Avon Park City Council will appoint someone to fill the vacant seat left by Michelle Mercure’s resignation. City Attorney Gerald Buhr says the position cannot be placed on the November ballot because the resignation came after the qualifying period. Council will accept applications from interested residents and plans to make the appointment at its September 14th meeting. The appointee will serve until the 2028 election.
The City of Sebring’s foreclosure lawsuit against the Sunset Beach Motel is headed for a summary judgment hearing in October. The city says the motel has more than $373,000 in fines and liens tied to unresolved code violations. The city is seeking a court ruling without a trial, along with attorney’s fees and other costs. If the judgment is not paid, the city is asking the court to order the property sold to satisfy the debt.
A woman is facing charges for the death of her granddaughter in Polk County. Winter Haven Police arrested Karen Denise Benyard yesterday for the death of the one-year-old five months ago. Police say Benyard forgot the girl was in the backseat of her car when she drove home and took a nap. An autopsy ruled the girl died of hyperthermia due to environmental exposure. Benyard is charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child.
Governor Ron DeSantis is worried Florida could become a surveillance state. He spoke yesterday about Flock cameras that are used by law enforcement agencies to read license plates and help solve crimes. DeSantis says the cameras can help, but they’re out of control. He says he doesn’t want tech companies to know everything about you and where you’re going. DeSantis adds he’s worried it’s going to get a lot worse unless we have some protections for the people in Florida. He’s calling on lawmakers to do something.