A new family-friendly attraction opens today at Spring Lake’s William Gentry Memorial Eco Park. Sammy’s Storybook Trail officially opens at 5:30 this evening with a free community celebration. The just-over-one-mile trail features story pages about every tenth of a mile, along with activities for kids. It’s self-guided and will be open daily from sunrise to sunset. The story will also change each year.
Sebring’s Christmas Carousel of Lights is getting a boost. City Council unanimously approved a new contract that increases the annual payment to operator Jeremy Daughtry by 3% each year, starting at nearly $19,000. The display can now open the day after Thanksgiving and earlier than 6 p.m. if demand warrants it. The Carousel celebrates its 40th year this Christmas, with new LED decorations and plans for a street-legal holiday train.
More Floridians are turning homemade foods into extra income — and a local class will explain how to do it legally. UF/IFAS Highlands County Extension is hosting Cottage Food 101 September 24th in Sebring. The class will cover what foods can legally be sold from a home kitchen, labeling requirements, food safety and Florida’s cottage food regulations. It’s from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Bert J. Harris Agricultural Center. For information or registration, call 863-402-6540.
A 31-year-old Winter Haven man is facing multiple charges after deputies say an intoxicated argument turned into a confrontation involving two knives. Investigators say Christopher Vazquez Alvarez followed a man outside, then returned to the home and allegedly pushed a woman before grabbing two knives and confronting the man again. After a fight, he ran off—but deputies, a K-9 and the Air Unit tracked him down. He’s now facing charges including aggravated assault, battery, stalking and disorderly intoxication.