The sentencing phase of the Joseph Ables murder trial begins today. Ables was found guilty of the 2018 murder of Deputy William Gentry Tuesday after less than an hour of jury deliberations. Today, the sides will argue for and against the death penalty for Ables. Judge Angela Cowden is also expected to impose an additional sentence for the probation violation involved in Able’s possession of a gun as a convicted felon.
As of yesterday evening, almost ten percent of County’s eligible voters had cast ballots in the November 5 General Election. That was just the mail-in vote. Starting today, in-person early voting begins, and runs through November 2. No matter where you live in the County, you can vote at the Operations Center on Kenilworth Boulevard in Sebring, the Council Chambers at Avon Park City Hall, or the Lake Placid Town Government Center. Mail-in votes so far have favored Republican ballots, but not by the percentage margin Republicans outnumber Democrats here overall.
Highlands County’s one of the later Counties in the state to begin early voting. Many – if not most – Counties in the state began the process Monday. Statewide, the three-day head start other counties have had indicated an early surge of Republican ballots in early voting, overtaking the traditional Democratic advantage among mail-in voters.
It’s going to be at least December before former School Superintendent candidate Chris Doty gets closure in the case brought against him by State Education Commissioner Manny Diaz this past summer. Diaz’s attorney has scheduling conflicts with the final hearing scheduled for this week, and had suggested a meeting via Zoom remote video in mid-December. Doty wants an in-person hearing on the proceedings that could cost him his teaching certificate.