Local News 10-19-22
Parents of Avon Park High School kids got a bit of a scare yesterday afternoon when the school was placed on “controlled campus” status and students were held until a late, 3:45pm departure from school. The School Board and Sheriff’s Department both emphasized that the measure was NOT due to a threat at the school, but due to law enforcement activity in the area.
That Law Enforcement activity? Gunfire at a southside Avon Park C-store. The Food and Tobacco Mart on Highway 17 south of town. Sherriff’s detectives said they didn’t think anyone got shot … the area was cordoned off and canine units and agricultural units were brought onto the scene to look for suspects.
If you’re in trouble financially after Ian came through, there IS help available. Highlands County residents in need can pre-register for the D-SNAP program now through Sunday. Preregistration online is at MyFLFamilies.com/DSNAP. Qualified DSNAP recipients get an EBT card that can be used to purchase food at authorized USDA food retailers. On-site locations will be announced soon, but the program’s administrators urge you to try online preregistration.
Florida gas prices are on the rise again. The AAA says the state average gas price went up by another seven cents last week – that’s 23 cents a gallon since October 6th. A reminder – the state gas tax Holiday ends at the end of the month – meaning a 25 cent bump at the pump right out of the gate in November.
If it feels like it’s getting close to Election Day, it is – Early Voting begins in Highlands County NERXT Thursday, the 27th. Three locations, as usual – the Penny Ogg Operations Center on Kenilworth Boulevard, the Avon Park Council Chambers and the Lake Placid Government Center. The Supervisor of Elections office will be doing their pre-election testing of voting machines tomorrow at the Operations Center at 10am … pre-marked ballots will be fed through the machines and the count compared to what the test ballots SHOULD show. The testing is open to the public. After verification, the machines are sealed and secured until use on Election Day or during Early Voting.