A Sebring man has been arrested after the discovery of a pipe bomb at his place of employment. 37-year-old James Wayne Phillips was arrested Wednesday November 13th after an object that appeared to be a partially completed pipe bomb was found in his tool cabinet by other employees of E Stone USA in the Sebring Regional Airport Industrial Park. Phillips was not at work when deputies arrived but was detained shortly after when he reported for his next shift. A bomb technician from the Division of the State Fire Marshal was consulted due to the nature of the device. The device was examined and while it was determined to not contain any explosives, it had the characteristics of a fabricated improvised explosive device. The device reportedly could not be associated with any part Phillip’s job. Fellow employees also said that he was not authorized to use the welder he had used to construct the device. Phillips was charged with one felony count of manufacturing or possessing a hoax bomb.
The Department of Children and Families has announced Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or DSNAP, dates and locations for Highlands County. DSNAP provides food assistance for Florida Residents impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton who are not currently receiving food assistance through the regular SNAP program. Individuals who have pre-registered online but did not have a chance to complete their DSNAP phone interview can visit a physical DSNAP location for an in-person interview. In person interviews will be held at the Alan Jay Arena at the Highlands County Fairgrounds in Sebring, November 18th- November 20th between 7:00am-5:00pm. The Department will also reopen pre-registration for individuals who did not previously register. Pre-registration will open on the first day of the event and close on the last day. Pre-registration can be done online at www.myflfamilies.com/DSNAP.
Florida is taking legal action against a FEMA worker accused of ignoring hurricane victims who displayed signs supporting President-elect Donald Trump. Attorney General Ashley Moody says a lawsuit has been filed against former FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington and the agency’s current administrator, Deanne Criswell. Moody says she is going to find out how far the political discrimination reaches and to make sure all Americans who fall victim to storms are served. A complaint claims at least 20 homes in Lake Placid were skipped due to Washington’s guidance after the area was hit by Helene and Milton.
Florida Senator Rick Scott is backing RNC chair Lara Trump to replace Marco Rubio in his Senate seat if he moves into his new Secretary of State position. Scott wrote on X that President-elect Trump’s daughter-in-law would do well as a senator and "represent Floridians well." Scott told Axios he hopes Florida Governor Ron DeSantis picks her.
A city in Polk County will remove fluoride from its water supply. The Winter Haven City Commission voted Wednesday to stop putting fluoride in the city’s water supply by the end of the year. The city has been adding fluoride to the water since 1986. This change could save the city close to 50-thousand dollars a year. Commissioner Brad Dantzler tells Fox 13 News the city can use that money to give kids in need free toothpaste, floss and dental education.
There is a new sports center designed to benefit kids around Polk County. Haines City unveiled its first-ever soccer facility across from the Larry Parrish Baseball Complex Wednesday evening. The more than two-million-dollar project will support both youth and adult soccer leagues. Parks and Recreation Director Terrell Griffin tells FOX 13 News that when there are more activities for children, the crime rate goes down. There are at least two more soccer fields scheduled to go up in the city next year.
Governor Ron DeSantis is congratulating the Floridians being appointed to key positions in the Trump administration. The president-elect nominated Senator Marco Rubio to be secretary of state and representatives Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz as attorney general and national security advisor, respectively. In a social media post, DeSantis said he’s instructed Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd to formulate and announce a schedule for the special elections needed to fill the Gaetz and Waltz congressional seats. The governor will pick Rubio’s Senate replacement.