Units from Highlands Park, Lake Placid, Sun ‘N Lakes South and Desoto City were called out to a housefire early this morning. According to reports, the structure on Durham Avenue reportedly was well involved in flames by the time firefighters arrived at the scene.
No injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. There are reports that the houose might have been vacant at the time of the blaze.
The latest Coronavirus test numbers released by the Florida Department of Health show there have been 10 additional positive, and 51 negative tests added to Highlands County’s ongoing count.
Of the 20,876 tests administered locally – 18,695 have been negative with 2121 positive cases recorded.
There have been 223 people hospitalized at some point during their illness and 82 deaths have been tied to the corona virus here since numbers started being kept.
The city of Avon Park apparently still is looking for a bit of help. First, they continue to seek citizens who would like to serve on the city’s planning & zoning board. They currently only have five of seven members, and some others may be looking to retire.
The only requirement is that applicants be residents of the City of Charm. They also are looking for an airport greeter, to mind the fixed base operation out at the Avon Park airport. They are hoping for a retired pilot or two who would consider manning the phones and answering questions for those who land at the facility.
More information can be had by calling the Avon Park city hall.
Acting on a tip from officials at the Walgreen’s Drug Store, detectives from the Sebring Field Office of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement began an investigation that led them to a fraudulent coupon scheme.
According to reports, the criminals would produce fake paper and digital coupons that were redeemed across central and south Florida to the tune of $30,000. The perpetrators then would purchase goods using the coupons and subsequently sell them using social media sites.
Two of the suspects were sent to the Palm Beach Detention Center, the third is being held in Texas.
The Center for Elephant Conservation in Polk County is closing. Apparently they will head for a new wildlife sanctuary in Yulee. Reportedly, a new 2,500-acre home for former circus elephants is being constructed there. The White Oak Conservation Center has announced that it’s expecting to welcome 30 Asian elephants starting next year.
Most of the animals previously traveled with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus until they were retired in 2016.
The elephants will have access to nine interlinked areas that will include a variety of vegetation and habitat types, such as wetlands, meadows and woods. The center is constructing eleven waterholes and three barns equipped with veterinary equipment.