News Update for 11/29/24
A study aimed at measuring how a growing population in Highlands County will affect transportation, parks and recreation, library, fire and rescue efforts, and other public services has been approved by the Highlands County Commissioners. The study is an effort determine if or which costs the County will cover with its impact fees. On November 19th, The county commissioners approved a $351,884 contract with Alfred Benesch & Co. The contract requires the company to detail the ways a growing population will affect roads, including traffic volume by road type, type of development, and the strain that future development will have on existing infrastructure. The County Commission hasn’t yet acted on impact fee studies, with the most recent being in 2010. The commission in July voted to extend its impact fee moratorium for one year.
A Central Florida man is dead after a standoff with deputies in Volusia County. The sheriff’s office says a sniper killed Joseph DiFusco in Ormond-by-the-Sea yesterday. Deputies say he fired about 200 rounds at his neighbors at Kingston Shores condominiums on Ocean Shore Boulevard. Sheriff Mike Chitwood says DiFusco was armed to the teeth. This went on for several hours before deputies gained access to his condo and shot him. Thankfully, no one else was hurt. Some homes were damaged, though. Chitwood says DiFusco was having a mental health crisis, but he refused to take his medication or talk to a medical professional.
An Osceola County man is facing kidnapping charges after his arrest in DeSoto County. The sheriff’s office announced yesterday that Kissimmee’s Jerome Ralph Garvin was arrested Wednesday. Deputies say he was wanted for kidnapping two four-year-olds in Hendry County. He was spotted in a stolen car but refused to pull over and led deputies on a chase before abandoning the car with the kids inside. Deputies and Arcadia Police were able to find him, though, and they took the 47-year-old into custody.
Merchants across the state are bracing for brisk Black Friday sales. The Florida Retail Federation is predicting 75-percent of shoppers will head to stores or shop online today. Overall, a three-percent increase in holiday sales is expected this year. The average consumer will spend over 900 dollars on gift and holiday items, including decorations and food. Gift cards remain a hot item along with clothing, toys and books.
The dream won’t die for those who want to bring Major League Baseball to Central Florida. The Orlando Dreamers commented last week on the Tampa Bay Rays stadium situation. The Pinellas County Commission has given the Rays until Sunday to clearly state their intention to move forward or not with plans for a new stadium in St. Petersburg. Dreamer’s co-founder Jim Schnorf says he won’t interfere, but he’ll be happy to confidentially discuss the advantages the Orlando market offers with any team that approaches him. He adds he’s confident Orange County officials can provide an attractive public-private partnership stadium financing structure that benefits all stakeholders.
An investigation is underway after a body was found in Osceola County. Kissimmee Police say a man was found dead yesterday morning near the Emory Street canal. He has not been identified. The KPD says his death appears to be suspicious, but they didn’t say why. Police are also not saying how he died.
Gatorland is preparing for its fifth annual Holiday Ho Ho Ho-Down event. The event features music, festive displays, interactive characters, seasonal treats, arts and crafts vendors, and of course, alligators. The event runs the weekends of December 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st and 22nd. More details can be found by visiting gatorland.com.
Estimated insured losses from hurricanes Helene and Milton are now exceeding five-point-two-billion dollars throughout the state. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation reports over 438-thousand claims have been filed so far from the back-to-back storms. Helene has totaled nearly two-million dollars in claims, while Milton’s claims are now over three-point-two-million. Helene struck the Big Bend region on September 26th, while Milton made landfall on Siesta Key before moving across the state on October 9th.