Is the city of Avon Park transparent enough when it comes to public records? After city attorney Glinda Pruitt told council they met minimum state standards, council members Terry Heston, Dora Smith and Vice Mayor Brenda Gray voted not to have the city develop their own rules for how public records should be kept.
Council member Jim Barnard raised the issue, after reports that a citizen was unable to get Pruitt’s browser history from her computer. Barnard had suggested more stringent rules for the city.
The primaries are over and the general elections are on the way. In an effort to help inform residents on a number of proposed Amendments to the Florida Constitution, the Democratic Women’s Club will be hosting a forum to discuss the provisions of Amendments one, two and five – which currently are up on the November ballot.
There will be a panel discussion, including Commissioner Jack Richie, new School Board member-elect Isaac Durrance, and Jack Pennisi from the Florida Policy Institute. A question and answer session will follow.
That will be held at 7:00 tonight in the University Center Auditorium at South Florida State College.
An Avon Park man found sleeping in a car in Sebring, now faces charges of burglary, grand theft, and drug counts. Highlands County Sheriff’s officials say 36-year-old Jimmy Ray Jackson was found asleep at the wheel of a Sport Utility Vehicle on Falcon Road.
Not only was the vehicle reportedly stolen – it was filled with items also believed to have been taken in recent break-ins. Sheriff’s officials say more charges may be forthcoming in the case.
A Wauchulla man has been charged with numerous counts after mowing down a pedestrian and two bicyclists in Hardee County. Florida Highway Patrol reports say 31-year-old Jose Manuel Montes-Loredo was northbound on Old Bradenton Road, when he ran over the trio.
26-year-old Josefina Pablo Aguirre who was pregnant, was critically injured. The baby she was carrying was killed. One of the cyclists, 6-year-old Joel Diaz Pablo also was hurt seriously. The second cyclist escaped injury.
Loredo has been charged with careless driving, and driving with no valid ID.
Lottery jackpots have struck just outside Highlands County. A Hardee County woman claimed the top prize in the new Extra Play Scratch off game. 54-year-old Adrena Lampley’s ticket was worth $500,000 before taxes.
A Fantasy Five winner has been reported in Lake Wales. That ticket is valued at $178,274.49 – before taxes. It was purchased at JK Foods on the North Scenic Highway in the Crown Jewel of the Ridge.