News Update for 10/18/24

The Capital Murder case against Joseph Ables saw the State calling Nick Sotherland to the stand as the first witness on Thursday. Southerland, a HCSO deputy at the time of the May 6, 2018 incident, responded to the scene shortly after Ables shot Deputy Sheriff William Gentry Jr. Gentry later passed away from his injuries and the State is seeking the death penalty. Jurors also heard from Crime Scene Investigator Kathy Perez and Det. Du’Wayne Kelly from the Sheriff’s Office. Kelly helped to execute the search warrant of Able’s home. Court will resume at 9:00AM this morning.

Nine Florida schools are on a list of those that received tainted meat. BrucePac recently recalled over 11-million pounds of meat because of listeria. The meat was sent to over 200 schools across the country, including nine in Florida. They include schools in Polk, Pinellas, Orange, Lake, Hernando, Palm Beach, Brevard, and Monroe counties. You can see the list at FSIS.USDA.gov.

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis, says his office is preparing to launch an on line portal that will allow hurricane victims to submit for review any documents they might have signed. Patronis is also encouraging people to take advantage of the “insurance villages” that are now open across the state, and to sign up for “Operation Blue Roof,” a free service from the Army Corps of Engineers that will allow people to secure their roof until permanent repairs can be made. Highlands County residents can now apply for Operation Blue Roof at BLUEROOF.GOV or by calling 888-766-3258. The deadline is November 5th.

Changes are in the works to make it easier for residents affected by Hurricane Milton to vote. Governor Ron DeSantis announced yesterday ten counties hit by the storm will be able to consolidate polling sites, and fewer restrictions will be in place for residents who want to vote by mail. The counties affected by his executive order include Polk, Orange, Pinellas, Collier, Pasco, and Sarasota.

As Highlands County families are gearing up for their Halloween celebrations, Highlands County Fire Rescue is sharing a Halloween Safety tip to help keep your families safe. They urge parents and caregivers to equip their children with a battery powered flashlight or glowstick to help them see and be seen. A well-lit path is a safer path on Halloween. The City of Sebring will be hosting the Fall-o-Ween on the Circle event Friday, October 25th, from 6-9PM, and trick or treating on Saturday, October 26th, from 6-9PM. The City of Avon Park will be hosting the Avon Park Lake’s Annual Trunk-or-treat Saturday, October 26th, from 6-8Pm around Lake Olivia and trick or treating from 6-9PM on that Saturday as well. The City of Lake Placid will be having the 2nd Annual Pipal Group Halloween Block Party in Downtown Lake Placid, Thursday, October 31st, from 6-9pm, as well as trick or treating from 6-9 pm.

Health officials are reminding Floridians to stay out of floodwaters as cases of flesh-eating bacteria rise. Pinellas County is leading the state in infections with 13. The state health department says there are currently at least 70 cases and eleven deaths tied to Vibrio vulnificus across two dozen counties. The bacteria typically lives in warm seawater. The rare infection can enter someone’s body through undercooked shellfish or open wounds. Many communities, especially in Tampa Bay and Central Florida, are recovering from flooding caused by Hurricane Milton.

A decades-old mystery in Volusia County appears to be solved. The sheriff’s office announced yesterday a woman killed by a serial killer in 1980 was recently identified as Pamela Kay Wittman. Investigators believe the 25-year-old was a victim of Daytona Beach-area serial killer Gerald Stano. He was executed in Florida over 25 years ago. Sheriff Mike Chitwood credits FHD Forensics and a nonprofit called Genealogy for Justice for identifying Wittman. He also says after all these years, finally this family can answer the question of what happened to their loved one.

Universal Studios Orlando’s newest theme park will open just in time for summer vacations next year. In an update shared yesterday, Universal Epic Universe will start welcoming guests on May 22nd. The third theme park at the Universal Orlando Resort will feature lands based on Harry Potter, Nintendo, How to Train Your Dragon and the Universal Monsters. It will be the first new theme park Universal Studios has opened in Orlando since Universal Islands of Adventure in 1999. Tickets for Epic Universe will go on sale October 22nd.

Leave a Comment