News Update for 7/29/24

The next Sebring City Council meeting will be August 6th and will include an update on the renovation of Harder Hall. A detailed PowerPoint presentation as well as updates from the historic architect, construction contractor, and the roofer are planned. The Blackmon Family of St. Petersburg paid $4 million in October 2022 for the vacant property. Current restoration work started with roof replacement. The Blackmon family, who have also acquired the former Wachovia Building on North Ridgewood Drive in Sebring, plan to use a portion of that location for the Harder Hall administrative offices.

A Polk County woman is mourning the loss of her joy, her pride and her heart. That’s what Winter Haven’s Cherie Smith says she lost when her daughter, Angel Snell, was stabbed to death Friday. Police say the 26-year-old was stabbed during an argument with a man on 6th Street Northwest. She leaves behind a five-year-old daughter. No arrest has been announced. Today is Smith’s birthday, and she and her daughter had plans to celebrate. Now, Smith tells a local News Channel that ‘they took everything from me.’

A Virginia boy is facing more than a dozen felony charges in connection to a string of swatting calls directed at Central Florida schools. The eleven-year-old is accused of making more than 20 fake 9-1-1 calls about shootings and bombs at Flagler County campuses back in May, costing tens of thousands of dollars in response efforts. The sheriff gave an update late last week, saying investigators also found disturbing and illicit videos on the young suspect’s devices. The boy allegedly admitted to several other crimes, including cyber sexual harassment and extortion. Authorities say the child is accused of making similar fake phone calls in at least seven other states.

Florida drivers will notice changes when they first get or replace their ID cards starting next week. The state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles says a new law will require driver’s licenses and identification cards to include at least four randomly generated numbers. The measure is designed to increase security and identity theft protection. The numbers will permanently stay with each resident, unless they change their last name. The new policy will go into effect on July 31st.

Citizens of Highlands County are invited to a townhall meeting with Sheriff Paul Blackman, tonight at 6:00pm. Tonights topics will cover important issues, sharing of information, and feedback. The meeting will be held at 1111 South Carolina Avenue in Avon Park and is open to the Public.

A family is relieved after a missing man was found safe. Patrick Bailey went missing over a week ago. The 83-year-old was supposed to board a plane from Orlando International Airport to Oregon, but the flight was canceled. Bailey accidentally left his phone at the hotel, so his family had no way of reaching him. Orlando Police said last night that Bailey was located safe in California. Bailey’s daughter says her dad decided to board a bus to get home but wasn’t able to reach anyone without his phone, and he didn’t realize anyone was looking for him. She says he’s healthy and in good spirits, and they’re grateful for everyone who looked for him.

The principal of a Hillsborough County elementary school is facing charges after he was busted for DUI late Friday night. According to the local sheriff, a county deputy spotted 45-year-old Otis Kitchen driving erratically around 10 p.m. near Gunn Highway and West Linebaugh Avenue. The deputy reportedly arrested Kitchen a short time later after the suspect allegedly showed clear signs of intoxication. Kitchen – whose breath sample registered well above the legal limit – was arrested for DUI and fleeing to elude. A court date in the case is pending.

While waters in the tropics are relatively quiet right now, there is an area in the Atlantic that’s being eyed by experts at the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Senior Meteorologist at the NHC Eric Christensen says it will likely continue westward north of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico by Thursday, reaching into the Bahamas and South Florida area possibly by Friday. He expects it will likely remain a weak storm, but we’ll know more by mid-week.

More than a dozen people are facing charges in connection to an investigation into a Sumter County prison. The Department of Justice was part of the multi-year case targeting the Federal Correctional Complex Coleman, which is the largest federal prison in the country. Authorities say they launched an operation last March that resulted in the recovery of drugs, weapons, and cell phones. Inmates, visitors, and correctional officers were arrested. One of the officers is accused of trying to smuggle in 70 grams of meth for an inmate. The DOJ says it will continue to look into potential misconduct at the prison.

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