It appears that Highlands County School Board members are looking at changing language of some of their rules and regulations to be more politically correct. In discussing some new rule changes for advertisement, they voted to depart from using the identifier "he or she," to the more generic "they."
School board member Donna Howerton questioned the change, saying that the previous "he or she" covered the gender of students. Some teachers came forward to lobby for the change – saying they currently are teaching the more inclusive language.
The changes were approved for advertisement, but will come before the board again.
Highlands County Sheriff’s deputies say the search for Zachary Joseph Berry is over. The 31-year-old fugitive turned himself in this morning.
Deputies had descended yesterday on an address in Avon Park Lakes looking for the 31-year-old fugitive but had success there.
Berry reportedly has active warrants in Polk County on charges of aggravated battery and aggravated assault with a firearm.
He was booked into the Highlands County jail without incident.
Yes, there are more fighter jets around. Officials at the Avon Park Bombing Range say they will be training until late tonight. Noise levels will be moderate.
A bicyclist was killed and Kenilworth Blvd. was closed for a time following an accident east of Sebring. Florida Highway Patrol officials say the 37-year-old cyclist was westbound on Kenilworth when he was hit from behind by a Sport Utility Vehicle.
Troopers say the cyclist was not wearing a helmet. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
No names have yet been released. The accident remains under investigation.
A Polk County hospital is moving ahead in their expansion efforts. The Lakeland City Commission has approved Lakeland Regional Health’s plan to double its footprint to 300-thousand square feet.
Officials of the medical facility say they want to build an ER and urgent care center near I-4 and Kathleen Road. An LRH officials say it would help to close a gap in emergency medicine services in that community.