News Update for 8/22/24
Improvements may be on the horizon for Arbuckle Creek Bridge in Sebring. On August 20th, County Commissioners voted to approve funding for a structural analysis of the aging bridge built in 1965. The bridge has caused trucks and trailers to bounce when travelling at high speeds. Project manager Richard Oujevolk told commissioners that there several ways to fix the problem and County Engineer J.D. Langford said that a recommendation from a structural engineer will help determine the best course of action. The study will be conducted by Kimley-Horn Associates Inc.
A search is underway after a car was found inside an Orange County lake without a driver inside. The Orlando Fire Department says crews were called out to Lake Fairview yesterday morning after someone spotted the vehicle in the water. Divers went looking for a potential victim, but came back empty handed. Authorities say it’s possible the driver left the scene after the car crashed. The case has been turned over to city police.
Nearly 20 animals are on the road to recovery after they were rescued from a Central Florida home earlier this week. Sheriff Wayne Ivey says the malnourished pets were found living in filthy conditions at a Melbourne property on Monday. A roughly ten-year-old golden retriever, two birds, and more than a dozen cats were removed after an anonymous tip was sent to the sheriff’s office. Deputies had tried to make contact with the homeowner several times throughout the month. 75-year-old Patricia Merrill has been arrested and charged with felony animal cruelty.
The Florida Primary elections encountered some technical glitches Tuesday night. Some voters statewide could not access results on their county websites which crashed and failed to post results at 7:00 when the polls closed. Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd says the problem was at the county level with vendors not with the state. VR Systems — the company running the systems — took responsibility for the overload. Byrd also says there is no evidence that the system was hacked.
It looks like Madeline Soto’s mother won’t face charges for her daughter’s death. Kissimmee Police said yesterday they don’t expect to file charges against Jennifer Soto because no charges are warranted at this time. Madeline was found dead about six months ago. Jennifer’s boyfriend, Stephen Sterns, is accused of killing the 13-year-old.
A former teacher in Orange County will spend the rest of his life behind bars for molesting a student. Dmitri Kostyunin was sentenced yesterday for victimizing a foreign exchange student who was living with him in Lake County. The 51-year-old Kostyunin used to teach science at Apopka High School. The Mount Dora resident was convicted five months ago on charges that include sexual battery of a minor between the ages of 12 and 18.
A teenager is in custody for a deadly shooting in Seminole County. Sanford Police announced yesterday that 15-year-old Dra’shawn Williams was arrested for a shooting last month that killed 22-year-old Brandon Leo. Williams was already in custody on an unrelated charge. He’s now also being charged with first-degree murder. Investigators believe Leo met Williams at a home on West Third Street to sell him a pair of headphones but Williams shot him. Police Chief Cecil Smith says senseless doesn’t begin to describe this tragedy.
A new initiative could bring relief to those affected by Hurricane Debby. Governor Ron DeSantis was in Sarasota yesterday to announce Activate Hope. It’s an expansion of Hope Florida to serve those recovering from natural disasters. Activate Hope will be the emergency response arm for the Hope Florida Initiative. DeSantis says it’ll pull together the private sector, nonprofits and government resources to help residents get back on their feet following a disaster. He says relief would come in the form of food, household goods, home repairs and more. DeSantis says Activate Hope will enable us to strengthen our recovery efforts and rebuild stronger communities.