A 21-year-old Avon Park woman is in custody after repeatedly fleeing deputies in Polk County early Monday morning. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says deputies stopped to assist a disabled car on U.S. 17 near the Bartow Executive Airport when the driver, Cheyenne Melody Williams, sped off — not once, but three times. During one attempt to escape, she allegedly struck a patrol vehicle. The car was later found abandoned, and she was arrested shortly after. She now faces multiple charges, including aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and fleeing to elude.
The Highlands County Code Enforcement Special Magistrate will hold a public hearing this Wednesday, March 4th at 1:30 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners building, located at 600 South Commerce Avenue in Sebring. The agenda includes three cases involving properties on Roosevelt Avenue Northeast in Lake Placid, as well as Lucas Drive and Ibis Avenue in Sebring. Topics under review include leash law violations, property maintenance concerns, and vehicle regulations. Community members are welcome to attend.
The School Board of Highlands County has identified three candidates to interview for its director of Exceptional Student Education position. The applicants include two current district employees and one educator from Hendry County. The role was most recently held by Rubie Kauffman, who served for about two years. District officials also report several open positions systemwide, including one ESE teaching position at Lake Placid High School, along with openings in transportation, food services, student support, and athletics.
A backyard fire during a burn ban has landed a Frostproof man in jail. Deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office say they responded Sunday evening to flames spotted at a home on F Street East. When a deputy entered the backyard, investigators say 37-year-old Fidel O’Campo, Jr. became hostile, yelling profanities and refusing to cooperate. He was detained as the Frostproof Fire Department extinguished the fire. O’Campo was later arrested and charged with violating the county burn ban, burning during extreme drought conditions, and resisting an officer without violence.