Although they discussed them at length, Avon Park city council members came to no firm conclusions on what to do about a couple of downtown buildings. A suggestion was made that the former police station be knocked down to make room for a building for the Church Service Center. However, no action was taken on the idea.
Councilwoman Maria Sutherland did suggest that $98,000 in city funds be used to pave over land at the former municipal skateboard park to create a parking lot for the area.
Sitting as the Avon Park Community Redevelopment Agency, council members decided to put the Brickell Building on the market – with some stipulations. They agreed to discuss it further at the next Avon Park city council meeting.
A person of interest reportedly has been detained in connection with a brush fire yesterday in Orange Blossom Estates.
Units from West Sebring, DeSoto City, Leisure Lakes and City of Sebring worked with Florida Forest Service Crews to contain the blaze at Queen Avenue and Wolf Lake Road.
Fire crews cut fire lines around the blaze, containing it to about 20 acres. No injuries were reported in fighting the fire. The cause remains under investigation.
This is dry season, and fire officials warn people to be careful with any burning or open flames.
Two Lakeland men were struck and killed by a tractor-trailer rig while walking along a State Route 60, northwest of Mulberry.
Polk County Sheriff’s deputies say 29-year-old Rafael Gandoy and 23-year-old Armando Melendez were walking on a paved right of way, when the truck came around a curve, crossed the white fog line and hit them.
Gandoy was declared dead at the scene, and Melendez was airlifted to a Lakeland hospital, where he died. The semi’s driver remained at the scene of the crash, which closed the road for about five hours.