News Update 4/10/24

Once again the idea of “intentionally” instructing local students in sexual orientation and sexual identity has caused Highlands County School Board members to pull a list of proposed policies and take them back for further discussion.
Policies that had been up for consideration were pulled after board members Reece Martin and Nichole Radonski joined members of the public in questioning wording on the issue.
In all, there were four policies that were intertwined with Florida Department of Education regulations that were pulled.

Deputies from Collier, Monroe and Polk counties were in Sebring earlier this week to inventory the contents of a U-Haul truck that has been linked to several burglaries in south Florida.
Highlands County sheriff’s deputies located the truck in Avon Park. The driver subsequently was found a few blocks away.
The truck, had been identified as having been involved burglaries and was overdue to be returned to U-Haul.
A search found more than $10,000 worth of high-end appliances, all of which have been identified as having been stolen in Collier County. Detectives believe that a burglary in Polk County in mid-March also might have been committed by the same crew.
Authorities say the case also may be linked to several people who were arrested following a pursuit by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.

Two homes had to be evacuated yesterday in Lake Placid due to a gas leak. Reportedly, a technician from Coker Fuel found a leaky valve on a 500-gallon in-ground propane tank at a Lake Blue Drive residence.
Following an investigation, units from Desoto City were called to the scene to mitigate the leak while workers replaced the valve. The incident was resolved with no damage or injuries.

Squatters are being blamed for a quarter acre brush fire. Sebring firefighters were called to the Whisper Circle area where they found an area that appeared to be inhabited.
They got the flames under control within minutes. No injuries were reported in the incident.

Highway 27 south of Stryker Road was closed for a time due to an accident. According to reports, a car and a van collided, knocking down a power pole.
There were minor injuries in the mishap. Traffic was diverted until repairs were made.