News Update for 7/24/24

Two of the six candidates for Avon Park’s next City Manager are local residents. All six candidates were presented Monday as having met all qualifications set forth by the City Council previously. The six candidates up for the job are Danielle Kelly and Nicholas Sawyer, both of Sebring, David Lynch of Painesville, Ohio, Pat Oman of Barnum Minnesota, James Tanner of Nashville Tennessee, and Scott Transou of Hapeville Georgia. Interviews are set to start August 17th at 9:00AM.

A tornado is responsible for some damage in Polk County. The National Weather Service says an EF-Zero land spout formed around 5:30 p.m. yesterday near Alturas. It was only on the ground for a few seconds. A trailer, a camper and chicken pen were damaged. No injuries to people were reported, but one man says some of his chickens were killed.

The high-profile Black Swan murder trial is now underway in Manatee County. Opening statements were made yesterday. Former ballerina Ashley Benefield is accused of killing her 54-year-old estranged husband four years ago in Lakewood Ranch. Benefield claims self-defense, but prosecutors say she shot her husband to get custody of their daughter. Benefield’s mother will take the stand today.

Lobster lovers rejoice. Florida’s spiny lobster sport , or “mini-season,” began just after midnight. Divers can now hit the water for a chance to bag up to a dozen spiny lobsters per day, except in Monroe County and Biscayne National Park where the limit is six. A saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit are required. The carapace, or hard shell , must be over three inches in length, measured in the water. The two-day mini-season runs through midnight Thursday and the regular spiny lobster season begins on August 6th.

The FFA Foundation has put its rural Polk, lakeside Leadership Training Facility on the market. According to Dean Saunders of SVN Saunders Ralston Dantzler Real Estate Firm, they have listed the property to help the FFA Foundation find a solution for its recent economic hardships. Currently they are seeking proposals for the property. Hillary W. Holly, director of development at the Florida FFA Foundation has stated that they are exploring opportunities to increase the leverage and performance of the asset while also working to maintain the vision, mission, and purpose of the LTC. According to Holly, the request for proposals process will close Aug. 8th.

Police across Central Florida are taking part in a back-to-school safety campaign in preparation for the return of students next month. “Operation Best Foot Forward” kicked off yesterday as a way to make sure drivers are safe around crosswalks, especially ones that are close to schools. Law enforcement will focus on select areas over the next week and a half. People who don’t yield to pedestrians will face fines of at least 164 dollars.

Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez is due in court later this year following public records allegations. State prosecutors have issued a civil citation against the sheriff, accusing him of publishing a photo on his Instagram that depicted the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto. Authorities say the post happened shortly after the missing teen was found dead near St. Cloud back in March. Lopez is not accused of intentionally releasing the image. He has agreed to appear in court on December 20th. He is facing a fine of up to five-hundred dollars.

Florida is in the top third of states with the best school systems, according to a new study. Personal finance website Wallethub ranked the best and worst school systems in the nation based on 32 key metrics, including performance, funding, safety, class size and instructor credentials. The Sunshine State was ranked eleventh on the list, receiving its best score in the safety category at number eight. Massachusetts was ranked number one, followed by Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey and Wisconsin. New Mexico was ranked last.

Governor Ron DeSantis is touting Florida’s dedication to supporting law enforcement. DeSantis gave remarks at the Florida Sheriffs’ Association 2024 Summer Conference in Orlando yesterday morning. He brought attention to the state’s recruiting program that gives five-thousand-dollar bonuses to officers who relocate to the Sunshine State. DeSantis also used his time to express his opposition to Amendment 3. The governor believes the measure, which could legalize recreational marijuana, would create more work for police and worsen the state’s black market. Voters will ultimately have the final decision in November.

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