>>> Driver Arrested in Crash that Injured Several Passengers
A Port St. Lucy teen was arrested in Highlands County Saturday after a single vehicle crash along South West Rucks Dairy Road injured several passengers. Officials say the driver, identified as Robert Oyd Lee Venegas, lost control of his ford escape while traveling North on Rucks Dairy Road, and hit a mail box before overturning into a canal. He told officials that he was “showing off at the time of the incident.” Two adults and five minors were in the vehicle, with some being transported to the hospital with minor injuries. A ten-year-old female, who was sitting in the very back, was airlifted to an area hospital with serious injuries. Her condition is unknown at this time. Lee Vanegas was arrested for driving without a valid license, child neglect, and disregard for basic safety measures among other charges. He remains in the Highlands County Jail.
>> NEW FIRE STATION GROUNDBREAKING IN HIGHLANDS COUNTY
The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners and Highlands County Fire Rescue invite the public to a ceremonial groundbreaking for Spring Lake Fire Station #23 on Wednesday, April 22nd, at 10 a.m. at 7523 Haywood Taylor Blvd. in Sebring. Remarks will be given by Tiffany Gunn, Commissioner Don Elwell, Commissioner Chris Campbell, Chief Duppenthaler, and County Administrator Laurie Hurner, followed by photos and the official groundbreaking.
>>> Earth Day Activities
While today is officially Earth Day, you can celebrate this Saturday at Highlands Hammock during their 8th Annual Earth Day festival. It runs from 10 am till 3 pm and features exhibiters, tram tours, nature walks and speaker programs. Some of the exhibiters include the Arch bold Biological Station, Heartland Bee Keepers, the Florida Native Plant Society, the Florida Forest Service and many others. They touch on native plants and butter fly gardening to home water conservation to prescribed fire. Three 45 minute programs will be shown at the Civilian Conservation Core Museum. Entry is 6 dollars for multi-occupant vehicles and four bucks for single occupant vehicles. For more info, go to floridastateparks.org/parks/highlands-hammock.
>>> Florida Executes Man for 1990 Murder
Chadwick Willacy was executed by lethal injection a little after 6 last night, nearly 40 years after he murdered his next door neighbor. Willacy set the woman on fire while he burglarized her Palm Bay home. This is Florida’s fifth execution so far this year.