News Update for 4/19/19

Two Avon Park Middle School students have been arrested on Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping counts. A teacher reportdly found a folder containing what appeared to be plans to kill as many as nine identified individuals. Some apparently were to be transported – resulting in the kidnapping counts.
Arrest reports indicate the plans were written in great detail as to how they would lure the victims, kill them and dispose of their bodies. Papers in the folder also indicated notations of “guns,” a “traphouse” and notes on the clothing they would wear.
The two were taken to the Juvenile Detention Center in Bartow.

Five people were seriously injured in an accident south of Lake Placid that involve three cars. Florida Highway Patrol reports show a car driven by 36-year-old Lance Santiago reportedly pulled from County Road 29 onto Highway 27 and into the path of an oncoming car.
The Chrysler 300 driven by Chelsea Crago then broadsided Santiago’s Rav4. Both Santiago and a passenger in his car were airlifted out as was Crago and one of the children in her car. A second child was taken to Advent Hospital Lake Placid by ambulance.
A third vehicle was gathered up in the incident. However, nobody in that vehicle was seriously injured. Charges are pending.

The city of Avon Park is continuing to convert their airport facility back to aviation-only concerns. Offices of the Highlands County Coalition for the homeless have moved out, and the city’s code enforcement operation also is being relocated.
The city has hired a new intern to staff the Fixed Base Operation at the Avon Park airport until a full-time operator can be found.
Yesterday, the airport hosted more than 70 pilots and their guests as the Old Farts Flying Club came to the City of Charm.