News Update 1/5/24

The Ninth Annual Veterans Expo will begin its two-day run today at American Legion Post 69 in Avon Park. It will begin with the escort and placing of the Global War on Terrorism Wall. That will happen about noon.
The Expo will run today and tomorrow with veterans resources ranging from counselling and therapy to benefits and job opportunitites. Additionally there will be resources for spouses of veterans, children’s activities, live music and food vendors.

Florida Forest Service crews were joined by firefighters from several local stations yesterday in extinguishing a couple of fires here.
The first was a brush fire in the Venus area, spawned by several burn piles that got out of control. There were no injuries reported, but the crews did save a piece of heavy equipment that was parked on the property. No word on how much land the flames charred.
Units then responded to a housefire on Meadowbrook Street in Sylvan Shores. Crews from Desoto City came down from Sebring to help on that one. They were able to contain the fire to the kitchen. There were no injuries there either, cause there has not been released.

A couple of traffic accidents kept law enforcement agencies busy this morning. The southbound lanes of Highway 27 were closed near Venus for a time due to a traffic accident. Early reports indicate a pickup and a semi tractor-trailer rig came together around 6:00am.
Florida Highway Patrol reports indicate there were injuries in than one.
There was another auto accident at County Road 731 and Grahm Dairy road this morning. No details have been released on that one.