Recall petitions involving three members of the Avon Park City Council have reached the first required step. The Highlands County Supervisor of Elections verified enough signatures to meet the 10 percent threshold needed to begin the process against Mayor Garrett Anderson, Deputy Mayor Jim Barnard, and Councilmember Brittany McGuire. The officials now have an opportunity to submit written responses. The recall committee must next collect an additional 15 percent of voter signatures within 60 days. If verified, the issue could move to a judge and potentially a recall election, where voters would decide whether the three remain in office.
A Sebring teenager is behind bars after deputies say he robbed a man at gunpoint in broad daylight. According to the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began at a Murphy USA gas station on U.S. 27, where the suspect allegedly followed the victim to a nearby Sherwin-Williams parking lot. Investigators say the teen pointed a handgun and demanded cash, making off with about $1,400 before fleeing in a dark sedan. Deputies later located the vehicle at a local auto parts store, recovering nearly all the cash, a 9mm handgun, and masks. The 19-year-old now faces armed robbery charges.
A Lake Placid man is facing arson and animal cruelty charges following a house fire on Highlands Boulevard. According to the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, Juan Javier Hernandez Martinez, 35, is accused of setting fire to a residence shortly after midnight on Feb. 24. Authorities say the homeowner was alerted by a neighbor and extinguished the flames with a garden hose. Investigators allege the suspect attempted to ignite the home again before deputies located him nearby. Two chickens died as a result of the fire. Martinez was arrested and charged.
The South Florida State College Foundation has created the Randy Bateman Memorial Scholarship to honor the longtime Florida Power & Light employee and DeSoto County native. Bateman spent nearly four decades with Florida Power & Light, building a career in welding and power generation while mentoring others in the skilled trades. The new endowed scholarship will support welding students at South Florida State College, with preference given to residents of DeSoto, Highlands, and Hardee counties. Eligible students must complete required welding coursework and earn specific American Welding Society certifications. Award amounts will vary based on available funding.