Problems in Polk County for a former Avon Park city manager. Maria Sutherland has been fired from her post as the Fort Meade Assistant City Manager.
Interim Fort Meade City Manager Dustin Burke said he let Sutherland go due to what he termed "mismanagement in several areas." The action happened after Burke said he had learned of major budgeting problems, and funds from the Federal Pandemic Relief Package had not had proper documentation.
Sutherland initially had been moved to the assistant city manager post, due to provisions in the Fort Meade city charter.
Today is the last day for those wishing to view The Wreaths Across America Educational Exhibit. It will be open from 10am until 7pm in the parking lot of the Lakeshore Mall.
The 48-foot exhibit is equipped with a 24-person screening room that will show videos with a number of interactive computers as well.
Organizers say their mission is to educate about service and sacrifice, and to share stories of patriotism and love of country.
Firefighters in Highlands County were busy yesterday. Units from Sun ‘N Lakes South, Highlands Park, Placid Lakes and the Florida Forest Service were called out yesterday evening to put down a 4-acre brush fire off County Road 29 in Lake Placid.
Yesterday afternoon. Sebring firefighters had to deal with a brush fire along the railroad tracks off North Ridgewood Drive. Reportedly, they were able to get the flames extinguished before they got out of hand.
No injury or property damage was reported in either incident.
A couple of Sebring residents have been hurt in out-of-county accidents. A Sebring trucker was seriously injured in a Desoto County crash. Florida Highway patrol reports indicate the 41-year-old’s rig went off the road and overturned, after a car went left-of-center and hit his big rig.
The 91-year-old driver of the car had only minor injuries.
A Sebring woman suffered minor injuries in a Hendry County crash. FHP reports say she took evasive action to try and avoid a car that had pulled out in front of her. Nevertheless, her truck hit the sedan. The Clewiston man in the car died as the result.
No charges have been filed in either accident.