Highlands County Fire Rescue responded to reports of a structure fire at a Lake Placid Church shortly after 8:00pm Thursday night. Several Crews were on scene at Lake Placid Memorial United Methodist Church on Kent Street, including off duty personnel called in to assist and the Sebring Fire Department. The blaze caused extensive structural damage to the church and has also prompted school closures for Lakeview Christian School, which is attached to the church. Preliminary reports show that the school only received smoke damage. The incident is actively being investigated. There’s no word yet on what might have caused the fire.
An Osceola County man is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with an underage Polk County girl. Kissimmee’s Chase Crabb was arrested Wednesday for his involvement with a 16-year-old who attends Haines City High School where Crabb was a substitute teacher. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says the 23-year-old Crabb sent the girl sexually charged online messages starting in 2023 when she was 15. Deputies say he asked the girl to send him nude photos of her and to have sex with him. Deputies say the messages continued for a year, and the girl told her mother about them last week. Crabb is charged with third-degree felonies. Sheriff Grady Judd says Crabb’s alleged actions are horrific and unacceptable.
A Manatee County woman is asking for bond while she appeals her manslaughter conviction in the death of her husband. A judge in December sentenced former ballerina Ashley Benefield to 20 years in prison for the 2020 shooting death of her estranged husband Doug Benefield. Several witnesses testified on Benefield’s behalf at a hearing Thursday, arguing she is not a flight risk and has a job awaiting her if she’s released. The judge said he will issue a ruling at a later date.
The owners of a Central Florida pool company are accused of defrauding more than three-hundred homeowners. The sheriff’s office says Charles and Kristin Black were arrested in Scottsdale, Arizona during a traffic stop earlier this week after a four-year investigation. The couple is accused of using fake documents to get a contractor’s license for Legacy Pools before stealing nearly two-million dollars from victims in Brevard, Orange, and Osceola counties. Authorities say the money was used for personal expenses, like partying and traveling, instead of building a swimming pool for their clients. The suspects will eventually be brought back to Central Florida to face felony charges.
After more than a year of discussions and delays, the Highlands County Board of Commissioners has recently approved a three-way contract with Waste Connections, Florida Waste Solutions, and the County. The new contract will facilitate the handover of solid waste responsibilities and operations in Highlands County, from Waste Connections to Florida Waste Solutions. Residents will not see any changes in the curbside trash pickup schedule or the three standalone recycling drop off sites in the county. Company names on trucks and trash cans will eventually be changed to reflect the switch. Waste Connections has until February 1st to finalize details.
The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office has opened up entries for the 8th Annual HCSO Bass Tournament presented by Nucor Florida. The tournament will be taking place on Saturday, March 8th, from safe light to 1:00pm, at Lake Istokpoga Park. Entry fees will include a Big Bass entry and a luncheon. The top prize this year will be $1500 and the top 8 teams will also receive cash prizes. All proceeds for the tournament will support a free summer camp for local students. For more information or to enter please visit the HSCO website at www.highlandssheriff.org.
Spirit Airlines is implementing rules for passengers regarding offensive tattoos or sheer clothing. Spirit updated its contract of carriage yesterday, saying passengers will not be allowed to board or asked to leave if they have body art that’s "lewd, obscene, or offensive in nature." That also applies to passengers who are "inadequately clothed," which is defined as "see-through clothing, not adequately covered, exposed breasts, buttocks or other private parts." The budget airline has previously banned barefoot passengers or offensive clothing.
Members of the Florida House are scheduled to take up a variety of issues next week after their initial plans were derailed by a winter storm. State lawmakers decided to cancel a series of meetings this week because of snow and freezing weather in northern counties. The House says it will gather for subcommittee meetings next Tuesday and Wednesday. Governor Ron DeSantis has called for a special session to begin on Monday to discuss issues, like immigration. Meanwhile, the regular legislative session is set to start in Tallahassee on March 3rd.