News Update for 7/25/24
The Florida Medal of Honor Memorial is closer to dedication day. The project, located at 442 S. Eucalyptus Street in Sebring, is scheduled to open on September 11th. The dedication will feature Robert Ingram, who is the sole living Florida recipient of the Medal of Honor. Once completed, the visitors center will offer tours for school groups to learn about the history of the Medal of Honor and its recipients. The Florida Medal of Honor Memorial, a non profit organization acquired the property from the city of Sebring in March of 2022.
Authorities are hoping to find new leads after increasing the reward money for critical information in the disappearance of a Lake County mother. The Mount Dora Police Department says there is up to ten-thousand dollars available for anyone with tips that lead to an arrest in the case of Nicole Baldwin. The 41-year-old was last seen wearing a pink nightgown at her home off Strathmore Circle last November. Investigators have written about two-hundred search warrants and subpoenas in the case with still no evidence of Baldwin’s remains. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Central Florida Crimeline.
More flight options are coming to Polk County. Avelo Airlines announced yesterday it’ll offer seven new nonstop destinations to and from Lakeland Linder International Airport. The new destinations are Atlanta, Manchester, New Hampshire; Concord, North Carolina; Hartford, Connecticut; Wilmington, Delaware; Rochester, New York and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Service will start in October, and flights will run two days a week, on Mondays and Fridays. Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz says the growth of passenger air service strengthens our connectivity and accessibility for travelers and businesses.
Central Florida is home to some of the top performing school districts in the state. The Florida Department of Education yesterday released its grades for the 2023-24 school year. Orange, Brevard, Sumter and Seminole counties all got A grades. The Orange County School District says this achievement reflects the incredible work of our students, teachers, staff, parents and the whole community. Lake, Volusia and Osceola counties got Bs. Marion, Polk, and Highlands Counties got Cs. You can get more info at FLDOE.org.
Two proposals have been submitted to the Sebring Redevelopment Agency for the former site of the Nan-Ces-O-Wee hotel. Camille Shaffer submitted the first proposal with hopes that the new one-story building would house a downtown studio and possibly 2 retail spaces at 139 N. Ridgewood Drive. The other proposal up for consideration was submitted by Raymond Moro Jr, the founder of Built by Moro LLC of Avon Park. This proposal aims to design and construct 36 affordable apartments and storefronts by 2026.
The train could become a more viable option for commuters in Polk County. FDOT and county officials are discussing adding a SunRail stop in Haines City. Ryan Kordek is with the Polk Transportation Planning Organization, and he says population growth in the last decade has led traffic to increase by over a third. Road projects are underway to handle the extra load, but Kordek says trains would help, too. Nothing will be happening soon, though. County officials tell 10 Tampa Bay services probably won’t start until 2035.
Lake County police are looking for four people tied to a recent jewelry heist. Investigators say a man and three women stole about 27-thousand dollars worth of items from the Mount Dora Gold Exchange on Sunday, July 14th. The city police department posted a photo of the suspects on Facebook saying they walked into the store and expressed an interest in buying something. While the owner was busy, the suspects took nearly a dozen rings before leaving. Authorities are asking for the community’s help in identifying those involved.
Marco Rubio has a new bill he says will promote family-centered childcare. Senator Rubio announced yesterday he has introduced the Respect Parents’ Childcare Choices Act. He says it gives families the flexibility and support they need to make the best decisions for their childcare. Rubio also criticized the Biden-Harris Administration for backing a one-size-fits-all childcare solution that pushes both parents to work full-time. He says his bill will support families who raise their children at home, create a voucher system and protect faith-based daycares.