News Update for 6/12/23
Friends have identified a Sebring man who reportedly died yesterday in a Hardee County traffic accident as Dennis Mallen. Florida Highway Patrol reports indicate the 53-year-old motorist was westbound on State Road 64 near Bennett Road, when his car crossed the center line and ran head-on into an oncoming pickup.
The driver of the truck, a 37-year-old man from Ona, suffered only minor injuries. Troopers say the Sebring man was NOT buckled up, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mallen reportedly was an actor and producer who had done a project for the Florida Farm Bureau.
An accident in South Highlands County this morning had no serious injuries to report. The vehicle went out of control and overturned on State Road 70 near the intersection with County Road 721 shortly before 4am.
Residents east of Sebring may notice some smoke in the area today. There is a 300-acre controlled burn scheduled today in the area of Arbuckle Creek Road and Maxcy Road, that may produce smoke that impacts residents in the area.
Because of the smoke dispersion index, smoke may be prevelant in other areas as well.
The Avon Park city council will have quite a bit of business to take care of this evening when they meet in regular session. They’ll have a public hearing on a zoning change for nearly 40-acres of property off Davis Citrus Road. The land could become a new housing development.
In other action, the council will get an update from City Attorney Gerald Buhr about state legislation passed in the most recent session in Tallahassee and how it will affect the city.
Council also will be asked to approve an “Enough is Enough” Walk for Hope on the city’s southside – to raise awareness on gun violence there.
A road closure is in effect in Polk County because of a sinkhole. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says the hole opened up on private property Thursday. It was 75-feet in diameter, but continues to grow. While inspections and repairs are underway, Scott Lake Road is closed at Fitzgerald Road until further notice.