Today is 9/11. It’s the 22nd anniversary of the day the twin towers came down in New York, the Pentagon was attacked in Washington and Flight 93 was downed in Pennsylvania.
There was one observance in Highlands County. That was this morning at American Legion Post 25 north of Lake Placid. Guest Speaker was be US Army retired Lt. Col Jason Long. Saturday morning there also was an observance at the West Sebring Fire Department.
Avon Park city council members will discuss taxes and fees when they meet tonight in regular session. They’ll first hold a public hearing, and set the annual fire assessment for the City of Charm. The current plan calls for $185 per residential unit, as well as fees for commercial, industrial, governmental, institutional and vacant properties.
The council also will consider a resolution for the tentative budget and milage rate for the upcoming fiscal year.
The council also will hear the first reading of a new "FOG Program," regulating the amounts of fats, oils and grease allowed to be discharged into the municipal sewer system.
Highlands County Sheriff’s deputies made an arrest over the weekend, but he wasn’t taken in handcuffs. Deputy Gage Massey put his skills as a former Animal Services Officer to use to wrangle a rattlesnake from a Sebring address.
The rattler was taken to Animal Services, where it will be turned over to Graziani Reptiles, who will use it to make anti-venom.
Highway 27 at the Sebring Parkway had a major traffic snarl this morning as two vehicles collided there. Apparently, no serious injuries in the mishap, but traffic – especially southbound – was blocked for a time as the scene was cleared.
It had been six months since NASGRASS was deposed from their historic Avon Park airport location, but the lawn mower racers made it count this past Saturday night with a record crowd at their new facility at Florida Flywheelers Park. Stands were packed and cars lined the perimeter of the track as nearly 40 mowers took to the new facility.
Organizers called it a "soft opening," with grand opening races to be held at the new park next month.
A drowning that claimed the life of a four-year-old is under investigation. The boy drowned Saturday afternoon in Lakeland. He was found underwater at View Way and taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Police say the boy was in the water for around eight minutes before being located.