News Update for 7/18/23

Highlands County commissioners today approved a raise in the garbage collection fees for county residents. It will jump from $216 to $222 annually. The increase will bring in more than a quarter million dollars. About half the increase will go to the hauler, with the rest to go to the county.
Commissioner Scott Kirouac called for a study to determine whether the tipping fees at the landfill should be raised due to increased costs there.
The commission also put off a public hearing slated to raise the fire assessment in the county to the second week in August. Apparently, there are questions about increases on some assessment categories.

There was a shooting, west of Sebring last night. According to reports, one juvenile was shot and another was injured in a confrontation in the Crossings near the Fish Streets.
Both the victims are expected to survive. There’s no indication what the altercation was about.

The Florida Teacher of the Year Roundtable opened this week in Orlando. It could mean big accolades for one local educator. Memorial Elementary School 5th Grade Math & Science Teacher Kayla Jackson is one of five finalists for Florida Teacher of the Year honors.
Jackson already has been tapped as Highlands County Teacher of the Year and has been recognized as a high impact teacher for several years.
If selected, she would be the first from Highlands County to be selected as a statewide winner.
The convention began yesterday in Orlando.