News Update for 4/29/21

It was a long night for Highlands County sheriff’s deputies last night. They chased a speeding motorist all around the Sebring area then up to the north end of the county. Apparently, it revolved around a domestic disturbance with a 19-year-old Sebring man taking a car with his victim in it.
She apparently began screaming to other motorists who alerted police. Sheriff’s deputies chased the car from Valerie Boulevard, down Thunderbird road, then north on Highway 27 – finally stopping the car at Stryker Road north of Avon Park.
Stop sticks were deployed twice. There were no injuries and no serious damage. Arrested was Robert Cozier. Detectives say they still are unraveling the case.

Firefighters from Lorida and Desoto City and the Florida Forest Service responded yesterday for yet another brush fire. This one was on Gem Stone Avenue in Lorida, and apparently was the result of an unauthorized burn pile that got away.
It charred about two acres before they got it under control. No injuries or structure damage was reported there.

Five more Highlands County school students have received scholarships. The stipends were awarded yesterday at an awards banquet hosted by The Alan Jay Automotive Network and the Sebring Chamber of Commerce.
Taking home a $5,000 check was James Branca, Jr. Camila Ibanez, who already picked up $1,000 at the state science fair got another $2500. Getting $1500 each were seniors
Jayden Lee, Kyria Wickham and Cali Zimmerman.
Some $6,000 in donations were received during the luncheon, which was doubled by host Alan J. Wildstein to $12,000 for the fund.

It appears one of the suitors interested in running the Avon Park airport has dropped out of the race. According to reports, Scott Carkeet, a 35-year aviation and transportation industry professional, has been hired away by the Sebring Municipal Airport.
Meanwhile, Avon Park city council members continue to work on a 30-year pact with Florida Airport Management to run the facility. They told consultant Lowell Clary to move ahead and hammer out an agreement with the group – who both would run the airport and establish an extensive hemp growing operation there.