News Update for 11/25/24

Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman recently came before the Highlands County Commission to request a resolution to place markers on US 27 to honor slain Highlands County Sheriff Deputy William J. Gentry. Gentry died in the line of duty on May 6, 2018 after Joseph Ables shot him several times. Florida Senate Bill 160, which was passed in June 2022, directs the Department of Transportation to erect suitable markers for honorary designations of bridges, roads, and intersections in honor of law enforcement, firefighters, and other citizens. The Bill has made provisions for a portion of US 27 near Lake Placid to be named Sgt. Nicholas Sottile Highway, in honor of FHP Sgt. Sottile who was shot and killed in a traffic stop on US 27 just north of Lake Placid in January of 2007. The bill has also given permission to Highlands County, that US 27 can be named Deputy William Gentry, Jr. Highway, between the Polk County Line and the Glades County line. The County has gave resounding approval and is even considering co-naming a portion of US 27 after both Sottile and Gentry.

Good news for Highlands County Residents that still have storm debris to be picked up after Hurricane Milton. Highlands County and its contractors have recently given an update on the pick-up of vegetative and construction storm debris. They report that pick-up of the debris is half done. The County has also made a web portal available to residents so that they can track the progress of debris pick-up. Solid Waste Manager Robert Diefendorf also reports that the county currently has 28 contractors collecting debris but that some problems are slowing down pick-up. Residents are urged to remember that debris needs to be separated between vegetative and construction debris and to not place debris under electric wires or telephone lines. Diefendorf says that pick-up will be complete by the 90-day FEMA deadline of January 11th.

A man is in custody after a stabbing in Polk County. The Lakeland Police Department announced yesterday that Winter Haven’s Johnnie Brown, the Fourth was arrested after an incident Saturday. The 24-year-old allegedly stabbed a 22-year-old man at a nightclub on Highway 98 North. The LPD says Brown and the victim were arguing on the patio before separating. Later, Brown allegedly grabbed the victim from behind and stabbed him four times in the back. The victim was taken to the hospital and is expected to survive. Brown is facing charges that include attempted second-degree murder with a deadly weapon.

Aktion Club of Highlands County was recently recognized by the state for a host of accomplishments the club has achieved over the past year. Club members were informed that a total of six awards were won at the state level at the Aktion Club Appreciation Dinner held on Thursday night.
The Club won first place for their Single Service Project where the club developed a sports and recreational program within its organization geared to help with the physical and mental health of all its members. Through this sports and recreational program, the club more than doubled in membership size, with club membership now totaling more than 100 members in our county. Other key awards won were Aktion Club Member of the Year for the state of Florida, presented to Michael Sweet, A sweep of the Speech Contest with Highlands County winning first, second, and third, and a First place in the poster contest by members.

The husband of a carjacking victim who was killed in Central Florida earlier this year is now facing a federal charge. Miguel Aguasvivas Lizardo is accused of acting as a courier for drug money for years, which prosecutors believe included the trip that resulted in his wife’s death. Authorities say 31-year-old Katherine Aguasvivas was driving from Miami-Dade County to Orlando when she was stopped at a Winter Springs traffic light by a masked gunman this past April. The victim’s body and her car were later found in Osceola county. Four suspects tied to the deadly incident have been arrested.

A Central Florida teenager is living through what he calls a pretty surreal experience. Fruitland Park 18-year-old Joey Cosenza was sworn in to the city commission last week. He says he likes politics and ran because he wanted to see what a political campaign was like. Once the incumbent he was challenging moved, though, Cosenza had an easy path to victory. He says he was shocked, excited and nervous. Cosenza has a message for those who may be skeptical that he’s up to the job. He tells Channel 9 all he asks is that people give him the chance to prove himself, and he hopes he doesn’t let them down.

Michael Waltz is trying to ensure there’s a smooth transition between the Biden and Trump administrations. The Central Florida congressman was picked by Donald Trump to be national security adviser. Waltz told Fox News Sunday he has been working ‘hand in glove’ with the current national security adviser, Jake Sullivan. Waltz also says we are one team, and if our adversaries think they can play one administration off the other, they’re wrong.