Prosecutors say disturbing hotel surveillance video and text messages helped build a strong case in the killing of 21-year-old Elijah Daley. In a hearing last week, a detective detailed how Daley thought he was meeting friends at a Lake Placid Ramada Inn in May, but instead was ambushed — shot nine times after suspects plotted by text. Five people face first-degree murder and robbery charges, while a sixth is accused of hiding weapons and phones. Prosecutors believe the motive was robbery after Daley posted cash on Instagram. All six have pleaded not guilty.
A reminder for Highlands County drivers: Beginning Monday, October 6th, Beacon Avenue will be closed from State Road 17 to just east of Panther Parkway for road widening and resurfacing. The project is expected to take about six months. Message boards are already in place, and detour signs will direct traffic along Home Avenue and Sebring Parkway. Local access will remain open near Waterside Mobile Home Park and Sandlace Road.
An Osceola County man is dead from injuries suffered on a ride at Universal Orlando. Kissimmee’s Kevin Rodriguez Zavala died Wednesday after going on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office says he died of multiple blunt impact injuries. He was 32. There’s no word on how he was hurt, but the chief medical examiner calls the death accidental. Deputies are investigating.
Florida is joining a lawsuit against Ticketmaster and Live Nation over ticket resales. The FTC filed suit in California yesterday, accusing Ticketmaster and its parent company of illegal business practices. The lawsuit says those practices include allowing brokers to exceed ticket-purchase limits and resale those tickets for "significantly more." Ticketmaster has faced government scrutiny since its botched Taylor Swift ticket on-sale in 2022.