Three people were seriously injured yesterday morning when two vehicles collided north of Avon Park. Florida Highway Patrol reports indicate a car driven by 64-year-old Mirella Theilves Graveran ran a stop sign at the intersection of North Oleander Drive and Taunton Road, and hit an SUV driven by Maribel Toscano.
The force of impact caused Graveran’s car to roll-over.
Both drivers were seriously injured as was Toscano’s passenger, Isabel Aquino. All three were taken to Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Center.
Graveran was charged with failure to stop at the stop sign.
It appears that the equestrian bridge on Vaughn Road will be restored – but it will be the last time the county will do it. At their meeting yesterday, Highlands County commissioners voted to restore the deck of the structure, then to vacate the right of way and let Highlands Hammock State Park take responsibility for it.
The commissioners voted to spend up to $40,000 for the project. That money would be funded through gas taxes.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals continue to dog the Loomis Brothers Circus, which is slated to perform this weekend at the Highlands County Fairgrounds. At the Sebring City Council meeting last night Jamie Beneveld said she had enlisted the Sebring Police Department to watch each of the performances to make certain that the elephant and tiger acts do not run afoul of a municipal ordinance banning bullhooks or whips.
Sebring Police Chief Karl Hoglund said in addition to having officers present, the performances would be videotaped.
As school gets ready to start, the Highlands County Sheriff’s office is getting ready by beefing up the “School Safe Deputies” program. Sheriff Paul Blackman yesterday swore in Phillip Cloninger and Jamie Spiers.
Both have long histories with the office, Clonninger worked for the Sheriff’s office for over 20 years, while Spires spent 30 years with the sheriff’s office.
Both are coming out of retirement to work as resource deputies as part of the new state law that requires a law enforcement officer at every school campus.