News Update for 8/8/19

Traffic was snarled west of Sebring this morning due to an accident at Highway 27 and Hammock Road. Hammock was closed off and southbound 27 was slowed for about a half hour. Reportedly, two cars came together at the intersction. Two were transported to area hospitals as a result of the crash.
An accident north of Avon Park last night reportedly sent a couple of people to the hospital. Officials say two cars collided at the intersection of Stryker Road and Highway 27 shortly before 9:PM.
Yesterday morning, a fertilizer truck overturned at State Road 70 and Highway 27, dumping its load. As much as 700-pounds of the stuff was spilled, closing the northbound lanes of the highway for a time. No injuries were reported in that one.

The first of three traffic circles being constructed now is open. Highlands County officials re-opened Memorial Drive to through traffic yesterday morning shortly before noon.
So far, officials say, traffic has been moving through the roundabout without a hitch. It connects Memorial with College Drive and in time will link to Phase III of the Sebring Parkway.
Authorities remind motorists that traffic on the circle has the right of way, and vehicles must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalks.

Highlands County officially has a new bank. The new First Southern Bank of Georgia branch has opened the doors on its location on Lakeview Drive in Sebring. The financial institution itself was founded in 1907 and offers a full range of services from mortgage loan and home refinancing to Auto, small business and farm loans.
Although the Highlands County branch officially opened on August 2nd – a grand opening celebration is slated for later this month.

According a report in USA Today, retailer Sears is getting ready to shut down 26 stores – including the location at the Lakeshore Mall. According to reports, the Auto Centers will cease operations this month, with store closings set for October.
This latest round includes five K-Mart and 21 Sears stores across the country. The K-Mart store at the mall shut down in February of last year. Mall officials say they are working on a client that might move in to that space.