News Update for 3/22/23

SuperSebring 2023 is over, but the racing action continues at the Sebring International Raceway. This weekend the Historic Sports Car Racing series rolls into town with their season-opening “Spring Fling” event.

Among the featured races will be the Porsche Sprint Challenge, the USF Pro2000, a BRM Chronograph Enduro, as well as the Stoner Car Care Global GT and Classic Cup RS races.
It’s the fourth of 14 scheduled ticketed events at the Sebring International Raceway – the Spring Fling runs Friday thru Sunday.

Highlands County commissioners yesterday voted to elicit quotes for a consulting firm to do a new and all inclusive economic study of the county.
The goal to get the financial numbers in an effort to look at the possible re-institution of impact fees and to find other revenue sources for the county such as taxing units or fees for service.
Commissioners say they need the money for projects througout the county. They promised – unlike previous studies, the results would not remain on the shelf. The study is estimated to cost in the neighborhood of $100,000.
The vote was 4-1 with commissioner Arlene Tuck dissenting.

Highlands County school board members and the current school administration were taken to task at last night’s school board meeting. Former teacher Corey Wolfenberger and resident Jesse Sapp pointed to qualified teachers leaving the system.
Wolfenberger said she quit her Fred Wilde Elementary School position and pulled her kids out after her fourth grader was bullied by a teacher.
Wolfenberger said the teacher faced no repercussions. She said she personally had seen excellent teachers being treated badly, while poor educators are incentivized.
Sapp alluded to a recent survey where more than 100 teachers responded that they did not feel their opinions were valued.
Board members had no response to either presentation.

Units from the Florida Forest Service were called to the Arbuckle Creek Road area yesterday to contain a wildfire. An engine and a couple of dozers were used to contain the blaze – estimated at 10 – 15 acres.
No structures were threatened, no injuries were reported, cause of the fire has not yet been released.
Authorities remind citizens, we are in the dry season and to be careful with combustibles and any outside burning.

A Frostproof woman was killed last night in a Babson Park traffic crash. According to reports, 53-year-old Patricia Roberts pulled from the parking lot The Coop restaurant on the Scenic Higway, and into the path of an oncoming pickup.
She was hit broadside. The force of impact caused her Kia Stinger sedan to catch fire. She was declared dead at the scene. The driver of the pickup, 19-year-old Coledon Snowden was treated for minor injuries.