The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office held the first of three gun buy-back programs last night in Lake Placid. The event was held in the parking lot of the Happiness Tower off Highway 27.
Reportedly, the event was cut short by an hour, due to the weather. Sheriff’s officials said they were very pleased with the turn-ins and participation.
The second “Pieces 4 Peace” gun buy-back will be held tomorrow evening in Avon Park at the Martin Luther King Field on the city’s southside. That also will be held from 5-8pm.
Those turning in a weapon will receive a $50 gift card.
Highlands County school board members met last night and continued their preparations for the upcoming academic year. They inked agreements with both the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office and the Sebring Police Department to provide resource officers in each of the district schools.
The agreements were slightly different from last year, due to changes in state law.
One person was taken to the hospital yesterday afternoon following a motorcycle accident south of Lake Placid. Reportedly, the bike crashed near the intersection of State Road 70 and Placid Lakes Drive.
Firefighters from Sun ‘N Lake South and Placid Lakes had to douse the flames when the bike caught fire. Florida Highway Patrol officials have not released the name of the rider, nor an accident description.
Earlier this month, an estimated $800 worth of honey was taken from a Lake Wales-area apiary. Now, officials believe they have arrested at least one of the perpetrators.
Hillsborough County sheriff’s officials have arrested 52-year-old Muhammed Abdellah Hmeid of Tampa. A second man, and a woman still are being sought. The three were caught on surveillance cameras at the Struthers Honey farm on Highway 60 on the outskirts of Lake Wales.
Struthers’ operates on the “honor system,” with customers taking products – then leaving cash.