A discussion by the Avon Park city council about code enforcement resulted in questions being raised about the Highlands County building official. New Avon Park Vice Mayor Stanley Spurlock told council members he had witnessed unauthorized construction – yet after it was reported to the building official, nothing was done.
The city has turned that duty over to the county. The charges came during a spirited discussion on whether council members wanted their code enforcement agents to work Saturdays and Sundays – saying much of the uupermitted construction in the City of Charm goes on during the weekend.
Polk County officials now say that house fire in Mullberry yesterday resulted in a couple of deaths. Polk County Sheriffs’ reports indicate the 86-year-old man and his 80-year-old wife were significantly injured in the blaze.
The couple was rescued from the burning house and taken to a hospital where they later expired. Their names have not yet been released.
Fire rescue officials say their house was completely destroyed in the blaze. The state fire marshal is looking into the cause.
A Florida deputy was shot and wounded in Pensacola while assisting with a medical call. Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan says the shooting occurred at a home Wednesday afternoon. Morgan says 41-year-old Daniel Hux called emergency services for assistance. He says a responding deputy was confronted by Hux and gunshots were exchanged almost immediately. Hux and the deputy both suffered several gunshot wounds, and both were expected to survive. No clear motive was provided. The shooting occurred about 12 miles north of Pensacola Naval Air Station, where a gunman killed three people and wounded eight others, including two Escambia County deputies.á
The rapper known as Saucy Santana says he was one of three people shot and wounded during a drive-by shooting near Miami. Florida Highway Patrol says the shooting occurred around 4 a.m. Wednesday on an Interstate 95 entrance ramp. A white Chevy sedan pulled up alongside the Honda that Santana and his friends were riding in and began shooting. Santana and his friends had just left a strip club. Santana is openly gay. He told NBC 6 in Miami that he might have been targeted because of the kind of artist he is. No arrests were immediately reported.á