A 35-year-old Avon Park man is facing multiple charges after deputies say he fled from a traffic stop Wednesday and hid inside an area home. The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office says James Qwantarious Terrell was arrested September 16th after deputies found him hanging through the ceiling of a bathroom. Investigators say a search of the vehicle turned up marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a stolen, loaded nine-millimeter handgun.
The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit has arrested two registered sex offenders on new felony charges. Stacy Wilburn Carroll was arrested September 14th following an alleged registration violation involving another inmate’s communication account. Kelvin Perez was arrested September 16th after detectives searched his Avon Park home and found multiple alleged registration violations. The investigation involving Perez remains ongoing.
The Highlands County School District is considering a loan of up to nine million dollars to cover operating expenses, including payroll and insurance. The loan would be backed by anticipated property-tax revenue, with Seacoast offering a 3.9-percent interest rate. The School Board is expected to consider the measure September 22nd.
A Winter Haven man is facing new charges after deputies say a stolen bicycle led to a foot chase near Lake Lulu. Twenty-five-year-old Austin Smith was arrested September 12th after deputies say he ran from a patrol vehicle and was later found riding another bicycle. Investigators say Smith was also carrying methamphetamine. He faces several charges, including theft, drug possession and resisting an officer.