Avon Park city council members last night voted to waive the fees at their community center for the Battle of the Bands, Inc. The action will help clear the way for a public celebration of life for Anna Marie Feeny. The local singer and activist was killed in a car crash this past weekend while enroute to an engagement in Lake Placid.
Family members say they plan first a private ceremony, then a public event. That is tentatively scheduled for August 8th.
Qualifying has opened for three seats on the Avon Park city council. Up for grabs this time around are the seats currently occupied by Maria Sutherland, Shirley Johnson and Brenda Gray. Johnson is filling out the remainder of the term of the late Stanley Spulock.
Qualifying will run through August 6th.
Sebring police are looking into a couple shooting incidents. One occurred early yesterday morning at the Citrus Terrace Apartments. The second occurred early this morning on Oak Avenue.
No details on victims or suspects has yet been released. Both incidents remain under investigation.
Highlands County Sheriff’s officials say there has been an arrest in connection with last Tuesday’s shooting incident at the Veranda Breeze Apartment Complex.
20-year-old Jatavian Taashan Holder has been charged with attempted first degree murder in connection with the shooting, as well as counts of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Authorities say they believe more than one person was involved. The 24-year-old victim remains hospitalized in critical condition – their name has not been released.
It was a busy day for firefighters yesterday with a myriad of calls. First, units from Highlands Park, Lake Placid and Sun ‘N Lake were called to a Patton Avenue address to extinguish the flames in an out-building there.
There reportedly was in excess of $50,000 damage. Cause remains under investigation.
Later, a house on Twin Lakes Road was hit by lightning. Damage there was set at $5,000.
Also during the day, units had to fish a van out of the water after it went down a boat ramp and into a canal that goes into Lake Grassy.
One individual was injured yesterday in a mishap involving a lawnmower. That one occurred at the Sun ‘N Lake Golf Course.
Those wanting an update on Highlands County will be able to get one tonight, as new Highlands County commissioner Kevin Roberts will give a state of the county update, and answer questions at the Highlands Tea Party.
That event will be held this evening at 6pm at the Vietnam Veterans Hall on Grand Prix Drive west of Sebring.