The Lake Placid Town Council has approved design updates for the town’s future police station. The building will sit in front of the Government Center and share its parking lot, with public access routed through the government driveway — not directly from U.S. 27. To meet town access rules, the station’s rear will face the highway, but signage will still be visible from the road. The Council also granted exceptions to commercial building standards, reducing window requirements for security and shrinking the required covered entrance. The new facility will feature advanced evidence processing and storage capabilities.
The trial of former deputy Nicholas Zotto has been postponed to September 15. Zotto, who owns Pawsome Sitters and is a former Hardee County Deputy and Bradenton Police officer, faces animal cruelty charges after a video surfaced showing alleged abuse of a dog named Grizzly. He’s also charged with operating an unlicensed kennel. The delay was announced just before jury selection was scheduled to begin.
Four teenagers and two others are facing charges after a double-murder in Polk County. The sheriff’s office released details yesterday on Monday’s incidents in Lakeland’s Secret Cove neighborhood. According to investigators, 19-year-old Davin Boutwell was in his car when he was shot in the chest during a drug deal. He drove from the scene, hit a man on an e-bike and a house. Boutwell and the 38-year-old man on the e-bike died at the scene. Deputies say four suspects planned to rob Boutwell, and the other two were in the getaway car. There were also two children in the getaway car, ages one and four. A 15-year-old, a 17-year-old, an 18-year-old and a 23-year-old are charged with first-degree murder. The 17-year-old is the alleged shooter. A 19-year-old and a 21-year-old are charged with being accessories. All are from Lakeland. Sheriff Grady Judd says this is another reminder that drugs, guns and youth is a deadly cocktail.
A routine parking complaint in Davenport, Florida, turned into a major bust Monday when Polk County deputies discovered four people in the U.S. illegally—three with active warrants. Deputies responded to a call about an RV parked in a handicap spot at a UPS Store. The driver, 45-year-old Liliana Tinichigiu, had multiple warrants out of Virginia and resisted arrest. Her daughter and another man also interfered and were arrested—both with similar charges. A fourth man, though cooperative, was also arrested for a felony theft warrant. ICE has been notified.
Skip Barber Racing heads to Sebring International Raceway this weekend for TC America’s first triple-header under its new format. James Klimas returns in the No. 61 Toyota GR Corolla TC, while Series Director Mike Ogren makes his driving debut here at his home track in the No. 07 Acura Integra Type S. In GT4 America, brothers Alex and Michael Garcia will compete in the No. 07 Aston Martin Vantage, looking to rebound after a tough race at COTA. Plus, top karters from Orlando Kart Center will join as VIP guests after earning spots through the OKC Super League.
Two Desoto and Sarasota Boys & Girls Club members have earned full-ride scholarships to Duquesne University, thanks to the generosity of Drs. Robert and Patricia Gussin. Aundrayah M. from the Roy McBean Club in Newtown and Tallone H. from the Robert and Joan Lee Club in Venice will attend the Pittsburgh university as Gussin Endowed Scholars. The scholarship covers tuition, fees, books, and housing for four years, honoring students who show academic excellence, resilience, and leadership. The Gussin program has supported deserving youth since 2014.
A deadly alligator attack has prompted new warnings in the Tiger Creek area near Lake Wales. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office installed a large advisory sign after a 61-year-old woman, Cynthia Diekema, was killed when an alligator overturned her canoe. A similar attack injured a kayaker just months earlier. The new sign urges visitors to avoid swimming or wading, keep pets and kids away from the water, and warns that kayaking or canoeing may be extremely dangerous. Officials remind the public: stay alert and keep your distance from alligators.
Florida’s first black bear hunt in a decade is taking shape. The FWC yesterday released some rules it’s proposing for the hunt it hopes to hold in December. The goal is to manage the black bear population through a conservative, well-regulated hunt. One of the rules the commission will consider at a meeting next week is to allow dogs. Hunters may also be able to shoot bears within proximity of game feeding stations. Critics are worried the rules are favored too much in favor of the hunters. One woman who advocates for bears tells the Orlando Sentinel it’s going to be a massacre.