South Florida State College is inviting the community to come together in honor of local heroes this Veterans Day. The annual remembrance ceremony will take place Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 10:45 a.m. at the Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on SFSC’s Highlands Campus. The event will feature remarks from U.S. Air Force veteran and SFSC trustee John Eason, along with U.S. Army veteran Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Pepin. The Avon Park High School Show Choir will perform the National Anthem, and the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office will present the colors. All are welcome to attend and pay tribute to those who served.
Woodlawn Elementary is celebrating 70 years with its Fall Fun Fest this afternoon, October 30th, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Families can enjoy games and attractions like a climbing wall, inflatable corn maze, haunted house, carnival rides, and more. Admission is $15 per child age 12 and under, while adults and kids 13 and up get in free. Alumni are also invited to stop by the special “Memory Lane” booth to celebrate this milestone.
A Wauchula police officer is facing DUI charges after being stopped early Wednesday morning for driving over 100 miles per hour. Authorities say Officer Jeffrey “Dylan” Johnson was off duty when he was clocked at 104 mph in a 60 zone on East Main Street near Airport Road — with his infant child in the vehicle. Johnson’s blood alcohol level was reportedly above 0.15. He’s charged with DUI with a minor passenger and reckless speeding. Police Chief Ron Curtis Jr. called the incident “disappointing” and said Johnson has been placed on unpaid administrative leave pending an internal investigation.
Two Lakeland women are facing charges of sexual cyber harassment after allegedly sharing explicit images of a man without his consent. Deputies say 36-year-olds Kristina Taylor and Tara Johnson distributed private photos of Taylor’s ex-boyfriend to his new girlfriend as part of a digital revenge scheme. Investigators say Taylor first sent the images to Johnson, who then contacted the victim’s new partner on Facebook before sending the explicit files. Sheriff Grady Judd called the actions “spiteful and humiliating.” Both women — an insurance business partner and a nonprofit director — were arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail.