A recent Florida Department of Transportation speed study of U.S. 27 in Sebring has determined that current speed limits will remain unchanged. The study, prompted by a local resident’s call to lower the limit for safety reasons, found drivers frequently exceed the posted speeds of 50 and 55 miles per hour. Despite 965 crashes — including 13 fatalities — over the past five years, the study recommends stronger enforcement and the installation of vehicle speed feedback signs instead of lowering the limit. Four signs are planned: northbound near Raley Road, southbound near Tanglewood Drive, and in both directions at Flare Road and south of Sparta Road.
A routine traffic stop north of Davenport turned into a major drug bust Monday night when a Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy pulled over a Bowling Green woman. 41-year-old Ashley Odom was stopped at US 27 and California Boulevard and found to be driving on a license revoked two years ago for being a habitual offender. A search uncovered meth pipes, fentanyl-filled syringes, and other drugs in her truck. Odom now faces multiple charges including possession of meth, fentanyl, drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended license. She’s now booked in the Polk County Jail.
A former DeSoto correctional officer has been arrested for sneaking a cell phone to an inmate she had a romantic relationship with. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office says 23-year-old Aunusty Dominguez, formerly Austyn Kellogg, gave the phone to inmate Trey Borders while working at the DeSoto County Jail. Borders told detectives they had a consensual sexual relationship and used the phone to stay in contact after he was moved to the Charlotte County Jail. The phone was found during a cell check in January 2023. Dominguez turned herself in July 1 and was released on a $5,000 bond.
A Central Florida man is facing charges in his child’s death. Ormond Beach’s Scott Allen Gardner was indicted yesterday for first-degree murder. He allegedly left his one-year-old son to die in a hot car last month. The sheriff’s office says the boy was in the car for three hours while Gardner got a haircut and went to a bar. Gardner was also indicted for aggravated child abuse and child neglect. He’ll be arraigned next week.