News Update for 1/18/19

A Venus man was seriously injured yesterday when the car he was driving was hit by a semi tractor-trailer rig south of Lake Placid. Florida Highway Patrol reports say 76-year old James Paul Berrett pulled from Leisure Lane onto Highway 27 and into the path of the oncoming semi.
The truck hit him broadside. Berrett was airlifted to Lakeland Regional Medical Center in critical condition. He was charged with failure to yield the right of way.

An accident on Highway 70 this past Sunday now has claimed a life. Florida Highway Patrol officials have confirmed that a 3-month-old infant identified Javier Alvarez died of injuries he suffered, when the pickup truck he was riding in hit another vehicle.
Troopers say the driver, Jose Alvarez Herrera was eastbound on Highway 70 near County Road 721, and had pulled out to pass when he slammed into an oncoming Nissan.
Herrara and both occupants of the Nissan were seriously injured. Herrara was charged with improper lane change and having no driver’s license.

There’s some good news for several of the dogs that were rescued from the animal hoarding case in Avon Park earlier this month. They have found new homes with employees of the Highlands County Sheriff’s office.
Karrisa Lewis took home a dog she named “Khloe,” Tom Ouverson adopted a dachshund that he dubbed “Hope,” while Stacy Andrews adopted a new little buddy he’s calling “Snoopy.”
Jinece Elizabeth Loughry was arrested for 72 counts of animal cruelty after a house-full of dogs were found in a Memorial Drive home in squalid condtions, nearly two dozen were dead. She remains in the Highlands County jail.

The women will be marching in Highlands County tomorrow. Officials of the Highlands County Democratic Women’s Club say they will be working with “allied organizations” to stage the processional.
Among other things they say they will be advocating for policies including gun control, women’s rights as well as racial and gender equality.
The plan is to meet at the Democrat Party headquarters to make signs at 10:00, then hold a march and flag-wave at the intersection of the Sebring Parkway and 27 at 11:45. Afterwards, participants will be treated to lunch.