News Update for 8/21/23

Avon Park city council members will gather this evening for a special workshop session to look at the problem of homelessness in the City of Charm.
They called the meeting after repeated complaints about the issue, most notably people taking up residence in the historic gazebo on the mall.
Representatives of local charities and the faith community are expected to be at tonight’s workshop. Both the Highlands County commission and the Sebring city council also are planning meetings to discuss the issue.

Sebring firefighters were called to a conflagration over the weekend. A home on Lakeview Drive known as “The Elrod House” was all but destroyed in the early morning blaze.
The two-story house was fully involved in flames when units arrived at the scene. The house reportedly had been standing vacant for some time.
No injuries were reported. Cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Highlands County sheriff’s deputies reportedly helped Hardee County a bit over the weekend, with the apprehension of a wanted man. Clayton Paul McIntyre had been wanted since February.

A change to the Bartow liquor law could be in the offing. The Bartow City Commission will meet today to discuss allowing alcohol sales to begin earlier on Sundays.
Currently, alcohol cannot be served before noon on Sundays, but restaurants that serve brunch want that changed to 9:00 a.m.
The Idlewild Venue is one place that would benefit from the change. Restaurant officials say it would ensure they don’t lose business to nearby communities.