A deadly crash in Lorida Tuesday evening left one person dead and both vehicles engulfed in flames. Florida Highway Patrol says the crash happened around 6:49 p.m. on U.S. 98 near Dougherty Road when a Nissan Frontier crossed into the eastbound lane while attempting to pass traffic and collided with a Dodge Ram. Both trucks overturned and caught fire. The Nissan driver died at the scene, while the 67-year-old driver of the Dodge Ram suffered serious injuries and was taken to a hospital. The crash remains under investigation.
Highlands County Habitat for Humanity is hosting free Homeownership Orientation Meetings in Sebring on June 10th and June 17th. The sessions are aimed at helping local families learn more about affordable homeownership opportunities. Meetings will be held at St. John Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, with both English and Spanish sessions available. The program is open to Highlands County residents and those working in the county. For registration information, call 863-385-7156.
Two Highlands County residents are facing felony animal cruelty charges in separate neglect cases. Deputies say 62-year-old Mary Malool, of Lake Placid, was arrested after a dog named Bear was found severely neglected and later died. In a separate Sebring case, Jonathan Jose Parra was arrested after officers discovered a deceased dog tethered inside a home. Authorities say both cases involved extreme neglect and aggravated animal cruelty charges.
A Bartow man learned the hard way that an old house key doesn’t override an eviction notice. Deputies say 65-year-old Dewayne Galloway used a former key to enter the home he was kicked out of back in March — only to end up back in handcuffs Tuesday night. He’s now charged with trespassing in an occupied structure. According to Polk County records, it’s Galloway’s 20th trip to the county jail since 2004.