It’s a cattle caper straight out of a country song. Deputies say an Okeechobee man, David Daniel, borrowed 17 heifers from a local rancher — but only brought back three. The owner figured the rest were just grazing somewhere in Lake Placid, until months passed and the cows never came home. When deputies asked Daniel where the remaining 14 cattle were, he reportedly decided he “no longer wished to talk about it.” Those missing cows are valued at nearly $27,000, and Daniel’s now facing a grand theft charge — as the search continues for the rest of the herd.
The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office says a recent search in Avon Park turned up $19,000 in cash, which will be added to federal seizure accounts. Sheriff Paul Blackman told county commissioners this week that the funds, along with other confiscated property, are used only for approved law enforcement purposes — not salaries or general expenses. Commissioners also approved rolling over more than $400,000 in seized assets into the county’s Special Law Enforcement Trust Fund for 2025–2026. Blackman says the money supports programs like school resource officers, drug prevention, and Crime Stoppers, helping fight crime while giving back to the community.
The Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency is exploring new ways to boost downtown business. A workshop is set for Monday at 5 p.m. at City Hall to discuss a potential commercial rental sublease program. The idea, first introduced earlier this year, would help attract and support local retailers without the CRA needing to purchase buildings directly. While the proposal is included in the agency’s 2025–26 budget, no funding amount has been set. Board members say Monday’s discussion will focus on how the program would work — and how to manage it responsibly moving forward.
A breakup gone bad ended in handcuffs for one Polk County woman. Deputies say 31-year-old Ashlee Zingarelli broke into her ex-boyfriend’s home around 5 a.m. on October 25th, snatched his cellphone, and stormed off—only to return moments later to smash his car mirror in a fit of fury. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says the early-morning drama woke the neighborhood and ended with Zingarelli facing felony burglary, theft, and criminal mischief charges. She’s since bonded out, but deputies say her outburst could end up costing her far more than just a broken mirror.