US Congressman Greg Steube came to town yesterday to visit the Highlands County commission. Steube, who serves on three committiees and six sub-committees first gave an update on his experiences in Washington DC, then asked about local issues on which he could be of service.
Commissioner Don Elwell asked Steube about veterans affairs, agricultural matters and money for infrastructure – especially roads.
Steube announced he is keeping an office in Sebring and plans to have monthly office hours.
Highlands County School Board members got a safety update at their meeting last night. Deputy Superintendent Andrew Lethbridge announced that fencing around area schools continues to go up and that the district is in negotiations to get Active Shooter Alert software.
School officials also are being trained in Threat assessment procedures.
Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services Melissa Blackman told the board that 100 educators already have taken staff training in First Aid and that 200 stop bleeding kits had been obtained for the schools.
Three people were injured last night in a 3-vehicle crash north of Avon Park. The incident occurred at the intersection of Quincy Road and Olivia Drive.
Two air ambulances were called in – both LifeNet and Bayflight – with one victim taken by Highlands County EMS to a local medical facility. It appears an SUV pulled from Quincy onto Olivia and was hit broadside by a car. That car then was rear-ended by a second auto. No names or other details have yet been released.
A suspect has been apprehended in connection with the death of a Sebring woman. U.S. Marshalls reportedly have picked up Gary Tyrone Danielle in Tampa. The 48-year-old Danielle is wanted in connection with the October 2018 death of Laurie Marie Pietscher.
Danielle faces charges of first degree murder, tampering with evidence and grand theft auto.
Pietscher’s body was found last October behind a dumpster at a business on 15th Street in Tampa. Reportedly she had been strangled.