The two men accused in the April shooting death of a Placid Lakes man are scheduled to appear in Highlands County court Wednesday for their first pre-trial conference. Investigators say 38-year-old Leon Jarrell Simms is accused of fatally shooting 30-year-old Marvin Sholtz Jr. from a pickup truck driven by Andrew Anthony Berry. Both men have pleaded not guilty and remain jailed without bond on the murder charge. Berry is seeking court approval to hire a private investigator for his defense.
Sebring is receiving a $1 million boost in the new Florida state budget to help design and harden its planned City Hall. The spending plan also includes $350,000 to remove invasive Illinois pondweed from Lake Jackson and restore native aquatic vegetation. However, Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed a separate $500,000 request for a new public works facility.
The Highlands Art League will host a fall rummage sale on Saturday, September 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sebring Art Center on Lakeview Drive. The fundraiser will help pay for renovations to the historic Clovelly House, including exterior repairs and new signage. The Art League is now accepting donations and says larger items can be picked up if they’re in good condition.
What started as a routine traffic stop in Polk County ended with the arrest of a wanted Texas fugitive. Deputies say 56-year-old Stacy Renee Barker of Bartow was a passenger in a vehicle stopped Sunday for a minor traffic violation. A records check revealed Barker was wanted nationwide for violating parole on a Texas felony drug conviction. She was arrested without incident and booked into the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center.