year-old Sebring woman has picked a winning scratch-off ticket worth almost a million dollars.
Lizna Chagani, nabbed the prize on the $5,000,000 GOLD RUSH CLASSIC Scratch-Off game. She chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $710,000.00.
Chagani purchased her winning ticket from Sebring Food Mart on Highway 27 South in Sebring. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.
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.
A Lake Wales man had been charged with Attempted 2nd Degree Murder after allegedly beating a couple people with a table leg.
The incident apparently stemmed from a disagreement between Ernesto Pagan-Rodriguez and one of his neighbors.
Polk Sheriff’s officials say a verbal altercation escalated into a physical one when Pagan-Rodriguez grabbed up the table leg and started swinging. Reportedly, he stopped after the table leg broke.
One of the victims reportedly is in critical condition. Pagan-Rodriguez has been charged with attempted murder in the incident.