Thinking about doing some outdoor burning today? Don’t. Highlands County is one of a dozen central Florida counties that have been declared under a Red Flag Warning. Breezy northwest winds and low humidity will make for ideal conditions for the start and spread of brush fires.
Polk, Hardee and Desoto counties are included in the warning. Units were called out yesterday to put down a wildfire along the railroad tracks near the Webber University soccer fields in Babson Park
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either currently occurring or are forecast.
A political perennial has passed away. Candido "Candi" Garcia died last week. Garcia had mounted unsuccessful campaigns for Highlands County Sheriff and Highlands County commission. He had been both a Highlands County Sheriff’s deputy and a pastor.
Garcia was 69.
It might not be much of a surprise considering our population, but a new report by Construction Coverage shows that the Avon Park-Sebring metro area has the third largest share of senior homebuyers in the nation.
It shows that nearly 30-percent of home purchase loans here are from rsdidents 65 and older – that compares to a nationwide average of just over eight percent.
If you live in Avon Park and would like to serve, city council members want YOU. Specifically, they are looking for members to serve on the city’s planning & zoning board. Residents need have no special qualifications – other than they live inside the corporate limits of the City of Charm.
The discussion came up during an action to re-appoint some longtime members to the P&Z board. Residents may pick up an application and get more information at city hall.
Council members agreed to take the matter up again at their next session.
Highlands County Sheriff’s officials say they have made an arrest in connection with an incident that occurred at the Avon Park Senior High School.
Sheriff’s reports indicate a call was received at the high school, indicating there was a bomb in a car in the school’s parking lot. Students were evacuated from the area and the Manatee County Sheriff’s bomb squad was called in – but no bomb was found.
Sherwin Murray Wyche was arrested and booked into the Highlands County jail on multiple counts in connection with the incident. The 40-year-old Lake Placid man has been charged with makeing a false report of a bomb, aggravated stalking and using a two-way device to facilitate a felony.
Apparently, Wyche may have been involved in a relationship with the owner of the car. He is being held on $42,000 bond.