An Avon Park man was arrested Monday morning after allegedly fleeing the scene of a hit-and-run crash in Lake Wales. Authorities say 25-year-old Abraham Garcia Rosario rear-ended a vehicle on Highway 27, then drove off without exchanging information or contacting law enforcement. A witness followed him until deputies stopped him near Hwy 60 and Hunt Brothers Road. Rosario, who does not have a valid driver’s license and is reportedly in the U.S. illegally, was charged with leaving the scene of a crash and driving without a license. ICE has been notified.
A 42-year-old Frostproof man was arrested late Monday night after causing a disturbance at Camp Inn RV Resort. Deputies say Terry Smith was found shirtless, yelling, and holding a bottle of whiskey while sitting in a golf cart—with a knife in his pocket. He refused commands and was arrested. Investigators say Smith had entered a woman’s home, pushed her onto a couch, and refused to leave. His breath alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit. Smith now faces charges including DUI, burglary with battery, and resisting arrest.
A Polk County man, accused of killing his father and wounding his mother, has taken a deal that will see him plead guilty to second-degree murder. Bartow police chief Steve Walker says 23-year-old Joseph Voigt shot his parents last December after they said he needed to stop playing video games, get off the couch, and get a job. Voigt was arrested in Orlando, and admitted pulling the trigger. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
Highlands County celebrated the grand opening of its new Traffic Operations facility Tuesday on Kenilworth Boulevard, just west of the county’s operations and fire rescue centers. After nearly two decades in the making, the $2 million facility replaces an outdated site, giving crews more space for modern equipment. Officials praised longtime manager Eddie Cardona and his team for their dedication, especially during storms. Reportedly, Traffic Operations maintains nearly all county traffic signals, 775 streetlights, 70 school zone flashers, and around 40,000 signs across Highlands County.
Over 20 horses are dead after a fire in Central Florida. A barn caught fire yesterday morning in Reddick on Northwest 118th Street. Marion County Fire Rescue says the roof had already collapsed by the time they got there. No people were hurt but 21 horses died. There’s no word on how the fire started.
A former Central Florida prosecutor is now a judge. Governor Ron DeSantis announced yesterday he’s appointing Andrew Bain as a judge in Orange County. Bain used to be the state attorney for Orange and Osceola counties. DeSantis appointed him as prosecutor when he suspended Monique Worrell. She reclaimed the seat in November’s election.
Prosecutors say a man accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump in Florida attempted to buy a rocket launcher. Ryan Routh allegedly attempted to purchase "anti-aircraft weapons" to shoot down Trump’s plane. Routh was charged for attempting to assassinate the President in September at his golf course in Florida. Prosecutors plan to use this information as evidence in the upcoming trial.
The Supreme Court is allowing the Trump administration to resume deportations targeting Venezuelan gang members. Migrants will be given due process to challenge their removal. Governor DeSantis is responding after a federal judge temporarily blocked a new law to make being in Florida illegally a crime. The law is on hold for the next two weeks. An injunction hearing will be held on April 18th
A bill targeting deepfakes is making its way through the Florida Legislature. Miami-Dade Senator Alexis Calatayud is sponsoring the bill, which would require social media platforms to remove the content within 48 hours. It passed the Senate Rules Committee today.