Popular Highlands County Supervisor of Elections Penny Ogg passed away suddenly this past weekend. It occurred during a brief hospital stay. Family members indicate Ogg, a cancer survivor, had gone in after experiencing anxiety. While hospitalized she “coded” and could not be revived.
Ogg had worked in the supervisor’s office since 2004 and was elected supervisor in 2012. She was in her second term. She served on the board of the Salvation Army as well.
A 14-year-old Sebring youth reportedly was shot and killed early yesterday morning. Highlands County Sheriff’s deputies found the young man’s body in the yard of a home near Beverly Avenue and Kenilworth Boulevard.
They had been called to the area on the report of shots being fired. Two other teens were located in the vicinity – reportedly they were unharmed.
No names or other details on the incident have yet been released.
A Lake Wales man was killed over the weekend in a traffic crash. Police in the Crown Jewel of the Ridge say Edwin McMillan was pulling his car from Highway 27 onto Washington Avenue when he was struck broadside by a tractor trailer rig.
The 62-year-old McMillan had to be extricated from his auto by Lake Wales firefighters. He was airlifted to Lakeland Regional where he succumbed to his injuries. Police say charges in the incident are pending further investigation.
A man wearing full body armor reportedly fatally shot four people near Lakeland over the weekend. Polk County sheriff’s officials say that included a mother and a 3-month-old baby she was cradling in her arms.
The suspect then engaged in a gunfight with police and deputies before being wounded and surrendering.
An 11-year-old girl who was shot seven times survived. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said even after 33-year-old Bryan Riley was arrested, he was so aggressive he tried to wrestle a gun from police as he lay on his hospital gurney.
Judd said Riley was a former Marine who seemed to have targeted his victims at random and appeared to be suffering from mental health issues.