HIGHLANDS NEWS-SUN Monday, July 15, 2019 VOL. 100 | NO. 196 | $1.00 YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1919 An Edition Of The Sun Exam results Highlands science scores below state average By MARC VALERO Highlands maintained At the school level comparison data for all STAFF WRITER 54% at Level 3 and above in Highlands, the per- science in eighth-grade while statewide it im- centage of students in (statewide science and SEBRING — While proved from 65% in 2018 Level 3 and above on the biology EOC). there were a few bright to 67% in 2019. Biology I EOC were 45% Statewide the percent- spots, overall Highlands State assessment at Avon Park High School, age in Level 3 or above District schools were scores are ranked in five 62% at Lake Placid High slipped from 52% in 2018 FILE PHOTO significantly below the achievement levels with School, 56% at Sebring to 51% in 2019 while statewide results on the Level 3 considered “on High School and 40% for Highlands slipped from From left: In this December 2018 file photo, Sebring Middle science assessments and grade level” and Levels 4 Highlands Virtual School, 43% to 41%. School seventh-grade student Cody Littlefield is interviewed biology I EOC (end-of- and 5 above average and the district’s online In the statewide about his science project by Avon Park High science teacher Amy course exam). Levels 1 and 2 needing education program. Wagner-Texley and Lake Placid Elementary STEM coach Kathy On the Biology I EOC, improvement. The FDOE showed SCIENCE | 3A Dehart. Cleaning up the neighborhood Teens do their part to take FILE PHOTO ‘Over the hedge,’ a Highlands County Road and back their Bridge roller packs down the road bed behind a hedgerow, the only thing separating Crystal Lake Club in Avon Park from Sebring Parkway community Phase 3. By ROBERT MILLER Crystal Lake needs NEWS CLERK SEBRING — The Sebring fence along Phase 3 chapter of the Boys & Girls Club of Highlands County were called to action by the Type of fence still city of Sebring and they were happy to answer the call. “We were asked by the contingent on city to do community out- reach,” said Jessica Walker, final budget assistant site director of the Sebring location. “To clean ROBERT MILLER/STAFF By PHIL ATTINGER up some of the parks. So I STAFF WRITER said let’s go out and teach The Boys & Girls Club of Highlands County Sebring Club clean up the grounds at Firemen’s Field on Friday them community service.” as part of their community outreach program. From left: Johnaysia Odom, Mackeda Hamilton, Iyanah AVON PARK — County officials are About the same time, Hankerson, Kedrick Faison, Amaria Reed and Jessica Walker. still working with the property owners Walker said the COPS of Crystal Lake Club regarding the type ADAPT Unit had offered to talked to the teens about the of fence to put along Sebring Parkway come speak to the kids at importance of doing what’s Phase 3. the Boys & Girls Club. So right, being true to God and Residents and the Homeowners she decided to put the two being true to themselves. Association are still not in the loop on experiences together. “What “If you invest and take your those conversations, according to partici- better way to do it together time,” San Miguel said, pants at Tuesday’s town hall meeting in than to come out together?” “things can change for you.” Avon Park. “The Club” as they are The deputy went on to The county originally planned to install known, are made up of tell the teens some personal field fence — a simple fence of wire students from middle moments from his own life strung between wood posts that stands 4 school and high school from and that through the hard feet high. all three municipalities, work he put in as a teenager, Residents want a 6-foot-tall chainlink Avon Park, Lake Placid he was able to overcome the fence, which would deter trespassing and Sebring. They are all bad things and make a good into people’s backyards where they abut 11 years old or older. “The life for himself. “You guys the roadway. Club” are all members of the matter,” San Miguel said. County Commissioner Don Elwell, Sebring Boys & Girls Club. He told the teens about who led the meeting, said the goal for the This past Friday, Walker recognizing the bad things county was to come in under budget in and her crew made their in life and what had to ROBERT MILLER/STAFF order to install the higher, thicker fence. way to Firemen’s Field, change. He told them that Right now the county is still budgeting across from Sebring High he wanted to invest time Highlands County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and COPS ADAPT Unit for the field fence. Howerton said the School. They were met by into young people because members Eddie San Miguel, Paul Finnera, Benji Toney and Tevin upgraded fence would be $30,000, total. Highlands County Sheriff’s they are the future. “If you Toney pause to take a photo with the teens from the Boys & Girls “This is a lot of money, but not in that Deputies Eddie San Miguel, need me, come see me, I Club of Highlands County’s Sebring Club at Firemen’s Field on Friday. total it’s not,” said Elwell, referencing Paul Finnera, Benji Toney won’t put you out. I don’t The Club was cleaning up the grounds as part of their community the $11.92 million price tag for Phase 3, and Tevin Toney. The care what it is, I’ll help you.” outreach program. projected via PowerPoint presentation Deputies escorted the teens Deputy San Miguel ended at the meeting. “When you look at that from the high school across his presentation with a story After talking with the deputies got in on the much, hopefully, we’re going to come in the road to Firemen’s Field. of the time he spent with the teens, the deputies offered action, suited up in full under. That’s still the goal.” Once inside the fence, sheriff’s office in Florida’s to play some kickball with gear. The teams took to the “Trust me, I’m asking this question Walker and her crew gath- panhandle after Hurricane “The Crew” before the baseball field and played for an awful lot,” Elwell told Crystal Lake ered on the bleachers for a Michael. “There’s a person Deputies had to return to nearly an hour. residents at the meeting. heart to heart with Deputy behind the uniform,” San the streets. All 13 of the After the game it was San Miguel. Miguel said. “Your heart and teens enjoyed their time FENCE | 3A Deputy San Miguel soul matter.” with the deputies. All four CLEAN | 2A Soon it will be — Playtime, with new equipment at Max Long Complex By MARC VALERO said Friday the installa- Recreation and Parks STAFF WRITER tion of the new equip- Advisory Committee, ment started July 8. Osha said. SEBRING — It won’t The old equipment was “We have been working be long before the little in bad shape, she said. on this for quite some ones can get their hands The updated playground time and trying to make and feet on new play- will be similar with swing sure that we get the best ground equipment at sets and other equipment product for our money,” the Max Long Complex, designed for two differ- she said. on Lakewood Road in ent age groups with a 2 Workers from the Sebring. to 5 section and a 5 to playground equipment The old playground 12-year-old section, she vendor are installing the equipment had been said. equipment. removed weeks ago in The total cost of the She doesn’t have an anticipation of the new replacement project is exact date, but stated it equipment arriving. $160,000 with half of will be finished within City of Sebring pur- the money coming from MARC VALERO/STAFF chasing agent Lisa Osha the Highlands County PLAY | 3A New playground equipment is being installed at the Max Long Complex. Classifieds .................... B7-10 Good morning To ........................... B2 Comics ..................... B11-14 Lottery Viewpoints ......................A10 Elizabeth Miles Local Sports ...................... B1 TV Listings ....................... A1 Weather .........................A14 facebook.com/ twitter.com/ Thanks for reading! newssun.com newssun TheNewsSun A2 | HIGHLANDS NEWS-SUN | July 15, 2019 www.highlandsnewssun.com CLEAN Pet of the week FROM PAGE 1A time to get started on the cleanup. The teens broke into two groups. They brought large garden-sized trash bags, rubber gloves and every- one did their part. The teens scoured the grounds in and around Firemen’s Field for any trash or debris. Once Walker was ROBERT MILLER/STAFF satisfi ed with the cleanup Naajenay Bryant and Amaria Reed watch as HCSO Deputy Benji Toney kicks the ball during a job, the teens began their kickball game Friday. The COPS ADAPT Unit Deputy along with three other Deputies joined the trek home under the teens as they cleaned up Firemen’s Field. hot yellow sun and the promise of a cold drink. Blvd. in Sebring. A wash “The Club” meets is $3 per car and dona- during the summer at tions of any amount are the Boys & Girls Club accepted. of Highlands County in The next community the Sebring facility. They cleanup will be 9 a.m. to are currently working 2 p.m. on Friday, July 19 at on raising money for the Rotary Park at the Sebring teens to be able to go to City Pier; 10 a.m.