A major sentencing is now closed in a violent Highlands County murder tied to an international meth trafficking ring. Investigators say 34-year-old Miguel Molina-Etchechury—a suspected drug leader moving meth from Mexico into Central Florida—beat associate Jonathan Diaz to death in a Sebring garage back in 2018, then burned and buried the body. Molina was later arrested in Texas by federal agents and is already serving time for drug trafficking. He has now pleaded no contest in Highlands County and received over 35 years in prison, which will run concurrent with his federal sentence. Authorities say he will likely remain behind bars until he is nearly 70 years old.
The City of Sebring is now seeking proposals to lease the Sebring Municipal Golf Course on Golfview Road. Bids are due by 3 p.m. on Monday, January 12, with the lease expected to take effect no later than October 1, 2026. This follows earlier talks with the Blackmon family, who are restoring Harder Hall and had expressed interest in operating the course as a resort amenity. The city ultimately chose to open the opportunity publicly through an RFP. The site spans 123 acres, including an 18-hole course, driving range, pro shop, parking and the on-site Caddyshack Bar & Grill. A non-mandatory site visit will be held 1 p.m. Monday, December 1, and will be the only walkthrough offered.
Former Highlands County school principal Chris Doty is appealing a court order requiring him and his attorney to pay legal costs tied to his failed 2024 election lawsuit against Superintendent Brenda Longshore. Doty, who narrowly lost the race, challenged election procedures after another candidate withdrew, but a judge ruled the claim frivolous and ordered both Doty and his attorney to each repay half of the $6,960 in court costs. Doty has now filed his appeal with the state court system, as the case shifts under review by the Florida District Court of Appeal.
A wild late-night drama unfolded in Polk County after Sheriff Grady Judd called out 20-year-old Makyla Hall for what he’s describing as a “friendship-fail of epic proportions.” Deputies say Hall got heavily intoxicated at a party, and when a friend tried to help by getting her to a gas station and even paying for an Uber, things went sideways fast. According to Sheriff Judd, Hall became “totally out of control,” leading the Uber driver to back out — smart move. A scuffle followed, and when the friend stepped out to pick up her belongings, Hall reportedly jumped in the driver’s seat, stole the car, and later wrecked it in Lakeland around 3 a.m. She’s now charged with battery and grand theft auto — and as Sheriff Judd put it, “Makyla… what were ya thinkin’? Nothing good happens after midnight!”