A local resident wanting to t sell his home in Sebring Village, is running into some issues. Reportedly, managers of the mobile home park are actively blocking the sale of Frank Davis’s home because he won’t settle a previous lawsuit he brought against them. The lawsuit centers around current managers ordering him to paint his house again after a previous manager approved its color. Davis says this, in addition to a host of other park directives for high-cost work and repairs, have all but drained his savings. In July, Davis was threatened with eviction and told he would be unable to sell his home unless he dropped the suit, paid the park’s legal fees and completed another list of property work. Davis has since filed another lawsuit against Sebring Village, this one for violating tenant rights, harassment, pain and suffering, and failure to allow his home sale.
Two teenagers’ idea of a joke has them facing charges in Volusia County. Sheriff Mike Chitwood announced yesterday a 17-year-old and a 16-year-old were arrested for threatening a school shooting at Taylor High School in Pierson. The alleged threat was made on Snapchat, and Chitwood says they posted it right after their school played a message about how seriously his office takes these so-called jokes. Chitwood wrote on X that parents need to talk to their kids and help them understand these jokes are just about the dumbest way to find yourself locked up with a felony.
Video of an interview with Jennifer Soto shows Orange County deputies doubted her story. The sheriff’s office released video this week of investigators talking to Madeline Soto’s mother. Thirteen-year-old Madeline was found dead six months ago in Osceola County, and Jennifer’s boyfriend, Stephen Sterns, is accused of sexually abusing and killing the girl. In the interview, Jennifer says she didn’t know Sterns was sexually abusing Madeline, but the detective interviewing her told her he didn’t buy it. He also wrote in a report that Jennifer’s emotions in the interview appeared fake.
Florida is providing more protections for a threatened shark species. State wildlife officials have added oceanic whitetip sharks to its list of animals that are prohibited from being harmed or harvested in local waterways. Tuesday’s decision from the FWC will align with federal regulations designed to preserve the shark species. NOAA Fisheries issued similar protections for boaters in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean earlier this year.
The Highlands County Board of Commissioners final budget hearing for the Fiscal 2024/2025 year was Tuesday night. The Board passed a reduced millage rate for the third year in a row- the budget is set at $221,198,343 dollars with a millage rate of 7.6000 mils. The Board, staying ahead of the state’s requirement for the $15 an hour minimum wage by 2026, approved the pay rate increase for all County employees. For those who earn less than $15 per hour, their pay rate will be increased to this starting October 1st, 2024. The Commissioners sitting as the Board of Supervisors for special districts, approved the final budgets for the 17 municipal service benefit units. The budget is set at a little over 1.8 million dollars. Commissioners also approved the Capital Financial Strategy and the Master Fee schedule for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins October 1st.
A 36-year-old cold case is now closed in Orange County. State Attorney Andrew Bain announced yesterday a man known as the Malibu Rapist pled guilty to sexual battery with a deadly weapon. Bain says George Girtman terrorized women and girls across Orlando in the 1980s and ’90s. One of his many victims was Gail Gardner. Bain credits her for continuing to push for justice. It was her discovery that DNA collected in her case from 1988 had never been tested, and Bain says she was persistent that it be examined. That test finally came three years ago, and it led investigators to Girtman. His DNA was also linked to six other cases. The 70-year-old Girtman is already serving two life sentences for a previous sex crime conviction. Bain says Gardner’s case is a reminder that justice, though sometimes delayed, is never out of reach.
Brevard County is glad to be getting help removing abandoned boats. A county official says they have removed about 85 derelict boats since 2023. It’s expensive, but the FWC announced yesterday it has approved block grant funding to help cover the costs. The FWC says this means busy governments will no longer have to wait to apply in advance for each vessel removal project. Brevard County Communications Director Don Walker says anything that’ll move the removal process along and cut some red tape is going to really help. He also tells Channel 9 the county has 24 boats in need of removal, and work could start next month.
Tupperware is planning to continue its operations after filing for bankruptcy. The Orange County-based food storage company, as well as some of its subsidiaries, filed for Chapter 11 protection Tuesday. Tupperware is hoping to get court approval to sell the business in order to protect the brand, while also remaining in production. The company says it is dealing with more than one-billion dollars in debt. In addition, overall sales have declined since 2018 due to a rise in competition.
The Federal Reserve is cutting interest rates by half-a-point. University of Central Florida economist Sean Snaith thinks it’s a little too aggressive. Dr. Snaith says the move suggests the Central Bank is more concerned about a recession than it is inflation taking off again. Snaith would have preferred a more cautious cut since we have yet to reach the inflation target of 2 percent. It’s the first interest rate cut in more than four years.