Highlands County Director of Critical Infrastructure Claude "Gator" Howerton is leaving. His last day will be Friday. After eight years working for Highlands County, Howerton will take the post as County Engineer for Polk County.
Howerton served for years as the Highlands County Engineer before being moved to his current post. His last day will be Friday.
Units from Desoto City and Lorida were called out early yesterday morning to the Spring Lake community. When they arrived at the scene off Castle Road, they found a slow moving brush fire.
The flames charred about an acre of wooded area before they got it out. There were no injuries, no structures were threatened. Cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
A traffic accident is being blamed for starting a brush fire in Polk County. Haines City Fire officials say the fire started yesterday morning after a dump truck hit a pair of power poles.
It was quickly extinguished. Some residents in the area also lost power as the result of the mishap. The driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
The search is over for a man wanted for his role in a deadly shooting in Polk County.
Plant City Police have arrested Demarius Wilson for tampering with evidence. The 22-year-old was allegedly involved in a shooting two months ago in Lakeland. His brother and a three-year-old were killed. The alleged shooter turned himself in about a week after the shooting.