Update 11/3/21News

Three Avon Park men are in custody following an overnight car chase. Highlands County Sheriff’s deputies on patrol saw a suspect wanted on warrants, driving a sport utility vehicle through Avon Park. However, when they tried to effect a traffic stop, the suspect took off.
The chase ran from Lake Avenue inside the City of Charm – first south, then all the way up to East Oak Island Road – just south of the Polk County line.
Arrested were Jesus Jaramillo, Sergio Cortez-Romeo and Margarito Garcia. All three were taken to the Highlands County jail.
The Polk County Sheriff’s helicopter also came in to help with the apprehension.

Florida Forest Service officials have announced the first wildfire as this year’s dry season gets underway. The blaze charred an estimated two acres off Gallano street just north of Sun ‘N Lake. Two bulldozers and an engine were dispatched to corral the flames.
There were no injuries and no structures were threatened. Forest Service officials did not release a cause for the blaze. They have been cautioning residents to be careful with fire as the normal summer rain cycle has come to an end.

The votes are counted and Avon Park now has three new city council members. Residents elected Bernice Taylor, Brittany McGuire and Michelle “Shelly” Mercure.
Just short of 15-percent of the electorate cast ballots in the municipal election. Of the total 773 ballots – nearly half of them were mail in or drop-off ballots.
The three council members-elect will be sworn in at the next Avon Park city council meeting. That will be this coming Monday.

Highlands County commissioners kicked off their meeting yesterday by swearing in new Highlands County Supervisor of Elections Karen Healy. She was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis this past weekend to fill the seat left vacant with the death of Penny Ogg. Ogg died suddenly in September following a brief hospital stay.
Judge Angela Cowden administered the oath of office.

Another illegal alien has been arrested in Polk County following a violent incident. As construction workers were working on a home in Davenport, reportedly, one of them slashed another following an argument.
According to Polk County deputies, 22-year-old Nelson Carpio Garcia was working with two other men in new development along Oak Reflection Loop. Garcia reportedly fled following the incident, but was located a short distance away. It was the second time around for Garcia. He previously had been arrested on Aug. 29, of lst year for not having a valid driver’s license. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers was notified and Garcia was released into their custody from the Polk County Jail.