A Lake Placid man was killed and two others were injured yesterday in a traffic crash in the Caladium Capital. According to reports, a Ford Tarus, driven by 93-year-old Fredrick Neer, went across Highway 27 and collided with a utility van.
The force of impact reportedly cause the car to go off the highway, spin, then overturn and hit a tree. A passenger in the car, identified as Kenneth Raub was transported to the hospital.
The driver of the van was treated at the scene.
Traffic was re-routed in the area for several hours while emergency crews and police cleared the area. The incident remains under investigation.
If you have a dog, cat, bird or other pet, today’s the day you can have them blessed. It’s the annual “Blessing of the Animals at St. Agnes Episcopal Church on Lakeview Drive in Sebring.
It all begins at 5:00 this evening. Pets will be given a St. Francis medial. Donations of pet food also will be accepted for area shelters.
Highlands County is home to a couple of championship efforts. For the third year in a row, NASGRASS has brought home The United States’ Lawn Mower Racing Association’s “Golden Blade” award. It’s a perpetual plaque that is passed to the chapter that accrues the most points in a season.
Highlands also is the home of this year’s Global Mazda MX-5 Cup’s “Team of the Year.” Winingest driver in MX-5 series history – John Dean II, picked up the trophy earlier this month for his “Sick Sideways” team at the championship banquet in New York.
A Lakeland city commissioner reportedly fatally shot a customer during a dispute over a hatchet inside the Army Navy surplus store he co-owns.
The incident occurred yesterday afternoon at the Vets Army Navy Surplus Store in Lakeland. Police spokesman Gary Gross said in an email that officers found 50-year-old Cristobal Lopez lying face-up just outside the door. He died at the scene.
Gross said witnesses told investigators Lopez entered the store with his father. While the older man was making a purchase, Commissioner Michael Dunn saw Lopez trying to steal a hatchet. Dunn asked if he was going to pay the item, a confrontation ensued and Dunn fired a gun, striking Lopez.
A criminal investigation is underway. Dunn took office on the Lakeland City Commission in January.