News Update for 2/3/23

They’ll open the 86th edition of the Highlands County Fair this afternoon. It’s Highlands Radio Group Day featuring the Nerveless Nocks Thrill Show, Scott’s Magic Show and the Piano Juggler.
It’ll also be the first of four beauty pageants with the Jr. Miss Highlands County competition on stage at the Alan Jay arena.
Over the course of the fair there will be livestock competitions, a number of different music groups, boths, exhibits and displays in addition to the Reithoffer Rides and plenty of good ol’ fair food.
Gates open at 5pm at the Highlands County Fairgrounds.

One man was injured yesterday when a boat went out of control and wrecked on Lake Damon south of Avon Park. Officials of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission say the 63-year-old man was taken to the hospital with what were described as "serious injuries."
Witnesses say the 16-foot Hoffman Racing Boat went out of control in the shallows area of the lake after what was described as a "speed run."
It remains unclear if they were part of the Buckshot Racing Tunnelboat team that was also at the lake. Good Samaritans reportedly ministered to the victim until First Responders arrived at the scene.

A hopeful for the Sebring city council is starting her campaign with a series of town hall meetings. Bobbie Smith-Powell will conduct a session on housing at the Democrat Party Headquarters on the Sebring Parkway tomorrow morning at 11am.
In all, there will be a half dozen such sessions on topics ranging from Food Insecurity to Eldercare.
Smith-Powell is the local Democrat Party’s State Committeewoman.

Officials at the Wauchula Police say a man wanted in connection with a local homicide case has been apprehended in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Reportedly, Matthew Scott Flories was taken into custody following a high speed chase.
The car he was in finally crashed in the city of Ellenboro.
Flores reportedly will be charged with second-degree murder for the killing of Jose Carlos Martinez. A second suspect – Stephanie Velgara – has also been arrested and is being charged as an accessory after the fact.
The case remains under investigation. Police officials say there still could be more arrests.