News Update for 4/17/24
Today and tomorrow will be the final times for those wishing to view The Wreaths Across America Educational Exhibit. It will be open from 10am until 7pm at the Lakeshore Mall.
The 48-foot exhibit is equipped with a 24-person screening room that will show videos with a number of interactive computers as well.
Organizers say their mission is to educate about service and sacrifice, and to share stories of patriotism and love of country.
Another fire at the Highlands County landfill. Units from West Sebring and Desoto City responded Sunday night to assist landfill workers with putting out the flames.
So far, there’s no indication what caused the blaze. There were no injuries reported.
Units from Placid Lakes and Sun ‘N Lakes South were called out last night to put down a half acre brush fire off Kemper Avenue near Lake Placid.
Florida Forest Service crews joined in, in putting that one down. There were no injuries, no structures were threatened. Cause remains under investigation.
The Avon Park Community Redevelopment Agency is rolling out their downtown beautification program. Businesses and organizations along Main Street can qualify for flowers and shrubs, that they then can plant along their section of the mile-long mall.
The only provision is, once they put them in the ground, they must maintain them.
Those wanting to participate may call CRA Executive Director Shawn Holiday in his new office at the Avon Park Senior Center.
For all those wondering what’s going up next to the Penny Ogg Elections Center on Kenilworth Blvd – that’s the new Highlands County Traffic Operations building. When finished, it will house traffic operation personnel, equipment and operations – including the sign shop.
And that new lot cleared next to the Murphy Gas Station in Avon Park? That’s slated to be a Culver’s.
More winding about in downtown Sebring for motorists today. The Historic Circle and spoke streets to be shut down to traffic as far as Wall Street. That’s so unobstructed filming can take place while stars from HGTV remodel the downtown area.
An Orlando man on the run for almost 20 years is now behind bars for a drunk driving crash in Polk County.
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles announced yesterday that Faisal Javaid was found guilty for a 2006 crash.
Javaid, who was 27 at the time, was driving a Jaguar that collided with a Honda on I-4 near SR 559.
Javaid and two people in the Honda were hurt. Investigators accused Javaid of being drunk with a Blood Alcohol Level one-and-a-half times the legal limit.
He was charged with DUI with serious bodily injury, but before his case went to trial, he fled the country. Last year, though, Javaid was arrested when he re-entered the country through Orlando International Airport, and he finally went to trial this week.
The FHSMV says he was convicted almost two weeks ago. The 45-year-old will be sentenced next month, and he faces up to ten years in prison.