A woman at the center of an explosive case targeting local law enforcement is now getting a mental health evaluation. 27-year-old Emily Michele Staten is accused of unleashing hundreds of vile Facebook messages and videos, threatening to rape, shoot, and run over Sebring Police officers and Highlands County deputies — even driving past their headquarters while streaming the threats. She faces dozens of felony charges, including 20 counts of threatening to kill law enforcement and a false bomb threat. A judge has ordered a psychiatric evaluation to determine if she’s competent to stand trial, with a hearing set for Christmas Eve.
A Lake Placid woman is facing serious charges more than a year after a deadly crash on Catfish Creek Road. Troopers say 50-year-old Shatanglo Hawthorne has been arrested for aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect with great bodily harm after an 8-year-old girl died and four other children were seriously hurt in a Halloween-night crash on October 31, 2024. Investigators say Hawthorne was speeding in a Mercedes coupe built for just three passengers, with five children inside and none properly restrained. FHP says her reckless driving led to the deadly outcome. Hawthorne is now in the Highlands County Jail.
Sebring’s former Nan-ces-o-wee Hotel site could soon see new life. The Community Redevelopment Agency is asking the city to rezone the property at 139 North Ridgewood Drive to allow about 7,000 square feet of retail and commercial space — including potential offices, restaurants, cafés, and small shops. Two ordinances would update the site’s planned unit development and future land use to better match downtown mixed-use redevelopment, with the building capped at 50 feet tall and the design matching historic downtown. Sebring City Council will consider the changes this Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
Hundreds gathered in Sebring’s Circle Park Friday night to kick off the Christmas season at the 39th annual Circle of Lights. The park and its displays—including trees, sidewalks, and the new Grinch Hut—sparkled with festive lights as families strolled, kids played, and animated puppet shows entertained the crowd. Mayor John Shoop welcomed visitors, while Santa arrived by firetruck to cheers, joined by the Grinch for some holiday mischief. The lights and festivities will remain on display nightly through Christmas Eve, with Santa visiting from 6 to 9 p.m.