Last week Highlands County sheriff’s deputies busted up a drug trafficking operation with international ties. Now, officials say, they also will be hit with murder charges.
The body of 22-year-old Jonathan Diaz was found last week in a shallow grave behind a home on Longview Drive near Sebring. Deputies say he apparently was killed in a dispute over a debt to drug dealers.
Diaz, said to have been one of the top level dealers, went missing in mid-December. Authorities say apparently he had been bludgeoned to death.
More information is coming out about a 24-year-old Avon Park woman, whose body was found down in Indian River County. The remains of Khadijah Anderson were found in a lake behind the Vero Beach Outlets Mall – not far from where her car was located.
The vehicle was unlocked and the keys were in the ignition. Indian River County officials say it appears she was the only one in the car.
Family members said apparently she had been headed to Lakeland. Officials are asking anybody with any information to contact either the Highlands County or Indian River County sheriff’s office.
There were some tense moments yesterday at the Circle K store at State Road 66 and US 98, when a van caught fire next to the gas pumps. While units from the Desoto City Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene, a number of brave bystanders took it upon themselves to push the vehicle away from the pumps.
Responders say it appeared to have been a mechanical issue. The van is operated by a mobile pet grooming operation. No injuries were reported.
Local musical ensemble, The California Toe Jam Band has set another record. Not only are they the areas longest-surviving band, they drew the biggest crowd ever at Highlands Hammock State Park this past weekend.
Park officials say the better than 1,000 people who showed up was the biggest ever for one of their “Music in the Park” series. The Toe Jam Band is on its Farewell tour