News Update for 8/5/19

The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office wrapped up their inaugral gun buy-back program, calling it a success. Over the course of last week, authorities say they took in over 100 guns.
Programs were held in Lake Placid, Avon Park and Sebring. Despite the fact some of them were cut short by bad weather, officials said they were happy both with the turn-out and the results.
Each person turning in a weapon received a $50 gift card for each weapon surrendered.

Highlands County Sheriff’s officials say they have made a couple of important arrests.
First, 20-year-old James Tyrese Ancrum, has been picked up and charged with the armed robbery of two women in Avon Park on July 30.
An escapee from a Jacksonville juvenile detention facility also has been apprehended. Highlands County Sheriff’s officials say 16-year-old Taja Kishon Bing of Osceola county was found in a home off Berkley Road in Avon Park.
Two other teenagers also were arrested when four guns – one of them stolen – were found in the home along with a quantity of marijuana.
They were charged with harboring a fugitive, firearms and drug counts. Apparently they have been living in the home unsupervised by adults.

It appears there will be an election this year in Avon Park. Perennial candidate, former city councilman Aljoe Hinson has stepped forward to challenge incumbent Garrett Anderson for the mayor’s post.
Former city councilman Terry Heston also has filed his paperwork to run for the seat currently held by Vice Mayor Jim Barnard.
That also means residents in the City of Charm will have an opportunity to vote on a number of proposed changes to the Avon Park city charter.

A number of people were hurt in traffic incidents around the area over the weekend.
At least one person was taken to the hospital from a weekend traffic crash in Sebring. According to reports, two trucks collided in the Sparta Road turn lane. No names or other details have yet been released.
One person was transported after an ATV crashed into a tree in the Venus area south of Lake Placid.
And two people suffered minor injuries when their car hit a cow. That one occurred on Highway 27 and the Avon Park Cutoff Road near Frostproof. The cow expired from its injuries.