Four people are dead following a devastating multi-vehicle crash in Lake Wales. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened just after 4 p.m. Wednesday on State Road 60 East near Capps Road and involved five vehicles and 11 people. SR 60 was shut down for hours as deputies investigated the crash and worked the scene, with seven others taken to area hospitals.
A new wellness trail is now open on the AdventHealth Sebring campus, offering patients, caregivers, and community members a peaceful place for walking, prayer, and reflection. The quarter-mile, accessible path is designed in the shape of a cancer ribbon and features shaded seating and landscaped areas. Hospital leaders say the trail supports whole-person care and provides a calming space for anyone needing a moment of rest and renewal.
The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office recently recognized Sgt. Corey Snell for earning the Certified Jail Supervisor designation from the American Jail Association. The achievement follows a rigorous application process and a four-hour exam, highlighting advanced expertise in jail operations and leadership. Sgt. Snell is the first member of the agency’s Detention Bureau to receive this national certification.
A traffic stop in Polk County recently turned into a bizarre game of hide-and-seek after a man driving erratically on I-4 fled from a deputy in a Corvette. Deputies later found the suspect, Ege Bilgin, hiding inside the drywall of a Davenport motel bathroom after a foot chase and several ignored commands to surrender. Authorities say Bilgin is in the U.S. illegally and is now facing five felony charges, plus an ICE detainer—turning what could’ve been a simple traffic stop into a very costly decision.