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Man charged in hit-and-run
Feb 21, 2012 at 11:27 AM

Avon Park, Fla. -- An Avon Park man was arrested Sunday night after a hit and run accident that left a man in serious condition Sunday night.
According to the FHP report, around 11:30 p.m., 32-year-old Brandon Christian was heading driving east on SR 64 near Arbuckle Road in a Toyota...more Corolla when he hit 63-year-old Gary Dunford while he was walking west along SR64. Deputies say they are not sure if Dunford was walking on the road or along the edge when he was hit.
Christian failed to stop and left the scene. He returned about an hour later to the area where he hit Dunford where he was questioned by police. Christian was charged with Leaving the Scene of a Crash involving Injury. It is unclear if the incident was alcohol-related.
Dunford, of Avon Park, was found by a passing motorist and was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.
Sebring-Avon Park-Wauchula

44th Annual Pioneer Park Days
Feb 20, 2012 at 11:11 AM

Hardee County, Fla. -- Inside the small town of Zolfo Springs, from Feb. 29 through March 4 a grand event occurs, the 43rd Annual Pioneer Park Days.
Pioneer Park Days is one of the largest, and is the oldest antique tractor, steam engine and farm equipment shows in the southeast. Some of...more the highlights include over 400 exhibits of tractors, hit and miss steam engines and farm equipment.
The noted Florida Frontiersmen will be conducting daily demonstrations on Pioneer living at its best. Activities will include dutch oven cooking, wood burning, basket weaving, pioneer toys, how to make and play a native American flute, wood burning, and other 1800’s era activities.
In the flea market area there are 491 flea market booths that sell items from old tools to arts and crafts.  There are some great deals to be had.
Each day at 2 p.m. the antique tractors host a tractor parade around the outside perimeter of the park.
In the Nickerson/Ullrich building daily
Sebring-Avon Park-Wauchula

Students to hear first-hand account of drunk driving tragedy
Feb 18, 2012 at 1:44 PM

Highlands County, FL -- Feb. 22 - 24, two people, Renee Napier and Eric Smallridge, will speak to Highlands County students about the repercussions of drunk driving. 
Renee Napier is the mother of Meagan Napier who, along with her friend Lisa Jo Dixon, died in a crash with a drunk driver...more on May 11, 2002. Both girls were 20 years old at the time of the crash. Eric Smallridge was the drunk driver involved and he is currently serving a 22-year sentence in Florida State Prison for this incident.
In 2004, the families of both girls formed the Meagan Napier Foundation, “…to raise awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and to promote forgiveness and healing…”,according to their website www.themeagannapierfoundation.com.
Renee and Eric speak together to young adults about the dangers and emotional impacts of drunk driving. Because Eric is still serving his sentence he will be picked up from prison by Highlands County Detention Deputies and will
Sebring-Avon Park-Wauchula

Couple hospitalized after daughter sets fire to home
Feb 15, 2012 at 4:15 PM

Sebring, FL -- A Sebring woman has been charged with First Degree Arson after police say she set fire to a house with her parents still inside.

According to police, on Feb. 15, around 4:45 a.m., deputies met Jose and Mirtha Menendez who were being treated at the hospital. When they...more found out what happened they went to the couple's home on Castile Avenue to find the front yard still on fire. Deputies put out the fire and based on evidence during the investigation, arrested the couple's daughter 43-year-old Maria Sanchez who also lived at the home.

Jose suffered serious injuries and Mirtha minor injuries.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with any information on the fire is asked to call the Highlands County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Unit at 863-402-7250. Anyone who wants to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-22-TIPS, or email your tip at
Sebring-Avon Park-Wauchula

Deputies recover stolen "toys" during drug arrests
Feb 15, 2012 at 7:19 AM

AVON PARK, Florida -- Detectives with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office say a drug bust has lead to the discovery of nearly 250 suspected items of potentially stolen property.

On Feb. 8, deputies arrested Robert Harvey, 46, Christina Harvey, 42, and Kristin Shepard, 40 on various...more drug related charges at a home on Palmer Avenue. In the process of the arrest, deputies say they discovered what appeared to be a treasure trove of stolen property.

Among the items seized were computers, laptops, firearms, cell phones, GPS units, video games, I-Pads, cameras, speakers, jewelry, coins, wallets, tools and even an air conditioning unit. A Honda motorcycle was also recovered from the scene.

While many items have been confirmed as stolen property, detectives say they're still comparing other items with previous burglary and theft reports.

"This investigation was huge in identifying other offenders who are using drugs to steal and trade stolen
Sebring-Avon Park-Wauchula

Man suspected of trafficking oxycodone
Feb 14, 2012 at 3:45 PM

Members of the Hardee County Drug Task Force have arrested Arlie Duane Dubberly, suspected of trafficking oxycodone.

Dubberly is charged with trafficking over 4 grams of oxycodone, possession of drugs without a prescription, using a motor vehicle to traffic oxycodone and possession of...more drug paraphernalia.

Shortly after a "controlled delivery" deputies say they were able to stop Dubberly where they recovered the pills and located additional drugs in the center console of his truck.
Sebring-Avon Park-Wauchula

Pair arrested in suspected drug trafficking stop
Feb 14, 2012 at 7:37 AM

Avon Park, Florida - A couple traveling through Avon Park are both facing serious drug trafficking charges after deputies in Avon Park stopped the two on US 27 last week.

Highlands County Sheriff's investigators say Jonathan DeJesus, 27, and Marilyn Calderon, 31, were both taken into...more custody charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to sell, trafficking of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Sheriff's Office Special Investigations unit used information gathered during the stop to obtain a search warrant for the pair's home at 306 LeMans Drive where detectives say more drugs were uncovered. Deputies report seizing over 170 grams of cocaine, $2400 in cash and over 5 grams of marijuana.

The investigation continues and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Highlands County Sheriff's Office at 402-7250 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).
Sebring-Avon Park-Wauchula

7th Annual Tractor Drive
Feb 12, 2012 at 4:17 PM

Avon Park, FL -- The Florida Flywheelers are holding their 7th Annual Tractor Drive at the Avon Park Cutoff Road in Fort Meade on Feb. 22-25.  
Come see how tractors have changed over the years and how they have made our lives easier.  Watch a steam powered saw mill saw logs and produce...more lumber used to build many of the buildings at the Florida Flywheelers.  See and taste ice cream made by an old popper style engine.  Come down to the pulling track and watch old tractors compete against each other pulling the sled.
Admission to the event is $7. The main gate is open at 8 a.m. until dark.
For more information, please call (863) 453-3350 or visit their website at www.floridaflywheelers.org.
Sebring-Avon Park-Wauchula

Register for the Panther 5K Run/Walk
Feb 11, 2012 at 5:55 AM

Sebring, FL -- The 3rd annual South Florida Community College Panther 5K Run/Walk will be held Saturday, Feb. 25 at the SFCC Highland Campus, Avon Park.
The SFCC Foundation, Inc. and Bill Jarrett Ford Mercury are sponsoring the event, and proceeds benefit the college's intercollegiate...more athletics programs.
The Panther 5K Run/Walk will take participants on a path through the beautiful SFCC Highlands Campus and along College Drive.
The entry fee for the SFCC Panther 5K Run/Walk is $25 through Feb. 15 and $30 from Feb. 16 through the day of the race. Students with a current I.D. may register for $20.  Every participant may request a Dri-Fit long-sleeve shirt. Sizes cannot be guaranteed for those who enter on Feb. 16 or after that date.  
Registration is 7 - 7:45 a.m. on race day. The race begins at 8 a.m. Awards will be given to the first three finishers in each age (6 and up) and gender category as well as Overall and Masters.
Entry forms are available online at
Sebring-Avon Park-Wauchula

Teen of murdered grandmother found in Sebring
Watch the story
Feb 8, 2012 at 5:02 PM

Sebring, Florida -- The Polk County teenager who sparked a manhunt after his grandmother was brutally murdered is now in police custody.

Highlands County Sheriff's deputies located 19-year-old Jasper Smiddie coming out of an abandoned home near the Sebring home of his girlfriend's...more parents on Wednesday morning. 

With Smiddie was his 14-year-old friend and neighbor, Charlie Giem. Officials say Giem is cooperating with Polk detectives.

Previous Story: Grandson wanted in murder of woman

Smiddie had an arrest warrant for first degree murder in the homicide of his grandmother, 67-year-old Gloria Helfrich.

He remains in custody in Highlands County, where Polk detectives are interviewing him. Smiddie is expected to be transported back to Polk County on Thursday.

Autopsy results show Helfrich suffered serious injuries: a crossbow arrow shot to the back of the head, 58 stab wounds to the back, 34 stab wounds to the back of the
Sebring-Avon Park-Wauchula, Winter Haven-Lake Wales

Hardee Co. "drug round up" nets 15 suspects
Feb 8, 2012 at 12:37 PM

Wauchula, FL -- On Feb. 2 and 3, the Hardee County Drug Task Force and the Hardee County Sheriff's Office arrested 15 individuals in a countywide "Drug Round Up".

Photo Gallery: Drug Round Up mugs and charges
Sebring-Avon Park-Wauchula

Hardee Co. drug round up
Feb 8, 2012 at 12:29 PM
Sebring-Avon Park-Wauchula

Customers invited to comment on possible utility rate increase
Feb 7, 2012 at 7:22 AM

Tallahassee -- The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) invites customers of Utility Corporation of Florida, Inc. (Utility Corporation) to a meeting on Thursday, Feb. 9, to discuss the utility’s application for a rate increase.
Customers can comment on Utility Corporation’s proposed...more rates and any quality of service issues at the meeting.  This is the utility’s first rate case.
The meeting will be held at the Springlake Community Center, at 209 Springlake Blvd. in Sebring at 6 p.m.
Utility Corporation provides service to approximately 317 wastewater customers in Highlands County. For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Sebring-Avon Park-Wauchula

Deputies connect dots in burglaries
Feb 6, 2012 at 1:49 PM

SEBRING, Florida - Over a period of several months, Highlands County was hit with a series of random burglaries from one end of the county to the other. As crime analysts worked to find links and extra patrol was conducted, sheriff's deputies were able to connect the dots.

"This was...more a real team effort between patrol, the safe neighborhood team and detectives," said Sheriff Susan Benton.

In a related case, the Sebring Police Department caught some of these same suspects in the act of committing car burglaries in the city. Between the information gathered with the city police, the crime analysis and numerous interviews, detectives have now cleared as many as 20 burglary cases throughout the county.

Five firearms, a riding lawn mower, car titles, a flat-screen television and two golf carts have been recovered and returned to victims, according to the sheriff's office. Detectives are still working to locate additional stolen property from the burglaries.
Sebring-Avon Park-Wauchula

County commission will consider plans for sheriff's office headquarters
Feb 6, 2012 at 8:33 AM

SEBRING, Florida -- Highlands County Commissioners will study a report Tuesday, detailing estimated costs on three options for a new Highlands County Sheriff's Office building.

Options on the table include a newly constructed building or potentially remodeling the existing Bank of...more America Building downtown or the Restoration Center.

The budget for the project is $5 million.

Sheriff Susan Benton is pushing for a new building saying it could be expensive to retrofit one of the existing buildings to fit the department's needs.

Sebring-Avon Park-Wauchula