News Update for 9/18/24
Tuesday saw Day 2 of Jury selection for the capital murder case of Joseph Ables who is accused of shooting and causing the death of Highlands County Deputy Sheriff William Gentry. Gentry died in the line of duty in May of 2018 when he was investigating a complaint from Ables’s neighbor, that Ables had shot their cat. Ables has been charged with felony cruelty to a cat, in addition to the capital murder charge. Individual interviews of the first group of potential jurors ended with five jurors selected to move forward to the next round. Jury selection will continue today at 8:30am.
Contaminants were found recently in the Lake Verona swimming area at Donaldson Park. When the Utility department in Avon Park conducted routine monthly sampling of the area on Monday, September 16th, it found that it tested positive for fecal coliform and exceeded the maximum allowable contaminant level. The Avon Park Street and Park Department has closed the swimming area, put up signage, and has taped off the public beach for safety. The water will be resampled today and subsequent resampling will continue until the averages are below the maximum contaminant level.
Over a dozen suspected gang members are in custody in Polk County. The sheriff’s office announced yesterday that 19 people from five gangs were arrested as part of Operation Drive-By Bye. The suspects are accused of carrying out drive-by shootings and a fatal stabbing. Deputies say most of their crimes were committed in Winter Haven, Haines City and the Waverly area. The arrests were made by members of the Violent Gang Investigative Task Force that formed last year. Since then, Sheriff Grady Judd says almost 150 gang members have been arrested.
A Russian man living in Florida is accused of conspiring to defraud the United States. The Department of Justice says 44-year-old Denis Postovoy was arrested in Sarasota for illegally exporting technology used in military drones. He was recently indicted on a series of charges for alleged crimes that began in February of 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Authorities say the suspect bought the software through a variety of companies he operates in Russia, Hong Kong, and several other countries. The DOJ says he lied about the final destination of the products to mask his activity.
Hammock Road in Sebring will see a lane closure on Thursday, Sept. 19th. Hickey Excavation will be paving the right-hand turn lane on Hammock Road into the Willie Downs development starting at 9 a.m. Work is expected to be done by 3 p.m. and flaggers will be present to direct traffic. Drivers are urged to use extreme caution in the area and expect some delays as work is being done. For any questions, motorists can contact Hickey Excavation at 863-655-0785.
A man is facing charges after he was found with a missing teenager from Hillsborough County. The sheriff’s office announced yesterday that 13-year-old Breanne Spivey was found in Broward County with 38-year-old Edward Rodriguez. The two apparently met online. Spivey went missing Saturday from her home in Plant City. The FDLE issued a Missing Child Alert, and she was considered endangered. US Marshals and Broward deputies helped in the search. Rodriguez is charged with interference with child custody, but more charges are possible.
Polk County residents will notice higher utility bills next month. Water and sewer rates are scheduled to increase by six-percent in October, as well as every year through 2028. The additional money will go toward alternative water supply projects. Utilities Director Tamara Richardson tells WTSP that the change is necessary to provide safe and reliable service for customers. Trash collection fees in the county will go up by 63-percent starting next month, while also removing curbside recycling pickup.
Hunters are helping remove several invasive species from Florida. A winner for the state’s annual Python Challenge was selected yesterday. The Ultimate Grand Prize went to Ronald Kiger after he removed 20 pythons. Florida wildlife officials say nearly two-hundred snakes were removed from the Everglades thanks to the help of hundreds of people from across 33 states and Canada. The FWC says the 2024 Lionfish challenge broke a record this year after more than 31-thousand invasive fish were removed from state waterways.